From Cluttered to Curated: How the Right Makeup Organizer Saved My Sanity (And My Morning Routine)

Let me paint you a picture. Just a few months ago, my bathroom countertop was a warzone. Lipsticks rolled into the sink, foundation bottles were tangled with serums, and I’d spend precious morning minutes digging for my favorite brush under a pile of… stuff. My getting-ready process was fueled less by zen and more by frantic searching. Sound familiar?

I knew I had to intervene. But where do you even start? The options are endless: acrylic towers, rustic bamboo, chic marble trays. I went on a deep dive, tested a bunch, and finally found organizers that not only cleared my space but actually brought me joy.

After my great organization journey, I’m breaking down everything I learned to help you find the perfect countertop organizer for your space and style.

My Top 3 Types of Countertop Organizers (& Who They’re For)

1. The Acrylic All-Star: For The Product Junkie
You know the ones—those clear, stackable towers with compartments for everything. I was skeptical they were worth the hype, but oh, they are.

• Pros: Visibility is everything. You can see every product at a glance, which means you actually use the makeup you own. They’re easy to clean (just a wipe with a damp cloth!), and the modular design lets you customize as your collection grows. Perfect for those with a large collection of palettes, foundations, and lipsticks.
• Cons: They can show dust and fingerprints if not cleaned regularly. They can also be a bit pricey for high-quality, thick acrylic, but it’s worth the investment to avoid flimsy plastic.
• My Pick: I adore the ones with a dedicated, elevated holder for makeup brushes. It keeps them clean, organized, and within easy reach.

2. The Chic Tray: For The Minimalist with Style
If your collection is more edited and your aesthetic is everything, a beautiful tray is your best friend.

• Pros: It contains your daily essentials in one, gorgeous spot. It looks more like decor than organization, which is a major win. You can find them in marble, ceramic, metal, or mirrored finishes to match your vibe. It forces you to curate only your most-loved, daily-use products.
• Cons: It has limited capacity. This isn’t for storing your entire collection, just the heroes of your routine.
• My Pick: A white marble-look tray holds my everyday complexion products, a small brush cup, and my go-to lip combo. It looks so put-together and makes me feel like I have my life together, even on a Monday morning.

3. The Rotating Carousel: For The Makeup Artist At Heart
Do you love having everything at your fingertips? This is the organizer for you.

• Pros: The 360-degree rotation is a game-changer. No more knocking over bottles to reach something in the back. It holds a surprising amount of product and makes your counter look like a professional makeup station.
• Cons: It takes up more circular real estate on your counter. The design can sometimes feel a bit less “decor” and more “functional.”
• My Pick: I use a small, clear rotating organizer for all my most-used skincare—toners, serums, moisturizers. It makes my nightly routine so efficient.

My Pro Tips for Organizing Like a Boss

1. EDIT FIRST! This is the most important step. Before you buy a single organizer, go through your makeup. Toss anything expired, sanitize what you’re keeping, and donate or give away products you never use. Organizing clutter is just moving clutter.
2. Measure Your Space. Seriously, grab a tape measure. Note the dimensions of your countertop, so you don’t fall in love with an organizer that’s way too big.
3. Think Vertically. Don’t just use the footprint of your counter. Use stackable organizers or tiers to take advantage of vertical space.
4. Group Like with Like. Keep all your lip products together, your eye products together, your brushes together. It streamlines your routine immensely.
5. Make it Pretty. You’re more likely to keep it tidy if you love how it looks. Choose organizers that make you happy and fit your personal style.

The right organizer didn’t just clean my counter; it streamlined my routine and started my day with a sense of calm instead of chaos. It’s a small upgrade that makes a huge difference.

I want to know—what’s your biggest makeup organization struggle? Are you team Acrylic, team Tray, or something else entirely? Share your tips below!