What's in my makeup bag? - Products that I'm currently using!

What's in my makeup bag?

As a beauty blogger, I've tried so many different products over the years. At some points I had about 20 or more foundations at the same time, and was trying so many things and finishing none of them. Since my little break off from blogging, I've cut down on trying so many new things at once, and I'm finding myself repurchasing the same things over again - things that are reliable and that I love!

So, for the past several months (or more), these have been my staples!

MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation - I've gone through around 3-4 tubes of this so far, and I've been re-purchasing this foundation as soon as I run out. It has a solid medium coverage, and it's my go-to when I want my makeup to last on hours on end. It really does last me till the time I want to wash my face, and I don't find that it breaks apart or separates by the end of the night. I do prefer this over MAC's regular Pro Longwear Foundation, but I do like that one as well. ($33)

NARS Tinted Moisturizer - This is my go-to day wear foundation. The formula is creamy and moisturizing and it provides an SPF of 30, which is great for when you're out and about during the day. The coverage is light, but buildable, and evens out the skintone nicely and gives a fresh, clean look. A little expensive for a daily wearing tinted moisturizer, but for now, I'm loving it and I'm getting low on my second tube. ($44)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer - It wasn't love at first sight with this concealer, but after using it regularly, I've grown to love it. As I'm getting older, I find it much more difficult to find a concealer that doesn't age me or give me the "tired eye" look, and I find that this one doesn't accentuate dryness or fine lines. A definite winner in my book, and one that I will repurchase as soon as I run out. ($25)

Urban Decay Naked Concealer - Along with Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer, I like adding a layer of this concealer on top before I blend the two together. These two concealers work really well as a team, and I love how light and blendable this concealer is. It's a great one if you are looking for a pigmented concealer that doesn't have the density or weight of a standard (heavy) concealer. I like using this concealer in a lighter shade to brighten my under eyes. ($28)

Beauty Blender - I can't live without my beauty blender. I use it every day to apply my concealer, and I use a separate one to set my concealer with powder. It works more beautifully than any brush. ($20)

Step by Step Eyeshadow Tutorial with Dramatic Black Liner and a Darkened Crease.

Two tutorials in one week, what!? Yeah I know, pretty unusual, but I thought it'd be a nice change from reviews all of the time. This particular look focuses mainly on the dramatic (thick) winged liner and the contrast against the precisely darkened crease and the contrasting light shade on the lids. This is more of a going out/nighttime look, as it's quite dramatic for the daytime. You can take it up a notch by adding black liner to the waterline or adding a full strip of false lashes.

Products Used:

MAC Groundwork Paint Pot (light brown cream eyeshadow, used as a base in step 1)

MAC Malt Eyeshadow (used in step 2 and step 8)
MAC Corduroy Eyeshadow (used in step 4 and step7)
MAC Black Tied Eyeshadow (used in step 5 and step 6)
Dior Rosy Tan (used the middle shade for a highlight in step 3)
Anastasia Shimmer Highlight Pencil (used in step 11)
Illamasqua Mislead Cake Eyeliner (used in step 9 and step 10)
Maybelline The Falsie's Mascara (used in step 12)
Andrea Medium Flare Individual Lashes (used in step 13)

Brushes Used:
Coastal Scents Concealer Brush
MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush
Sigma Pencil Brush
Sigma Small Angle Brush
Coastal Scents Tapered Blending Brush
Coastal Scents Small Eyeliner Brush

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Current Products in my Rotation!

I've always been one to carry tons of makeup with me in my handbag, but in the past year or so, I've been carrying a lot less makeup with me in my bag, and leaving more at home. I use to literally bring with me every item of makeup I'd be wearing on a certain day, just "in-case" something happens and I'll need to fix it. Nowadays, I only bring a few items with me - a powder compact for touch ups, a lipstick and gloss, eyeliner and a couple brushes. (I haven't been ruining the lining of my handbags either - yay!)

My "every day" products change quite often, as I'm constantly trying new things. But to keep my most used products handy, I keep them all in one place for easy access. If a certain product isn't getting much use, I'll put it back in my storage system so I don't have a bin of overflowing products. 

Here's a peek at what I've been using lately!

NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (travel size) - I recently got this in a swap, and so far I like it. I don't find it much different than Urban Decay Primer Potion, but it's a good primer that keeps my eye shadow in place all day.
YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Longwear Cream Eyeliner in Deep Black - (reviewed here). This is my current favorite cream liner, and I use it just about every day!
Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Eyeshadow in Stone - Stone is a light, taupe shade that is very soft and natural. I like using it smudged into my lash line for a very soft look. It's quite similar in color to MAC Groundwork Paintpot.
MAC Paintpot in Constructivist - Constructivist is a gorgeous bronzed-brown with a reddish undertone. Many times I use it alone smudged into my lash line, or as a base for my brown eyeshadow.
Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Epatant - (reviewed here) I haven't had this very long, but I've been wearing it just about every chance I get. It seems to blend really well with my every day brown shadows.
MAC Brule Eyeshadow - Brule is a matte, soft ivory. I use it every day all over my lid before applying any other eyeshadow. It evens out the color on my lids and makes my lids a perfect blank canvas for my eyeshadow and liner.
L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Endless Pearl, Iced Latte, Bronzed Taupe and Amber Rush - These are pretty new to my collection, but they are everything that everyone has been raving about. They are wonderful, dreamy-smooth and intensely pigmented shadows. I love using Endless Peal all over my lid (as it's just like MAC Brule, but more pigmented). Iced Latte as a highlight, and Bronzed Taupe and Amber Rush in my crease. (I'll do a separate post on these later!)
Christian Dior Five Golds 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette - (reviewed here) This is an older limited edition palette, but it's one of my favorite palettes. All 5 colors go together so wonderfully and when using this palette, I never need to reach for any additional colors. This palette has it all. If you can get your hands on one in a blog sale, swap, etc, I highly recommend it!

Swatches

From Left to Right: YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Longwear Cream Eyeliner in Deep Black, MAC Paintpot in Constructivist, Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Epatant, Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Eyeshadow in Stone, L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Endless Pearl, Iced Latte, Amber Rush and Bronzed Taupe, MAC Brule Eyeshadow, Christian Dior Five Golds Quint.

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Sheer Moisture Creme SPF30 Review!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Sheer Moisture Creme SPF30

Product Description: Sheer Moisture Crème SPF 30 is a hydrating and ultra-light day crème that works for all skin types. This truly innovative fragrance-free formula softens the skin and provides protection against UVA/UVB rays and free radicals that can cause signs of aging.

A uniquely designed dispensing pump ensures a clean application every time.

-Dermatologist Tested

-Hypoallergenic

-Non-Comedogenic (won't clog pores)

-Paraben Free

-Fragrance Free

The Sheer Moisture Creme has become part of my every day routine for the past month. I always make sure to apply the cream to my face first thing in the morning after I've cleansed my face, or right before application of my liquid makeup.

The consistency is perfect for a day cream - it's lightweight (but not runny) and isn't thick or greasy like some other day moisturizers I've tried.

It absorbs quickly into my skin without leaving an oily residue behind, creating a perfect, smooth base for my foundation.

As an added bonus, there is an SPF of 30, so I don't have to add additional sunscreen to my face. Also, it's fragrance free, so there's no unpleasing scent of sunscreen. (I really dread the smell of sunscreen)

I can't say using this cream has transformed my skin over the course of the month, but it's been keeping my skin well hydrated (as well as protected) and I can skip using primer!

The Round-Up

Pros:

• Great Packaging- I wish more products were designed like this! It's a pump dispenser, so you just have to push the top down to dispense a pea sized amount of product. This is great for sanitary reasons and so you won't dispense too much product that isn't necessary.
• Absorbs quickly. It didn't leave my skin feeling oily or greasy.
• Lightweight. It's a great daytime moisturizer that works well before applying makeup.
• Reacted well to my skin. I didn't have any irritations or breakouts.
• A good amount of SPF (30).
• Moisturizing
• No fragrance.

Cons:

• A slight con of the packaging is that you can't tell how much product is in the container. I won't know until one day I push the pump and nothing will dispense. haha!
• I didn't notice any significant changes in my skin after using this product. I'm saying significant because I have noticed my skin feels softer, but I can't say for sure that it's from this product or others that I am using.

Price: $40, Anastasia.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighting Brow Kit Review, Photos & Swatches!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighting Brow Kit

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Flawless, fabulous coverage for brows and lids. Our uniquely blended terracotta baked trio is perfect wet or dry, on brows, or an all-over eye highlighter. Known to calm, soothe and soften skin our exclusive Balkan Botanical™ Infusion contains rare plant and herb extracts found only in the rich soil of Romania. Open your eyes to how good real beauty can feel.

This awesome little brow/highlighting kit comes with three shades of brow powder, three shades of highlighter and a mini brow gel. 

The brow trio includes a light golden ash brown (suitable for blondes), light brown/taupe (a universal shade from redheads to medium brunettes) & a med/dark brown (suitable for darker hair shades). 

The highlighting trio includes a shimmery/frosted white with a hint of silver, a shimmery light golden and a shimmery copper.

Highlighting Trio

Brow Trio

Anastasia Clear Brow Gel

Beauty Tip: "Apply baked brow powder (wet or dry) with a brush following the natural shape of your brow. Apply highlighting powder with any eyeshadow crease brush along the brow bone to create a higher arch" - Anastasia.net

I absolutely love this kit! The brow powders are very finely milled (super soft) and apply smooth and sheer, for a natural appearance. I really like the way it makes my brows look. I've tried several brow powders and many of them apply too dark, and I end up having to go over them with Q-tips to soften the color.

I'd recommend this if you like your eye brows to look natural and especially if your brows are very light and you'd like to mainly darken and fill them in, rather than precise shaping. I actually like mixing all of the shades together and it really works for me. I apply the powder using a MAC 266 brush. You can also dip your brush in water and apply the powder for a more defined look. I usually use the brush slightly damp so I can define the outline of my brows better. Lastly, I'll finish my brows off with a sweep of brow gel to keep them in place all day.

Anastasia Brow Powders have a rating of 4.5/5 with an 82% re-purchase rate based on 134 reviews. Click here to view the reviews.

As for the highlighting trio, I'm in love with them! These are very pigmented applied wet or dry. They are the perfect highlight shades, and I love using them on my brow bone (applied wet) and in the corner of my eyes. My favorite of the three colors is the gold. I've been sweeping a light dusting of it on my eyelids on most days of the week.

Price: $32, Ulta.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Line Erasing Serum Review!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Line Erasing Serum

"This lightweight serum contains a unique blend of natural hydrators, Instalift™ Goji, and an exclusive Balkan Botanical™ Infusion to improve the appearance of skin and help reduce signs of aging. Designed for all skin types, it soothes, softens, and hydrates—leaving skin brighter and smoother. Fine lines and wrinkles don't stand a chance!"

-Instalift™ Goji (Tibetan Goji Berry): Gives the appearance of reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.

-Balkan Botanical™ Infusion: Helps soften, soothe, and hydrate skin.

-Sodium Hyaluronate: Delivers ideal hydration to smooth and refresh the eye area.

-Chrysin and Hydroxysuccinimide: Masks the appearance of redness while leaving the skin looking brighter and lighter.

The Line Erasing Serum ($45, 0.507 fl oz) is a fairly new product from Anastasia. The serum is a clear, lightweight, runny liquid. It's recommended to apply the serum lightly to areas where you have wrinkles and fine lines, and dab the product in with your fingertips. 

You can use it mornings and night, but I've been only using it in the morning and I'm really liking it so far (I've been using it every day for a week). The serum absorbs quickly into the skin and instantly my under eyes feel mildly tightened. I have never felt a product actually "tighten" on my skin. It's kind of a fun sensation!

You only need the tiniest bit, a little goes a very long way. My (minimal) fine lines appear to be less visible and my under eyes feel incredibly soft to the touch (even my finger felt soft and moisturized! ha!) Not too long after my application of the serum, I look more awake. 

Its very similar to the effects Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair ($85, 1 oz) gives me, with a very similar price tag. 

Since I only tried a sample, I won't be able to tell you of the long-term results of using this product, but I was impressed with it for as long as my sample lasted. 

If you're looking into a product like this, I definitely recommend you to give this a try next time you're at ULTA or Sephora. Ask for a sample!