Vanity

Friday, November 23, 2012

What's in MY makeup bag

DISCLAIMER: I know this looks like a bunch of stuff--it is! Keep in mind, though, that I don't wear all of this on my face at once. I don't even wear a fraction of it at once! I carry so much because I frequently do makeup on other people, so I keep a variety of eyeshadow with me to give them as many options as possible. Plus, I get bored! I change up my look a lot--I can't help it. Enjoy!

Brushes

1. Bag from Forever21

2. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used as powder foundation)

3. RealTechniques powder foundation brush

4. Urban Decay optical blurring foundation brush (used with liquid)

5. Sephora Professionel airbrush precision foundation brush #56 (used with liquid)

6. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used as liquid foundation)

7. essence of Beauty blush & powder brush (not shown) from 3 piece kit (used as bronzer brush)

8. Urban Decay double sided dome & flat eyeshadow brush from Urban Decay Naked2 Palette

9. EcoTools concealer brush (used as eyeshadow brush)

10. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used as blending brush for outer corner/crease)

11. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used as highlighting brush w/ eyeshadow)

12. Coastal Scents crease/outer corner shader brush #250 (comparable to MAC #217)

13. Coastal Scents deluxe crease/blending brush #200

14. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used as blending brush for outer corner/crease)

15. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used for applying color to crease)

16. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used as smudger brush for under the eye)

17. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used as eyeliner brush)

18. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used as blending brush for outer corner/crease)

19. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used for applying color to crease)

20. Coastal Scents brush from 22 piece brush set (used as concealer brush)

Tools & Skincare

21. Scotchtape? What!? I know that's what you're thinking. But this is such a great tool for winged eyeliner.

22. Bobbypins: Hot Tools

23. Tweezerman eyebrow scissors

24. Sonia Kashuk eyelash comb and eyebrow brush

25. Garnier Fructis everyday moisturizer

26. Garnier Fructis nightly moisturizer

27. Neutrogena all-in-one acne control spot treatment (AMAZING)

28. Neutrogena rapid clear sore pimple relief and spot treatment

Eyelashes & such

29. Bobbi Brown eyelash curler

30. Ardell false eyelashes #116 Black

31. Ardell false eyelashes #120 Demi Black

32. LashGrip waterproof eyelash glue

33. Milani Brow Fix brow kit

34. L'Oreal Power Volume with collagen in Blackest Black

35. L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes in Black Lacquer

36. NYX Auto eyebrow pencil in #EP06 Taupe

37. Revlon Colorstay liquid eye pen in Blackest Black

38. Maybelline Define-A-Line auto eyeliner pencil in Ebony

39. Random crappy tweezers

Primers & Lipstuff & Blush & Bronzer

40. Sephora perfection primer

41. Neutrogena Shine Control Primer

42. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden (I think)

43. LASplash Cosmetics enlightened eyeshadow base #23102 Highlight

44. MAC Viva Glam lipstick in Gaga 2

45. MAC Viva Glam lipglass in Gaga

46. Maybelline SuperStay 14 hour lipstick in Ravishing Rouge

47. ULTA blush in Afterglow

48. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Gold Deposit

Foundation

49. Revlon 24 hour Colorstay makeup for combination/oily skin in #250 Fresh Beige

50. Clinique Stay-Matte Oli-Free makeup in #09 Neutral

51. Neutrogena Shine Control makeup in #60 Natural Beige

52. The Body Shop Concealer Pencil in #02

53. Clinique Perfectly Real Compact makeup in #130 (N)

Eyeshadows

54. Eyestudio by Maybelline in #55 Smokey Night (includes shimmery chocolate brown, purple, navy blue and black colors)

55. CoverGirl eye enhancers (the label with the name of it ripped off =( but includes dark brown, taupe and somewhat champagne-y colors, all with a silky finish)

56. Maybelline ExpertWear eyeshadow in Natural Smokes (includes matte bone, matte dark brown, silky gray/brown and silky chocolate brown colors)

57. Lancome Color Design eyeshadow quad in (from right to left) Drape (sheen), Pretty Pretty (shimmer), Click (shimmer), and Back Stage Pass (intense)

58. Victoria's Secret Silky eyeshadow in Champagne (Lustre Finish)

59. Maybelline ExpertWear eyeshadow quad in #10Q Mocha Motion (includes white, taupe, gray with purple undertones, and mocha colors all with a mix between a matte and a barely shimmery finish)

60. L.A. Colors 5 Color Metallic eyeshadow in #EP112 Ammunition (includes white, two shades of silver and two shades of black all with a silky/shimmery finish)

61. Maybelline ExpertWear eyeshadow quad in #08Q Emerald Smokes (includes light lime green, olive green, emerald green, and dark forrest green colors all with a silky/shimmery finish)

62. Victoria's Secret Silky eyeshadow in Pose (Velvet Finish, but it's really matte)

63. L'Oreal HIP Studio Secrets Professional Crystal Shadow in #829 Darling (includes gold and bronze/brown colors)

64. Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Luminous Shadow in After Midnight

65. Victoria's Secret Silky eyeshadow in Fierce (Sparkle Finish)

(I skipped 66...it's been a long day)

67. Urban Decay Naked Palette

68. Urban Decay Naked2 Palette (see below)

Naked2 (top) includes (from left to right):

Foxy (matte)
Half-baked (silky)
Bootycall (silky)
Chopper (shimmery)
Tease (matte)
Snakebite (silky)
Suspect (silky)
Pistol (silky)
Vere (silky)
YDK (silky)
Busted (silky)
Blackout (matte)

Naked (bottom) includes (from left to right)

Virgin (silky)
Sin (silky)
Naked (matte)
Sidecar (shimmery)
Buck (matte)
Half-baked (silky)
Smog (silky)
Darkhorse (silky and shimmery)
Toasted (silky)
Hustle (silky)
Creep (shimmery)
Gunmetal (silky)

How to build your makeup bag without breaking the bank

Every girl ~~has~~ should have a makeup bag. I don't care if all you have in there is tinted moisturizer, mascara and chapstick--you need one! Having all of your getting-ready-for-the-day necessities in one spot in the morning is a crucial timesaver, and you can always just zip it up and take it with you on-the-go. I am going to give you a basic guide to what you should have in your bag and a bunch of other fun extras.

First and foremost: makeup is an investment. The more into it you are, the more money you'll spend--that's a given. I, however, realize that not every girl wants to be a makeup artist. So for those of you who don't want to spend rent money on makeup, here's a cheat sheet on what to buy and where:

Things to consider investing in:

BRUSHES! This is crucial. A good brush (properly washed and taken care of) can last for years. Higher quality brushes last longer than drugstore brushes. If you're just starting out, I suggest buying a brush kit. I do not recommend going to MAC and buying every brush they have if you aren't considering makeup as a career. Not only is this expensive, but it's a waste of time! A somewhat low cost kit can get you started off right. Something with a foundation brush, a blush brush, a powder brush, a bronzer brush, a concealer brush, an eyeliner brush, a tapered dome-shaped brush, a fluffy dome brush, and two sizes of a flat eyeshadow brush (ideally, a smaller and medium sized). If you've been working on your bag for years (like me), going to the MAC counter every once in a while is NBD and ideal for building a more professional collection.
Eyelash curlers: If you don't curl your eyelashes because they're naturally curled, I hate you (just kidding). But seriously, you're lucky. A good, professional level eyelash curler can last for ages and work better than one from the drugstore.
Tweezers: A good pair of tweezers can stretch out the time between waxing or threading.
Eyeshadow & eyeshadow palettes: This one falls into both categories--drugstore brands DO have great quality eyeshadows. They're pigmented and can last for hours. Same goes for department store brands! I suggest investing in a good eyeshadow palette, such as Urban Decay Naked or Naked 2. While they are somewhat on the pricey side, they are completely worth it! Either palette has a great range of neutral shades. There are a ton of other brands that also have great quality and color range. The best thing to do if you're just starting out here is to shop around. Find a palette that works for you (and ask the pros at ULTA or Sephora!)
Tinted moisturizer: I know this one sounds crazy, but you just cannot get the same quality from drugstore tinted moisturizers as you can from department store ones. Also a great idea if you're not that into makeup!
Primer: Good primer will prolong the look of your foundation, eyeshadow, and pretty much everything else. Drugstores have yet to come out with really great eyeshadow or foundation primers.
Concealer: This one's up to you. I prefer a department store brand rather than a drugstore brand. You can just get better colors that match your skin tone that are more pigmented and will last longer.
Bronzer: You really just can't beat MAC's SkinFinish in Gold Deposit. Again, up to you!
Lip stuff: By lip stuff, I mean lipstick. While some drugstores do have great colors, you really can't find the same selection in the CoverGirl section as you can at MAC.

Things to consider cutting coupons for:

Foundation (liquid & powder): Drug store brands have some of the best foundations out there. You don't need to spend $20+ on a bottle of foundation! Since most people use foundation everyday, it's almost a given that you're going to go through it faster than any other product you use. Unless you opt for a tinted moisturizer, shop around at the drug store for a good foundation.
Mascara: Same thing as foundation--most people use this everyday. Don't blow $20 on a tube of mascara ever! Even if you plan on using it for "special occasions." Odds are you're only going to use that tube of mascara like, three times during a six month span. After those six months, you should really throw it away since bacteria and other gross stuff can hide out in the tube. Do you want that stuff on your eye?! Didn't think so. Spend some quality time at Target, CVS or ULTA and find a cheap mascara that works for you.
Eyeshadow: Like I said, this can fall into either category. I suggest splurging on palettes and getting individual shadows or crazy colors at the drugstore.
Eyeliner: Pretty much anything you use on your eyes should be replaced every six months or so. And you'll probably go through eyeliner just as fast as you go through foundation or mascara. Plus there are a TON of great liquid and pencil eyeliners at the drugstore!
Blush: Again, this can go either way. It's up to you. Drugstores do, however, have great colors and quality blush!
Lip stuff: By lip stuff, I mainly mean lip gloss--chances are you'll also use this more than lipstick. Unless you have a MAC Lipglass collection going, stick to drugstore brands.

Places to buy:

Department stores: MAC, Sephora (Laura Mercier, Chanel, Benefit, Too Faced, Urban Decay, Nars, Smashbox, Dior, Tarte, Clinique, etc.), ULTA (All of the above and much more), Macy's, Nordstrom
Drugstore: ULTA! (has a ton of drugstore quality brands and a bunch of others you've probably never heard of AND department store brands!!! YAY), CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target

UP NEXT: What's in MY makeup bag! =)