I'm acquiring quite the collection (for me, anyway) and I'm already beginning to lose track of what I have. Does anyone use a database (Excel or Word, etc.) that they use to keep track? I'm going to begin a depotting project again soon, and want to stay as organized as I can. I've already managed to get one duplicate shade because I forgot what I own. Also, deciding how best to organize my 15 pan palettes. I tend to like them organized by highlight in top row, midtones in second row with crease shades on bottom row. Makes life easier in the morning. But I digress... databases anyone? Or do you just list them? I know there are MAC addicts as nerdy as I am out there! :roll:

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LOL....well I have a spreadsheet for my inventory. I know...nerd..but really..how WOULD u keep track? I know I read here someone actually used a statistical program to determine the average use of each e/s...i'm not that advanced yet..lol. I also have separate tabs for my looks (so I know what to use to replicate) as well as a list of things I have to buy.

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http://www.myspace.com/lola336

I've got one for my Lush stuff and you've just made me realise that i should use it for my Mac too, in fact it'd be more usefull for Mac than my Lush.

- a list of items I currently own
- a wish list

in Word, but organizing those lists in Excel sounds like a good idea.

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"There is an art, or rather, a knack, to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."

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Access database

Access..NICE!!!!! That's even better than excel..you can make reports....hmmm...interesting....

and query a variety of different ways

Currently my table fields are:

ID (duh)
Category
Product name
Product description
Formula (frost, matte, etc)
LE?
Discontinued?
Purchase date

Why don't I just stick a big sign on my back that reads "GEEK!"

I have an Excel spreadsheet which lists product type, color name, product use (eyes, lips, multipurpose), color family, and price. I was bored at school once and imported that data into a program called SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and ran some analyses to see what kinds of products I buy the most of in what color families and whatnot. So, you can imagine, my friends thought I was nuts.

SPSS! hehehe....

*hands the "GEEK!" sign over to moonrevel*

And what a great way to improve my Access skills! Hmm...Word and Excel would be easier since I'm more comfortable with them, but nothing like challenging yourself, especially with such a fun product. I really like the query aspect...awesome! I knew this was the place to ask this question! Some makeup groups are good for just the right recipe, some for housecleaning tips, MAC for techno stuff!

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"Success is not measured by the heights one attains, but by the obstacles one overcomes in its attainment." -Booker T. Washington

I added a price row to my Access file

Thats awesome, I was actually attempting to design a mysql/php database that people could put on their websites for MAC or MU inventory in general, but I haven't had the time to really do what I'd like with it. Hopefully soon! Theres always other things pushing it to the side though.

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www.adriennepetrie.com

Excel
*What I have by category (e/s, glosses, etc)
*What I've grouped (depotted and put together)
*What I want (dont have/never had, with descriptions)
*What I'm running low on

Seems like a lot of work but once you get a large collection it HELPS! I used to have maybe 3 items total but over the past 4 months I've acquired a huge collection and it helps keep me organized. I dont always have ALL of my makeup with me so it's easier for me to just consult my notebook and see what to grab before a job, etc...

*gladly accepts* Thank you, thank you.

I have all my stuff listed in Word. Not high-tech, but organized lol!

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I use excel.

Ive got about 11 worksheets currently.

Eyes, lips, face, body, brushes, nars, shu, tinte, lancome, UD, postcards (yes I am obsessive)

Then I break down each shadow by texture...Frost, veluxe pearl, matte, etc...all different colors.
Alphabetticaly of course.

Then I break down my 15 palettes, all of my holiday or special eye pallettes, and the colors in them.

Then I do the same with lipglass, lgs, lipgelees, lustergass, ccbs, etc.

I also have a listing of all the palettes I have, color coded to which are quads and which arent..

Bruses include number, long handle or short, skunk tip, angled, white, brown, SE or non, and a description of what they are for...

Its a very easy but intense database, Its taken me months to get it like I want it, and I have 3 backups of it just in case. (OCD)

Its a very colorful, large compilation....but thats how I do it

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