Dear Karen,

I tend to buy every "hot new" hair or beauty item. The good news is that I am making some gains in the ongoing war with my hair and skin. The bad news? I have beauty clutter everywhere and my husband is giving me a hard time about it. Any suggestions on how to deal with hair and beauty product overload?

Julie

Answer

Dear Julie,

I can definitely relate, as I am sure many people can. Keeping any type of clutter at bay is always a challenge.

Listed below are some tips to deal to help you begin to organize your hair and beauty product treasures:

1. Arrange your favorite, most often used, similar hair and beauty products close by for easy access. Visit your closest Container Store or similar and invest in a Shower Caddy or bathtub organizer that will hold your daily shampoo, conditioner or other "in-the-shower" products.

Take all other random or infrequently used products out of the immediate bathtub/shower area and store elsewhere. Eliminate the buildup of bottles, jars and tubes on the bathtub's counters and rims. Consider also the option to invest in "under the sink/counter" organizers that could instantly manage your collection of bottles, tubes and jars.

2. Invest in a wall mount blow dryer that can be positioned close to your mirror for easy reach while eliminating the clutter of blow dryer cords or wires.

Conair makes two models that work as well as their regular standalone dryer models but offer you a more tidy storage option. Be sure to check the cord's range so that you can easily reach all of your hair.

3. If a wall mount is not possible, invest in a blow dryer that has a retractable cord. Also look at using travel hot rollers that come in a compact case that can be stored off cluttered vanity counters.

4. Check out garage sales, organizer or dollar stores for stackable clear plastic rolling drawer storage units. Many hairstylists will have a similar storage unit by their workstations. Organize your hair and beauty accessories by similar type and function.

Place all combs, brushes and picks in one drawer that would be easiest to locate.

5. If you prefer, you can acquire a second organizer for sample hair and beauty products, tiny jars of gel, paste, spray or similar. (Image above and to the side from OrganizeEverything. com). I personally have a "hair organizing" organizer. I keep my deep conditioning supplies together in one set of shelves. This helps me find everything and keep it close at hand for speedy access. You could also do the same with home haircoloring or styling supplies.

If you must have spray bottles and other items on your counters, consider investing in a rotating type of circular spinner that allows you to leave your fav detangler, frizz buster or hairspray out near your reach as you style.

Avoid throwing your rarely used products into a bathroom or bedroom drawer somewhere. Either throw them out, give them away or store them in one of your new organizers where you will see them often. This will remind you to either use the product or lose it.

6. Other beauty product management options include taking a trip to the local hardware store to purchase a row of steel or metal hoops that can be screwed into your walls to hold your hair irons, blow dryer, even your brushes and combs.

7. Consider exchanging a small medicine chest with a newly, larger model that has drawers or individual organizer racks built in. You can also look at the backs of all closet doors. A simple organizer can instantly give you tons more room and help you stash beauty or hair products that you really aren't ready to part with.

8. Invest in a standalone heated towel rack that will allow you to organize all your bath linens as well as keep them toasty during colder months. It will also keep them off the floor and out of the way.

Hair Product Clutter Buster Habits

Implement some Clutter Buster Habits that will help you keep your newly organized bath and beauty well organize.

a. Resist being a sample tramp and taking any samples that you know you won't use. They will just add to your clutter and probably languish unused.

b. Keep a wastebasket in the bathroom for easy use. Throw out empty hair and beauty product tubes and bottles as you finish using them. If you must salvage every last drop of shampoo, fill the bottle with warm water, swish it around and use to launder panty hose or other fine unmentionables.

c. Place all partially used or half empty hair and beauty care products into one large box. If you know you will never use the products, donate them to a local shelter or hold a "swap meet party" with your friends and trade for products you like. Come in, no cheating. Who knows, you might be able to trade for your fav OPI polish or a new frizz buster that you never heard of before.

d. Place all extra hair dryers, curling irons or other styling tools in your annual garage sale. Or consider listed them on eBay or a similar resale shop.

e. Take a minute or two every day to tidy up your hair and beauty tools and products so that you maintain your new organization. Once you have gone to all the trouble to organize, it is much easy to maintain it than start from scratch.

Finally, remember that Rome was not built in a day. Don't allow yourself to become overwhelmed with your hair care organization project. Start in one small corner of the bathroom and work your way to the other side. A good place to start? Where you wash your hair - natch.

Happy organizing!

Karen

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