Makeup and jewelry organizers are my new thing, and I’m not even sorry. I’m sitting in my tiny brooklyn apartment, my coffee’s gone cold (again), and my vanity looks like a makeup counter after a clearance sale. Lipsticks rolling everywhere, earrings tangled like a bad rom-com, and I’m just done. Like, I’m a 30-something trying to adult in 2025, and my mornings feel like a hot mess express. That’s when I figured I need organizers that hold my stuff and make my place look like I’ve got my crap together. Spoiler: I don’t, but these organizers are helping me fake it.
I’m a disaster, y’all. My version of “organized” used to be shoving everything into a plastic CVS bag and hoping I’d find my eyeliner before I’m late for work. But then I found these makeup and jewelry organizers that are legit cute, and it’s been a total vibe shift. They make my tiny space feel like I’m living in a Pinterest board, even though my dishes are piling up and my cat just knocked over my mascara (again). Here’s my chaotic, slightly embarrassing journey to finding organizers that don’t suck, plus some dumb stuff I did.
Why Makeup and Jewelry Organizers Are My New BFF
I used to think organizers were just boring plastic bins, like something my mom would stash in the garage. Boy, was I wrong. Makeup and jewelry organizers now are like that friend who’s got their life together but doesn’t make you feel bad for being a wreck. I got this clear acrylic thing on my vanity—it’s got my lipsticks and palettes lined up like they’re ready for a photoshoot. It makes me feel like I’m adulting, even if I’m just faking it ‘til I make it.
But here’s the tea: I screwed up big time before I got here. I used to keep my jewelry in this chipped mug I snagged at a thrift store in bushwick. Cute idea, right? Nope. I spent a whole morning untangling my favorite necklace while my toast burned and my neighbor’s dog wouldn’t shut up. Total chaos. That’s when I knew I needed organizers that look good and work. Think velvet trays, glass jars, or a beat-up vintage suitcase that’s giving artsy vibes. These things make my vanity look like I meant to do it, even when I’m barely holding it together.
My Fave Makeup and Jewelry Organizers (No Gatekeeping)
Here’s the deal on what I’m loving after screwing up way too many times. These are my go-tos, and I’m dropping links ‘cause I’m not about keeping secrets:
- Clear Acrylic Makeup Thingy: These are everywhere for a reason. You can see all your stuff, and they come in a ton of sizes. I got mine from The Container Store, and it’s like my lipsticks are living in a penthouse. Pro tip: get one with drawers for brushes—saves you from digging like a gremlin.
- Velvet Jewelry Trays: Found a stackable set on West Elm with this teal velvet that’s so fancy, I forget I’m storing $5 earrings from a street fair. They stack nice, and my necklaces aren’t a knotty mess anymore.
- Thrifted Teacup Vibes: Okay, this one’s weird, but I use a chipped teacup from a flea market for my rings and studs. It’s quirky and cute, and it makes my vanity look like I’m in a rom-com. Check Etsy for stuff like this—search “vintage teacup jewelry holder.”

Dumb Stuff I Did (Learn from My Mess)
Oh man, I’ve done some stupid things with makeup and jewelry organizers. Like, I bought this cheap plastic thing from a dollar store thinking I was being smart with my money. It cracked in like two days, and my eyeshadows ended up all over my floor. My cat thought it was a party, but I was just pissed. Lesson? Spend a bit more for something that won’t break. Target has decent stuff that’s cheap but not too cheap, you know?
Then there was the time I thought I could DIY a jewelry organizer. Picture me with a glue gun, sticking hooks to some random cardboard like I’m a craft queen. It looked like a kindergartner’s art project and fell apart in a day. My earrings were everywhere, and I’m pretty sure my cat ate one. If you’re not a DIY pro, just buy something pre-made. Your sanity’s worth it.
Picking Organizers That Feel Like You
Choosing makeup and jewelry organizers is like picking a new phone case—it’s gotta be you but also work. Here’s what I’ve figured out from my chaos:
- Match Your Vibe: If your room’s all boho, go for wood or wicker organizers. If you’re more sleek and modern, get glass or acrylic. I’m a weird mix of chaotic and extra, so I’m into bright stuff like coral and teal.
- Size Matters: My vanity’s tiny, so I can’t have some huge organizer taking over. Measure your space first—I learned this after buying a tray that barely fits and now just sits there judging me.
- Double Duty Stuff: The best organizers do more than just hold things. A mirrored tray from CB2 can hold your makeup and be a cute spot for keys or a candle.

Where I’m At with My Organizers
So here I am, in my brooklyn apartment, sipping cold coffee and staring at my vanity. It’s still a bit messy—there’s a smudge of foundation on the mirror, and I’m pretty sure I lost a bobby pin under the table. But my makeup and jewelry organizers? They’re doing the lord’s work. My lipsticks are all neat, my necklaces aren’t a tangled nightmare, and that chipped teacup is giving me life. Sometimes I just sit there and stare, pretending I’m one of those influencers with a perfect life. It’s a lie, but it’s a cute one.
The big takeaway? You don’t need to be a neat freak to love makeup and jewelry organizers. They’re for us messy folks too. They make your space feel like you, just a little less chaotic. And honestly, anything that makes my mornings less stressful is a win.
Wrapping Up My Organizer Rant
Alright, I’m done rambling. If your vanity’s a disaster or you’re untangling necklaces every morning, get some makeup and jewelry organizers. They’re like that friend who’s got your back but also looks cute doing it. Got a fave organizer or a fail story like mine? Hit me up on X—I’m @MessyGlamGal, and I’m nosy as hell.
