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!

Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge Is Back

I almost fainted awhile back when I saw that Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge was pulled from their website. I contacted Bobbi’s team, and they reassured me that the absence was only temporary; they were repackaging the iconic cream blush and would have it back at counters and online shortly. Well, it’s back, and it’s better than ever.

Pot Rouge ($24), which can be used on cheeks and lips, is by far my favorite cream blush. It blends easily into the skin, is translucent but still gives you a pop of color, and the color remains true for hours. My only complaint I had with the former iteration of the product was that the lid, which was formerly a screw-on, would always crack around the edges, causing small pieces of plastic to chip off. Eventually, the lid would be useless, as there was nothing left to grip the ridges and hold it to the pot. That’s been resolved, as Pot Rouge now comes in a convenient compact with a fliptop.

Pot Rouge, available in  9 shades, is at Bobbi counters and select department stores now.

Makeup Bag Staples: Bobbi Brown Blush in Pale Pink

Bobbi Brown Blush in Pale Pink ($24) is one of the items you’ll always fine in my makeup bag. It looks almost hot pink in the compact, but on my fair skin, it’s a diffused, creamy pale pink. I can’t go a day without this (unless I want a dewier finish; then I use Bobbi’s Cream Blush in Pale Pink). A few sweeps of this across the apples of my cheeks gets me glowing and ready to face the day. It’s instant refreshment in powder form. And although the compact looks small, the product will last you a very long time, even with daily use.

She’s An Easy Lover

Last summer, I bought NARS lip gloss in Easy Lover ($24) and forgot about it approximately 2 days later when it got buried at the bottom of my purse (aka the bottomless pit). Organizing my lipglosses last week, I came across it and fell in love all over again. Luckily, there’s nearly a full tube left. The sheer hot pink leaves just a hint of glossy, juicy color on my lips. It’s not tacky like most glosses, doesn’t taste weird, and doesn’t dry out my pucker. To add a little oomph to the sheer finish and give it a tiny bit more toned-down color, I’ve been layering Lazy Day lipstick from MAC‘s summer ’10 To The Beach collection underneath it (you can find a similar shade here).

I’ve been pairing this pretty pout with Bobbi Brown Blush in Pale Pink ($24) for a pretty pink effect. If you have any semblance of a tan or darker skin, this is a knockout combo.

Bobbi Brown on QVC June 3

Bobbi Brown is back on QVC tomorrow. The Pretty Powerful To Go collection will be Today’s Special Value on the network (available June 3 only). The collection features Bobbi’s essentials, like the Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, lip gloss palette, and eyeshadow palette. The blush duo featuring Pale Pink is worth it alone! This is a long-standing staple in my makeup kit. Bobbi herself will be on-air at 12am and 6pm to show you how to wear the palette. Watching her work her magic is always fun! Will you be tuning in?

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!

Pro Tip: Making Blush Go the Distance

Who better to dole out beauty advice than makeup guru Bobbi Brown? I adore her Pot Rouge in Pale Pink; it’s been my go-to blush for years. It’s the perfect shade of bright pink that livens up my whole complexion. But sometimes, it wears off faster than I’d like it to. I read an article recently in which Bobbi divulged the secret to making cheekcolor last from dawn to dusk.

Instant Perk-You-Up: Bright Pink Blush

With temperatures progressively dropping and autumn making itself comfortable, it’s more difficult to look bright and sunny every day. Gone are the days of effortless cheeriness of sun-warmed skin and cool summer breezes floating through windows at night. It’s tough to look perky everyday, but a simple, quick trick will help you as the days get shorter and the temps get colder. A bright flush on the apples of cheeks, like supermodel Molly Sims wears above, is the perfect way to bring life to a tired or pale face.

It’s easy to do: dip a blush brush into powder brush, tap off excess, and swirl on the apples of your cheeks. If you have a round face, blend the blush outward and upward toward temples; this will give the face a lengthening effect. Square and oval faces should concentrate blush on the apples. Other face shapes (long, heart) can follow the natural contour of the cheekbone. The key is to blend blush after, diffusing it so that it lends your skin a naturally-flushed, lit-from-within radiance. To do this, gently rub a clean, dry blush brush (or slanted powder brush) over cheekbones in a circular motion, working your way outward and upward as you go.

As for blush, Bobbi Brown Blush in Pale Pink ($22) is my personal favorite. It looks downright arresting in the compact, but goes on smooth for a bright flush of happy color. Pair with easy hair, major lashes, and a pale pink, shiny lip, and you’ll look refreshed and energized in no time!