While we might be experts at picking up the latest makeup must haves, we pay scant attention to how we store them. This is a big mistake - all makeup if not stored properly, starts deteriorating. This is especially true when it comes to super-expensive, all-natural or organic skin care products and cosmetic with no preservatives.

The kwy to storing cosmetics correctly is to keep them away from humidity, moisture, heat and sudden temperature changes. Also, if you organise your make up properly, your sessions before the mirror get so much simpler since you know exactly where to reach for each product. Not to mention, your products won't be able to fraternise. Colours won't bleed into each other and you won't have to deal with unsightly goop in your make up drawer or bag. Here are some things you need to know about make up maintenance.

A good area for the storage is the dressing table. Get a small plastic or wooden set of drawers for the top of the table. Use each drawer to stock a different kind of cosmetic. The first drawer can hold eyeshadows, the second lip glosses and lipsticks, while the third can hold blushers, concealers and bronsers. If there is a fourth drawer, store make up aids like Q-tips, tweezers, wet wipes, make up remover, etc. Once your make up is organised, getting your face on for a party is a breeze.

If you want to keep all your make up in the first drawer of your dressing table, get drawer dividers. These are usually sold in modular kitchen shops, but there is no reason why you can't use them to organise your make up drawer. You can play around with these dividers to create compartments of varying sizes to fit everything in.

You can also use small cane baskets or boxes to store your make up - one basket for every category.

Never stock cosmetic in the bathroom. Moisture and humidity causes the chemicals in powder cosmetics to break down, making them unusable, Lipsticks, concealer sticks and eye pencils can be affected by the high humidity. Creams separate into their base ingredients in such an improper environment.

The fridge is a good place to store your make up. Get an airtight plastic box with compartments to store all your creamy products like lipsticks, creams, concealer sticks, eye pencils and cream blushers in the fridge. This will prolong their shelf life and you will be able to hold on to your favorite shades for longer. Do not put the box into the freezer since extreme cold, like extreme heat, can cause changes in the chemical composition of your make up.

Remember to keep products tightly capped when not in use. This can considerably increase the shelf life of the cosmetics.

Keep the more non-essential cosmetics like nail polishes, acetone, cotton balls, face mask packs, etc in your closet or a bottom drawer in your dressing table unit. Reserve the tabletop area only for items that you use frequently.