ORGANIZE YOUR COSMETICS

Cosmetics have a way of accumulating. You buy a waterproof lipstick to match your new swimsuit and discover that there is no room to squeeze it in the cosmetic drawer. Worse, you reach for your special mocha lipliner and it is no where to be found. You know you will look good but you won’t look your best.

These aggravations are only the top of the iceberg for those of us who rely on a little cosmetic enhancement to make us feel pretty. We know that we will be less harried and have the look we want if we keep cosmetic products neat. But when we’re racing to get to work, to a date, to the gym, to a class, we do not do such a good job of putting things back where they belong.

The keys to keeping cosmetics organized are:

Keep it simple. You really do not need forty shades of eye shadow and twenty-five lipsticks. Choose the three or four that you use routinely and keep them close at hand.

Group items by application zones. Create a skin kit with moisturizer, concealer, foundation and powder, an eye kit with mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow, a finisher kit with lipstick, lipliner and blush.

Choose cosmetic containers that work for you. Clear plastic drawer dividers, acrylic shoe boxes and tackle boxes work as well as designated cosmetic organizers. Magna Pods have magnetized backing that allows them to adhere to metal cabinets and vintage train cases work well for gals on the go.

Keep it fresh. Cosmetics expire just like milk does and can cause skin reactions and infections if used after the expiration date. Make a date to review cosmetics and discard expired items.

It takes a little effort to keep cosmetics in order but the gains are worth it. Just think of saving time and money and looking beautiful. What more could a girl want?

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Avoid Bathroom Clutter Traps

Throughout the house there are certain areas that just seem to accumulate clutter. One of those areas is the bathroom. It is a limited space in which we accomplish varied tasks and need to store a variety of items. The things we store in the bathroom fall into four categories: medicines and pharmaceuticals, toiletries and make-up, supplies, and appliances. The key to orderly storage and easy access is to group by function and not by type. For instance, you may use a hot lather machine, disposable razors an aftershave and occasionally, a styptic pencil to shave in the morning. You may also have an electric razor that you use routinely or occasionally. If you create a shaving kit and store these items together, you can more efficiently pull them out when you are ready to use them -and put them away when you are finished. Otherwise you may be tempted to leave an item or two on the counter space. Grouping the items according to function saves time and energy. Try grouping them in a clear shoebox and storing on an enclosed shelf or deep drawer.

Apply this same principle to fashion a first aid kit that includes Band-Aids, antiseptics, bandages and an analgesic. Gather and store supplies for dental hygiene. You can also put together a makeup kit with the cosmetics you use on a daily basis, so you can apply and fly to your next appointment.

There are many storage items that are available to organize your bathroom accoutrements. Also look outside the traditional bathroom storage systems to coral functional items. If you take a lot of pills or dietary supplements the four-drawer spice rack with slide-out and flip-down drawers provides a handy way to organize the bottles. Look at cabinet plate organizers or over the cabinet mail racks to separate and store flat bubble packs. Also investigate slide-out wire racks in various dimensions to store supplies in narrow spaces and under the sink.

If you need a place to sit, a place to store and a flat surface to keep a few things handy, take a look at the telephone bench/storage cabinet at www.Solutions.com. It has a cushioned seat, a flat table surface and two hidden storage compartments.

Whatever innovative solutions you design, remember to keep items together to perform a task and keep the kits you create close to the point of activity. That will make it easier to avoid clutter.

Check out the products mentioned at the following web sites:
www.Solutions.com
www.Grandinroad.com
www.taylorgifts.com


Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net