What’s In My Makeup Bag?

Confession: I’m super nosy.  I really like to know what’s going on in other peoples’ lives, what they eat, what they wear, what their houses look like…well, you get the idea.  It’s one of the reasons why blogging and social media appeals to me so much.  I love getting little glimpses inside someone else’s life.  Since you’re here, reading this, I’m guessing you do too. 🙂

So I thought I’d show you what’s in my makeup bag!  I love makeup, but I’m certainly not an expert at applying it and I’m no makeup collector like a lot of people are.  I have a pretty basic look that rarely changes, but lately I’ve been trying to step outside the box and do different things.

I was not compensated in any way to share any of this to you and none of these links are affiliate.  HOWEVER, I get some of my make up from Birchbox and would love for you to get some samples too!  You can read all about Birchbox here and if it’s something you’d like to try, let me know and I’ll send you an email.  I get points (which lead to free stuff!) if you purchase a subscription, just FYI.

This is not all the make up I own but what I consider my essentials.  The stuff that goes into my makeup bag when I travel.

I always start with skin prep.  I’m still using Proactiv and then I follow up with an oil-free moisturizer with SPF.  I really like Neutrogena, simple and effective.

Primer, foundation, and concealer follow next.  I use MAKE UP FOR EVER almost every day.  It’s hella expensive but it lasts for forever, in terms of how long it stays on your face and how long it lasts.  See that concealer?  I’ve had that tube for 2 years.  And it’s still going strong.  I bought my foundation last December and you can’t even tell I’ve used any.  After I’ve finished all my makeup, but before I put on my mascara, I dust my face with the finishing powder.

Some days I don’t feel like doing the whole “painting my face on” thing.  On those days I turn to some trusty friends.  On days when I’m using one of these, I only put primer on and around my eyes.  And then sometimes I don’t even do that.  Basically, I use either the pressed powder or the BB cream when I want to go out in public but don’t want to scare anyone.

From left to right: Hard Candy Primer, Pur Minerals Pressed Makeup, Maybelline BB Cream

Blush is up next.  I almost always wear my NARS blush (in the world-famous shade Orgasm), but every once in a while, I’ll change it up and wear bareMinerals blush that I got in a kit last year.  I don’t love bareMinerals because I always make a mess with it, but it has amazing staying power and looks nice on my skin.

On to eyes…

If you follow my Make Me Pretty Pinterest board, you’ve probably realized that I’m kind of obsessed with my Naked Palette.  Again, something expensive that lasts forever.  I’ve had it since December.  Can you tell I’ve been using it almost every day?  Me neither.  I still have almost no clue what I’m doing with it, but thanks to Pinterest and YouTube I’m learning.

When I want something very neutral, I turn to bareMinerals.  Taupe for all over, light brown for the crease, and dark brown for lining.  I consider it a success if I don’t end up with it all over my face and bathroom counter.  The American Beauty compact has a brown shade that I use on my eyebrows.  Remember how Proactiv bleached them?  Yeah, I’m still in recovery.

My eyeliners are pretty boring.  Brown, black, and grey, all CoverGirl.  I’ve got a few other shades rolling around in my drawer, but these are my staples.

Mascara is my absolute, number one favorite makeup item.  If I put on nothing else, I put on mascara.  I never leave the house without it.  I used to be a drug store mascara girl, until my best friend turned me on to They’re Real and I’ve never looked back.  It is simply the greatest mascara ever.

When I was putting this post together I was surprised at the number of lip products I use regularly.  Two are lip balms, two are my go-to when I want to look more natural, and the other three are what I carry in my purse and use daily.  Yes, I realize they are all about the same color.  The only time I wear anything else is when I wear red lipstick and that is a rare occasion because I can go from looking awesome to looking like a clown in a heartbeat.

Counterclockwise: Clinique Almost Lipstick, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, Ultra Plus Lip Gloss, Party Proof Lipstick, Peppermint lip balm, Clinique Chubby Stick, Buxom plumping lip gloss

Okay!  That’s what’s in my makeup bag.  Now I want to know what’s in yours!