Comments on: In search of a nail care storage solution

By: spa tables

spa tables — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:04:56 +0000

There are many nice and beautiful cosmetics box available in the market where your wife can put all the things in organized way. I use such boxes and its really useful. I dont think always it needs to carry with , but for traveling its very handy for carrying with.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:43:45 +0000

I use an old wet-wipe container. Huggies gave them free with wipes for a while, and after my daughter outgrew wipes, I confiscated the container. It’s tall enough to handle the bottles, and long enough to handle files, etc.

By: jgodsey

jgodsey — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:35:05 +0000

may i interject and say that you should keep your organizing limited to your things and communal things.
If you want to GIVE her a new container for her things, that’s nice, but keep your criticisms of her storage of her personal items to yourself.
seriously if my husband wanted to have an intervention about my manicure items, i’d have him looked at and then tell him to stuff it.

By: gquaker

gquaker — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:04:27 +0000

I use the green plastic boxes that strawberries and other berries come in to store my nail polish. I put the bottles around the edges, so that I can see the colors without lifting each bottle individually. In the center, I put cotton pads, nail files, etc.

By: Lauren Halagarda

Lauren Halagarda — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:30:36 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, shopping for products should not be the first step when seeking a better storage solution. I know, I know- it’s just a manicure bag, right? Bear with me…

I would recommend:
First, remove everything from the bag, sorting as you go and tossing any unnecessary items (i.e. nail clippings)

Then, review what remains while considering how you use the items within. A basket under the sink would work as long as you don’t want to travel with it (even down the hall).

Next, MAP it out or Make A Plan- Do you want pockets for each polish? Clear container? Mesh? Is it best to use a Containers within container (perhaps some smaller mesh pouches)? Is there anything else you would like to store that you currently don’t have room for? Measure (stand everything on a flat surface and approximate length, width, height and cubic footage). It may sound strange but you would be amazed at the value in that step.

Finally, purchase the perfect storage container!

OK, I admit- that was a bit overkill but a fun exercise anyway

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:56:26 +0000

If Matt’s wife has a problem with losing things in the zip bag, I suggest she switch to a transparent one. I prefer a box with a lid so I can store it on the bathroom shelf. We’re back to the weeding out of the unnecessary if we really want to be uncluttered. I have been the victim of impulse nail polish buying. But luckily I have teenagers who are glad to relieve me of my transgressions.

By: S

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:11:58 +0000

I have those three drawer tupperware type boxes that hold all of my getting ready things. Each drawer holds different things, and are all labeled. One of them is for nails, and these are shallow drawers so I can only keep a few polishes and supplies in there so I’m careful about what colors I buy.

Same for my eye makeup drawer, feminine things, hair clips, chap sticks, etc. Since it’s see through it keeps down the content amount as well so it looks less cluttered.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:23:15 +0000

When I was in high school, my mom got me a medium sized silver metal case that was a manicure kit inside. It’s maybe about 8.5×11x3 inches.

It has a little flap at the top that has elastic loops for clippers, files, and other little things that then unhooks to become a flat work surface. The bottom used to have dividers for all the polishes and lotions that came with teh kit, but those are long since used up. It’s the perfect size, it’s a pretty stylish box (in my opinion) but it also fits perfectly under my bed, when almost nothing else does.

Sadly I have to admit that it isn’t my only nail care box, I’m still recovering from a nail polish addiction ; ) But I think a box like that, where everything has it’s place and there’s only room for one or maybe two of a specific thing is rather perfect. You can get them in most stores, I think my parents picked my up from a mail order catalogue but I’ve seen similar in Sally’s Beauty Supply. The biggest bonus is that I’m never fishing around for things, or dumping it out to find something that was hidden at the bottom. It’s all laid out.

By: jocelyn

jocelyn — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:24:18 +0000

with tiffany.

By: Angel

Angel — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:29:41 +0000

She may have already told him!

Maybe Matt want the bag lightened up in case she heaves it at his head!

;- )

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:51:22 +0000

Wondering why Unclutterer commenters think Matt’s marriage is any of their business. I’m sure Mrs. Matt is quite capable of telling Matt how she may or may not feel about the article and doesn’t need US to do it for her.

By: a*p

a*p — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:22:08 +0000

perhaps this would be useful:

http://drcarolyncollection.com/

By: Karyn

Karyn — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:00:49 +0000

I’m with the commenters who recommended the minimalist approach to nail care–keeping them trimmed short, buffing, and using cuticle cream. While I understand the desire to have beautiful, feminine nails (the few times I’ve gotten manicures, it was really wonderful and I liked the results until the polish chipped), it’s not worth it to me to have toxic chemicals in breakable bottles lying around the bathroom. Even when I was in high school and college and still trying to “do” my nails, I often just put on clear polish so they looked “done” and it worked fine.

So if i had a “nail bag” it would have, at the most: a good nail clipper, orange sticks, cuticle cream, and a buffer. I think a small bag is perfect for items like this–it’s easily tossed in luggage for traveling, or in a purse, or whathaveyou. A tackle box, or a Caboodle, can’t. I’d tell your wife to just keep the bag and maybe cull out some unused polishes and old files.

By: sue

sue — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:45:07 +0000

I couldn’t resist this!

Matt, perhaps your sweet wife falls prey to the same purchasing temptations that lured you in?

http://unclutterer.com/page/3/

By: Stacy

Stacy — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:44:35 +0000

I like to use a simple plastic shoe box. You can find them for a dollar or two at places like Target. All of my nail polish can stand up in the box and the length allows for long items such as nail files. I also keep a stack of cotton squares, q-tips, and nail polish remover (laid on it’s side) in the box. This makes it really easy to grab out of the hall closet and take to what ever room I plan on painting my nails in. Also, I can use the lid as something to put my foot or hand on while I’m painting or clipping my nails so that the polish doesn’t get on the floor or counter. Plus, it is easy to collect the clippings and take them to the trash.

By: NewLeaf

NewLeaf — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:11:26 +0000

I use an insulated lunch tote for all of mine. There is a see-through zipper pouch on the top where I keep nail files and such and the depth of the bag itself is perfect for storing all of my colours!

By: jocelyn

jocelyn — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:10:03 +0000

I’m with Courtney and JW. Of course, it is partially because I’m really bad at doing my own nails, but I also think it helps with clutter to outsource whatever can be outsourced, in this case a manicure.

By: Majken

Majken — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:43:38 +0000

@Erin – Sorry, I can’t think that Matt’s writing style mimics Andy Rooney, because it mimics the writing style of a control-freak. I have to agree with Mer and Sue with their objections to this post. Even if Matt’s wife asked for the post, Matt didn’t need to write about her as if she was a five year old.
@Matt – You said nothing in your post about what exact problems your wife had with her system. Even organizational systems themselves can be clutter, and this is especially true of imposed systems. I suspect that many people who read this post thought “wow, she has her nail supplies all in one place!” She already has the ultimate unclutterers solution: A simple bag with all her stuff in it.
About “She has the terrible habit of putting things into it and then never taking anything out of it”
Terrible habits are things like excessive gambling, domestic violence and driving the wrong way on the freeway. Messy manicure bags don’t make the list.
However by “never takes anything out” means “never takes the time to indulge herself with a pedicure, then there is an easy fix to her Pedicure Bag problem:

YOU start giving her a weekly pedicure.

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:08:04 +0000

@Mer — Don’t think of Matt as some controlling neat-freak. He’s honestly the most laid back person I know. Think of his writing style more like mimicking the style of Andy Rooney.

By: Mer

Mer — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:53:27 +0000

I wanted to comment this morning and held back until tonight when I read the first SEVENTY comments.

Matt’s posts have a tendency to set my teeth on edge.
It seems that they always deal with him trying to tell someone else how to manage their stuff.

@ Erin – If Matt’s wife was genuinely interested in solutions, that’s fine. But that’s not the impression I get after reading the first paragraph. I guarantee she did not read what he wrote before he posted it.

I understand and admire his desire for an uncluttered life (believe me, it’s something I strive for), but at times he comes across like a controlling clean-freak. I don’t think I’m alone in my assessment.

If you delete my comment, I’ll understand.