A portable makeup station is something that I never dreamed I would ever use. Then I got older. And wiser. And a little more desperate.
First, my skin was NOT the same as it was in my 20s and 30s…it required some “maintenance” during the day. A little touch-up, as they say. Plus, the serene bathroom I once enjoyed, had become a common ground for every member of my household. And because of haphazard organization, my NARS lipstick ended up being a substitute for my daughter’s Strawberry Shortcake Lip Balm…they are both PINK, Mom!
{sniffle…$26 down the drain}
How To Organize & Create A Functional Portable Makeup Station
Creating a “progressive or multi-tiered” home portable makeup station allowed me to take the products I needed with me, while also organizing my makeup at the same time.
On The Go – The Makeup Bag (Touch Ups)
The Makeup Bag is an extra small bag (I like clear plastic, so I even use ziplocs) that houses your basic makeup items for touchups and is kept in your purse, handbag or briefcase. Because it is so small, you want to limit the items you have inside this bag…maybe only three or four of the following items (mascara, lipstick/lipgloss, blush, eyeshadow, powder, and lip liner). Bag must be small enough to fit inside extended soft case (see below).
Traveling – The Extended Soft Case (Full Application)
The Extended Soft Case Makeup Bag is a makeup bag made of canvas or other higher end material. This extended soft case is perfect to use when traveling or after a trip to the gym. Remember, you don’t need to put your entire makeup collection in this bag, just the items you use day-in-and-day-out to get your “face on”. Items inside this travel case include: items from makeup bag (see above) plus concealer, foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, brown pencil, makeup tools, mascara, lipstick/lipgloss, blush, eyeshadow, powder, and lip liner. Bag must be small enough to fit inside professional hard case (see below).
At Home/Storage – Professional Hard Case (Where All The Fun Colors Live)
Here is where you house all your makeup! A professional hard case portable makeup station is like a suitcase with several drawers (think Caboodle for the 80s) so all your makeup is in one place and organized. This is where all your special lipsticks, eyeshadows, lip glosses, etc. are located.
Creating a “progressive or tiered” portable makeup station has allowed me to not only organize my makeup, but it has decreased the time I spend on applying it because everything I need is in one place (and I can see it). Also, having the option to “grab a bag” and go makes sure I’m looking my best for a meeting, after the gym, evening out on the town, or coffee with friends. And finally, there is no need for duplication of prodcuts, because I’m able to change out or move my makeup from one portable makeup station to the other as I see fit.
