As a creativepreneur, it is super important to me to always have my “magic face bag” ready to go, whether I have a quick business meeting, a Skype interview, or just meeting friends. But, anyone who is in the creative industry understands that finances can be tight at times so whatever purchases you make need to be built to last. That is especially true when it comes to my makeup. It’s not like my jeans or UGGs, which I can have for years; makeup has a shelf life so it needs to be worth the money. I’m a freelance writer; a website owner; an entrepreneur; a graduate student. So what is in my beauty bag? Let me show you!
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that less is more so I save the shadows and bronzers for big nights out. I know what is most important: making my green eyes pop, covering up any obnoxious blemishes and dark circles, and accentuating my lashes. The eyes are the windows to the soul, so the saying goes. To start my beauty regime, I am obsessed with Maybelline FIT Me Shine-Free + Balance Stick Foundation. It is, as the name notes, a stick that seemingly lasts forever and truly matches my skin tone. I am not super pale but not peachy either so number 120 blends all my blemishes and any uneven blotches away. I use it for full coverage or just as a spot checker. When it gets warmer and I get tanner, I go a shade or two darker with confidence. Plus, it retails for $6.99 at Target and who doesn’t love a bargain?
I love to add a little shimmer to my face so I am a huge fan of Frederick’s of Hollywood Seductive Shimmering Spray Powder. Available on Amazon for $13.46, this spray lasts a long time and just a few spritzes on the cheeks adds just enough shimmer and sweet scent to avoid using blush or bronzer. It’s perfectly complementary.
Now it is time to talk about the eyes. I love a good eyeliner. This is where I splurge, buying Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Blacquer (black). But there are so many colors to choose from that it’s unreal. I even have the brown and I’ve never used brown liner before but it was a gift and I immediately fell in love, propelling me to buy the black one for versatility. Available at Sephora, it retails for $25 and lasts a very long time, with me just applying it to my inner lids. It doesn’t smear or make a crazy mess so I don’t mind spending this money every few months. But when I am on a budget, a great eyeliner to switch it up with is L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner 645 Black. It comes with its own sharpener since it is thicker than most liners and is so smooth, retailing at just $7.49 at Target. So, take your pick!
One more product from Target that I cannot live without is Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker in White Mocha. What I love about this lip gloss is that it’s not super sticky and it plumps my lips ever so slightly and truth be told, that is one of my biggest insecurities. It retails for between $6.19 and $8.99 and I leave it in my car for quick touch-ups before meeting friends or running into meetings.
Finally, but most important in my book, is mascara. It completes a look and some women say that all they need is mascara to leave the house. I have tried so many and have fallen in love over and over but the one that has truly stolen my heart is Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara in the pink tube. It is available at Sephora in a small tube for $12 and a larger tube for $23. It is most definitely worth the money, does not give me spider lashes, and I am in love with the results each and every time.
