details: what’s in my makeup bag?

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I really like finding out what is in people’s bags and makeup bags–it can be so telling, and so instructive–so I’m going to show you the current contents of mine.

I carry my various cosmetic bits in this great Korean pencil case, which is partially obscured by the Visine but which reads ‘things I like to do?’, which things include, ‘listening to pop music?’, ‘shaping up myself?’, ‘fulfill my dreams?’, ‘making a good shape?’.

Compact and thought-provoking.

The things in the bag are not as relevant as the categories of the things: sunscreen, lip balm, lip tint and/or lipstick, eye cream, moisturizer…the items rotate but the categories are consistently represented.

What’s inside:

Maybelline Color Whisper in Cherry on Top – a bright pop of pink, effortless to apply, fairly moisturizing formula. Also doubles as a cheek tint. I think these and the Revlon Balmstains are my favorite of the sheer tints every brand seems to have come out with recently. Actually there would usually be a Revlon Balmstain in my bag…but it has proven that it cannot be trusted (the cap fell off). [I used to carry eyeliners but they have been likewise banished. Anyone making an eyeliner with a screw cap yet?]

Ole Henriksen Vitamin C sunscreen – trying to ingest, apply, and generally incorporate more Vitamin C. I just throw in whatever sunscreen samples I have on hand, but this is a particularly nice one.

e.l.f. Nourishing Cuticle Pen – amazing use of $1. I love this thing. I have several strategically placed throughout my environment.

Visine – for dry eyes or for taking down redness in the face.

nail clippers – these have proven useful in so many non-cosmetic circumstances, I always carry some in my bag.

Kiehl’s Lip Balm – OK, not great, but OK, and can double as an all-purpose ointment when needed.

Clinique Even Better dark spot corrector – what is this even doing in here? I don’t think this is working as well as the other products I have for the purpose, but…I’ll use up the sample.

Caudelie Premier Cru eye cream – really nice! Too expensive to tempt me in the full size, but nice.

Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate oil (decanted) – I put this on intensely dry patches of skin as needed, when moisturizer won’t cut it.

Kiss My Face ginger & mango lip balm, Nivea Olive Oil & Lemon lip balm – love them, as I’ve mentioned. Maybe it seems like there are a lot of lip balms here…that is true. I cannot argue with that.

MAC lipstick in Hug Me – a lovely pink nude that is my most worn MAC lipstick.

Oh, usually there is a hair tie and a hair pin in there as well.

Not much, right? You are wondering maybe where is the mascara, where the concealer? Where is all the makeup?

I make temporary additions if some event calls for them but really there is nothing that needs solving in the mid-day life of my face that cannot be solved with these items.

 

gold & taupe

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Gold and taupe are so good together. Take, for instance, China Glaze polish in Fast Track.

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[Observe my semi-competent nail painting, which is all about advanced clean-up, it turns out. The China Glaze is layered over Revlon’s Elegant, which is nearly the same shade only without gold flecks.]

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A comparable combination was, I thought, Urban Decay’s 24/7 liner in Baked and Rimmel’s Scandaleyes pencil in Taupe. On the lips, Rimmel’s Spotlight Beige lipstick. The pearl studs are from Pearl Paradise, the pearl and jade ring is an antique, the other a class ring. The shirt is from the Gap (thrifted).

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Taupe is a kind of unusual eyeliner choice but I like these muted, tawny shades so much. The taupe on me hovers on the verge of lilac and the cool tone is entirely distinct from something like a light, warm brown, though I would put that in the same easy, wearable category. The effect is definite yet understated, at once casual and polished.

These are combinations I appreciate.