What's In My Make Up Bag?

Purchased by me/Contains Amazon affiliate links

Hey lovelies,

Today I thought I'd share the contents of my everyday make up bag. 

This is all the stuff I use on a regular basis and keep separate to the rest of my stash.  As you can see, it doesn't all quite fit in its bag. With a bit of coaxing I can eventually get it zipped up if I need to take it travelling, but most of the time it sits on top of the bookcase in the lounge, where I do my make up. Without further ado, let's take a peek!

All tipped out! What a mess!

• MAC Studio Sculpt foundation in NC15. This is my second tube of this foundation, and I've been using this particular foundation for about three years now. I really like the coverage it gives, and how perfectly it matches my skin. I do find it accentuates drier patches on my skin a bit more recently, and I'm unsure whether that's a change in my skin after having a baby, or my skin just needs a little work in general. Either way, I'm going to have a look at MAC's other foundations when this runs out for something a bit more forgiving.
• MAC Select Cover-Up concealer in NW15. This is a great match, and is super easy to use. A little goes a LONG way - I've had this tube for three years and I'm only just starting to run low, as you can see. I'll definitely repurchase this.
• Lime Crime Candy Eyed Eyeshadow Helper. Lime Crime's primer is easy to use, and you get a lot of product for your buck. You do need to apply eyeshadow and blend quite quickly after applying the primer, as it is quite sticky. I use this alone when I'm not at work, but if I'm in the office I need an extra layer between the primer and my eyeshadow as I have very oily eyelids and the office air-conditioning doesn't help! 
• MAC Shadestick in Lemon Chiffon. This is a sheer frosty white that I use as an eyeshadow base over the Lime Crime primer. I don't bother wearing it by itself as it is just too sheer for that, but it works pretty well as an eyeshadow base. I also like applying this in the inner corners of my eyes as a highlight.
• MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque. Rubenesque was one of my first ever MAC products, and I love it to this day! I like using this as an eyeshadow base, or all over the lid alone on lazy days. Such a gorgeous peach/gold shimmer.

This is by no means all of my blushes/highlighters, but these are the three I favour. I'll describe each of them below.

MAC - My Paradise Cheek Powder

This gorgeous orange leaning coral was released with the Surf Baby collection last year, and while it's barely visible looking at the pan, I've used it a lot! My Paradise looks like it will be horribly bright on my super pale complexion, but when I use a light hand, it's so flattering. I love pairing this with Hibiscus lipstick from the same collection - they make me feel like I am a healthy colour!

MAC - Oh So Fair Beauty Powder

Oh So Fair is a sheer pink which is difficult to over-apply. It's flattering, cute and effortless. This was limited edition with MAC's Venomous Villains collection a few years back.

MAC Mighty Aphrodite Blush

Mighty Aphrodite is just divine. A gorgeous coral with a soft sheen that is easy to build up. I like that you can choose one of the shades or both - I tend to use both at once. I feel terrible taunting you with all these limited edition products - this was released with the Wonder Woman collection last year.

MAC Lightscapade Mineralize Skin Finish

Ohhhh, Lightscapade. This is a coveted highlighter that is just perfection on paler skin tones. I like using it at the top of my cheekbones to diffuse my blush and highlight my cheek bones, and sometimes on my browbone. Lightscapade gives a lovely glow without any of the pore enhancing sparkle that some highlighters are prone to.

Here are some of my favourite eyeshadow palettes for everyday looks. Clockwise from the bottom: Dior Incognito (gift with purchase size), Sleek Oh So Special, Wet 'N' Wild Greed. Missing is Sleek Storm, which Noel has utterly destroyed. I hope to replace it soon though!

A close up of Wet N Wild Greed, just because. Isn't it pretty? I like using the shimmery coral/pink all over the lid, and the two top matte shades are great blending shades for neutral looks. I also look using the top left shade to soften & blend any eyeshadow I put on my lower lash line so that it doesn't look too harsh. I love the shimmery grey too, it's the whole reason I bought the palette.

Finally, to round out any make up: eyeliner, mascara, and groomed eyebrows! 

• I got the Revlon Brow Specialist Kit on Trade Me for about $14 with tweezers, a case and brow stencils. What a bargain! 
• I'm only lukewarm about MAC's Superslick liner, it tends to grab onto my lashes and it flakes away in little pieces that go everywhere when I clean it off at the end of the day. I wouldn't repurchase this. 
• Maybelline Full 'N Soft mascara is an old reliable - it gives nice full lashes as advertised, but it doesn't have the WHAM POW factor like Dior Show or YSL Faux Cils, for example. It's great when I can't squeeze a luxury mascara into my budget though :)

Thanks for reading! If you'd like to see swatches of anything in particular please let me know and I'll be happy to oblige. You may have noticed a lack of lip products - that's because I keep them in a separate bag that comes with me everywhere! Look out for an upcoming post on my lip bag :D

X

Lani