What's In My Makeup Bag

Hello everyone!

Today I thought I'd show you one of my favorite things to look at - "What's In My..." whatever it may be. A handbag, wallet, makeup bag, book bag, beach bag, travel carry-ons, showers (yes showers haha!) anything and everything. Today I share my makeup bag. The one I carry with me everyday. Now when you see how much is in there, you're going to think I'm nuts, but I'm ok with that haha. I carry a lot of makeup with me because I frequently leave the house without any on and want to apply a full face later. So here it is!

Yep, that's my makeup bag, stuffed full to the brim. For those of you who think you recognize this makeup bag, it is in fact the Nila Anthony makeup bag from Little Black Bag. Don't know what Little Black Bag is? Check out THIS VIDEO by Elle Fowler of youTube. In fact, if you want to join Little Black Bag, click HERE. Anywho, back to the makeup! Here is the contents of the makeup bag all spread out for you to peruse.

As you can see, I really do apply a full face sometimes and I have the stuff to do it readily available. Yes, I do carry all this, everyday. Yes, I am a little nuts. So here's a breakdown of what all that is. First off, those two little mini bags you see. Here's a close-up.

I'm a BIG fan of the bag within a bag concept. My handbag is rockin' the bag within a bag all the time. The mini bag on the left is technically a tampon case that I've re-purposed. The one on the right came that way. Here's what's inside.

The re-purposed tampon bag holds my makeup brushes and some hair ties. The makeup brushes are all short handled MAC brushes. I found these as part of a holiday set at a CCO (Cosmetic Company Outlet). The brushes are, from left to right, MAC 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush which I use to buff in foundation, MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush which I use to apply blush, MAC 252 Large Shader Brush which I use to apply shadow all over the lid, and a MAC 219 Pencil Brush, which I use on my crease. You might be wondering, a pencil brush for your crease? Well it works! I use it like a small domed crease brush and buff color into my crease with a circular motion. Having small eyes like I do, this crease brush is the perfect size! On the right is my Tarte Cosmetics Kabuki. I originally got that ages ago - at least 4 years - in a foundation kit they promoted. Tarte as since reformulated and repackaged all their products so I can't even begin to tell you what kit it was in. But it came with that gorgeous faux croc case - perfect for my purse! Tarte Cosmetics does have the same kabuki on their website for $29. You can find it by clicking HERE.

Next up, the first actual steps to my on-the-go makeup routine - moisturizing! Nothing preps your skin for makeup like moisturizing. So, of course, I carry three.

On the left is the eye cream I carry. This is the Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream, available at Target or at target.com for $7.29. It's a lightweight eye cream but that doesn't mean it slides on and disappears. It readily mosturizes and prepares my eye for makeup, especially my under-eye for concealer.

In the middle is the face cream I'm currently toting around. It is the VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everthing Face-Hand-Body Lotion. I got this 1 fl oz/30 ml tube in my birchbox, many, many months ago. A little goes a long way so I've had it for awhile. It's definitely a great moisturizer. It has glycolic acid in it so it exfoliates gently as it moisturizers, which is great for a person with oily skin and minor acne like me. While it is expensive, $10 for a 1 fl oz/30 ml tube, available HERE, and a full size at 6.3 fl oz/185 ml for $48 (available HERE, I will probably repurchase this because I really really like the way it works, if you're interested but don't want to pay that much, check out their 75 cent sample HERE.

On the right is my all-purpose healing balm. I primarily carry it for my lips, but I also use it on cuticles, dry patches, my face, anywhere. It is the Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve. I carry the tube rather than the original tin, available at Sephora for $6, HERE, for sanitary purposes. The tube is also $6 at Sephora, HERE.

Next up is my face makeup!

First is my foundation. Flower Beauty About Face Foundation/Base in LF3, available at Wal-Mart for $13.98 or HERE. It's not the smallest bottle and its glass so its heavy, but I'm really enjoying the light to medium coverage of this foundation and the silky texture. But best of all, *drumroll* it has a pump top!! So great for on-the-go application. No pouring out foundation and spilling it allover yourself. *sigh* Fantastic. Next is my concealer.

The concealer that I carry in my makeup bag is Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch in Ivory, available HERE for $7.99. I must admit, I love this more than my YSL Touche Eclat. I know, I know, crazy right? Not really. The Dream Lumi Touch is a touch thicker so it has better coverage while still retaining its illuminating properties. Basically, I love it.

I also carry a powder which I use to set my foundation and concealer with my kabuki brush. This powder is the Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in medium sand, available HERE for $8.79. I originally bought this powder because Ingrid or missglamorazzi from youTube has highly recommended it to her viewers in the past. I'm satisfied. I don't find it the best but it's not bad. If I ever run out (soooo much product in the pan!), I'll probably switch to something different like Lioele Skin Fix Powder Pact (Oil Control Type) or MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural.

Lastly is my little Altoids Smalls tin. Yes, a mints tin, haha. Remember, this is about face makeup. So the Altoids Smalls tin contains... *drumroll*

...a mini Benefit Coralista blush!! It is a small pan from one of Benefit's box set collections called Her Name Was Glowla, available HERE for $36. I just popped the pans out for portability reasons. The only thing I had at the time that would hold the Coralista pan was this little mints tin. And of course it's not magnetic, so I just doubled-over some tape to hold it in. Some might call that ghetto. I call it clever and crafty.

Next up is my eye makeup.

The first product I use is the NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, available at Sephora, or HERE for $24. I was using the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden, but the product seemed to have separated so I bought a replacement. The NARS primer was another item recommended by Ingrid or missglamorazzi of youTube. Like me, she has super oily eyelids and she swears by this product, so I thought I'd give it a go.

The next product I use is Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze, available HERE for $6.99. I use this as my color cream base to my eyeshadow. I like adding a color base to help my eyeshadow really pop. It's a long-wearing product, but with my oily eyelids it creases after 6 hours. Adding primer means it lasts all day.

After that I use eyeshadow. First, I use Stila Kitten, available HERE for $18. For some reason, it picked up really gold in this picture. For those of you who've never seen Stila Kitten, which Sephora describes as a shimmerying nude pink, very similar to MAC Naked Lunch, which MAC describes as a minimal pink with shimmer. Let me know in the comments if you want more (and better quality) pictures of Stila Kitten with proper swatches. Anywho, I use Stila Kitten all over my lid and slightly up into my crease. In my crease I add NARS Lhasa, available HERE for $24. Sephora describes the color as a "lavender grey," but I think of it as more of a silvery taupe shade. I know for sure that I will be swatching Lhasa and a few other similar shades in an upcoming post, so be watching for that.

Lastly I add a couple coats of mascara. I'm currently using L'Oreal Voluminous Volume Building Mascara in Black, available HERE for $7.99. I know many people rave about this mascara, but I'm going to have to disagree a little. I find it to be more clumping than volumizing. It's not so bad that I'm going to stop using it, but I'm not entirely sure I'll repurchase it.

Next I use a finishing spray.

This is a Sephora atomizer, which I got with a fragrance sampler, available HERE for $61.95 (it is no longer available at Sephora). I filled it with MAC Fix +, available HERE for $21. I'm honestly not sure if it helps my makeup stay put, but it's a super nice refresher for my skin. It has a nice cooling effect, so it's nice for refreshing my skin on hot days.

Next is my final step.

My final step is adding perfume! On the left is my Travalo. It's the classic version, available HERE for $15.99. If you've never heard of Travalo, I highly recommend watching THIS VIDEO from Travalo themselves, on youTube. My Travalo is currently filled with Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Aniston, which I'm loving as a soft, spring-y, scent. The notes, as listed on Sephora.com, are: Citrus Grove Accord, Rose Water, Jasmine, Violet, Amazon Lily, Musk, Amber, and Sandalwood. What I smell is primarily Jasmine and Musk, making for a very lush white floral. I obviously love it.

I'm also toting around a sample of Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue. I love wearing Light Blue when I want to smell fresh and clean but not too perfume-y. The notes, as listed on Sephora.com, are: Sicilian Citron, Bluebell, Granny Smith Apple, Jasmine Sambac, Bamboo, White Rose, Cedarwood, Amber, and Musk. What I smell isn't a specific note, but a clean blend the melds into the skin, fresh if ad brightening my natural scent. It's a classic and a definite favorite.

If you're wondering where the lip product(s) are, I change that up everyday so I keep my lip balm, lipstick and/or gloss in a completely different area of my bag.

Well that wraps up everything I carry in my makeup bag. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope to see you again soon!

Randi

ULTA and Wal-Mart Haul!

So last weekend I went to ULTA and Wal-Mart to pick up a few things: some new brushes, a few specific polishes from the OPI Euro CentraIe, and a few pieces from Drew Barrymore's new makeup line for Wal-Mart, Flower. I ended up with more than a few items, but what girl wouldn't? I thought this would be a good opportunity to share my first haul with you guys!

First I went to ULTA. Here are a few close-ups of some items I got.

I made a beeline for the Euro Centrale collection as soon as I walked in. Polka.com, which I really really wanted, was already sold out ): But I found plenty of Can't Find My Czechbook, which I also wanted.

I also nabbed the last Orly Glowstick. These pictures do not do it justice. Glowstick is a very very neon chartreuse leaning more yellow. It's super bright. I would definitely check it out in store. I'm looking forward to wearing this in the summer.

I also got some things I wanted to try. Yes, believe it or not I've never tried Macadamia Deep Repair Masque OR OPI Nail Envy. I know, I know - I'm super late to the game. I decided to get a one use packet of the Macadamia Deep Repair Masque so I could try it out. I decided to try the mask because SO many youTubers rave about it. Elle Fowler aka allthatglitters21 is the first person I think of when I think of the Macadamia Deep Repair Masque. She uses it as her everyday conditioner because she has super dry hair. I have fine, thin hair with oily roots and dry ends so I'll be using it as a deep conditioning treatment. If I like it, I'll buy the full size.

My nails could also use a little TLC. I started taking Biotin a little over a month ago. My nails used to be thin, weak and peel super easily. After taking the Biotin my nails have stopped peeling but are still on the thinner/weaker side. So I decided to double duty and invest in OPI Nail Envy to give them that added boost of strength.

You'll notice that included were a few pictures of brushes. I intend on giving them their own blog post, so I'll save the details for later.

After that I went to Wal-Mart, with my heart set on picking up some items from Flower Beauty. I found the Flower Beauty section and had planned on snapping a picture of the display but it was a wreck! I had to hunt for items that didn't have broken seals and what was left was heavily picked over. I'll have to go back and check it out again after the initial excitement of a new line dies down.

Yes you read that right. Cake Batter. Cake. Batter. CAKE BATTER. And OMG does it taste yummy. Just like vanilla cupcakes. Soooo good.

I also got a couple of nail items. The polish is It's Complicated by Pure Ice. The other item is Sally Hansen's Instant Cuticle Remover. I have the one in the green tube but it just doesn't work for me so I bought this one to try.

I also bought some eye cream for my night routine. I use the L'Oreal Age Perfect because it's thick, luxurious, and frankly I'm not getting any younger. I also nabbed another lip balm. I was SOOOO exited when I saw this one. That flavor is my favorite flavor of gum EVER. I just HAD to buy it. Lastly, I I bought some Flower Beauty products. *squee* I've tried the foundation once this past week, but I'll post a proper review later.

After taking the following pic I realized my hand and wrist look like a butt. It's not a butt. It's my chubby hand and wrist I swear.

These lipsticks are quite awesome. The black tube is a high shine, glossy lipstick. The white tube is a matte lipstick. The staying power is what you'd imagine: the glossy one doesn't last that long but the matte one could be used as a stain if you pat it in. They don't have any particular smell. The glossy is very creamy but the matte one is slightly dry. But I love the color of the matte so much it doesn't matter. All in all I'd definitely recommend these lipsticks.

And that's my haul! I hope you enjoyed it. See you again soon!

Randi

So I Decided to Start a Blog

That's right, I decided to start blogging. I wanted an outlet to share my thoughts, opinions and obsessions about make-up, skincare, nail polish, body products and cosmetics in general, and here it is.

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Randi, if you didn't already notice. I'm currently 25. I live in the greater Houston, Texas area. I work for a state agency aka The Government aka no-bloggie-about-workie. I obviously love cosmetics and other beauty related items. I'm also a fan of wrestling - Sports Entertainment, not that Greco-Roman stuff. I know a good bit of ASL (American Sign Language) and I'm an advocate for the Deaf community (no, I'm not Deaf). I also have a wonderful boyfriend - he's the one that got me into wrestling. I'd tell you more about my life, but I think that will fall into place as I blog.

So here's my plan: in the next coming weeks I plan on sharing things like Hauls, Makeup Organization and Storage, my Nail Polish Collection and Storage, Empties, Reviews and what I like to call "Thank You, But No Thank You" products (aka products I would never repurchase).

Anywho, that's the plan. See you again soon,

Randi