How to Organize Your Makeup and Beauty Products Efficiently

Packing for a trip means figuring out how to manage everything from liquids and creams to powders and solids in your beauty routine. It takes some planning to get it right.

How can you keep everything neat and accessible when you arrive? Is it possible to simplify your routine without compromising your appearance or confidence? With Subtl Beauty, there’s no need to think about compromise while traveling. Use these packing hacks, storage solutions, and organization strategies to master the art of makeup organization on the go.

What You Pack Depends on Your Trip Details:

When planning how to organize your makeup for a trip, it’s important to think about when and for which occasions you’ll be using it.

A key piece of advice from any makeup artist is that your makeup choices should align with your destination and the events you’ll attend.

1. What Activities Are Planned?

If your trip involves hopping between planes and trains, it’s best to stick to the basics: concealer, bronzer, blush, and a lip color. Consider whether you’ll need these items handy for quick touch-ups or if they can be stashed in your luggage.

 

For a trip that includes a special event where you want to elevate your look, you might pack a few extra essentials like an eyeshadow palette, highlighter, and shine-control powder. Since these items are only for your glamorous evenings, there’s no need to keep them within arm’s reach throughout the day.

2. Think About Your Travel Plans

With all the movement involved in traveling—navigating train stations, squeezing through airplane aisles, or stowing your bag overhead or underfoot—you’ll want to ensure your makeup stays intact.

 

Whether you’re packing light with a carry-on or going all out with a full suitcase, it’s essential to protect your makeup. Use a padded makeup bag to keep your products safe from bumps and jolts during the journey.

 

If you don’t have a padded bag, try a simple hack: surround your makeup with soft items like clothes to cushion it and reduce the chances of breakage. After all, no one wants to open their bag after a long flight to a bronzer explosion.

For extra protection, place your makeup in a plastic bag. Even if something does break, this will prevent spills from ruining your clothes and other belongings.

3. Assessing Weather Conditions for Makeup Preparation

The weather can significantly influence how you plan and execute your makeup routine. It not only determines the type and frequency of makeup application but also impacts how and where you store your cosmetics.

To get an overview of the weather conditions at your destination, simply search for the location, month, and "weather" on Google. This will provide you with insights into average temperatures and precipitation levels, aiding in efficient packing and decluttering before your trip.

A few days prior to departure, check the weather forecast for your specific travel dates. A precise forecast will help you decide which makeup items to pack and which to leave behind.

If you're traveling to a hot, summery city, you might need extra powder for touch-ups, so consider packing a portable shine-control pressed powder. Additionally, a primer or CC cream with SPF can protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

During rainy weather, opt for waterproof mascara to prevent it from smudging if you get caught in the rain.

If you anticipate rainy or humid conditions, pack makeup that's resistant to these elements. This includes using waterproof containers, avoiding powder products, and selecting items that don't require brushes for application, as they may get wet more easily on rainy days.

4. Utilize a Transparent Bag for Easy Access

While the idea of packing all liquids into a large plastic bag for TSA inspection may not be appealing, a clear bag can actually be a practical organizational tool.

Colorful and patterned makeup bags can add a personal touch to your belongings, ranging from elegant and sophisticated to playful and whimsical. However, once packed, it becomes difficult to see the contents without opening and searching through each bag. This can be particularly frustrating if you have multiple makeup bags and are searching for a specific item like a lip liner or eyeliner.

Using an acrylic makeup organizer or another type of clear bag allows you to see the contents of each bag at a glance, making it easier to find the makeup you need quickly. If purchasing a new clear bag is not an option, consider repurposing transparent containers from your home, such as Tupperware or sealable plastic bags, to achieve the same effect.

5. Pack Smart by Sticking to Essentials

Overpacking often seems unavoidable, but when traveling, it's crucial to prioritize space-saving by selecting items that serve multiple purposes. This not only enhances organization but also optimizes storage.

 

Start by outlining your daily makeup routine and any special looks you plan for your trip. Identify which tools are necessary and strive to minimize your makeup supplies, leaving unnecessary products at home.

Consider this: do you really need to carry an extensive makeup collection, including cream contour palettes, numerous lip products, five compacts, and a bulky 36-pan eyeshadow palette? If so, you might as well bring your entire makeup drawer, which isn't practical for travel.

Having options is great, but let's be honest — how often have you packed excessively and ended up using just one lip gloss and a couple of eyeshadow shades?

One of our top DIY makeup organization tips is to pack only your favorite products and leave the rest behind.

Seek out versatile products that can be used in various ways, like a cream blush that doubles as a lip color. This product is also buildable, allowing you to layer for more intense, vibrant looks without needing multiple shades.

Conclusion: Simplify Travel Makeup Organization

By incorporating a bit of planning and innovative tools like our Makeup bag, organizing your makeup for travel becomes effortless. This reduces packing stress, maximizes bag space, keeps hotel rooms tidy, and streamlines your getting-ready routine. Consequently, you'll have more time to enjoy your destination, bond with loved ones, or focus on work in the boardroom.