What's in my Makeup Bag

While it's probably not necessary to bring around a bunch of makeup items in a little pouch on a daily basis, I do it. And odds are, you do it too. I'm one of the most nosey people I know and I love youtube videos and blog posts where people show what's in their various bags so  I figured I could show you guys exactly what I tote around with me to attempt to keep my face looking presentable.

First off, this is my makeup bag. It came to me courtesy of my best gal Leanne. She sent it to me as a surprise for my graduation, (THANK YOU LEANNE IT'S STILL TOO MUCH YOU'RE TOO GOOD TO ME). It's a red leather pouch by Jouer Cosmetics and it says "Paint the Town Red!" in gold script. It's roomy and utterly perfect.

So these are the contents of my daily makeup bag. In it I always have a powder and a chapstick. Those are the most important because my lips are often dry from my tendency for matte lipsticks and my face gets shiny, a lot. I hate when my face gets shiny, it's a thing. Currently I have Maybelline Fit Me Powder in the lightest shade for my translucent skin. I also pack my Eco Tools retractable kabuki brush (which is no longer retractable because it broke and I had to hot glue it together), to apply the powder. I have an array of neutral lipglosses and two mini travel sized Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Pencils (also gifted by Leanne like who are you and why are you so nice?). They are travel sized so why not travel with them, amiright? I also have blotting papers (see hatred of personal shine), a Mac Bare Study Paint Pot in case I need an eyeshadow, a mini of Benefit's Boxed Powder in Dandelion, a mascara (Clinique's High Impact), Nyx's eyeshadow pencil in Milk, an old Revlon eyeliner, two perfumes (Marc Jacobs Daisy and an Aerie scent that is apparently nameless), and whatever lipstick I have on that day. Phew. That was exhausting and no, there probably isn't a reason for me to have all of this but hey, at least I'm prepared.

Thanks for reading guys, I'll be back soon! 

Spring 2014 Haul.

I'm currently hiding my head in shame because I bought some new stuff...a lot of new stuff. My only real excuse is that everyone else was off on their fabulous trips to warm locations and I was stuck back in my hometown in 30 degree weather. So yeah, I was bound to take a few trips to Ulta. And here's what I got.

Whoops.

This is the Too Faced The Chocolate Bar Eye Palette, because all I needed was another neutral palette. Don't pass judgement until you see this beauty. Too Faced have a truly great formulation second only to Urban Decay in my book. They're creamy, blendable, with a great natural sheen/shimmer. This has a great blend of shimmers and mattes that I can't wait to use all summer. And winter. And everything in between. Oh did I mention, IT SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE.

This is the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Matte Brown. Much like the other Color Tattoos I own it's creamy, easy to blend, and cheap to boot. I love the matte formulation because it's not common to see matte cream shadows even in higher end lines. This is perfect as a base for a darker eye or on its
own for a simple and understated look. As you can see in the first picture I did pick up three of these Color Tattoos from the Spring 2014 collection as well but I'm not going to talk about them individually because I did an in-depth review here!

This is the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Indianwood. I've had my eye on this for a couple months and I decided to bite the bullet and pick it up on my most recent binge, I mean shopping trip, at Mac. It's very similar to my Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in My Two Cents, but I contend they look different on the lid. This has more of a sheen and is just as blendable as the Benefit shadow, making it an excellent base. I'm especially excited to use this over the summer under my Naked 3 Palette and the previously described Too Faced The Chocolate Bar Eye Palette.



Next up I purchased the MAC More to Love Pro Longwear Lip Pencil. This comes with less product than the regular MAC lip pencils however it is also creamier, easier to blend, and just as easy to use. I was looking for a color to wear under shades like MAC's Girl About Town and I definitely found it.

My last splurge item was Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in True Love. I already have a handful of these blushes and have raved about them on my blog before. Overall this is a lovely bright pink shade that is perfect to wear with pink or red lips.

As you can see there was some serious damage done to my savings account and my conscience. From now on I'll be going on a no-buy until I feel like I've used up some products and my bank accounts have recovered. That means no more haul posts but maybe I will shop my stash and show you what I find that I forgot I owned. Until next time!

Just in: Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoos, Spring 2014 Collection

So guys, I may be broke, but that doesn't mean I am not at the mercy of new products being released. Especially when those products are neutral cream shadows that last all day and are cheap but high quality.

Cue my moment of insanity when I bought three of the six new Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoos from the Spring 2014 "Dare to Go Nude" Collection. I may be insane but I'm not mad that it happened because SPOILER ALERT: they're gorgeous.

The three that I purchased are "Nude Compliment", "Pure Nude", and "Sleek and Spice".

In order these are "Pure Nude", "Sleek and Spice", and "Nude Compliment" swatched.

Pure Nude is a gorgeous, opalescent champagne color. Originally I didn't think I needed this one as I own two other champagne cream shadows but I figured hey, you can never have too many. I'm so glad I did get it because it has a unique sheen to it that mirrors nothing that I already own. It's highly pigmented, beautiful, and I can't wait to both layer it and also wear it alone.

Sleek and Spice is a fantastic bronzey taupe. It sheers out well when blended and is gorgeous as a warm neutral base. I'm especially excited to put it under my Naked 3 palette eye looks. Looks will be forthcoming I can assure you.

Nude Compliment is one that I didn't get originally because in the pan it looks strikingly similar to Sleek and Spice. However, when swatched it's clear that it is much cooler in tone. It's a pure taupe and the pigmentation is insane. It will be gorgeous to use on an every day basis and I'm glad I decided to pick it up.

Overall I would suggest all three of these. I can only imagine that the other three are just as nice. The prices of these range from $5 to $7 and right now are relatively difficult to find. I found mine at a Rite Aid and a CVS with them being cheaper at Rite Aid.

If you see them, get them. That's my advice.

I hope everyone has been surviving the polar vortex. I've been buried in books and work but I will continue to try my best to post more frequently. Here's to hoping I can break out my bright pink lipsticks and blushes soon and warmer weather finally appears.

Maybelline Color Whisper Lip Balms (REVIEW)

So recently I ran into Meijer to get some printer ink and naturally I ended up roaming the beauty aisles. I ran across the display for these little babies, and decided to grab a natural pink shade. Now, I don't normally love tinted lip balms. If I want a color on my lips I generally go for an opaque lipstick. Even knowing this I have tried a few other drugstore lip balm type products, including the Lo'real Color Riche balms, and was never extremely impressed. That all stops now.

These are the Maybelline Color Whisper lip balms. After trying these and wearing them for just one day, I went back and purchased three more. Yeah, I have a problem.

This first color is "Pin Up Peach". I had to go to three stores to get this shade (I repeat, I have a problem). It's a beautiful, neutral peach shade that could go with just about any makeup look. I can already tell it's going to be my go-to daily color.

This one is "Pink Possibilites". It's a beautiful light candy pink type color. It's definitely more warm toned than cool toned and will be great in the summer.

This is my first purchase, "Rose of Attraction". It's a gorgeous pinky rose shade, much more pink than I was expecting, but it's still a beautiful shade that adds a nice amount of color without being overpowering.

The fourth and final one that I purchased is "Mad for Magenta". It's a purplish pink color that will be perfect for spring and summer. I've been obsessed with wearing plum toned lipsticks all fall and winter so this will be a great warm weather alternative. 

Here are all of them swatched!

From left to right it's Rose of Attraction, Pink Possibilities, Pinup Peach, and Mad for Magenta

 Overall this is a beautiful product. They give off a sheer, but pigmented color, that's true to to the color that you see in the tube. They're not nearly as pigmented as the Revlon Lip Butters, but they're also significantly more moisturizing. They're perfect for adding a bit of color to the face when I can't be bothered to take the time to apply a real lipstick.

They're also really cheap, from 5-7 dollars. I highly recommend that everyone give these a shot.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I know I'm spending my Saturday night watching college basketball then snuggling up with my computer and a cup of hot cocoa. I know, I lead an exciting life. :) Talk to all you gorgeous people soon!