Press Sample
Several months ago I wrote a guest post for The Grits Blog about what’s in my makeup bag. Some things have changed since then, so I thought it would be fun to do a little product update and show you what I’ve been using these days!
To be perfectly honest, my makeup bag changes often. As you’ve seen, I get enough subscription beauty bags and boxes to make me constantly change-up my daily products, but these items are things that tend to stick around month to month, and that I truly love. Read on to find out some of my current make up faves.
What’s in my Makeup Bag
Eyes
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara – This came in my Ipsy bag a few months back, and while it’s not my Holy Grail mascara, it’s pretty darn good for everyday wear. It’s not clumpy, goes on smooth, and makes my eyelashes a nice true black.
Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette – This is an oldie but a goodie. I love the Naked Palettes from Urban Decay, but I’m more a matte girl. This is perfect, and it’s seriously lasted forever. The brushes I use are from Real Techniques and they’re great too. I don’t think they’ve ever shed a single hair.
Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighting Stick – This is a deluxe sample I actually got in a swap, and I love it. It’s the perfect size to highlight the inside corner of my eyes, which I do daily to make my eyes appear bright and a little bit larger. Plus it’s got the perfect amount of shimmer.
Eyebrows
Paula Dorf 2+1 Brows in Neutral (press sample) – This is a new-to-me-favorite, and is seriously helpful in taming my brows and making them look their best. The powder and wax combo was a little intimidating to me at first (I actually only started filling my brows in this year, if you can believe it!) but a brush, powder, and wax really gives you more control. If you’re a little scared, I recommend going in with a light hand and building the powder as you feel comfortable. The nice thing about powders? No risk of the dreaded “Sharpie” brows!
Lips
The Honest Co. Organic Lip Balm – I’m pretty sure I’ve sung the praises of all things Honest Co. in the past, but their lip balms are organic, smell great, and are super moisturizing. I use them daily under lipstick, especially formulas that lean towards the dryer side of things!
City Color Be Matte Lipstick in Cappuccino – Speaking of dry formulas, I’d say this Be Matte lipstick is pretty darn dry, but in combination with the lip balm, it’s my favorite shade right now. It’s pink with a little brown, and feels like the perfect neutral for fall. When I got this in my Ipsy bag this month I didn’t think I was digging it, but I’ve come around and it’s definitely a new favorite.
Face
Amarte Natural Finish BB Cream in Light Tint – I actually won a prize pack from Amarte awhile ago from SheFinds, but this Korean BB Cream has felt like it’s lasted forever! It’s a great shade for me (read: works great for pale skin!), is hydrating, and has built-in SPF without the nasties like parabens! The only bummer is it’s a little pricey, but considering how long this has lasted, it’s a pretty worthwhile investment.
Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer – For a long time I scoffed at all of the bloggers who recommended this (Kristen, Sarah, and Jamie, I know all three of you have!) When I was in California, we were perusing the beauty aisle at Target and I bit the bullet and bought this. It stayed in the package the whole trip… then I finally tried it when we got home. My logic was obviously flawed, but this stuff is not. I have now recommended it to everyone and their mom by calling it “magical” and “cheap”… two words that often don’t go together, but do in this case. Really what I’m getting at here is don’t be dumb like me, just try this. (Pro tips: Don’t over apply, it will get cakey. Also, this works as a great blemish concealer.)
BareMinerals Ready Blush in The Aphrodisiac – I’ve used this for years. It stopped my cheek breakouts (pretty sure I’m allergic to either Bismuth or Talc, which is in many blushes) and I will never use anything else, because I prefer to not mess with a good thing. ;)
…And now that I’ve shown you mine, what’s in your makeup bag right now?
Oooh I’m sure I’ve seen that concealer before! I should take a closer look next time I come across it. Sounds like the perfect thing for me, up frequently in the night with baby does not mean well-rested eyes in the morning, haha! :)
Oh I bet! Definitely give it a go, I think it’s worth it for the price! :)
(Thanks to you! & Ipsy!) I actually carry around makeup stuff with me!
Yay, love that! So glad you liked your first Ipsy bag :)
So many great products! I recently got the Naked Basics palette and loooove it! I also use those same brushes & just pulled out my mini Watts Up again!
Naked Basics is my favorite, and I’m tempted to get Naked Basics 2 as well just because I like it so much! :)
love watt’s up!
Me too, I’m so glad I tried it!
I absolutely love these posts from lifestyle bloggers, because obviously I’m nosy but also because it gives me some good ideas. Typically “beauty bloggers” go way more in-depth than I need! A few things 1) I’m also totally obsessed with that Naked Basics Palette right now because I’m also a matte girl and I just don’t need that much eyeshadow. 2) I have that Benefit Watt’s Up highlighter from a subscription box but was never sure what to do with it! I’m definitely trying that inner-eye trick. 3) I’ve never warn blush because I’m already so pink, but I’ve been thinking of dipping my toe into it. Maybe I’ll give your tried-and-true Bare Minerals one a shot :)
Cat
http://oddlylovely.com
Oh that’s interesting! I like beauty blogs, but not to follow on a regular basis (because as you can see, my routine really isn’t too crazy and I basically wear the same products daily) I do like their in depth reviews of certain products and swatches for colors. Try the inner eye thing and let me know what you think! I think it adds a nice little pop without being too crazy or difficult.
I’m so glad you finally got the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer, I’m obsessed with it (obviously), and I’m glad you like it too!! I love Real Techniques brushes too, they are great brushes especially when you take the price point into consideration.
Haha seriously, I didn’t know what I was missing! Agreed on the Real Techniques… so much better than the cheap ELF brushes so many rave about!
I just received the same Benefit highlighter sample and I love it! I’m currently using a BB Cream from Boots, Bobbi Brown mascara, Nars blush, and Sugar lip balm for my quick, every day make-up. I’m on the hunt for a peachy/orange concealer for the dark circles I’m sporting under my eyes. Ugh.
Dark circles are the worst. Hope you can find one with the right shade!
First of all thank you for the plug girl! Secondly, I love that matte lipstick too, I’ve used it almost daily since I got it! Also, anything Paula Dorf is the bomb. I have a brush from her that I got when I was 15! Its still in mint condition!
Of course! I was so surprised how much I liked the lipstick, and I’m going to have to try more from Paula Dorf, this is my first product from their cosmetics line!
Gotta love Urban Decay! I use that Maybelliene under eye concealers too. And boy do I have dark cirlces and bags!
~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
Haha, I feel you on the dark circles. Been rocking those since I was little. Love genetics ;)
I always love seeing what other beauty products other bloggers are using. I actually recently received a Watt’s Up deluxe sample too, and I’m also loving it! I use so little every time I can see it lasting quite a while.
Yes, I’ve barely made a dent in the sample and I’ve been using it almost daily for a couple of months! I think it’s a great buy.
I really can’t rave enough about the naked palettes, they’re amazing!! However I wasn’t keen on the applicator for the Maybelline Concealer, I swear by revalon for their concealers!
Heather x
Totally agreed with you on the applicator. I didn’t want to write a whole essay on that product alone so didn’t mention that. I wish they had used a tube type applicator so I wasn’t spreading bacteria around my face. :/
Yeah, that would definitely have been an improvement, I also didn’t find the sponge gave a very even application although the concealer itself was pretty decent :)
Yeah, definitely true! I generally just use the sponge to pat it on, then my finger to apply.
Wow this is great! Thanks for sharing! I absolutely despise make-up and never know what to get and my face doesn’t seem to like anything :( Thanks for the helpful tips!! Can’t wait to try them out!
Glad you enjoyed it! Hope something works out – I know makeup can be pretty frustrating when you buy things that don’t work out! I highly recommend shopping at Sephora or Nordstrom for that reason on pricier items, their return policy is excellent. I buy it, try it, and if I don’t like it just ship it back. Also, Sephora has their annual sale coming up, and Black Friday is another good time to buy! :)
My makeup bag is always changing too. That Maybelline concealer may look silly but it really is pretty great!
Haha, I bet yours changes a lot more often than mine! :) I’m still surprised by how much I love the Age Rewind concealer!
Glad to have you over on the dark side using the Maybelline magic concealer hahaha, I love the nudes palette and the Watt’s up too- it really is like no other highlighter!!
Haha! I’m loving the dark side… or is it light side, since it now hides my dark circles? ;)
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