My Favorite Tools

I felt like talking about my favorite makeup-applying tools today.   Let's get started!

What's In My Travel Makeup Bag?

I'm going out of town for a few days (so fewer posts this week), so I thought I'd share with you what's in my travel makeup bag (this does not include skincare).  I am not flying, so I don't need to worry about being FAA compliant.  I'm just driving myself, so I can kind of have as large a bag as I want, but I'm only going for 2-3 days (or more, depending on the weather), so I don't really need much.  I'm also just going to see family, but I like to be able to be fancy with my makeup if I feel like it.

I tried to make this photo all artsy with stuff tumbling out of the bag.

My sparkly purple makeup bag is the Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Quinceanera bag (no longer available).

Here's what made the cut:

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer -- This is my favorite "base" product.  I don't usually wear a true foundation on a daily basis, but if we were going to get dressed up for any reason, I would take a foundation with me.

Wet 'n' Wild Coverall Pressed Powder -- This just happens to be the setting powder I'm using right now.  I want to try the Rimmel Stay Matte powder next.

Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Candy Glow -- I like how this has pink and coral colors so it works with cool and warm-toned looks.  Plus, it has some light shimmer to it, so it gives a little luminosity to the skin, and I can skip the highlighter.

Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Corrector -- My favorite concealer.

LORAC Creamy Brow Pencil in Auburn -- A pencil with a spoolie brush on one end is convenient.

Urban Decay Primer Potion -- If I'm going to wear eyeshadow, I need a primer.  (I don't feel the same way about traveling with face primers, because the serum I use in my skincare regime works as a primer if I want to use it as such).

Tarina Tarantino Hyperliner eye pencil in Tommy Jet -- A great waterproof black pencil liner.

Too Faced Pretty Rebel eyeshadow palette -- There are so many looks that can be created with this palette, and the shadows themselves are amazing.  I could have picked the Naked or Naked 3 palette, but my family kind of gets a kick out of my colorful eyeshadows, so I chose this.

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara -- My favorite everyday mascara at the moment.  I considered putting in my Benefit They're Real mascara, but I want something that removes easily, and I don't need the dramatic lashes that mascara gives me when I'm just visiting my family.

Real Techniques Powder Brush -- It's a little on the huge side, but it fits in my bag, and it is currently my favorite powder brush.

Eco Tools Travel Powder Brush -- I think this came in their 5 piece mineral brush set (I acquired it quite a while ago).  I use it as a blush brush.

Eyeshadow Brushes: E.L.F. Eyeshadow "C" brush, MAC 217 blending brush, Sephora Crease brush, Sonia Kashuk blending brush (it doesn't have a number or name on it), Sephora cat eyeliner brush (came in a set with another brush).

I also considered throwing in Josie Maran Coconut Water Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise, Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar (which is held together by packing tape), and  Benefit Speed Brow brow gel.

I haven't included lip products, because I carry those in my purse.  I'll have to do a "what's in my purse?" post soon.

If I was just going overnight, I would take less than this.  Probably just tinted moisturizer, blush, mascara, brow gel, a cream eyeshadow so I can skip the eyeshadow brushes (I usually take Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze), and what ever lippies are in my purse.

How much do you take with you for short trips?  Have you ever regretted not having something with you?

Recent Favorites

I've been using a few things a whole lot lately.

Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose Kiss--smells amazing and really hydrates the lips without feeling heavy

Sephora Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow in Orange Facets (limited edition from last year)--a fantastic shimmery orange that can be worn alone to that seems to make my eyes look bluer or paired with a navy blue to create a Detroit Tigers colors look (yep, I'm obsessed with them)

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara--I seem to come back to this one often.  It leaves my lashes looking fluttery and soft, and it doesn't clump or flake.

Real Techniques Blush Brush--I've been using this one for bronzer.  It is so soft and fluffy (and it needs washing...)!

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss in Coral Kiss--this is a wonderful gloss that smells like vanilla and is shiny, smooth, not at all sticky, and has a ton of pigment (I hope to have a review up soon)

From left:  Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose Kiss, Sephora Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow in Orange Facets, Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss in Coral Kiss

Love all of these!

March Favorites

It's the end of the month, so I thought I'd share with you the stuff I've been using and enjoying this month.

Eco Tools Bronzer Brush -- I use this to apply pressed powder after my tinted moisturizer or foundation.  It has a densely packed bristles and is just so soft.  I love the feel of it!

Real Techniques Blush Brush -- The bristles on this one are a little long and the head is a little wide, but I like it for bright blushes since it doesn't deposit too much color.

LORAC Creamy Brow Pencil in Auburn -- I like that this has a spoolie for brushing through the brows on one end, and the color has a decent amount of red in it

Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush -- Pink and coral blushes together in the cutest heart packaging!

Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked -- Still a favorite for the minty taste and super shine.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait -- A medium warm pink that gives soft shine and feels so moisturizing on the lips.

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Fresh Papaya -- Light, somewhat bright pink coral that smells citrusy and is moisturizing.  Plus it makes my lips feel softer even after it has worn off.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Treatment Concealer -- I love the packaging on this one.  It gives sheer to medium coverage and helps to brighten under the eyes.

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer -- This is a great everyday tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 that is gentle on the skin (uses mineral sunscreens titanium dioxide and zinc oxide).

What have been your favorites this month?