What's in My Makeup Bag

I am so excited to share with you what’s in my makeup bag! In this post I am sharing my absolute essentials, not everything that’s actually in my makeup bag. I am constantly trying and testing new products, and if I find any new ones that I love as much as these products here, I will add them to this list.

But, these are the products I have come to find that I can’t live without. Some are basic products you can buy at any store, and others are higher-end, but I honestly think that the more expensive products I use are worth the money (besides the blush, I am going for a cheaper one next time). I have found that using all expensive makeup just isn’t necessary (at least for me, why waste money when you don’t need too?), but for some things, like foundation for example, I like something that I know is going to stay all day long, and unfortunately in my experience, higher-end foundations are much better and way more durable.

But enough about that, let’s get started!

 FACE

1. This Real Techniques sponge is honestly my new best friend and truly blends just as well as the Beauty Blender, which I was using for a couple years before trying this one. I can buy 4 of these for the price of one Beauty Blender, and since I like to save money, I’ll stick to this little orange squish.
2. I am obsessed with this Urban Decay concealer.  It hides my puffy and dark circles, and you only need a little to go a long way.
3. I have tried almost every single foundation you can imagine in the last 10 years, and nothing compares to this MAC Pro Longwear. I can literally be dripping in sweat and it stays put. If you need a foundation that won’t budge, I highly recommend this one.
4. I have been using this Loreal BB Cream since it came out in 2010. If I don’t want to do a full-face of makeup, I use this and some mascara and blush. It hides all my red spots, evens out my skin tone and makes my skin a little blurred.
5. This Rimmel Transluscent Powder sets my makeup, is cheap, and does the job just like an expensive powder would. I have used Laura Mercier powder and compared it with this, and honestly the only difference I saw at the end of the day was the price.
6. When I want a lighter foundation that doesn’t need to be so heavy and perfect, this Loreal True Match Lumi is perfect. It’s light but has great coverage, and illuminates my skin all at the same time. It does have a tendency to fade throughout the day, but, if I’m running errands, I don’t worry about needing it to stay on for 18 hours straight 🙂

EYES

1. If you haven’t heard of the Urban Decay Naked Palette, you have been living under a rock. I remember hearing about it when it first came out several years ago, and thought there was no way I’d spend $50+ on an eyeshadow palette. But, since caving a couple of years ago and buying it, I have zero regrets. The pigment is fantastic, it doesn’t crease, fade or bleed on the eyes, and the colors are perfect neutrals. Plus, it lasts forever!
2. I have been using this Almay 18-hour Eyeliner since high school. It’s like tattooing your eyeliner on your eyes when using this…it doesn’t budge, and I love it! Tried and tested for 13 years.
3. If you want your eyes to look bigger, this NYX Eye Pencil is wonderful. It glides on like butter and the price is just right.
4. Best mascara for the price that I have found is Loreal’s Voluminous Original Mascara . The brush is amazing and it makes my lashes just as full as Benefit’s They’re Real mascara, but is 1/3 the price.
5. Since I started doing the wing in my eyeliner, I needed something to help make it easier. This Loreal Paris The Super Slim Eye Pencil is basically like a pen for your eyes and is the trick to making my wings perfect.

Cheeks + Contour + Highlight

1. Some people think that you shouldn’t contour with bronzer…I’m not one of those people. If it works for you, then why not right? This Too Faced Matte Bronzer is perfect for bronzing up those cheeks, or contouring and sculpting your face. I use the color “Chocolate” because it’s so versatile and works for lots of different skin tones.
2. I really like this MAC Blush in Petal Power. I wouldn’t say I have to have it, I think a less expensive blush is just fine, I just really love this shade.
3. This Becca x  Jaclyn Hill Highlighter in Champagne Pop is gold! Like, literal gold in color, but also the best highlighter ever!! It goes on so easy, is extremely pigmented, but doesn’t overdo it. The only bummer is, is that it isn’t made anymore. It was limited edition, but Amazon is still selling a few.

Tools

1. This Foundation Brush is perfect for applying translucent powder and setting the face.
2. I am a little obsessed with this Real Techniques 360 Flat Contour Brush. Not only is it beautiful, but it contours like a dream. I contour both my cheeks and my nose with it.
3. This Sephora Classic Bronzer Brush is cheap (it’s on sale!) and helps me bronze like a dream and in a flash.
4. This is just a basic blush brush. Nothing fancy, and I don’t think it’s worth linking.
5. I really love this small angle brush to highlight…it’s not your typical brush someone would use to highlight, but I like it because I can highlight every single part of my face I want too with just this brush. Love it.

Extras

1. This Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss has been a favorite of mine for 10 years. It’s thick and moisturizes my lips like crazy; much better than any chapstick does. I can’t live without it.
2. I used to use a much more expensive setting spray, but got tired of spending so much on a mist that ran out pretty quickly. I found this NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray and I have been using it for a few months and works just as well as the high-end Urban Decay spray I was using before.

 

Did you see anything you love on this list? What’s your most favorite beauty product that you can’t live without?