• About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Instagram Links
  • Media Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosures

From My Vanity

Beauty, Skincare, and a bit of Lifestyle

  • Home
  • Youtube Channel
  • Makeup
    • Makeup Reviews
    • Dupe or Dud?
    • Makeup Tutorials
    • Face of the Day
    • One Brand Tutorial/Review
    • Project Pan
    • Top Favorites
    • First Impressions
  • Skincare
    • Face Products
    • DIYs
    • Routines
    • Body Products
  • Hair
    • Hairstyle Tutorials
  • Nails
    • Reviews
    • Tutorials
  • Lifestyle
    • Jewelry
    • Food
    • House/Decor
    • Movie

How to Organize Your Beauty Samples So You’ll Actually Use Them!

September 8, 2015 Katie Marie 29 Comments

How to Organize Your Samples So You'll Actually Use Them // From My VanityI don’t know about you, but all my samples typically get shoved into the bottom drawer of my vanity….never to be heard from again. So after a bit of brainstorming, I finally came up with a fun, creative idea that allows you to organize and display your samples. Which, if you think about it, will make you more incline to use up those free samples, right?!

Let’s dive right in!

I can’t be the only one with a drawer/box/bag that is overflowing with makeup samples, am I? Whenever I get new ones in an Ulta order or I ask for a sample while browsing the aisles at Sephora, I typically toss them into this bottom drawer of my makeup….never to be seen or heard from again.

How to Organize Your Samples So You'll Actually Use Them // Sample Mess! // From My VanityI tried lots of things — taking out a handful and putting them on top of my vanity, and while that would work for a little bit….once those samples were gone I would forget to dive back into that drawer and see what else I want to try next. So! Here is what I did!

How to Organize Your Samples So You'll Actually Use Them // Small White Plastic Drawer // From My VanityI purchased this clear drawer mini unit from my local Navy Exchange, but Amazon also has them available for only $8.44. It’s not a large drawer and, in my opinion, is the perfect size for holding small sample packets or deluxe-size sample products.

How to Organize Your Samples So You'll Actually Use Them // Fun Label Stickers // From My VanityTo stay organized, labels are a must for me. I know overtime you’ll learn what you keep in each drawer, but it just gives everything a very neat, orderly appearance. And who doesn’t love pink?

How to Organize Your Samples So You'll Actually Use Them // Pink Washi Tape // From My VanityI had some extra washi tape hanging around the house and wanted to add a little more dazzle to my drawers. Feel free to skip this step if that’s not you ๐Ÿ™‚

How to Organize Your Samples So You'll Actually Use Them // Labeled & Decorated Sample Drawers // From My VanityHere’s the results that I got. Doesn’t it look so pretty and girly? ๐Ÿ™‚ Now is the fun part! Let’s organize! Dump all your samples out. This is the time to go through everything you have and figure out what you’re actually going to use, what’s too old, and what you can pass on to a friend. For example, for me personally I don’t use shampoo and conditioner samples. I have such long hair, they’re so small, it’s just not worth taking them into the shower and using them. So I set all of those aside to give to my mom and sisters who are able to put them to good use. ๐Ÿ™‚

How to Organize Your Samples So You'll Actually Use Them // Sample Chaos // From My VanityOnce you have all your samples divided up, put them into their designated drawers. The above picture is my makeup drawer, and just look at all those smashbox primers! Primer samples are so easy to use and I can typically get a few uses out of each packet. Perfect to take a few when I travel!

How to Organize Your Samples So You'll Actually Use Them // Makeup Sample Drawer // From My VanityAnd there you have it! Now you have a super-cute mini drawer unit that you can set right on top of your vanity so that you see it every day and remember to reach for it. And now that they’re separated into categories, it’s much easier to open a drawer and pick something to try for that day.

Please share with me the ways you remember to use your beauty samples. I would love to hear how y’all stay organized ๐Ÿ™‚

Related

Beauty, How To...

Comments

  1. Jiawun says

    September 8, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    I feel you! I have all my samples in my bottom drawer too! haha. This is such a great idea! Thanks for the post, Katie!

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:25 am

      I know, and they would just sit in that drawer because I couldn’t open it, it was stuffed so tightly, lol ๐Ÿ˜›

      Log in to Reply
  2. Jamie | Makeup Life and Love says

    September 9, 2015 at 12:14 am

    OMG this is so smart for sure. I totally just take all my samples and throw them into a black hole of a box, but I think this is so much smarter. Looks like I have a new project this weekend. Thanks for sharing! xoxo

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:27 am

      Thanks, Jamie! I keep this in my linen closet in my bathroom and it is so much more handy — easy to open and pick a few samples to try out for the week ๐Ÿ™‚

      Log in to Reply
  3. Debby says

    September 9, 2015 at 3:54 am

    THANK YOU THANK YOU,I have baskets full of samples in my closet ,this is the most creative DIY idea I have seen.. my weekend project is this

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:28 am

      Glad it was helpful! I hope it helps you reach for those samples more often! With all the facial moisturizers I have in sample packets….I can probably last a few weeks on just samples alone! Neat way to save $$ ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Log in to Reply
  4. Elise says

    September 9, 2015 at 4:38 am

    This is lovely!!! All my samples are stuffed into a MAC shopping bag — I am ashamed because I am usually a very organized person. LOL

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:30 am

      I like to be organized as well, Elise, and that drawer was diving me crazy because it was so stuffed, I couldn’t even open it! What a waste! Now I can get to all the products easily ๐Ÿ™‚

      Log in to Reply
  5. Rachel says

    September 9, 2015 at 9:04 am

    Now this is organised! I have two glass jars and everything just gets chucked in them x

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:32 am

      Rachel, I hear you! I like that I’m able to separate them into different categories so it’s easy to find things ๐Ÿ™‚

      Log in to Reply
  6. WhatLauraLoves says

    September 9, 2015 at 10:23 am

    This is such a good idea ๐Ÿ™‚ I always find myself never using up sample sachets, only deluxe sample sizes xxxx

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:33 am

      Yeah, deluxe sample sizes are a lot easier to go through. I tend to put them with the rest of my products, since they’re just minis. But those foil packets….they’re a different story, lol!

      Log in to Reply
  7. Esha says

    September 9, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    He he.. I am definitely trying this! I somehow never try the sachets just the bigger samples.

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:35 am

      I know, I forget about these foil packets all the time. But sometimes they have a lot of product in them! Some makeup primer samples can last me 3 – 4 uses, and that’s saving me money right there ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Log in to Reply
  8. nicol says

    September 9, 2015 at 11:11 pm

    this is such a good idea! i just put them in a beauty box and never touch them again haha

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:35 am

      I hear ya, girl, I was doing that, too!

      Log in to Reply
  9. Laura says

    September 10, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    This is great way to organize everything! At the moment I use a makeup bags where to store my samples, which works fine. I like your way better though ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Laura
    Pink Frenzy

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:36 am

      Thanks Laura! If you try it out, tag me on twitter or instagram and let me know how it works for you!

      Log in to Reply
  10. Jess says

    September 14, 2015 at 11:25 am

    This is such a great idea, I have samples stashed here, there and everywhere & can never find anything when I want it haha!

    Jess xo

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:41 am

      Haha, I hear you Jess! There have been many days when I realize (I could’ve used one of my samples!) and I just didn’t think of it until after the fact. Now that this drawer sits in my bathroom, I’m easily reminded ๐Ÿ™‚

      Log in to Reply
  11. Nancy L says

    March 31, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    Great idea, Katie! I’m going to definitely try this! Thanks!

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      April 1, 2016 at 2:09 pm

      Glad it was so helpful! I love having this little drawer system in my bathroom linen closet ๐Ÿ™‚

      Log in to Reply
  12. Rose says

    August 16, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    Great post! I will have to use these tips because I love to have everything organized – not only does it look prettier but it is easier to find the things I need. Thank you for sharing what you do.

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Garvin says

      August 16, 2016 at 9:58 pm

      I’m so glad you found them helpful, thanks so much for letting me know! ๐Ÿ˜€ Yes, I do agree with you that it looks more visually pleasing than an overflowing drawer that I kept forgetting about. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Log in to Reply
  13. Brianna Engebretsen says

    September 23, 2016 at 10:11 am

    I love this. I was just thinking about how I have so many samples and I really need to find a productive method of ensuring I actually use them. Doing something like this will definitely help.

    http://www.divaandthedivine.com

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie G says

      October 12, 2016 at 11:31 pm

      I’m glad you found it helpful!!! :-*

      Log in to Reply
  14. Kelly says

    June 15, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    Hi,
    Great idea ! I was wondering where did you get the stickers from ?

    Log in to Reply
    • Katie Marie says

      March 4, 2020 at 2:49 pm

      from walmart I think!

      Log in to Reply
  15. Karen says

    June 20, 2019 at 5:39 pm

    This is very helpful. I need to do this with all my samples.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Site

Come Follow Me

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe For Emails

Popular Posts

Archives

Visit From My Vanity's profile on Pinterest.

The Web Host I Use

Web Hosting

Copyright © 2023 · From My Vanity · Design by Ipietoon. Site setup on WordPress by The Blog Help

Copyright © 2023 ยท Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework ยท WordPress ยท Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.