Thank you, Target, for sponsoring this post!
Making resolutions is one thing, but having the means to stick to them is a whole other ballgame. The missing link is usually having the motivation and tools to make your goals a success, which is why I’m really excited to be partnering with Target for their latest campaign.
Target is kicking of the New Year with a video series called, “How Do You Do, TargetStyle” showing guests real solutions for how to put yourself first and de-clutter!
It’s so easy to look at a mess and not want to deal with it, but we all know how much better we feel when we’re organized. I get it: When you’re busy and unmotivated (the cold weather doesn’t help) it’s easy to procrastinate and make excuses, but it’s time to motivate with the New Year—it’s the perfect time to get organized.
I’ll be the first to admit I let things get out of control in my bathroom. My wonderful boyfriend built me a shelf by hand at the end of last year so we could hide my beauty-product clutter. Instead, I filled up every shelf with products and made a mess of it. Fortunately, one trip to Target and I worked everything out. Here are some easy tips on how to transform your space. And, just so you feel better about yourself, here’s my before-and-after transformation:
Exhibit A: BEFORE
Exhibit B: AFTER:
Tips to de-clutter:
- Start with one room, otherwise it’s easy to get overwhelmed. For me, it’s the bathroom since I have some serious beauty blogger clutter problems.
- Don’t get more shelves until each is organized. It’s easy to keep adding more storage options, but if every time you do they just get filled then reconsider adding more storage and clutter. Instead, find boxes and bins and utilize them to their full potential. If you still need more room once that is done, then add on another unit.
- Throw things out. If you haven’t used a product in four to six months, toss it. I have issues with waste, so I divided anything I wasn’t using into four piles: 1. Half-used or barely used products I could give to my 2. Unused products I’d donate to charity. 3. Ones that needed to be thrown out. 4. Products that needed to be stored elsewhere. It’s OK to have backup products, but you don’t need three body washes and multiple deodorants on hand. Keep one backup if something is running low; otherwise store it in a closet.
- Know the height and width of any shelves and areas you’re looking to add storage to before purchasing.
From there, I headed to Target and stocked up on bins, jars and some really cute organizers.
Tip: Look in the kitchen, desk and other organizer aisles, not just the bathroom section. You can often score better deals that way and get more variety. Also, don’t forget the sale section!
One of my favorite finds was this black half pail pictured above that was on sale at Target for $1.50. I have no idea what it was designed for, but it’s been the best hot-tool organizer! It had screw holes in it already, so drilling it to the side of my wood shelf was easy!
I then stocked up on organizers from the bathroom aisle, some jars and a ceramic berry holder from the kitchen aisle, and some bins from the home aisle.
Once I brought all of the organizers home, I started going through all of the products in my bathroom and began grouping them by type (products I use every day, other skincare, body products, teeth, hair, first aid…).
What’s great about dividing everything by bins is it’s easy to take in and out of the shelf without knocking everything over. I then organized all of my makeup brushes, hair elastics and cotton swabs for on top of my cabinet shelf.
Purchase List:
Interlocking Storage Compartments, $8.99—these are great for everything from a perfume compartment to storing lip balm to organizing my toothpaste and oral-health products (see photo above).
Threshold Modular Storage White, $16.99—makeup brush and mascara holder.
Threshold Berry Basket, $5.99—hair elastic holder.
Threshold Canister, $6.99—stores cotton balls and swabs.
Vanity Organizer, $16.99—makeup organizer (everything from eye pencils to lip liners to lipsticks to concealers).
Threshold Storage Box, $8.99—I bought six of these and use them to hold and organize all of the product on the shelves.
One of the great things about de-cluttering and throwing out half of your bathroom is it makes room for you to indulge in new products that you’ve wanted to try. Also, with every new season it’s important to update your skin routine—now is the time to bump up the hydration and winterize your skincare routine.
Before tackling a good skincare routine, it’s important to make sure you’re properly removing your makeup before bed. I wear a lot of eye makeup, so I like to have Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads on hand to help break down my waterproof mascara and eye pencils. I then like to follow up with a cleansing oil or Micellar Cleansing Waters to remove my face makeup and take off anything that may have remained on my eyes. Garnier just launched a new all-in-one Micellar Cleansing Water that removes makeup and cleanses and refreshes skin (face, lips and eyes). It’s very gentle and utilizes the Micellar technology to lift away dirt, oil and makeup without harsh rubbing. It’s a big size, which I also like!
I’ve been a longtime user of Pixi’s infamous Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner. This month, they are expanding their skincare range to include Glow Mud Cleanser and Glow Mud Mask. Like the toner, these also are 5% glycolic, with aloe vera and ginseng, and are geared to unclog pores. The mask can also be used as a spot treatment when needed. Since winter is here, we need to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Especially after any type of exfoliating.
Immediately following the new Pixi products, I’ve added Laneige Water Bank Serum to my routine. I’ve been wanting to try this product for a while. Water Bank builds up your skin’s natural moisturizing capability and it literally feels like you’re giving your skin a tall cup of water every time you apply it. I love using it in the middle of the day when my skin feels a little dry or whenever it needs a boost more than applying it like a serum. For anyone who’s a big fan of this product, you should know Laneige is launching a Water Bank Double Gel Soothing Mask this month. I’m all aboard the sheet mask train, and for the winter these sheets pack a power boost of hydration.
How do you de-clutter or winterize your skincare routine? Tweet me using the hashtag #TargetStyle and let me know your best tips and product finds.
For more tips and beauty-related ideas, check out the video below and Target’s series “How Do You Do, TargetStyle” on Target’s YouTube channel.
Find your style @TargetStyle.