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!

Giorgio Armani Summer ’11: Heat

Buzz about Armani‘s summer collection, Heat, is setting the internet ablaze. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the bad pun.) From hot reds to warm corals — and a few new debuts — this collection is full of brights for cheeks and lips. And a new killer accessory for eyes premieres in this collection, too.

I’m really into the new Blushing Fabric ($38), a liquid cream blush in a squeeze tube. In Raspberry (left) and Sienna, these 2 shades blend out to a sheer finish that are flattering on many different skintones. The Sienna can also be used allover the face as bronzer, if you desire.

Intrigued? Check out more promo photos & info after the jump.

A Peek Inside My Makeup Bag

I love checking out what other women stash in their makeup bags. It’s a great way to steal beauty tips, get inspiration, and discover new products. Here is what I’m currently stocking my makeup bag with, the products that I repeatedly turn to to feel pretty.1. MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF15 in Medium ($29.50)
2. MAC Select Cover-Up in NW20 ($16.50)
3. NARS Bronzer in Laguna ($32)
4. MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl, used as highlighter ($16.50)

1. MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study, used as eye primer ($16.50)
2. MAC Fluidline eyeliner in Blacktrack ($15)
3. MAC eyeshadow in Phloof! ($14.50)
4. Smashbox eyeshadow in Minx ($16)
5. Smashbox eyeshadow in Envy ($16)
6. MAC eyeshadow in Print ($14.50)
7. Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill mascara ($)
9. MAC Haute & Naughty Lash mascara ($18)

1. MAC Eye Brows in Fling ($15)
2. Anastasia Brow Duality in Camille/Sand ($23)
3. Beauty Society Brow Doctor brow gel ($28)

There’s more – cheeks, lips, and nails after the jump!

2009: The Year in Beauty

It’s hard to believe that 2009 has come to a close. It came and went so quickly! Overall, I think it was a pretty fine year in the beauty world. There were some star-studded, holy-grail-status hits, and definitely some misses (I’m lookin’ at you, LashBlast Luxe). After the jump, I dissect the beauty ups and downs of 2009.

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara

I had been reading a lot about Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill ($28), and I was intrigued by the sleek ads, and good press it’s generated. I picked up a tube at Neiman Marcus the other day after talking with a sales rep who raved about it.

When I took it out of the package, the tube felt so heavy and sleek in my hand, like pure metal. The packaging is gorgeous. The wand is what ultimately sold me; heavily-packed bristles work best on my lashes, and although this brush looked a little thin for my liking, I had stars in my eyes.

The sales associate at Neiman’s told me that both Armani and Lancome cosmetics are owned by L’Oreal. What they did with Eyes to Kill was create a brush that was a hybrid of Lancome Definicils and Amplicils mascaras, two leading and cult classic mascaras for lengthening and volumizing lashes. Sounded like a great combination.

And what an effect it had! I can’t tell you how it lengthened my lashes. I have naturally long lashes that are relatively thick, but this just took the length to ridiculous extremes. My lashes extended well past the bottom of my brows. I didn’t notice a huge increase in thickness, but it certainly didn’t detract from my natural thickness like some mascaras do. The first day I wore it, 2 people asked me if I was wearing fake lashes, saying they looked unbelievably long.

The formula was perfect: not too wet, glided over lashes smoothly, with no clumps. Even better, it didn’t make my lashes stick together and get spidery.

The end result was gorgeous, long, dramatic lashes. I’m in love. Believe me when I tell you that this mascara is worth every penny.

Giorgio Armani Manta Ray collection, Fall ’09

It’s been a long time since I’ve lusted over cosmetics as badly as I am with Armani’s new Manta Ray collection. Everything in the collection is utterly gorgeous and filled with rich, lush texture. I want it all. Seriously, look at the chick in the promo photo above. She looks insanely bad-ass, yet chic and sophisticated. Who wouldn’t want that?!

As you can see above, it’s all about the eyes in this collection. The Maestro Eyeshadow Duo ($32) is limited-edition, so grab them now. I just tested #3, a soft grey and muted lavender duet that is absolutely stunning when layered together. This will really complement girls with fair skin, light hair or light eyes. I am also coveting #1 (pictured), a slightly purple-tinged velvety cocoa and rich gunmetal black, also shown on the model above.  Five duos are available, so take your pick. What the photo at left doesn’t convey is the amazing texture of this shadow; it’s nubby and imprinted with the Armani logo. Love.

Eyes to Kill mascara ($28) is getting rave reviews. Check back tomorrow for more on that! I can’t divulge any information on that just yet!

Liquid Silk Eyeliner ($30) is fine-tipped, inky heaven. The point is one of the thinnest I’ve seen on a liquid liner, and the texture is inky without being too thick or watery, and the color is so rich and intense.

Sheer Blush ($42) comes in seven soft shades that blend gorgeously into cheeks for an ethereal glow. New #12 is a pale, soft pink that will make pale autumn cheeks look rosy long after that summer glow has (sadly) faded.

For the lips, we have Silk Lipstick ($25) and Smooth Lip Pencil ($25), which were made for each other. They go hand in hand, in complementing shades that glide on easily without looking overdone. Go for a nude or muted pink or beige shade if you’re using the Maestro Shadow Duos; you don’t want lips and eyes to compete.

Finally, the 3 new nude Lip Shimmer shades are just drop-dead gorgeous. This is one of my all-time favorite lip glosses; the range of colors is nothing short of amazing, and the texture feels so great on lips, and lasts without drying or feeling tacky. The new shades are no exception. Just look at the model above; she’s wearing #59, the perfect nude, and she looks stunning.