With so much going on during your move, it can be tempting to throw your makeup in a box and be done. But you and your wallet will be thankful if you pack it carefully. Follow this guide to avoid the expense and bother of having to replace damaged or ruined makeup.

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Moving Supplies You’ll Need to Pack Your Makeup

  • Small moving boxes
  • Tissue paper
  • Scissors
  • Cling wrap
  • Zip-top baggies
  • Packing tape
  • Permanent black marker
  • Travel cosmetic bag

Steps for Packing Makeup for a Move

1. Sort your makeup by size and type

Unless you keep your makeup organized like a mini Sephora store, you’ll need to categorize it before starting to pack. Not only is it easier to pack by category, but doing so also simplifies unpacking, organizing, and accessing your makeup after your move.

2. Set up your packing station

Find a convenient place to set up your packing supplies and makeup.

3. Pack your daily makeup

Pack your daily makeup in your travel cosmetic bag. The day before your move, put your cosmetic bag in your ‘essentials’ box.

4. Separate all flammable and alcohol-based products

Alcohol-based and flammable items like nail polishes are not allowed on a moving truck. Either carry these items in your car or give them to a friend. You can fly with those products if each container is less than 3.4 ounces and all fits in a quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag.

5. Purge and check expiration dates

Purge makeup you never use and give it to friends if it’s still usable. Toss eye makeup that’s older than six months. Generally, other products are unsafe to use two years from the purchase date.

6. Start packing!

Drawer organizers:

  • If you keep your products in drawer organizers, take the organizer out of the drawer and fill the empty spaces with crushed tissue paper, so things don’t rattle around
  • Then, wrap the organizer with several layers of packing paper. Run a layer of packing tape around the package.

Items that will go in zip-top baggies:

  • Eye and lip products such as mascaras, eyeliners, wands, and lipsticks
  • Makeup brushes
  • Pressed powders such as eye shadows and blushes need special attention so they won’t crack and break
    • Place a tissue or a cotton pad directly on the powder then close the lid
    • Wrap the container with tissue and tape it to make sure the lid stays closed

Liquids in plastic or glass:

  • Remove the cap, cover the opening with a piece of cling wrap, then replace the cap
  • Tape the cap to the container
  • No matter the size, wrap each glass bottle in tissue
  • Place liquids in zip-top baggies

Pump bottles:

  • Make sure each pump bottle has its dedicated cap
  • Tape the cap to the bottle
  • If the cap is missing, either transfer the contents to a secure container or toss the bottle. Unsealed pumps can cause a huge mess

Tubes:

  • Squeeze out excess air so the contents won’t leak with changing air pressure
  • Screw the caps back on tightly and tape the lid to the tube
  • Fill a zip-top baggie with tubes

7. Pack your wrapped, padded, burped, taped, and bagged items in sturdy boxes

  • Seal the bottom seam of a small moving box with packing tape, then crumple tissue paper into the bottom
  • Place heavy items on the bottom, and lighter filled baggies on top. Fill air spaces with crumpled tissue paper
  • Seal the box with tape and label

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