what’s in my makeup bag?

True Life: I’m a makeup junkie, and I’m not ashamed of it! For nearly a year, I worked in the makeup and skincare industry and loved every moment (hello, FREE products and playing with makeup all day!) but I always had the hardest time finding products that really worked for me. I want long-wear, no touch-up, care free makeup that keeps my rosacea under control. I hate heavy foundation but struggle with keeping redness under wraps and felt that I was on a never-ending crusade to find the perfect foundation.

Below is my before-and-after. I cannot believe I’m showing you this! 

Like I’ve said above, my rosacea is out of control thanks to the dry winter air. While the bathroom lighting might not show it in full-force, this is my main concern with finding a foundation that works to cover without feeling that I have five pounds of makeup on. Enter Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect Makeup (with broad spectrum 35spf). I’m wearing the 010 Ivory color, their lightest color. Just one pump of the foundation will work for my entire face, and I use the Sephora Pro Airbrush #55 brush to give it a soft, even coverage. I find that if I use a sponge I’ll end up with streaks and uneven lines, so I just gently dab the foundation onto my face with the #55 brush and lightly blend in soft circular strokes.

 

After applying my foundation, my go-to to warm up my skintone is the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick that is both a bronzer and shimmer highlighter in one. I know you can’t see in the “after” image, but the Shimmer Brick gives the look of dewey skin without looking too oily or too sparkly.

Cheek color is something that I’ve always had a difficult time finding that’s right for me… should I do a coral tone or a pink tone? A bronzy tone? I don’t want to have a heavy blush that pulls out my rosacea from underneath my foundation, so I’ve recently been using the RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek cream blush/lip tint in Demure. If you haven’t heard about RMS Beauty, it is a makeup line that is mineral-based, with ultra-refined coconut oil, shea butter, bees wax, jojoba oil, buriti oil… the list goes on and on. In the summer months I use RMS Beauty’s “Un”Cover Up as an ultra-light foundation. But back to the Lip2Cheek… because it is cream-based, I use my ring finger and swirl gently just once in the cream pot and then softly tap the pigment onto my cheeks. It’s subtle, but gives just the right amount of flush without being overpowering. Best part? It stays in place! No need to set it with powder.

 

For eyes, my favorite palette of all time is the Urban Decay Naked2 Palette because the pigments work so well for fair skin with underlying red tones. Plus, I can take my light eyeshadow and build on it to turn it into a night look without having to switch to another palette. I’m obsessed with neutrals for eyes, and this does it all for me. Just look at these pigments!

 

I’ve always been very particular on mascara, and although I’m currently wearing lash extensions, I always use the Dior Diorshow Extase mascara. It separates each lash without clumping, and I get amazing volume. The brush is full (my favorite kind!) but I’m still able to get into the corners of my eyes without any smearing. As a photographer, I’ve always struggled to find the right mascara that doesn’t clump and doesn’t leave crunchies under my eyes- talk about embarrassing when it happens! I’ve never had that issue with the Diorshow Extase even when I’m on a photo shoot and constantly have my eye in my camera’s viewfinder. It’s a must-have!

 

When it comes to lips, I’m either wanting an all-day, no-fuss lip OR just a little bit of shine. For the record, I hate lip gloss. HATE IT. Hate is a strong word, but I cannot stand any kind of sticky feeling. If you share the same feelings I do, you will love the YSL Volupté Tint In Oil lip tint! It gives the look of gloss without any stickiness, and can be worn over a lipstick or on it’s own for a just a hint of color. There is one, color 8 Pink About Me that in my purse at all times! I do have to reapply fairly often, but the tint is so light that I don’t need a mirror to apply. When I am wanting an all day color that doesn’t budge, I use the YSL Vernis à Lèvres glossy stains, and pictured above is color 104 Fuchsia Tomboy (bright fuchsia). The non-sticky gloss will wear off, but the color remains as a stain. It can be a little thick when first applied, but I blot it just enough to keep the pigment and to set it.

 

And finally, my favorite never-leave-the-house-without-it perfume is the Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede cologne. Peony is the anchor in this fragrance, but it’s balanced with jasmine, light rose, and gily flower. Even though it is more of a floral fragrance, it has a very smooth finish and is perfect to wear year-round. When I first purchased it, Peter told me he liked it more than any Bond No9 perfume that I own… and since then it’s been a signature fragrance!

 

So, there you have it! These are my must-haves, and I’m sticking to them. What are your favorite products? I’d love to hear about the products that work for you!

xo