vanity: makeup organization

This is part of my Lazy Beauty series.  I want everyone to feel pretty, without sweatin' it. 

We remodeled our bathroom a few years ago and it quickly became my favorite room in the house.  It's a calm and soothing sanctuary.  

Except when it looks like the tub vomited beauty products everywhere.  

I am a beauty product whore and I'll generally try any regimen thrown at me.  In the rest of my house, I aim to simplify, but in the bathroom I'm a certified hoarder.  And our pedestal sinks, though gorgeous, leave nothing to the imagination.  I had a small cabinet that in theory was supposed to house my creams and powders, but it was a pain to get them out and put them away every day.   I mean, who has that kinda time?

 

The Gorilla cried mercy and we purchased a vanity table and chair.  The mirrored table is from Pier 1, and the seat is from Restoration Hardware.  I bought an inexpensive acrylic makeup organizer from The Container Store and filled the back row with uncooked white rice. 

Yes, rice.

 

This is where I stick my makeup brushes and pencil-type cylindrical items.  I made up that trick, I think.  I just wanted to be able to have the items stand up in the organizer.  

Everything else just sort of floats about on the table, but I try to keep only the things I use somewhat regularly out on the table.  (Like the Stridex pads.  I'm 30 and hormonal and frequently use acne products aimed at pre-teens.)  

 

At the far end of the table you can see the brown travel bag where I stuff larger items for a trip, and the M.A.C. wipes I use at the end of each day.  You may also spot one of my fourteen jars of moisturizer.  I like to have options.  

The products I use daily, I keep in this little bag. 

 

 It's small enough to toss in a purse if needed.  

 

So, there's a lot of it, but I have it organized in a way that works for me: Daily & touch items in the polka-dot bag, regimens and alternative options on the vanity, and travel items in the brown bag.  I almost always know where to find the product I'm looking for.

Are your beauty products organized or strewn about?  Cluttered minds want to know.