# Nail Polish organizer suggestions from the ladies..? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 26, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021 "2010-11-26T23:17:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/1 "2010-11-26T23:17:11Z")
My wife has expressed a desire for a caddy (like a kaboodle) to organize her rather extensive nail polish collection. I am looking on Amazon, but have no idea what I should be looking for. Ladies, or anyone really, do you have suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/2 "2010-11-27T16:37:25Z")
I can’t find it on the OPI site, but I have a couple of OPI-branded “train cases” with dividers for bottles and a couple of slots sized for tools. I’ll keep digging and see if I can find them online. I think I got mine at a Beauty Brands or similar shop. Aha - I have a smaller version of this one. And it sure as hell didn’t cost nearly $85. But this might give you an idea of what to look for. [http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120599330919&hlp=false&rvr\_id=175055703730&crlp=1\_263602\_304652&UA=M\*F%3F&GUID=833d6c3c12c0a0aad4977cf7fe341e64&itemid=120599330919&ff4=263602\_304652](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120599330919&hlp=false&rvr_id=175055703730&crlp=1_263602_304652&UA=M*F%3F&GUID=833d6c3c12c0a0aad4977cf7fe341e64&itemid=120599330919&ff4=263602_304652) ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/3 "2010-11-28T05:39:32Z")
How are you defining extensive? I have a ton so I use 3 plastic shoe box type bins. I used to use a huge tackle box but my current bathroom has no place to store such a large size. The tackle box was awesome because I could divide it to my needs and it even had pull out bins for my tools and “gems”. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/4 "2010-11-28T10:47:12Z")
I use a plastic shoe box with a lid. It’s not fancy, but I believe it cost me about $3 at Dollar General. I put gems and stickers in old pill bottles. Got plenty of those lying around. I just peel off the label. The last time I saw a Kaboodle, I believe it was at Target. However, if I was gonna buy something with all the dividers, I’d definitely go with a tackle box. They’re better made, they’re cheaper, and they’ll probably hold more stuff. Craft and hobby stores also have divided containers. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/5 "2010-11-28T17:34:31Z")
Mine are tossed casually into a large plastic basket with a handle but if she wants more organization than that I agree with the earlier posters that the tackle box is the way to go. If colour is an issue for her check the scrapbooking section of a craft store. Bring a bottle of polish with you so you can see the size you need. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/6 "2010-11-28T17:53:37Z")
Personally, I think I’d rather have a tackle box that’s been spray painted, or had some Contact paper put on it, than use some of those silly little boxes that are sold in the makeup department. But of course, I’m not a typical woman, with typical female taste. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/7 "2010-11-29T14:21:00Z")
Huh. I would have never thought to check the crafts section. Since I’m shopping tomorrow, I’ll heed this advice! Thank you folks. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/8 "2010-11-30T03:09:16Z")
The Container Store has lucite (or some kind of clear plastic) organizers for nail polish, lipsticks, etc- check them out. Edit- here is a good start, it’s just counter top stuff, there is more- [http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/cosmeticsOrganizers/countertop](http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/cosmeticsOrganizers/countertop) ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/9 "2010-11-30T11:34:15Z")
What I usually do when I start feeling the need to ‘organize’ my nail polish (or any of my other cosmetics) is to throw out all the stuff I don’t actually use. 🙂 Seriously, right now I have a basket full of nail polish, and I \*use \*maybe four of them. I’m sure lots of people change it up much more than I do, but when I look at my collection and my friends’ collections, we all tend to have a bunch of pinks that are all within a shade or two of each other, repeat for purple, red, etc. And we all use that ‘perfect’ one repeatedly, while the others just sit there, unloved and neglected, until we notice that they’ve separated and toss them. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/10 "2010-11-30T16:27:54Z")
First I offer any nail polish that I don’t love on me to other people. That red polish was too bright for me, for instance…but it was just right for my daughter. Otherwise, I use unwanted nail polish to mark stuff (it adheres to a lot of surfaces) or to put on chigger bites in the summer. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/12 "2013-04-21T19:29:42Z")
Reported. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/13 "2013-04-21T21:54:47Z")
A year and half ago, when this thread was started, I was like, Dang who has that much nail polish? Um, I guess that would be me now. I keep mine in an old cigar box, but it’s full. Might need to look into a train case sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/14 "2013-04-21T22:40:06Z")
The replies here have made me guffaw, especially **Rhiannon** ’s. I have an apparently obscene amount of nail polish. I have bottles that are from the mid-90s and are totally useable. Nail polish has been my go-to little treat since high school. When you don’t have a lot of money, a nail polish is a nice choice for a little splurge: you can get one for just a couple/few bucks, it’s pretty eye candy, makes your nails pretty AND one bottle does like, a couple dozen manicures. And I personally _enjoy_ painting my nails (I know many people don’t or think it’s a pain); I find it calming and soothing. My storage solution is these [3 shelf storage cubes from Michael’s](http://emobmg.photobucket.com/albums/v73/misscarley/melmer-1.jpg). The drawers are the perfect height for 99.9% of polish bottles, you can paint/contact paper them to your liking, they have optional nubs for the tops so they can securely stack and if you have drawers left over, that’s just bonus storage space for something else! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/15 "2013-04-21T22:43:29Z")
Oh, also: Michael’s will often run sales on this storage line, or you can use one of their 40% off coupons. The _only_ thing I don’t like is they don’t have drawer stops. That’s pretty minor, though, and maybe I could mod them. Hmmmm… ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/16 "2013-04-22T11:14:24Z")
Ikea’s ‘Helmer’ is popular for this. Though not so portable. ---
**Author:** ![thursday\_next](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@thursday\_next](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thursday_next)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/17 "2013-04-22T11:48:20Z")
Ooo, the battle of Melmer v. Helmer. So are you two going to do it thunderdome style, or politely reason it out? 😛 Personally, I have a Helmer and want to get IKEA’s Alex next. In the meantime, I have my polish that doesn’t fit into the Helmer (don’t judge me! Have you seen China Glaze’s Hologlam Collection? 😛 ) in memory boxes picked up from Micheal’s. Most are labeled or in the process of being so. Should anyone else drop by from before, its best to keep your polish in the dark. It makes it last longer. I know its nice to keep it out so you can see the pretty, but that can mess up the color (boo!). Hmm I was just about to paint my nails, I guess I should go with Zombie Zest as the color, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/18 "2013-04-22T12:53:31Z")
You really want to nail [Lech Walesa?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lech_walesa) ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/19 "2013-04-22T13:02:59Z")
> [@thursday\_next](#): > > Ooo, the battle of Melmer v. Helmer. So are you two going to do it thunderdome style, or politely reason it out? 😛 I don’t own either! All my polish fits in one of those little cloth pop-up drawer organizers from Ikea- about the dimensions of a record (vinyl, 'cause I’m old). ---
**Author:** ![thursday\_next](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@thursday\_next](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thursday_next)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/20 "2013-04-22T17:11:39Z")
**MickNickMaggies** , darn it! Every time I try to get something sorted out Thunderdome style it doesn’t work out. Nuts. 😉 And I _still_ haven’t painted my nails! ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021/21 "2013-04-22T18:10:02Z")
Am I the only person who uses a tackle box for my makeup? Check out the [Plano](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&q=plano+tackle+boxes&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45512109,d.eWU&biw=1024&bih=571&wrapid=tlif136665387286210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=8Ht1Ud_AK4Hc8wTiooFQ)boxes - the ones with the slide-out smaller clear plastic lidded tray compartments. They’re nifty. I’ve got a huge one for my costume makeup supplies, and a large one for my regular makeup, and my nail polish fits perfectly into a couple of those little clear snap-lid trays. Out of the light, clear view to see what’s inside, and easy to grab either the whole kit and kaboodle, or bits and pieces from the smaller trays. If you don’t have enough for a whole tackle box, you can buy the littler clear plastic trays by themselves. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-polish-organizer-suggestions-from-the-ladies/562021.md?page=2)