The Container Store Luxe Acrylic Modular System Makeup Organizer Review & Photos
The Container Store Luxe Acrylic Modular System
The Container Store Luxe Acrylic Modular System ($11.99 for $29.99) includes a variety of individual units that can be stacked onto each other to create a customized makeup organization solution for your needs. I didn’t purchase all the different types of units, but I purchased a few to give a good idea of what you could store or how it might work. I decided on the Wide Medium Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer ($29.99), Half Tall Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer ($19.99), two Half Short Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawers, and Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer ($29.99) to sit on top of the other units. The system you’re seeing in this post cost a total of $109.95.
The widest and largest component is the Wide Medium Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer ($29.99) is 12.5 inches / 31.75 centimeters in width, 8.5 inches / 21.6 centimeters in depth, and 2.5 inches / 6.35 centimeters tall. There is also a tray version, which could be placed on top of your system of components, which is shorter (1.25 inches / 3.2 centimeters in height) and has no drawer/lid, but it would work for storing things like piecemeal acrylic organizers (like a lipstick holder), perfumes, foundation bottles, and so forth.
The smallest component is the Quarter Short Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer ($11.99), which would be useful for storing things like eyeliners, shorter makeup brushes, five or so lipglosses, or a few single eyeshadows; this is half the width of the Half Short Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer ($14.99) (which is featured in this post). There is also a Quarter Tall Acrylic Modular Drawer ($14.99), which is double the height of the Quarter Short and half the width of the Half Tall Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer ($19.99) (which is featured in this post).
I like the idea of the Quarter Short and having two stacked on top of each other; one holding eyeliners and one holding eyeshadow primers–I could see that working well. I wouldn’t go for too small of sizes unless you have a good idea of how you plan to separate and organize your products, as they can be limiting if you’re not quite sure. On the other hand, the Half Tall drawer is better suited for larger products or oddly-sized ones; while it can fit things crammed in, you will have trouble seeing what’s in it, so keep that in mind.
The strength of this system is its ability to be customized, so if you have a lot of single eyeshadows, you can get the right drawers for that. I like that they have the taller drawers available, as most lipsticks will fit vertically (labels facing you), which makes finding the one you want easy. Most lipglosses are not going to fit vertically, which is a challenge for nearly all drawer systems, so your best bet is to lay gloss flat or store them in the top unit, which has no height restraints. The acrylic is sturdy and has good clarity, and it doesn’t feel cheap by any means.
The system is modular, but it is really held together only by rubberized feet on the bottom of each component; they do not interlock by any other mechanism. The empty components are moderately heavy, and when stacked up, they stayed put despite shaking the table strongly. Once you load it up with your makeup goodies, it seemed even sturdier, so for most, I think it should be sufficiently stable. The drawers are also nearly flush with the holder itself, so you can hear the acrylic squeak sometimes as you pull out the drawer. They do not pull out as smoothly as I would like, though this seems to be common with acrylic drawers that are more flush.
What a Wide Medium Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer can hold…
Exterior: 12.5 inches / 31.75 centimeters in width, 8.5 inches / 21.6 centimeters in depth, and 2.5 inches / 6.4 centimeters in height. Interior: 12 inches / 30.5 centimeters in width, 8 inches / 20.3 centimeters in depth, 2 inches / 5 centimeters in height. It’s tall enough to layer some products if desired, and it is wide enough to fit an assortment of types of products or a combination of products.
- 35 x Urban Decay Eyeshadows | five rows of seven in each, up to three layers, and you can have them on their side, though it will be a challenge to find things, of course!
- 35 x ColourPop Super Shock Shadows | five rows of seven in each, up to two layers, you can have them on their side as well
- 3 x Urban Decay Naked + 2 x Naked Basics Palettes | single layer of three of the larger palettes, the two smaller ones stacked; you can stack all three of the larger Naked palettes together
- 12 x NARS Blushes | three rows of four each, up to three layers
- 36 x MAC Lipsticks | two rows of fourteen each, plus a few loose ones in the excess space
- 28 x NARS Lipglosses | one row of eighteen, plus two vertical rows above of five each
What a Half Tall Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer can hold…
Exterior: 6.25 inches / 15.9 centimters in width, 8.5 inches / centimeters in depth, 3.5 inches / 8.9 centimeters in height. Interior: 5.6 inches / 21.6 centimeters in width, 8 inches / 20.3 centimeters in depth, and 3.25 inches / 8.3 centimeters in height. I found that in practice that I didn’t like this size as much as I expected to. The height works well for storing products vertically, like lipsticks or short lipgloss, but you need a lot of them to keep them from falling over or else create a divider. I would go for the Quarter Tall, which halves the width but keeps the height. This wider size will be better for more of a mish mash of products or larger, more oversized products that don’t fit elsewhere–say extra foundation bottles, eyelash curler, or giant bronzer. It can also be used to store some palettes, depending on how large they are. It may be more ideal for quads and the like as well if you have more than a handful.
- 36 x NARS Blushes | two columns of fifteen, plus six along the side
- 70 x NARS Audacious Lipsticks | ten rows of seven fit perfectly
- 70 x MAC Lipsticks | ten rows of seven fit with a little give but nothing will fall over
- 17 x MAC Powders | two rows of seven each, plus 3 along the back
- 20 x MAC Blushes | two columns of ten each
- 7 x Urban Decay Naked Palettes | all three of the full Naked palettes fit along the depth, and you could likely fit at least four more or so (or other comparable palettes)
- MAC Quads, Dior Quints, Chanel Quads | these fit within the height of the drawer
What a Half Short Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer can hold…
Exterior: 6.25 inches / 15.9 centimeters in width, 8.5 inches / 21.6 centimeters in depth, and 2 inches / 5 centimeters in height. Interior: 5.6 inches / 14.2 centimeters in width, 8 inches / 20.3 centimeters in depth, and 1.25 inches / 3.2 centimeters in height. This is a great size for single layers of products that you want to keep separated, rather than in a single, wide drawer. I like that there isn’t too much height, so you don’t get a lot of wasted vertical space when using a single layer of products. It fits a good variety of products as well.
- 14 x NARS Lipglosses | one column of five, one row of nine, up two layers
- 11 x ColourPop Super Shock Cheeks | two columns of four each, plus three on the side, one layer only
- 15 x ColourPop Super Shock Shadows | five rows of three each, one layer only, excess space on the side
- 4 x MAC Powders | four fit offset, very inefficient use of space
- 6 x NARS Blushes | two columns of three each, up to two layers; you can fit eight if staggered slightly
- 18 x MAC Lipsticks two rows of seven each, plus four loose at the top, labels facing outward, one layer only
- 6 x MAC Blushes three rows of two each, one layer only
- 15 x Marc Jacobs Eyeliners one row of fifteen, up to two layers possible
- 16 x Sephora Eyeliners one row of sixteen, up to two layers possible
What a Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer can hold…
It’s 12.5 inches / 31.75 centimeters in width, 8.4 inches / 21.3 centimeters in depth, and 3.5 inches / 8.9 centimeters in height. This component has several different compartments, so it really can fit an endless combination of things. It also includes a removable acrylic lipstick organizer that fits twelve (each has a defined square-shaped slot).
From the left side, there are three wide components (about half the width), and the bottom one is designed to hold the removable lipstick holder. These larger compartments can hold a variety of things. My recommendation would be for taller items (like foundation) as well as for anything you might reach for every single day without fail.
On the right side, there are four smaller square compartments next to a medium rectangle at the top with a larger, wide square on the bottom right. The smaller square compartments would be ideal for eyeliners and makeup brushes; anything with a small diameter and more length. These could also hold something like mascara, but you can only fit one tube of an average-sized mascara in it, so it’s not the most efficient use of space. Here are somethings that fit well into it:
- 8 x MAC blushes | two columns of four each on the bottom right compartment
- 12 x Lipsticks | organizer naturally holds twelve lipsticks in the bottom left compartment
- 4 x NARS Lipglosses | each small square compartment fit four
- Makeup Brushes | each small compartment on the top right half of the unit fit brushes well
- 35 x Eyeliners | when placed in the top right most compartment
- 3 x Urban Decay Naked + 2 x Naked Basics Palettes | fit in the top left most unit (two of the full-sized stacked, and then the two Basics palettes stacked with the third full-sized)
- 2 x Eyeshadow Palettes | upper left most component fits up to two MAC/Z-Palettes
Some combination ideas…*
- Extra Large | 2 x Wide Medium Luxe (bottom two drawers), 1 x Half Tall Luxe, 2 x Quarter Tall Luxe, 2 x Half Short Luxe, 1x Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer ($163.92)
- Large | 1 x Wide Medium Luxe (bottom drawer), 2 x Quarter Tall Luxe, 2 x Half Short Luxe, 1 x Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer ($119.94)
- Medium | 1 x Wide Medium Luxe (bottom drawer), 2 x Half Short Luxe, 1 x Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer ($89.96)
- Small | 1 x Half Tall Luxe, 2 x Half Short Luxe, 1 x Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer ($79.96)
- Brushes | 3 x Wide Medium Luxe ($89.97)
- Eyeshadows/Lipglosses | 6 x Half Short Luxe ($89.94)
* Please note, it’s hard to really quantify someone’s collection, so these are just suggestions. For instance, if your stash is more like mine, this system isn’t going to work for all of it, but it can work for essentials, favorites, or a current rotation. About one drawer of my personal organization system fits into the acrylic organizer I bought for this post.
See more photos!
The Container Store Luxe Acrylic Modular System
The Container Store Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer
The Container Store Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer
The Container Store Half Short Luxe — 14 x NARS Lipglosses
The Container Store Half Short Luxe — 11 x ColourPop Super Shock Cheeks
The Container Store Half Tall Luxe — 36 x NARS Blushes
The Container Store Half Short Luxe — 15 x ColourPop Super Shock Shadows
The Container Store Half Short Luxe — 4 x MAC Powders
The Container Store Wide Medium Luxe — 35 x Urban Decay Eyeshadows (plus for on the side)
The Container Store Half Short Luxe — 6 x NARS Blushes
The Container Store Half Short Luxe — 18 x MAC Lipsticks
The Container Store Half Short Luxe — 6 x MAC Blushes
The Container Store Half Short Luxe — 15 x Marc Jacobs Eyeliners
The Container Store Half Tall Luxe — 70 x NARS Audacious Lipsticks
The Container Store Half Tall Luxe — 17 x MAC Powders
The Container Store Half Tall Luxe — 20 x MAC Blushes
The Container Store Half Tall Luxe — 3 x Urban Decay Naked + 2 x Naked Basics Palettes
The Container Store Wide Medium Luxe — 3 x Urban Decay Naked + 2 x Naked Basics Palettes
The Container Store Wide Medium Luxe — 3 x Urban Decay Naked Palettes stacked
The Container Store Luxe Acrylic Modular System (Empty!)
Oh.my.god! I need these in my life!!!!! 🙂
Im going to uni in september and im looking into ways i can store my makeup… Where did you get these? (I live in Portugal, so maybe it wont be available here… 🙁 )
This is from The Container Store!
Oh thats the name of the store? Cause we dont have that in Portugal hahaha
Aww! 🙁 Maybe Muji?
I still have no idea what You’re talking about! Hahaha
Ill check ikea! 🙂 but thanks anyways
Xoxo jessy
The organizing freak in me just had a tiny orgasm.
Haha!
These storage systems seem really good if you have a bunch of products from the exact same line, like the 36 NARS blushes, or the MAC powders. If you don’t, though, I would imagine it could be difficult to efficiently use the space in this storage system, since most brands have different shapes and sizes to their products.
It depends on what you have and what sizes of the components you select, I think. I have a mish-mash of brands in various containers, they’re just open so there’s no vertical restraint, but I’ve tucked away multiple brands into a rectangular space before. You can store multiple types of lipstick vertically or horizontally, since most of them are pretty similar. A lot of single eyeshadows are similar in size and round (MAC, UD, etc.). If you have a greater variety of formulas, a slightly larger size offers the most flexibility! It may not look quite as nice when things aren’t all the same size, though 🙂 But even when they are, it’s rare to have everything fit perfectly (there is typically excess on one side).
I picked these up I think a month or two ago and I really like them. Not a fan of the price, but they’re great quality and so worth it! I love being able to customize my makeup storage exactly how I want it.
The only thing I didn’t really like is that they don’t sit on any kind of track, but I do like that they’re customizable, so you can have a bigger/smaller footprint and also store some products vertically.
Thanks SO MUCH for this post, Christine! I use the Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer on my vanity currently and really love it – it helps me keep my most often used products neatly all in one place. I also have an additional lipstick organizer that holds 24 of my most-used lipsticks. I’ve been keeping the rest of my lipsticks, my powder products, my palettes, and my eyeliners & cream eye shadows in my vanity drawers but it’s irritating to have to rummage around for them all the time…
I will definitely be looking into some of these additional pieces. The price has been my main hang up, but when I consider that I regularly spend that much on cosmetics during a month or two… it’s probably worth it to have everything visible and within reach. It would keep me from purchasing so many dupes! Also glad to hear that they stack fairly securely, since I don’t have a lot of space to spread out on my vanity.
Again, thanks so much for the time, work, and detail you put into this post!
It’s definitely not a cheap system (and it adds up… as anything from The Container Store often does, LOL!), so one thing I’d recommend is if you are able to go to a Container Store, to bring a few of the products you’d be storing in it so you can play around and see how things would fit.
If you need a very small footprint, you can also halve the entire system and just go with the Half Tall/Half Short ones, which will be like a narrow tower of makeup power 😉
These look amazing….but expensive. Ugh. I love the Container Store, though, so maybe one day I can convince my husband to allow me to get this set. I currently use an ugly Rubbermaid 3-drawer set on my counter with a box on top for palettes and such.
The Container Store is a dangerous place!
*Sprints to my nearest Container Store* I’ve always wanted a system like this but a lot of them are ridiculously expensive. And I love that you can customize it. Definitely getting this for my dorm room next year, this year everything was shoved in a desk drawer, all sad and disorganized in random makeup bags and *gasp* even ziplocks.
Woohoo!! Enjoy 🙂 It’s also nice that system effectively breaks down into smaller units, too, so you can more easily pack it when you move to-and-from school without needing a large box OR having a ridiculously heavy box.
Hey, Christine! This is amazing! I tried to go to their website through your link, but the link isn’t found. Just a heads up.
Thanks, Rikki! Looks like it refuses to process the specific link, so I’ve updated it to at least go to the right section (it’s the first product listing).
Got it 🙂
If I ordered the medium set up now, would I be able to add to it in the future?
Yes, most definitely!
For instance, you could:
Stack the 2 Half Shorts and then add a Half Tall next to it, or you could add another Wide Medium Luxe on top of the first one! 🙂
Im getting one in Kansas City soon! I will definetely look into this
YAYYYY!
I like this. This would be good for like setting aside what I want to put to use that week or something like that.There is no way this would accommodate my entire stash. It is pretty pricey though. So,idk. I will be keeping this in mind. Maybe I could half it for the weekly or daily set-aside.:)
You could definitely take out the wide bottom drawer and just have a half-sized tower!
Great idea! My daughter is growing up too fast on me and I am thinking she needs something like this too (as my wallet and the mommy in me sobs)! I think this combined with the muji drawers for all her hair things. That stuff is all over! I love how the Muji and this one stacks. Are house is not large. But , I had to downsize for a good school. -Total aside-sorry!
My main question is: I can’t seem to find the post where you showed us your new vanity. My uncle’s summer project is to get my makeup storage built.(Yes, this was supposed to happen in Feb.) I would like to see how your vanity is set up. I have one single drawer and a 9 drawer Alex from Ikea. But, I could use some drawers within reach . He can pretty much build whatever. So, I am trying to compile a wish list. If you can just tell me what to search, I would appreciate it greatly! Thanks! Amazing post here again!
I have a pic of it upcoming in the comparison post, so you can see it there, but I never did a post on my vanity (it’s newer – maybe two or three months since I got it!) 🙂
I have the cheapo version of these from The Container Store- no drawers, just stacking acrylic trays (though they are meant to be stacked so they fit into each other), and I really need to upgrade to these! The stacking trays were only $11 if memory serves though, which is why I went for those. They really are sturdy and great for makeup storage though. 🙂
Happy to hear that the cheaper trays are still worthwhile, Ashleigh! 🙂 You can spend sooo much organizing!
Hi Christine ! Do you prefer these, or the ones from Muji ? I heard lots of praise for Muji, but at the same time, people say it doesn’t store as much as they would like.
Hey Tracy,
A round-up and comparison of the four systems I’m reviewing is coming up later today 🙂 Stay tuned.
what do you do with all your makeup, you must have an incredible amount
I build castles and dreams with it! 🙂 And we call that Temptalia!
LOL
LOVE how you set this up! I already have an organizer like the top piece but I need that half tall. I have so many blush, bronzers and compacts just piled up in boxes and drawers lol. This would save me so much space. I can’t thank you enough for these posts!
My pleasure, Fancie! 🙂
You make this look so much better than their website does! The $$$ would definitely add up with this, though. I wish they sold grid style tray inserts for lipsticks, so you could turn one drawer into a lipsticks drawer. The Nars lipsticks stack so nicely (drools) but the domed top on MAC tubes make them tricky to store upside down.
Yessssss, that would be awesome. They have lipstick organizers, but it’s like… risers or 24-count. I don’t think the 24-count would fit, and I don’t know how much height the base add.
With MAC lipsticks (or any curved ones), if you PACK THEM IN! so there is only room for maybe 5-10 additional ones, they’ll stay standing (that’s what I do). If they had dividers, you could make more compact space so you wouldn’t need as many to hold ’em all up.
I actually made a few grid style diy lipstick organizers out of shoe boxes and like… empty cereal boxes lol. They totally work (and were free!)… but these systems are much more appealing…
As my collection grows, I’ve been really think about the best kind of storage/organization solution for me. I don’t have a lot of “counter space” so the idea of customizing something is really appealing. 🙂
My other tip would be (depending on how much stuff you need to store) is housing the bulk in a different area/room and keeping a current rotation/essentials in the more confined space.
I was just at the container store last week and almost picked up a few of these pieces! I decided against it because I wanted to take some measurements before I bought things that wouldn’t work for my space. I’m glad I waited because now I know for sure what will fit and how to use the space efficiently! I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to store my lippies because the lipstick holders just take up too much space when you have a stash like mine. I love that 70 lipsticks can fit in the half tall drawer! This is definitely something I’m picking up for sure plus maybe something extra lol! Your posts are well timed as always Christine!
I have been there, haha! I have learned what type of containers work best for me, which ones are most versatile (or least forgiving, if you’re unsure). You should also try taking some of your more unusual-sized products or something you have a lot of with you next time so you can double check whether things will fit as you want! 🙂
This is SWEET!!! I know I need this luxe acrylic makeup organizer system in my life! Not entirely sure where I would put it though, my makeup area is fairly small, and my makeup is now taking up one entire dresser drawer and a wheeled 3 drawer plastic cart that I keep next to my bathroom sink. Time to buy a vanity set!
If you omit the larger wide piece at the bottom, you could halve the footprint!
I love these! They hold so much!!
Yayy!
Christine, thank you so much for this post! I appreciate that you took the time to think of several different ways each drawer can be used. Would a MAC pigment (the newer tall and skinny size, that is) fit upright in the Half Short Luxe drawer? Thanks!
Too tall! 🙁
Just in time christine!!!! My makeup stash had been growing this year and I’ve been shopping for storage containers from Muji. But since I live down the street from a Containe Store I will just stop there then instead of paying for shipping with Muji. And check them. Out in person because don’t know which box is which… Would help if the boxes in the main photo were labelled o
Definitely take a look, at least! 🙂 It could give you some ideas, and they have a lot of other options that are a little more competitive against Muji’s pricing!
I agree these are expensive…. On Muji you can get a 5 drawer around $27 (will not fit mac paint pots or colourpop) and then they have the 1 container with 2 drawers that will fit the larger stuff for 25.5
ColourPop fit into the 5-drawers for me?
Bless you girl! I really need help with makeup storage. Great ideas. I so appreciate your efficient work ethic!
Thank you! 🙂
I don’t know why, but it’s kind of amusing to me to think of you standing there, shaking your vanity to try and make these rattle apart. 😀 I think this would be the one that I went for if I had the money. I have lots of little single Nyx, Colourpop and indie shadows and my palettes already have a home. Thanks for the reviews of these. It’s neat to see them in actual use and hear the pros and cons.
Haha! When I rated packaging, I used to drop things on purpose 😉
Ouch! I don’t think I could do that.
I’m looking for things that fit inside the ALEX drawers set from ikea! Lately everything I see is vertical and made for being seen! Ugh.
Have you seen this post, Brianna? This is how I organize within my personal storage solution — http://www.temptalia.com/makeup-organization-collection-tips
they have these drawers at tj maxx/marshalls pretty often. the drawers are usually 9.99-12.99 but a savings of a couple dollars each at least!
That’s awesome!
I am so so happy you did this post – and the Container store will be too because this organization is getting me to spend $110 on plastic 🙂
Happy to help 🙂
Muy bonita, yo también la tengo, pero me parece que te has gastado una burrada de pasta, aqui en Barcelona, en los Mega bazares de chinos los tiene muy bien de precio, una forma excelente de organizarlo todo, felicidadesss!!
Thank you, Jenny!
If you can, could you please tell me how many MAC Pigments (in their boxes) the Half Tall holds? 🙂
Sorry, I’m not sure!
I know I’m commenting on an old post, but I just wanted to thank you so much for doing a write up of these organizers! I had been trying to find a better storage system for my vanity and hadn’t run across anything that really fit my needs until you posted this. I don’t have a Container Store in my area, so I may have never looked there for these without your post. I’ve had my new drawers for a week now and just love them! I had used acrylic drawer sets before, but they were all stacks of wide drawers that hid/contained my cosmetic clutter more than they actually kept it all organized. The modular system is perfect for me and I’m doing a lot less digging around for what I need in the mornings! I do wish that they interlocked better, but that’s just an aesthetic complaint as I haven’t had any issues with the individual modules staying put. Thanks again!
(In case you’re curious, I bought 1 wide medium drawer for eye shadows and gel liners, 1 half tall drawer for palettes, 1 half short drawer for blush, 2 quarter tall drawers for powders and foundations and 2 quarter short drawers for concealers and primers. I already had an acrylic makeup organizer from another set, so I just got an empty acrylic tray for the top and put my brush holders and a lipstick organizer I repurposed as a mascara stand plus any foundation bottles that are too tall for the drawers up there! It was a pricey set up, but so worth it.)
Hey Duchess!
I’m so glad I was able to help and that you’re enjoying your new drawer system! It must feel so good to get everything organized 🙂
What a great and thorough review! I’ve had some pieces from this system for almost a year now, and I absolutely love them! The customization option is perfect for me, as I can move things around from my college dorm room to home. Buying & adding on to the system in pieces is also more friendly to my student budget, haha. The only thing I struggle with is storing lip products. Currently I’m doing a kind of unorganized mishmash in one of the medium wide drawers, as I have a bunch of different products in different shapes and sizes, not many of the same type.
Customization is always a plus 🙂 Happy to hear you’re enjoying your system as well.