The Best Editor-Tested Makeup Organizers That You Can Buy

Once upon a time, the idea of organizing your skin care and makeup wasn’t really a thing. The reason? Routines were minimal — and not in today’s terms, but quite literally just a couple, maybe a few products. Nowadays, in a world of extensive skin-care routines and sculpted and highlighted makeup looks, more products than ever are making their way onto our vanities. That’s why it’s essential that we learn to organize our beauty goods. 

Thankfully, there are many, many makeup organizers to choose from. (Note: These are different from run-of-the-mill bathroom storage ideas.) But you shouldn’t just settle for any old cosmetics case or acrylic stack; instead, consider what the makeup organizers are made of, how durable they are, and shopper reviews to determine if they really live up to their claims. Since that can be quite a chore, we went ahead and did it for you — and that’s how we found the 11 best makeup organizers on the market. Check them out below.

• Best Overall: Syntus 360 Rotating Makeup Organizer
• Best Budget-Friendly Organizer: Joseph Joseph Viva Compact Organizer
• Best Rotating Organizer: Pottery Barn Teen Marble Rotating Organizer 
• Best Compact Organizer: iDesign Clarity Cosmetics Organizer with Drawer
• Best Large Organizer: Umbra Bellwood Cosmetic Organizer 
• Best Countertop Organizer: Stackers Makeup Drawer 
• Best Train Case: Vaultz Train Case 
• Best Acrylic Organizer: Sorbus Makeup Organizer 
• Best Skin-Care/Beauty Fridge: Personal Chiller Mini Fridge with Mirror Door 
• Best for Travel: Teamoy Travel Makeup Brush Organizer 

There are a few things you’ll want to think about before clicking “Add to cart,” including the size, design, and material of the organizer.

Before buying a makeup organizer, think about the space where you intend to put it (such as on your vanity, dresser, or bathroom counter), and how much you plan to store in it. Once you narrow down these details, you’ll be able to easily discard makeup organizers that are too large for your space, as well as those that don’t offer enough storage functionality for your needs. 

Makeup organizers are sold in a variety of silhouettes, including rotating, stacked, tiered, and drawer options. Whereas some makeup organizers are made of clear acrylic (so you can easily see what’s inside), others are opaque to help cut down on visual clutter. With this in mind, when shopping for a makeup organizer, think about your space — will a tiered or stacked silhouette help make the most of your space? Will a rotating carousel be easier to maneuver? Do you forget about products if you can’t clearly see them? After you answer these questions, proceed accordingly.

Makeup organizers are made in a variety of materials, including marble, wood, plastic, and chicer-looking acrylic. Because they’re not porous, plastic and acrylic makeup organizers can easily be wiped clean. Marble and wood, however, can sometimes absorb leaked product and be harder to rinse. 

We tested a range of makeup organizers, from stackable to rotating silhouettes, judging them on the following criteria: 

Size: Where do you keep the organizer? How much space does it take up?

Functionality: Does it stack? Does it rotate? Does it have drawers?

Capacity: How much can it hold? What’s the tallest product it can store?

Construction: What is it made of? How easy is it to clean? 

The Syntus 360 Rotating Makeup Organizer is currently on sale for just $17, but according to AT senior commerce editor Alicia — a former beauty writer — it’s the most impressive makeup organizer she’s ever owned. The rotating plastic organizer ships flat and can be customized to create sections that serve the user’s specific needs. “I have a lot of tall toners that often can’t fit in makeup organizers, so I strategically made two taller sections to accommodate them,” Alicia says. While the plastic organizer was a bit unsteady with nothing on it, as soon as she loaded it with her toners and other skin-care and makeup goodies, it functioned steadily. 

Beyond its ability to hold a shocking number of products (she fit three cases of makeup and skin care onto it), Alicia is a fan of how simple it is to manage. “The plastic material is easy to wipe down if there are any spills,” she says. “It’s collapsible, so when it comes time to inevitably move to the next apartment, it’ll be easy to pack.”

Read our full review of the Syntus 360 Rotating Makeup Organizer. 

Specifications:

• Made of plastic
• 11.9” x 9.1” x 9.1”
• 1.98 lbs.
• Available in black, white, and clear

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for shockingly spacious vertical storage. 

Good to Know: “The only downside is that it can’t fit large eyeshadow palettes,” Alicia says.

The Joseph Joseph Viva Compact Organizer is a small but mighty option for those looking to streamline their daily makeup routine. Think: eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, and powder. While it doesn’t offer tons of storage space, commerce managing editor Tamara enjoys how it streamlines her lip and eye makeup collection.

“It’s super small so can’t hold a lot, but I specifically use it to corral all my lipsticks/lip products and excess mascaras, so it did exactly what I needed it to do,” she says. “I didn’t have a spot for these lip and mascara products before and I kept losing them, so this solved a big issue for me.”

Two other things to keep in mind about this budget-friendly organizer is its opaque design and hidden drawer. If you’re someone who easily forgets what you have if you can’t clearly see it, this may not be the best for you. However, if you’re in the market for an organizer that helps hide visual clutter, while also offering an enclosed place to store cotton rounds for your a.m. and p.m. micellar cleansing routine, this option, complete with a magnetized drawer, might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Specifications:

• Made of plastic with magnetic drawer closure
• 3.94″ x 6.9″ x 5″
• Available in white

Who It’s Best For: Those looking to organize minimal products or a single category, like lipstick.

Good to Know: It’s compact, so it can’t hold a lot — but it works well to keep daily essentials in one place.

For an especially chic storage solution, check out the Pottery Barn Teen Marble Rotating Organizer. The two-tiered organizer doesn’t have individual compartments for organizing, but it does have a convenient spinning mechanism so you can easily reach whatever you’re looking for. Plus, just look at it!

“Pottery Barn Teen’s Marble Rotating Organizer is GORGEOUS,” says Best List editor Britt. “It made the perfect finishing piece for my bathroom, as I had a spot where I had some leftover products cluttering up the counter and it fit all of them with ease. The marble and gold complement really well, and I love that it’s suitable for any age. It’s trendy and elegant, and the marble shelves have a nice weight to them. The organizer doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy, and I’ve stored a lot of my everyday items on it from body sprays to reusable facial pads. I love it!”

Specifications:

• Made of stainless steel, iron, and stone marble
• 8” x 8″  x 10.5″ 
• 8 lbs.
• Available in one color: marble and gold

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for a makeup organizer that doubles as a decor piece.

Good to Know: It’s not to be cleaned with household cleaners or abrasives.

For those who love to see exactly what they’re working with, the iDesign Clarity Cosmetics Organizer with Drawer is the best compact option. It has one drawer with three top compartments that can easily store foundation, slim skin-care products, mascara, makeup brushes, and more. Beyond its immediate storage capacity, the organizer is also designed to be stacked on other iDesign Clarity organizers, so you can use it on its own or to customize your perfect makeup storage setup. 

“I love how compact it is and that it’s see-through — I’m never guessing which product is in which compartment because I can see them all,” says commerce editorial assistant Nikol. “The organizer’s storage capacity also surprised me; it holds about half of my makeup collection, which is really convenient. I also like that I can keep messier products, like loose powders, in the bottom drawer so they don’t get everywhere.”

Specifications:

• Made of acrylic with a chrome knob
•  6.5” x 6.5” x 7.5”
• Available in clear

Who It’s Best For: Those who like to be able to see what they’re storing; those looking to create a custom stack.

Good to Know: Some shoppers report that the acrylic feels quite thin.

The Umbra Bellwood Cosmetic Organizer is taller than most, measuring in at over a foot tall. Despite its height, the three-tiered organizer, which has a cup up top for smaller items like lip and eye pencils, works well for narrow spaces, as each of the shelves isn’t particularly expansive. Though, let it be known, it can still hold quite a bit.  

“A lot of products can be stored on this organizer, and they can be all different sizes,” Britt says. “Tall items are best on the bottom for stability, the middle section is the most compact, so I half some serums and other smaller products there, and then the top of it is open for tubes of product and other small-to-medium containers.”

Storage aside, this bamboo-accented makeup organizer is particularly zen. “It’s super stylish, and I thought it would take up too much space on my counter at first, but it fits great in the corner and makes my bathroom look so much more organized,” Britt says.

Specifications:

• Made with a wood finish on unspecified material
• 7.75” x 7.75” x 19.75”
• 1.22 lbs.
• Available in white-natural

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for stylish vertical storage.

Good to Know: The handle will move if it’s knocked into. “I’m not sure if it’s a user error and I didn’t screw something in properly, but it’s not so bothersome that I can’t use it,” Britt says. “I just straighten it if it looks off center.”

As the name implies, the Stackers Makeup Drawer is designed to be stacked for whatever level of beauty organization you may need. Sold in three sizes and two colors, the drawer is able to accommodate a variety of beauty products, including powder, foundation, lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, and more. Whereas the Classic drawer is a single, deeper compartment, the Supersize drawer features a shallower design complete with a divider. Meanwhile, the Supersize Deep drawer showcases 18 upright sections to keep rollerballs, lippies, and other small items as organized as possible. 

“I love the look of this makeup drawer,” Nikol swoons. “The blush-colored (faux) leather-and-rose gold handle looks so much nicer than plastic alternatives. I store lesser-used skin-care and makeup products inside the drawer, which is short in height but still quite roomy. On top, I keep my perfumes and lotions. Their elevated position makes them easier to grab without knocking over other products on the counter, and my little perfume display just looks nice.”

Specifications:

• Made of cruelty-free vegan leather over fiberboard
• Classic: 9.83” x 7″ x 2.75”; Supersize: 14.38″ x 10″ x 2.83″ h ; Supersize Deep: 14.38″ x 10″ x 6″ 
• Available in blush and gray

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for concealed organization that looks lovely on a counter.

Good to Know: Because it’s made of faux leather, it shouldn’t be cleaned with household cleaners or abrasives. Just a dry or damp cloth. 

Looking to buy the teen (or pre-teen) in your life their first piece of makeup storage? The Vaultz Train Case is a cute option. Designed with adjustable compartments and a built-in brush holder, the case has everything you need to accommodate beginning beauty needs. 

“Personally, I think this is a fantastic organizer for a beginner or teen,” Britt says. “I have the organizer in black and white stripes with the bright pink interior and it’s incredibly stylish. It looks like a Barbie dream! It has special sections built into the lid for tubes and palettes, and then it has four sections in the body for larger items, like foundation and full-size makeup products. It holds much more than it seems and would make an awesome gift!”

Specifications:

• Made of fabric-covered fiberboard
• 5.75″ x 10.125″  x 4.25″ 
• 1.8 lbs.
• Available in floral beauty print and black and white stripe

Who It’s Best For: Beginner beauty lovers or teens looking for cute and convenient organization

Good to Know: It should only be wiped clean with a dry or damp cloth — no abrasive cleaners.

If you have a lot of makeup, it can be helpful to have ample drawer and slot storage to organize everything by category. With the Sorbus Makeup Organizer, you can do just that. Complete with four large drawers, two small drawers, and 16 slot compartments, this organizer will help streamline any makeup and skin-care routine. 

“I’ve really been enjoying this organizer more than I thought I would,” Britt says. “The bulk of my makeup collection is now in this organizer and it’s been so great to be able to get to everything instead of digging through the makeup pouch I used to keep on the counter.”

Specifications:

• Made of acrylic
• 9.25″ x 6.25″ x 14.25″ 
• Available in brown, purple, and pink

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for lots of storage with a clear display.

Good to Know: It’s not compact, so make sure you have enough room for it before purchasing. Additionally, the acrylic can chip, so be mindful not to slam the drawers shut.

As you may have heard, chilling skin-care products can make them an even more refreshing part of your self-care routine. That’s why skin-care fridges are very popular on social media. If you’re looking to give one a whirl, the Personal Chiller Mini Fridge with Mirror Door, which can also be set to warm, will be your best bet. It has a touch-activated light-up mirror on the exterior, so it will instantly add to your vanity setup. On the inside, there’s a shelf that can be put on one of two levels, as well as a door slot, which is great for storing sheet masks. 

“I really liked this little fridge,” says home projects director Megan. “The cool is not as cold as a real fridge, more like slightly cool to the touch. This isn’t something that you could keep things in that need to stay cold in order to not deteriorate (and definitely should not be used for prescriptions), but for face rollers and creams, it’s delightful.”

While this little fridge has to be plugged in to operate, Megan assures us that, while on the cool setting, it’s not loud or distracting, so it’s an all-around lovely addition to any beauty routine. (Though, if you intend to use it on warm, she admits that it does buzz a bit.)

Specifications:

• Made of plastic
• 10.6” x 7.7” x 11.7”
• 4.7 lbs.
• Available in blue

Who It’s Best For: Skin-care lovers looking to take their routine up a notch.

Good to Know: It has to be plugged in, so make sure you have an outlet nearby. Also, it only opens to the right, so be sure to keep that in mind when purchasing. 

The Teamoy Travel Makeup Brush Organizer is a great option for travel, thanks to its compact size and 10 slip pockets to accommodate makeup brushes and slim tubes or bottles. Beneath the brush holder section, there’s an open compartment with removable dividers, along with a mesh zippered pocket on the underside of the top zip portion. Suffice to say, it will keep you organized on the go. And since it’s made of water-resistant nylon, it’s easy to clean if any spills occur in transit.  

“I personally use this makeup case every day, but I would recommend it as a Best for Travel option,” says AT contributor Amy. “It’s easy to carry and pack, has distinct compartments, and protects my brushes. Depending on how much makeup you have, there’s likely going to be plenty of room to put some jewelry, too.”

Specifications:

• Made of water-resistant nylon
• 9’’ x 7.25’’ x 3”
• 12.7 oz.
• Available in black, blue, gray, purple, and flamingo

Who It’s Best For: Those looking to stay organized on the go. 

Good to Know: It has removable compartments, so you can tailor it to your organizational needs. 

*Honorable Mention: I personally love the Calpak Clear Cosmetic Case for air travel. Thanks to its see-through nature and individually contained sides, it’s easy to store all of your liquids in one place, which makes getting through TSA a breeze.