The Challenge: 2013

I have decided that each year I am going to set myself a beauty related challenge.  Its a little similar to the resolutions but with the challenge there is a definite end point.  The challenge is to see how fast I can do it (if at all).

A big reason i started this blog is because I wanted to discuss my love all of things makeup, skincare, perfume and bath oriented.  This love also means that I have a bad habit of purchasing things faster than I use them up. I have tried to do project pans and spending bans but I don't have the will power to go cold turkey. So I think this challenge may suit me a little more.  I'm not banned from buying products (which is lucky for the British economy) but I need to keep it controlled.

The Challenge for 2013 is: To Have A Manageable Beauty Collection

I will see this as achieved when I am able to fit all of my makeup into the following things:

- My Muji drawers will hold my everyday makeup
- My ALEX drawers will hold the rest of my makeup, skincare, body care, haircare and my nail polish.

I will also be allowed a container of samples which I keep for travel purposes and one suitcase for spares and back ups.  The only other place that any of my beauty products will be is in the bathroom (those that are currently being used) and on my bedside table (my nightly routine).

I know this might sound excessive but for me that would be feasible but would also involve me significantly downsizing my collection.

So over the course of the year you should expect to see some of the following posts:
- My daily makeup
- Depotting (to save on makeup storage real estate)
- How I organize my ALEX
- Some rather brutal culling sessions
- Lots of collections posts
- How I store my makeup

Now it is going to get rather picture heavy now (so maybe go make a cup of tea) as I am going to show you all the places that my makeup is currently overflowing into.  Also in addition to the places shown in the pictures I have a few items in the bathroom and 7 or 8 large boxes under my bed filled with backups and other things such as Lush bath bombs.

Nail varnishes and hair masks lurking downstairs after a pamper session.

The brushes that I don't use on a daily basis.

All my orange nail varnishes on yet another downstairs bookcase.

My little MUJI unit which has all my daily makeup.

My wonderful ALEX unit

My bedside table(chair) with my nightly bits and bobs.

Baskets of products I am desperate to use up.

Some haircare stuff that gets knicked if it is kept in the bathroom.

Finding the beauty in everyday life

I have started to realize whilst doing this project pan that a lot of the reason why I buy cosmetics and beauty products is that they make me happy.  Now there is nothing wrong with treating yourself but I feel as if I have taken it a bit too far.  I am still struggling to organize my Ikea ALEX due to the fact that I have excessive amounts of things.  I could probably fill a shoe box with eyeliners alone (see below for proof)

Me swatching a few of my many eyeliners, reminds me of the Dr Who
episode  'Day of the moon' where they are all covered in tally marks.

So I have decided that I want to try to notice the things in my life which make me happy and telling all of you out there in the interwebs.  So that even when I am lusting over something I can remember all the other things I have to be thankful for.

This series will be called 'Life is beautiful' and will be updated everyday.  If you want to see all of my posts so far in this series click here.  I hope you share the happiness you have in your life as well.

Hallelujah - I have an ALEX

This weekend has been fairly exciting.  Me and a friend made the journey to IKEA in Southampton (only getting lost once).  I had forgotten how hectic Ikea can be on a summer holiday Saturday and also how heavy flat-pack furniture is.  The reason for this trip was to purchase a certain well known set of drawers that are often seen on blogs as a beauty storage system.

So without further ado...meet ALEX

This bad boy is an absolute god send.  Although I had looked on thousands of blogs whilst I was deciding between the this and the, equally well known, HELMER I was surprised by it.  It was thinner than I expected and slightly taller.  However I am totally in love with it and am very glad that I can start organizing my makeup and beauty products in a way that works for me.

I spent most of today putting it together (the lack of the right tools and my ridiculously short attention span meant it took me longer than most normal people).  My friends offered to help but I was adamant that I wanted to do it myself.  Although I hugely regretted this half way through I am so proud that I can stand back and know that I managed to put it together myself.

I haven't put things in it yet but once I do I will post photos so you can see the way in which I am using it.

How do you all store your makeup?  Any good tips for me?