Shop My Makeup Bag

Hi gals! Today I’m sharing my most recent cosmetic favorites. This isn’t everything currently in my makeup bag, but I’m sharing the items I’m most enjoying and able to recommend. If you’ve been around here long, you may have seen some of these items before, but I think this is the first time I’ve done a real shop my makeup bag post.

Getting Started and Eyes

Let’s start at the base. Like I said these are not all the products I use when I put my makeup on, but they’re the ones I can recommend most highly. I start with a clean face, then apply a couple of anti-aging products I’m sampling. Next I apply my moisturizer, eye cream and eye shadow base. I let that set a little while I dress…or piddle around my room. Do you piddle around when you’re getting ready, too?

It may sound backwards, but after applying my moisturizer and such, I actually do my eyes first. This way I don’t get stray eye shadow on my finished foundation.

I don’t use all three of the eye palettes above, but I have used them all, and I use them interchangeably. Right now I’m using the (1) It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty eyeshadow trio. There are several to choose from. Mine is the matte luxe shown above. I only use matte shadows on my eyes these days.

By the way, most of the links in the text are to Ulta, but I’ve provided links in the widget below to other stores. I know you all prefer to shop at a variety of stores, so I tried to provide several for each item. But I only included the least expensive options.

I also really love the (4) Urban Decay Naked2 Basics palette above and the (2) It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette. While I like the shades in the Urban Decay palette, I think maybe I like the way the It Cosmetics shadows go on better. I know these are fairly pricey palettes, but they seem to last me about 5-6 months.

I’ve been using the (3) Lancome Le Crayon Khol smoky liner for quite a while. I have the “black coffee,” which surprised me because it is definitely a dark brown, not a black, but that’s what it is called. The reason I like this liner is because it goes on smoothly and it isn’t too dark. I know some women do well with a liquid liner, but I just don’t have that skill. So it’s important to me to find a pencil that applies smoothly. And let’s face, all eyeliner pencils are not created equal.

I’m not including a mascara because I’m presently looking for a good one myself. If you have a recommendation I’d love for you to share it in the comments. I had been using the Lancome Definicils mascara, and I love it. But it’s just so expensive (and doesn’t last as long as the eyeshadow palettes). So I’ve been trying a few drugstore brands, and I just haven’t found one I’m happy with.

To define my brows, I’ve been using the (5) Urban Decay Brow Box for a while now. I think it goes on beautifully with a firm angled skinny brush like this or this. I use the “honey pot” shades, but there are several to choose from depending on your coloring and hair color. (I actually do my eyebrows very last after applying my foundation.)

Now to Foundation

After I’ve applied my eye makeup and blended my eyeshadow well, I “do my face.”

I already mentioned applying my moisturizer, but here’s the one I use. I love the (1) Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Multi-Correcting Cream, and it’s one of the few items that I am willing to pay the big bucks for. It feels like satin going on, and you only need a little because it spreads so easily.

After doing my eyes, I apply a primer to my whole face and neck – or anywhere I’ll be applying foundation. I had been using Lancome and Estee Lauder primers, but I received a Maybelline primer in the mail a few months ago and fell in love with it. The (1) Maybelline Master Prime gets the job done, and of course it costs a lot less than the two I had been using. There are several formulas to choose from, but I use the “blur & pore minimize” version pictured here. A good primer helps your makeup go on smoothly and flawlessly, and it helps it to stay put without creasing or wearing off. I can tell a HUGE difference when I forget to use my primer.

I’m enjoying using the (3) It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye concealer. It goes on pretty thick, so you only need about 1/8 of a pea size. I apply it with a brush under my eyes and over any red or age spots. I’ve been using a medium shade, but when I buy my next tube – which will be a while because this stuff lasts forever! – I’m going with a lighter shade. They have plenty to choose from.

I also like my (4) It Cosmetics CC+ full coverage foundation. I’m using the “light.” I saw the creator of this brand on television one day and was immediately sold on her products. She’s a real woman with rosacea and other skin issues, and she’s created a brand of foundation that covers beautifully without creasing or fading.

While I generally apply my foundation with my finger tips, I always “bounce” it in with my (5) original Beautyblender. This is a tool I just don’t apply makeup without anymore. It makes such a huge difference. You can read my earlier post about how to use and care for this amazing tool. And if you do get a Beautyblender, you really need to go ahead and buy the (6) cleansing bar, too. Cleaning it with this “soap” makes all the difference in the world as far as how long your Beautyblender lasts. You can also buy the two as a set for a little bit of a discounted price.

Nails

Of course, my nail colors are not actually in my cosmetic bag, but I thought I’d share what I’m crushing on here, too.

I reviewed the (1 & 2) OPI Infinite Shine system and explained my manicure process in this previous blog post. It’s been a very popular post, and it really does a good job of explaining how I do my home manicures…if I do say so myself.

Anyhow, I wrote that post way back in March, but I am still a devoted fan of the OPI Infinite Shine products. I think some other nail polish brands work wonderfully if you have salon tips, but OPI really does best on my natural nails. My manicures usually last at least 10 days without any chipping or fading at the edges, and I do them myself.

Right now I’m wearing (4) Barefoot in Barcelona just about day in and day out. OPI describes it as a “luscious nude.” I think it’s a pretty neutral that works well with most fall clothing. Also it’s neutral enough so that if it does begin to fade a little, I can buy myself a little time before taking it off. My next nail color purchase will be the (3) Lingering Over Coffee, pictured above.

Shop the Post Here:

I’ve included the store names in the shopping widget above so that you can see where the link sends you. Like I said, I included links to more than one store when possible, realizing that you gals like to shop at different places for your beauty supplies.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post. Was it helpful to shop my makeup bag? And I’d really like to hear from you about any products that you’re just really sold on right now. I hate it that you have to buy a product to try it. And then maybe you can return it if it doesn’t work well, but I rarely do. So experimenting with beauty products can be costly. Let’s help each other out and share what works for us.

By the way, today (September 27, 2018 – {my mother-in-law’s birthday 🙂 “Happy Birthday, Kay!” – yes, my mother-in-law has the same name as me!) at 2 p.m. EDT I’ll be on Facebook Live talking some more about these products and a few others. I hope you’ll join me there. That would be another great place to share what’s working for you. If you do show up, please say “hi” in the comments section, tell us where you live and then, by all means, share the products you love.

Thanks so much for dropping by Dressed for My Day today. I hope you have a blessed and beautiful day!

Blessed for My Day

Today may the good Lord fill you with hope. That situation that you’ve prayed about and worried about and fretted over? Today let’s release it completely to the One who is actually able to do something about it. And let’s trust Him. He is good, dependable, faithful, working and able. Let’s not grow despondent or weary just because we don’t see evidence of change or progress. Instead, let’s rest assured that God would never forsake us or stop working on our behalf. Today let’s be hope full, not hopeless.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ~ Romans 15:13

I have included affiliate links in this post for your shopping ease. I do make a commission from any sales that incur when you shop, but at no cost to you. Thank you so much for shopping through my links. That is so helpful to me, and I don’t take it for granted. You gals are a blessing to me!