Spot Check: What's in My Makeup Bag?
09/19/07 01:56 Filed under: Beauty Bytes
I've been getting a ton of reader e-mail asking what
makeup items I've been wearing lately. Truth? I
haven't been wearing any at all. I work from home, by
myself. I've basically learned to avoid mirrors and
it's totally a non-issue. 
When I do wear makeup, I've been known play "Make Believe: The Makeup Artist Edition." I love experimenting with colors and techniques and new products. Here's a shot of what my "primary" makeup bag looks like at the moment:
When I do wear makeup, I've been known play "Make Believe: The Makeup Artist Edition." I love experimenting with colors and techniques and new products. Here's a shot of what my "primary" makeup bag looks like at the moment:
Fascinating, huh? FYI,
the whole
overflowing-with-makeup-and-won't-zipper-look isn't
for dramatic effect, I've been too lazy to either
switch to a bigger case or transfer some products
into my "secondary" stash.
Click below for a list of what's inside and why.
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Eyeshadow in
Galaxy, $22, gloss.com
I was never a fan of cream shadow because it constantly slipped off my lids, forcing me to re-apply, usually resulting in an authentic drag queen effect. This shadow doesn't come off until I say so. I like being listened to. I apply it with a special brush, Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow Brush, $25, gloss.com, which is sold separately but makes for an extremely easy and precise application. If you're not into the brush idea, your fingers will do the trick— don't use a regular shadow brush because you'll ruin it (trust me).
Shu Uemura Drawing Pencils in Metallic Navy, Matte Black and Metallic Black, $18 each, shuuemura-usa.com
I always switch it up in the eyeliner department, which is why I have this in three shades. (I favor the navy hue because I have brown eyes.) I like it because of the smooth application, and it allows you to apply a little when you want be chill, or a lot if you're going all diva on yourself. In other words, you're not forced to apply an overbearing amount—but you can if you want to.
Clinique CX Soothing Concealer duo with SPF 15, $35, clinique.com
Since concealer is the first thing I apply after my daily face peel and moisturizer, I tend to look for the most gentle stuff I can find. I've taken a liking to this duo from Clinique—the colors are easy to blend together and it's formulated to be super gentle post- peel. It gives awesome coverage, too.
Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Bronzing Powder Duo, $32, ElizabethArden.com
This two-toned bronzer works any time of year—the lighter side is great for warming up super-pale winter pasties, the darker half is awesome for enhancing your summer tan, and both tones in one swoop will work in the interim.
Nars Blush in Orgasm, $25, Narscosmetics.com
Bet you didn't see this one coming. It's so cliche, but it might just be the best blush on Earth. Seriously! I've yet to see it not look good on anyone. I layer it under my bronzer—It makes the faux-ness of the glow look much more natural, especially if you have a fading tan like I do right now.
Nars Bronzing Brush, $50, Narscosmetics.com
This brush serves up a perfect amount of both blush and bronzer, so I don't have to carry both brushes in my makeup bag. As if I have room for anything else in this thing.
Bobbi Brown Sandwash Eye Palette
My favorite highlighting palette, because the colors are super subtle (they range from a dainty white, to baby pink, to powder blue... not a psychedelic sparkle in sight). I use my pinky finger to swipe it along my brow bone, inner eyelids and, if the mood strikes me, directly on my lids as shadow. Apparently this was limited edition, because I can't find it on the site right now, but Bobbi's Shimmerbricks give the same effect, and come in a range of colors.
Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara in Soft Black, $5, drugstore.com
Another total shocker, I'm sure. This has been a must-have for me since high school, way before I was exposed to tons of makeup post-college. There are a few higher-end wands that I love and I'll probably talk about in the future... but this is what's in my makeup bag today!
Laura Mercier Evolution of Colour for Lips in Pink Suede, $28, lauramercier.com
When you first take this palette out of the package, it looks so pretty that you don't want to even use it, but then you do...and realize you can basically customize your lip color differently every time you use it. Mine isn't so pretty-looking in the package anymore (In fact, it looks like a really messy, goopy painter's palette) but it still looks superfab on my lips.
I was never a fan of cream shadow because it constantly slipped off my lids, forcing me to re-apply, usually resulting in an authentic drag queen effect. This shadow doesn't come off until I say so. I like being listened to. I apply it with a special brush, Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow Brush, $25, gloss.com, which is sold separately but makes for an extremely easy and precise application. If you're not into the brush idea, your fingers will do the trick— don't use a regular shadow brush because you'll ruin it (trust me).
Shu Uemura Drawing Pencils in Metallic Navy, Matte Black and Metallic Black, $18 each, shuuemura-usa.com
I always switch it up in the eyeliner department, which is why I have this in three shades. (I favor the navy hue because I have brown eyes.) I like it because of the smooth application, and it allows you to apply a little when you want be chill, or a lot if you're going all diva on yourself. In other words, you're not forced to apply an overbearing amount—but you can if you want to.
Clinique CX Soothing Concealer duo with SPF 15, $35, clinique.com
Since concealer is the first thing I apply after my daily face peel and moisturizer, I tend to look for the most gentle stuff I can find. I've taken a liking to this duo from Clinique—the colors are easy to blend together and it's formulated to be super gentle post- peel. It gives awesome coverage, too.
Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Bronzing Powder Duo, $32, ElizabethArden.com
This two-toned bronzer works any time of year—the lighter side is great for warming up super-pale winter pasties, the darker half is awesome for enhancing your summer tan, and both tones in one swoop will work in the interim.
Nars Blush in Orgasm, $25, Narscosmetics.com
Bet you didn't see this one coming. It's so cliche, but it might just be the best blush on Earth. Seriously! I've yet to see it not look good on anyone. I layer it under my bronzer—It makes the faux-ness of the glow look much more natural, especially if you have a fading tan like I do right now.
Nars Bronzing Brush, $50, Narscosmetics.com
This brush serves up a perfect amount of both blush and bronzer, so I don't have to carry both brushes in my makeup bag. As if I have room for anything else in this thing.
Bobbi Brown Sandwash Eye Palette
My favorite highlighting palette, because the colors are super subtle (they range from a dainty white, to baby pink, to powder blue... not a psychedelic sparkle in sight). I use my pinky finger to swipe it along my brow bone, inner eyelids and, if the mood strikes me, directly on my lids as shadow. Apparently this was limited edition, because I can't find it on the site right now, but Bobbi's Shimmerbricks give the same effect, and come in a range of colors.
Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara in Soft Black, $5, drugstore.com
Another total shocker, I'm sure. This has been a must-have for me since high school, way before I was exposed to tons of makeup post-college. There are a few higher-end wands that I love and I'll probably talk about in the future... but this is what's in my makeup bag today!
Laura Mercier Evolution of Colour for Lips in Pink Suede, $28, lauramercier.com
When you first take this palette out of the package, it looks so pretty that you don't want to even use it, but then you do...and realize you can basically customize your lip color differently every time you use it. Mine isn't so pretty-looking in the package anymore (In fact, it looks like a really messy, goopy painter's palette) but it still looks superfab on my lips.