And by amp up, I mean no more standing in the bathroom under gross fluorescent light.
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Something I'm no longer doing in 2024: my makeup while standing. Not sure about y'all, but when I'm Getting Ready, it is an all-out (likely-close-to-three-hours 🫠) affair. What do I look like, subjecting my poor ankles to the horrors of a hard bathroom floor and my face to unflattering overhead lighting for that long? A fool, that's what. Excuse me—a fool with achy ankles and probably an unblended contour, which is why a makeup vanity may be just what you need (preferably one with lots of makeup storage and a cushy stool for relaxing as you primp.)
Getting ready should be an entire mood. And as such, it should include several necessities, like a bomb-ass playlist, a plethora of accumulated lipsticks, mascaras, and eyeshadow palettes, and a gorge vanity with supreme lighting and loads of drawers. We know you probs have those first two covered, so we went ahead and gave you a head start on finding the best makeup vanities out there. Oh, and you better believe we found ones with fancy, I'd-die-for-this features, like built-in adjustable lights, extra-large mirrors, hair dryer storage compartments, and so much more.
Whether you’re a minimalist, an ultra-glam babe, or a mid-century lover, there's something here that’ll catch your eye and work for your space.
You might use vanities to put on your makeup, but that doesn't mean the vanity itself should lack razzle-dazzle. This desk-and-drawer set vanity features a unique design with drawers that can be attached on the left or right. Oh, and that LED lamp around the mirror can switch between natural light, warm light, and cold light, so you've got lots of ~options.~
THE REVIEW: "I recently purchased this vanity table, which is an absolute gem," writes one tester. "Its stunning design, easy installation process, and practical features make it an ideal choice for anyone seeking a stylish and functional addition to their beauty space."
Think of this pick as the classically adorable makeup vanity you had as a kid—with modern (and very convenient!) twists, aka LED lights with a smart sensor switch, three color settings, and adjustable brightness levels. Little You would be so proud of this glow up. Plus, it comes with a lil matching stool, which is just the cherry on top.
THE REVIEW: "I was nervous about getting this but I was sooo happy with the results," one reviewer notes. "It took me about three hours to complete and needed my boyfriend to put the top part onto the bottom part. It was very easy to put together—just time-consuming! The drawers are perfect sizes, and the lights on the mirror are beautiful!!"
If you’re super organized, then this makeup vanity will put your skills on full display. It offers five different height storage shelves, two roomy drawers, and one three-drawer chest, so you can go off with drawer trays and makeup dividers (since you probably prefer to store most of your products out of sight, all nice n’ neat...instead of, ya know, spread out all over the counter like the rest of us).
THE REVIEW: According to one review, "I was a little overwhelmed by the instructions, but plowed through them slowly. It is a fantastic piece of furniture. I really love it and it does a great job."
A floating vanity is an excellent option if you have limited space. This one is outfitted with pretty gold hardware and has six roomy compartments to store all your essentials. I can personally attest that assembly is v easy, and best of all, this bb includes a cutout in the back to keeps cords organized and accessible, which is, frankly, genius stuff.
MY REVIEW: I seriously love a good multi-use product. This one is a seamless shelf that pulls out into a vanity, which is ideal for small spaces. I also love that it has a few ridges on the inside that can hold up your device, making it easy to follow along with beauty tutorials or FaceTime friends while getting ready.
Oooo, this one's giving old Hollywood glam. It has a massive 46-inch wide mirror (!) with dimmable wrap-around lights and seven spacious drawers that can hold so much product. You can opt to add on a pretty glass top for a touch of elegant, and you'll have your choice of basic, golden, or crystal ball knobs for the drawers.
THE REVIEW: "I highly recommend this vanity if you can’t afford to buy the Impressions vanity but still want the look of it," one review reads. "Yes, this vanity came in individual pieces. It took a total of eight hours to put it together with two people, but the instructions were easy to follow and having two people made the process go by way faster. It is everything I wanted. I absolutely love the lights & how bright the vanity is, too."
Calling all my peeps w/ very limited space in their bedroom: This one's for you. Measuring just a lil more than two feet in width, this cutie is ideal for squeezing into tight boudoirs, and it comes with three drawers for stowing your stuff, plus a pretty padded stool. And for $150, it honestly looks pretty fancy, no?
THE REVIEW: "This little vanity is exactly what I was looking for," writes one tester. "I needed someplace out of the bathroom to do my makeup. I also needed something under 20 inches wide to fit behind my door. I could not be happier with this little purchase. Additionally, it was super easy to build!"
Six roomy compartments to hold all your makeup and skincare products?! A dream. Complete with a glossy gold finish, a side stool with tongue-and-and-groove detailing, a lighted mirror, and TONS of storage options (including an illuminated open container that you can use to display your best products), this bb is srsly luxe.
THE REVIEW: "This is an excellent piece of furniture," one review reads. "It is very sturdy and has deep drawers to accommodate all of my makeup and toiletries. It was easy to assemble. I would definitely purchase it again."
If your aesthetic leans a little more traditional, then this all-black beauty would look so good in your room (and no one would ever guess it only cost ya a little over $300). Plus, it comes with a truly impressive number of drawers, compartments, and brush slots, as well as a tri-folding mirror so you can see yourself from different angles.
THE REVIEW: As one buyer writes, "I did a LOT of searching, on many popular sites, for the right vanity before ordering this one...and I have to say, I made the right choice!! I love it!! It's even more beautiful in person, was super easy to put together, feels good and sturdy, and offers more than enough space and organization for everything."
Found: a S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G vanity with five (!!!) drawers and a sophisticated design. God, I love her. Made of durable, sustainably-sourced wood, this option is going to be a lot sturdier (and less susceptible to dings and scratches) than those made with MDF or engineered wood, and the tapered legs, angular base, and beveled front edges give it a fun, retro-inspired lewk.
MY REVIEW: It's rare to find a classic vanity made with recycled materials. And even though this makeup vanity is on the pricier side, it's sooo worth the money because the high-quality design will last ya forever. I also personally love its timeless look that'll match any aesthetic.
PSA: This makeup vanity comes with a super chic upholstered stool! Plus, it has two drawers for keeping accessories organized and a flip-top mirror with additional storage space beneath it, meaning you can definitely use this bb as a desk. Who doesn't love multi-purpose furniture??
THE REVIEW: "This vanity is gorgeous and such a cool desk if I want to close it and get to work!" one customer notes. "I love the organization it adds to my space and how it helps me free up space in the bathroom, so I don’t hog the mirror for my beauty routine."
IKEA totally came through with this affordable, yet stylish option. It's a sleek design without skewing too modern—and that may very well be what your space needs. It includes two drawers and hooks on the side for hanging hair styling tools, and as with all IKEA products, assembly is pretty straightforward, so you'll be spared the headache.
THE REVIEW: "I bought this for my teen daughter, and she loves it," notes one reviewer. "It holds a ton of her stuff on top and in the drawers. The mirror can be adjusted up or down if needed. It was easy to set up and looks so beautiful!!"
Want the freedom to style your own makeup vanity setup? You got it, friend. Featuring a warm walnut finish and finely tapered legs, this simple lil vanity table is so chic and elegant, with plenty of tabletop space for displaying your products. And though it doesn't include a mirror or stool, that just means you can accessorize it however you please.
THE REVIEW: "Easy to put together, sturdy, [and] came the day after ordering," one review reads. "Color and size exactly as described."
A desk and a vanity in one? Say less! With plenty of storage to trick people into thinking you're organized and a mirror big enough for outfit checks, it's a win-win situation. Reviewers also love the smooth-gliding drawers and polished silver drawer pulls (though unfortch, that cute lil stool has to be purchased separately).
THE REVIEW: "Best modern vanity," writes one tester. "Great looking and perfectly-sized mirror and different size drawers. Doesn't take a lot space while having tons of storage. Only bad side is it really takes a hot minute to put together. Has tons of pieces to deal with. (Worth it tho.) Highly recommend it especially if you are on a budget."
Is it cheap? Lol, no. But this stunner (which features a flip-top mirror, removable felt-lined tray, and a soft-sheen metallic finish, among other luxe details) is a piece well worth the investment, promise.
THE REVIEW: According to one reviewer, "Beautiful desk/vanity! Great quality and perfect addition to the Master Bedroom. Took a while to get but worth the wait."
If you're low on wall space, then this corner vanity is the perfect solve. On one side, it's got two cabinets with ribbed glass and wooden handles, and on the other, you'll find a cloth storage bag that lets ya tuck away all your beauty essentials. It's also got a tri-fold LED mirror with three light settings, but here's the real selling point: it includes a built-in wireless charging station and USB ports.
THE REVIEW: As one reviewer notes, "This vanity came out so pretty. It has three different light colors—bright white, blue, and soft white—and when you change it on the mirror, it changes in the drawers, too! It was pretty easy to put together and the wireless charging station is super cool, too."
There are tonsssss of makeup vanities out there to choose from and if I were you, I would wanna make sure I've seen a good amount of them before picking The One. But if you're still trying to figure out what would make the perfect vanity for you, here are some specs you'd wanna know about before buying.
If you have a lot of crap, then you're probs going to need more than one or two drawers to hold everything. And, obvi, the roomier those drawers are, the better. It's the little things, people!
There are also some vanities that have built-in organizers on top of the actual table, and if you're down for all the storage space you can get, I'd look into finding one that has this specific feature. With it, you can have your daily makeup products and brushes at just an arm's length away.
Some people must have great lighting when doing their makeup (hi, it me). And if this is something that's really important to you, then you should shop for one that comes with lights attached to the mirror. You can even get one that's touch-screen activated, 'cause technology!
Not to state the obvious, but if you're working with limited space, you need to make sure any dresser you choose will fill that spot *just* right. Nothing's worse than ordering a piece of furniture that's just too damn big for your apartment (or so small that it looks silly), so check out the width, depth, and height to make sure it's a good fit.
Cosmo's shopping and lifestyle teams are constantly curating the internet to bring you the chicest, trendiest options like it's our job (because it is, heh).
We have pretty high standards when it comes to recommendations. Each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge, plus they include picks for all style preferences and price points. And you better believe we read those product reviews (and test many of the brands IRL) so you don't have to. You're welcome!
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram.
Christen A. Johnson is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers health and wellness, money, career, pets, home, food, travel and more for print and digital. She also dabbles in culture writing, and wrote Cosmo’s first-ever digital cover story. Before joining the magazine, Christen was a lifestyle features reporter at the Chicago Tribune. Several of her health and style stories made the paper's front page. When Christen isn’t digging through antique stores, she's likely drooling over home renos on HGTV, sharing her latest therapy revelation, redoing old workouts from her college basketball days, or trying to perfect her homemade buttermilk biscuit recipe. Follow her on Insta for BTS ~ editor life ~ tingz!
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