My DIY makeup storage desk (cheap, good for small spaces, and not at all Pinterest pretty)

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I have no problem at all with color-coordinated storage solutions or beautifully arranged and decorated vanities. I enjoy being in an aesthetically pleasing space, and I would do that all the time if I could, because it does something positive for my state of mind. I just don't happen to have those things right now. Instead, I have a practical hodgepodge of things that I use to store my makeup - and I love it. I think that this makeup desk, though simple, is one of the best ideas I've ever come up with. (Let's not explore what that says about the calibre of my ideas in general.) It's super functional and cost me almost nothing. Someday I'll probably get something prettier, but this works really fucking well for now.

So obviously this is not meant to be Pinterest-style decorating inspiration (though I will probably pin it). Instead, I thought I'd show you what I came up with to work in the tiny space I'm living in, using mostly materials I already had. It might help you come up with some ideas yourself - or, if not, you can be all, "Ugh, why would you post photos of that crap online? No one wants to look at that." That's fun too. You can even click on the photos to enlarge them if you want to judge more thoroughly.

Makeup storage/organization on HauteLook for $7-18

This one is $12.

Those lovely lucite organizers! I want them all. Though I have a pretty sweet makeshift system as it is (I'll take photos one of these days). There's also all sort of other organizational stuff for clothes, etc., and it seems really reasonably priced to me. Some of you are really into this shit, I know.

You need an account to browse HauteLook, so go ahead and use my invite link, if you like.

Nail polish storage: Melmer

I finally got a "Melmer," as the nail polish people call the 3 Drawer Organizer Cube from Michaels. It's the perfect size for storing bottles of polish. I just finished assembling mine, and now I am dying to transfer everything into it, but someone is sleeping in my bedroom, so I can't just yet. Fuck. Here's what my collection looks like now:

Anyway, all of the craft storage is 50% off right now at Michaels, so it's a good time to nab one of these babies, if you're a hoarder like me. Really, you should never pay full price for one, since Michaels almost always has coupons for 40-50% off one item. Check in their weekly ads.