Oh, yes! Whenever I see someone wearing a cool makeup look or interesting color, I compliment them and usually ask what they’re using! I’m always curious to hear what people “in real life” are using and wearing.

Thanks to Priti for today’s question! Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.

How to Store Jewelry — Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, and Rings

A few weeks ago, I went looking for some sort of storage system for my earrings (and other jewelry, but the earrings were what motivated me). I want something that would put them on display and easily accessible, because then I’d actually wear different pairs more often, rather than reaching for whatever pairs I left on my desk. Etsy seller Jewelry Holders For You had some lovely compact and sleek-looking holders, but what I loved about them (and Etsy in general) was how customizable they were. Whether you’re a fiend for earrings, bracelets, necklaces, or rings, you can find a holder that works for you.

I’m an earring gal, and I thought I had far too many earrings (turns out, I have plenty of room to grow!), so I decided to go for one holder that was almost entirely for earrings with a row of pegs on the bottom (to hold necklaces/bracelets). It can hold anywhere from 90 to 180 pairs of earrings. There are two types of holders–little open slats, which are where post earrings fit best, as well as circular holes, which anything with a hook-like backing fits well in. The open slats can also accommodate hook-like backings, though. Underneath all the rows to hang your earrings, there are eleven pegs for necklaces that are staggered on the bottom.

The second holder I bought was the “jewelry combo plus ring storage,” which has three rows for earrings, one row for bracelets (with five pegs), ring storage (up to 20 rings, depending on the size of the rings), and eleven pegs staggered on the bottom for necklaces. I bought both in a black high gloss finish (because it would match my makeup storage units), so they were $54.95 and $74.95 respectively. They’re available in several other (cheaper!) finishes, so prices would range from $39.95 to $54.95 and $59.95 to $74.95. There are additional styles (check their policy page) designed for a combination of jewelry, just earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and you can even get ones that sit on a table top, rather than ones that hang.  Each unit I have is 21″ x 14″ in size. You can also get the holders without the curved top (just a straight edge) if you desire.

Hanging these was ridiculously easy. I think it took me about two minutes each, and I was making sure they were level and that the two of them were even. They give you a template, and you hammer two small nails into the wall, and the holder hangs from the heads of both. The holder isn’t too, too light, but it isn’t heavy either, so it’s easily held up by the two nails. I ended up putting these on a wall in my makeup bathroom, since that’s usually where I’m getting ready (and it was where my jewelry was housed previously).

I’m a nut for organization, so I could not resist sharing this particular new find with you, especially after the encouragement via Twitter and Instagram to make a post about these  I don’t like to make a lot of non-beauty related posts, but hopefully, there’s enough overlap between beauty enthusiasts and jewelry enthusiasts to make it useful!

See more photos!

Temptalia’s Beauty Closet – Brushes, Foundations, and More

Based on your requests, I filmed this additional video that shows the area where I actually do my makeup, which is where I keep things like brushes, foundations, concealers, etc.

• MAC Brushes
• Inglot Eyeshadows (Swatch Gallery)
• Inglot Eyeshadows (Reviews)
• MAC Eyeshadows (Swatch Gallery)
• Korres Natural Blush
• MAC Sculpt Blush (for contouring)
• Le Metier de Beaute Echo
• Benefit Sugarbomb
• Guerlain Parure de Nuit
• Ikea Antonius Basket Insert ($3.00)
• EnKoreMakeup Brushes
• Lancome Bi-Facil
• Le Creuset Caribbean Blue Utensil Crocks – http://amzn.to/GzIag5
• MAC Makeup Removing Wipes
• Make Up For Ever #17S Crease Brush
• NARS #12 Crease Brush
• OCC Brushes

Temptalia’s Beauty Closet – Storage & Organization Tips & Tricks

There is really no post/video that is requested more than to see my “collection.”  I really don’t think of it as a collection so much as the Temptalia Archives or the Temptalia Beauty Closet.  If I’m buying makeup, the first question I ask is, “Do readers want to see this reviewed?”  It’s only a rare occasion that I will buy a product with no thought about whether it’s something that makes sense for the blog–I prefer to dedicate as much time as possible to testing products for reviews (and there is never enough time!!).

I do personally enjoy looking at how other people organize their makeup, especially as it grows in quantity and becomes unwieldy, so I hope that you’ll find some storage and organization solutions that are helpful.  I’ve been using this system for two years or so, and I can’t see myself drastically changing it any more.  It’s what I always wanted: a flexible, expandable system that looks good but doesn’t have everything on display so it can look clean and contained.  The first seven minutes are all disclosures/disclaimers (reiterated below in text) just so I’m clear and cover all the bases

The “fine print” as it were: some products I have purchased, some products were received as product samples. I disclose whether it was received or purchased in individual reviews. This is definitely not your usual “collection,” as I am a beauty blogger, and I review 3-4 products per day, sometimes as many as 30 in a day (hello, MAC collections!). I do donate to a local legal aid organization that provides free/low-cost legal services to victims of domestic violence.

Products mentioned:

• Besta Shelf Unit ($130.00)
• Inreda Drawer without Front 23 5/8×2 3/4×15 3/4″ ($10.00)
• Besta Tofta Drawer Front 23 5/8×6 1/4″ ($15.00)
• Expedit Shelving Unit ($69.99)
• Helmer ($39.99)
• Linus Shallow Drawer Organizers ($2.99-$6.99)
• Linus Deep Drawer Organizers ($3.49-$6.49)
• Our Clear Storage Boxes ($1.69-$21.99)

Ikea’s Alex ($119.00) is my new storage solution for my nail polish. I stopped by Ikea earlier this week to investigate some potential storage solutions. I originally decided to finally grab some Helmers to control my nail polishes, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

See, every time I go to Ikea to buy the Helmer, I am completely put off by how flimsy it feels. Maybe the floor models are absolutely brutalized and feel less sturdy than newly assembled Helmers, but I just can’t convince myself to buy them. (I’m also not keen on the color selection–all of our furniture is black, with the exception of our office desks, which are beech). Enter in Alex, which was this six drawer unit on display next to the Helmer!

The Alex is actually a product series, and there are quite a few variations. I considered the taller versions for makeup storage, but I couldn’t commit because they only come in white–and for $119 a pop, I won’t compromise on color. I reckon that you could probably DIY some kind of paint job, though, if you’re creative enough Anyway, the six-drawer Alex that comes with casters does come in black.

There are three shorter drawers and three taller drawers. Since I expected to get Helmers, I didn’t bring any polishes with me for height tests. I crossed my fingers and hoped that some of the shorter bottles would fit.

AND THEY DID! AND ALL THAT WAS POLISH WAS ORGANIZED!

I think this unit would work for the majority of beauty buffs, both as makeup storage and/or nail polish storage. I will caution you that if your collection only consists of taller bottles (think China Glaze and OPI), you will only be able to use the bottom three drawers for storage. The top three drawers are too short (but they fit Chanel, Dior, Illamasqua, RBL, etc.). I was sad to learn that Essie is just a touch too tall to fit in the smaller drawers… like 2 millimeters too tall! Zoyas are also too tall.  (Edited:  It seems like Essies will fit with a little maneuvering – seems like you can’t have them right against the sides.)

It does seem to hold quite a bit of polish. I only have four drawers with polish, and none of them are completely filled. I didn’t count this time around (I will do more micro-organizing by color when I have more time), but last time I posted, I had 669. I would guesstimate that there are around 700-750 polishes in this at the moment.

For those with modest nail polish collections, this could easily work — the bottom drawers definitely hold enough (the bottom drawer looks like it’ll hold 17 [China Glaze] bottles across x 10 bottles deep for 170 bottles in total). The shorter drawers will work for shorter brands, if you have ‘em, but they can also hold makeup, hand creams, nail files, etc.

Ultimately, for me, I really love how sturdy the Alex is.  It’s heavy without polish, and the drawers slide in and out with ease.  I also love the look of the drawer unit:  it’s sleek with clean lines and matches the rest of my furniture.  It holds a good amount of nail polish, and there is some room for me to grow!

See more photos!

Shorter drawer: Chanel, NARS, Dior, Lippmann, Butter London, Illamasqua, RBL, Lancome, MAC

Taller drawer: Zoya & Essie

Taller drawer: Orly, SpaRitual, Barielle, Milani, Nubar

China Glaze

Temptalia’s Collection – June 2010

For my 100th video, YouTube user kanadian00797 asked if I would do a special video — my makeup collection. I asked on Twitter if it was of interest, and by the post title, I think you know what the response was! The video is LONG. In previous years, I’ve split up the videos into MAC and non-MAC, but it’s all in one big video this time around. I also talk in more detail about blogging, the size of my stash, and what I do with products I don’t want or why I keep certain products. Since the video is pretty lengthy, I want to recap some of that in this post, too!

The Why & How:  Video Summary

• I’ve been collecting makeup for 6 years. My collection wasn’t built overnight!
• I am a *collector*! I may use what I buy and receive, but I am a collector at heart. Makeup is not purely utility for me, and this is why I consider it a hobby that I am passionate about.
• I have been blogging for nearly 4 years. Brands and PR do send me product to consider reviewing. I don’t get paid to review products, no one gets to edit or preview my posts, and I’ve never lost a relationship because of a negative review, even the Ds and Fs.
• I donate products to to local organizations like battered women’s shelters. I’m currently trying to work with a local veterans organization to find a way to send products to service men and women overseas.
• The bathroom all my makeup is stored in is only used for makeup!  I wish it didn’t have a shower and instead a giant closet…
• I consider this also an archive of the makeup past — it allows me to go back to previous launches for comparison.

My Storage System

• 3 x Advantus Rolling Cart, 10 Drawer (in Smoke) ($50) — also available in multi-color and white
• Clear Storage Boxes ($1.79 to $19.99) come in a variety sizes, but I typically use the Accessory Boxes and Shoe Boxes sizes for storing makeup. I also use the Sweater Boxes for storing body creams/washes and skincare.
• Linus Shallow Drawer Organizers ($2.99 to $6.99) have several sizes, but I typically use the 3″x6″, 3″x9″, 3″x12″, 6″x9″, and 6″x12″.
• Linus Deep Drawer Organizers ($3.49 to $6.49) are deeper by about 1 1/8″ compared to the Shallow Drawer Organizers. I use the 4″x12″ usually.
• Translucent Stack Drawers ($9.99 to $14.49)

Fun Facts

• The Boy was the videographer for most of the video!
• I still have the first brush I ever owned — Benefit’s Eyeshadow Blending Brush, which has long been discontinued.
• I don’t know how many of each item I have, and it would probably make me cringe even a little if I did.  So don’t count!
• I keep a lot of products for comparison purposes–e.g. how does X shadow compare to Y shadow from 4 years ago?  My memory is faulty, and though the improvement in my photographing skills over the years help me to photo-document everything, I like having it in real life to compare, too.
• In looks, I try to keep older limited edition/discontinued products out of them.  I try to use new products (to show how they look applied) or permanent products.
• I have the Scarlet/Spring/Summer seasons to thank for finally getting some permanent lipsticks in my stash!
• My dream is to have California Closets come over and design me the ultimate makeup storage system.

See more photos!

The Trinity of Carts

Counter-top with brushes, makeup remover, etc.

Translucent Drawers with Concealers, Mascara, etc. (also jewelry)

MAC Palettes (permanent shades only)

Face/foundation products I use regularly

Lipglasses, Pro Longwears, Cremesheen Glass

Cart 1, Drawer 1: MAC Limited Edition Lipsticks

Cart 1, Drawer 2: MAC Dazzleglass, Superglass, Mattenes/Slimshines, Lip Stain Markers

Cart 1, Drawer 3: MAC Mineralize Eyeshadows, Holiday Palettes, etc.

Cart 1, Drawer 4: MAC Blushes

Cart 1, Drawer 5: MAC Mineralize & Cream Blushes

Cart 1, Drawer 6: MAC Pigments

Cart 1, Drawer 6: MAC Pigments

Cart 1, Drawer 7: More MAC Pigments, Loose Beauty Powders

** Note, Drawer 8 is empty — it is reserved for the newly repackaged MAC pigments

Cart 1, Drawer 9: Misc. High-End Lipgloss, Laura Mercier, Estee Lauder

Cart 1, Drawer 10: False Lashes

Mid to High-end Lipsticks, MAC Permanent Lipsticks & Quads

Cart 2, Drawer 1: MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes, Beauty Powders, Bronzers

Cart 2, Drawer 2: Benefit

Cart 2, Drawer 3: Bobbi Brown

Cart 2, Drawer 4: Lancome

Cart 2, Drawer 5: Make Up For Ever & Sugarpill

Cart 2, Drawer 6: NARS & Illamasqua

** Note, Drawer 7 is empty but slated to fill with Rock & Republic shadows I bought ten billion years ago.

Cart 2, Drawer 8: Stila

Cart 2, Drawer 9: Urban Decay

Cart 2, Drawer 10: Misc. High-end brands (Smashbox, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Shu, etc.)

Designer/luxury lipsticks

** Note, Drawer 1 is empty currently, because it accomodates MAC lipsticks/beauty powders (both of which I’m nearly full-on), so it’s on reserve for more of those!

Cart 3, Drawer 2: Eyeliners

Cart 3, Drawer 3: Cream, Gel, & Liquid Liners; Brow/Mascara

Cart 3, Drawer 4: Chanel

Cart 3, Drawer 5: Dior

Cart 3, Drawer 6: Dolce & Gabbana

Cart 3, Drawer 7: Givenchy

Cart 3, Drawer 8: Guerlain Eye/Face Products

Cart 3, Drawer 9: Guerlain Lipsticks & Lipglosses

Cart 3, Drawer 10: Misc. Luxury/Designer Brands (Le Metier de Beaute, Cle de Peau, YSL, etc.)

Though I am not intentionally endorsing any products in this video, I know that I said, “Love this!” a few times. Some of the products in my collection were provided by PR for original review purposes. If it’s here, I probably reviewed it on the blog. However, there are just as many, if not more, products I have purchased myself over the years also in my collection. Just to be clear!