What’s In My Makeup Bag

I have 3 makeup kits: a train case that has all my products that I often use when I do makeup for other people, a bigger personal case that contains the items I don’t use every day (like my smoky eyeshadows and the like), and a small bag of everyday essentials. By far, the items I turn to literally every single day are stashed in the smallest case. Here is what’s inside that case. I would recommend these products without hesitation; they’re the ones I rely on day in and day out.

1. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink ($24): This cream blush lasts all day, and is the prettiest pink shade I’ve found. It glides on whisper-soft for a gentle blush, and layers beautifully for a more pronounced flush. Note: this is the old packaging of this product; check out the new packaging, available now.

2. Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($19): Since the She Uemura curler is only sold online now, I use this–and it’s just as good. Curls expertly, with all-day hold.

3. MAC Strobe Cream ($15-$30): I mix a few drops of this into my tinted moisturizer for extra glow.

4. MAC Bronzing Powder in Refined Golden ($23): This shimmery bronzer gives my fair skin just enough bronzey glow that’s believable, not fake. Note: This packaging is from the 2010 “To The Beach” collection, and is no longer available. Refined Golden is part of MAC’s permanent collection, so the bronzer itself is still available.

Keep reading for more products!

Recession Beauty: Cover Girl Intense Shadowblast

I saw an ad last weekend for Cover Girl Intense Shadowblast (approx. $8). In it, Drew Barrymore’s eyes looked stunning (of course). They were enough to get me to actually read what the product was they were promoting, which is rare for me; I usually skip right over CG ads entirely. (There are so many of them!)

The liquid cream shadow is waterproof, smudge-proof, and has a built-in primer. So you can skip the extra step of laying down primer on your lids before slicking on shadow, and still get the staying power. Or so CG says; I haven’t tried this product, but was intrigued enough to tell you about it. For 8 bucks a pop, a cream shadow and a primer is a seriously recession-savvy deal.

Available in 6 shades: Extreme Green (sage with a touch of light green), Forever Pink (pale baby pink), Platinum Pop (metallic silver), and (pictured above) Brown Bling (a nice light neutral brown), Beige Blaze (champagne taupe), and Blue Bomb (metallic periwinkle).

In light of the economic downturn, Recession Beauty is a SugarSocial series that features low-cost, budget-friendly products as an alternative to luxury or designer brands.

To the Point: Cover Girl LineExact

A few weekends ago, I needed a liquid eyeliner in a pinch. My trusty Chanel liquid liner finally ran out, and later that afternoon, I was at the drugstore. So I sought out what I thought would be a quick-fix replacement. Liquid liner isn’t usually an impulse purchase for me, because I don’t think it’s is something you can snap up without researching and/or testing. The application has a lot to do with the tip, the consistency, and the handle. If those things are off, your eyeliner is going to look crooked, uneven, and generally a mess.

I grabbed Cover Girl LineExact ($6) because it was cheap and I’d read good things about the pen-like tip. Turns out I really like it. The felt tip is firm but flexible at the very end, where you need it most. It still yields to pressure, which is key when extending the liner in a cat-eye and thickening it at the outer corners.

There’s more after the jump!

The Best Mascaras of 2010

Last December was the first time I was blogging at the year’s end. As 2009 drew to a close, I had so much fun re-reading all of the posts that I wrote throughout the year. I knew it was a tradition in the making, something I wanted to revisit this year and in the future. And now it’s that time again already. With all the new mascara launches, the eyes certainly had it in 2010.

Below is a round-up of the best mascaras of the year. Click to see if your fave made the cut!

Recession Beauty – Drugstore Finds, Pt. 1: Makeup

Times are tough in this economy, and America continues to collectively cut back financially. But your beauty routine doesn’t have to suffer in the face of a bad economy; you can still score great products at the drugstore. Lower prices do not mean lower quality. A lot of drugstore products are old faithfuls in my beauty routine, items I turn to regardless of the financial climate. In other words, they’re really great!

But how to know which drugstore products are stellar, and which ones are clunkers? After years of testing, I’ve compiled a gigantic list of must-haves…sort of like the Oscars for drugstore products.

Because the list was so long, I’ve decided to break it down into 3 parts. Today, we focus on…makeup! Stay tuned this week for and Skincare (Pt. 2) and Haircare (Pt. 3).

Read on for the full list of drugstore makeup must-haves.

Best Lower Lash Mascara:
Maybelline Lash Discovery mascara ($6)
I dare you to find a mascara with a tinier brush! The teensy wand gets into corners like no other, giving you wide-awake-looking eyes and incredible definition. It’s the best for lower lashes. I like the waterproof version, which doesn’t smudge or flake.

Best Volumizing Mascara:
Rimmel The MAX Volume Flash Mascara ($7)
Want pumped-up, voluminous lashes, but can’t afford to drop major dough on Armani Eyes to Kill or DiorShow? Rimmel MAX Volume Flash mascara has got you covered. The fat brush evenly coats lashes with inky black mascara from root to tip. The best volumizing mascara you’ll get for under $10.

Best Lengthening Mascara:
Revlon Lash Fantasy Total Definition Waterproof mascara ($7)
A friend of mine wears this and it gives her sky-high, mile-long lashes. Simply gorgeous. It’s not great for volume, but for impossibly long lashes, this is your best bet.

Best Brow Pencil:
Maybelline Define-A-Brow ($5.50)
This brow pencil features a slim tip, which is ideal for defining small areas of brows. Brows look best filled in with short, quick strokes that mimic the look of natural brow hairs; this pencil makes those staccato strokes a cinch. Use it to fill in gaps and sparse areas.

Best Clear Brow Gel:
Ardell Brow Sculpting Gel ($4)
Simply the best — and the cheapest — for setting brows in place. Gives you a defined, groomed look.

Best Brow & Lash Serum:
Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator ($4)
The market is flooded with lash growth-accelerating serums that cost a ton of money. All you need is this tube! For $4 (four dollars!), you can condition lashes and brows, which strengthens them and encourages new hair growth. I’ve used this stuff for years. You’ll notice less breakage, stronger lashes, and even longer lashes. If I ever overpluck my brows, new hairs pop up within 2 weeks with nightly use. Amazing.

Best Eyeshadow:
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow ($9)
Beauty bloggers are raving about this new eyeshadow quad. Silk gives the shadow a velvety finish for color-saturated lids. Four shadows give you a countless combination of looks in just 1 compact. Available in a whopping 12 color sets.

Best Eyeliner:
Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($9)
Looking for a cheaper alternative to MAC Fluidline? This new Maybelline gel eyeliner is it. Housed in a little pot, this gel glides on smooth as butter to create professional-looking definition that won’t smudge. Go dramatic or soft with the included brush. All this in 1 little package!

Best Department-Store-Esque Lip Gloss:
Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss ($7)
Like Lancome Juicy Tubes? You’ll love Burt’s Bees gloss. Slick on high shine and sheer color. The formula is juicy and packed with color. Plus, it’s fruit-flavored!

Best Lip Gloss:
Revlon ColorStay Mineral Lip Glaze ($8.99)
This smooth gloss delivers just the right amount of even color coverage, without ever feeling tacky. The formula is surprisingly long-wearing, and doesn’t dry out lips.

Best Lipstick:
L’Oreal Color Riche Lipstick ($9)
Creamy, not waxy. Long-lasting, not tacky.

Best Bronzer:
Physicians Formula Bamboo Wear Bronzer ($7 or compact; $10 for bronzer refill pans)
Bamboo Wear Bronzer is an eco-friendly bronzer housed in a sustainable bamboo compact, with refills available for purchase separately, so you’re reducing waste. The bronzer combines a golden powder with a shimmery nude highlighter, so when you swirl your brush over the surface, you get a blended, radiant glow.

Best Cream Blush:
Almay Smart Shade Blush ($9)
This cream blush takes the guesswork out of blush. Shade-sensing technology transforms the blush into the perfect shade for your skintone once applied to cheeks. It’s like your own personal makeup artist in a tube. The formula is creamy and blends like a dream.

Best Powder Blush:
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers ($11)
Neutrogena started as a skincare company, and that’s what they do best. They know how to craft products, including cosmetics, that don’t irritate even sensitive skin or clog pores. This blush won’t clog up your complexion, and removes easily. The built-in applicator brush makes on-the-go, quick application a snap.

Best Foundation:
L’Oreal True Match Roller Foundation ($15)
The paintbrush-style roller is what makes this foundation fun! Roll the spongy applicator over the creamy foundation, then roll it all over your face; it really gets into crevices, especially around the nose. The foundation won’t settle into fine lines, and stays put for hours. Plus, you get the shade accuracy of the True Match line, so you’re ensured an exact match to your skintone.

Best Concealer:
Maybelline SuperStay 24-Hour Wear ($7)
This creamy blend covers all imperfections. And it’s not going anywhere for 24 hours (unless you run a marathon). Seriously, this stuff sticks!

Best Corrective Concealer:
Physicians Formula Concealer Twins Correct and Cover Cream ($7)
These dual-ended concealers address specific skin issues at a pretty price. A green concealer counteracts blemishes, scars, discolorations and redness for an even skintone. A yellow-based concealer hides undereye circles and bluish skin discolorations, and conceals blemishes. The end result: a flawless finish.

Here is a list of some other note-worthy drugstore products that have reached cult-classic status:

L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara

Cover Girl & Olay Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser foundation

CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion mascara: For the record, I’m not a fan, but people looove the LashBlast line. The newest version provides length and volume.

In light of the economic downturn, Recession Beauty is a SugarSocial series that features low-cost, budget-friendly products as an alternative to luxury or designer brands.

Get the Look: Ruffian Spring 2010 Runway Eyes

I’m crazy about the look MAC artist James Kaliardos created for the Ruffian Spring 2010 runway show. The beautiful, pastel-infused palette of colors looks flirty, lighthearted, and of course, fun. And check out those lashes! It’s easy to recreate; after the jump, check out my brief tutorial on recreating a similar look.