I was putting my makeup on the other day and was thinking how long I had used that particular eye shadow palette – was it 2 or 3 years…I’ve lost track, which can’t be good! That led me to think about beauty products that I use up almost too fast and other’s I wish I could get in a sample or deluxe size. Here’s a look into what I’m currently using and what I wish I could use up so I can try something new out!
Foundation ||
I use foundation every day, currently using this HD Makeup Forever one, same one I used on my wedding day and loved it. The coverage is buildable, so I start with a little and then mix in more if I have a not so friendly visit in the form of a pimple! I’ll always opt for the full size version of foundation because of how often I use it. I also like that I can sample the colors for the higher end foundation in the store so it’s less of a guessing game when you pick one up at the drug store! I have yet to nail the right color with a drug store brand, although I’ve come close!
Mascara ||
Mascara ||
I’m a huge fan of mascara – I usually have two in my drawer at work, one in my purse and a slew of others at home. The size of these mascara’s – all sample / travel size!! I love having a variety and while I have my tried and true favorites like this one from Lancomeand this one from Benefit – I always opt for the travel size because of these two facts. 1 – I like higher end mascara, but the price tag isn’t always one I want to pay – so going with the travel size, I get to use the mascara I love without the hefty price tag! 2. I rarely feel like I get through an entire tube of mascara before it dries out, I don’t want to waste makeup, so for that reason I only buy full sizes of drug store mascara (Maybelline Lash Sensational is my favorite) and travel size version of the higher end mascaras. If you want to see how I fake false lashes check out this post from last summer.
Blush ||
Blush ||
I have never completely finished a blush before – I’ve gotten close, but then another favorite comes along and I lose patience. With that being said, I do think most blushes come in a great small size and I’ve been able to get more use by having one with me in my bag for touch ups after work and one at home, and when I mean one, I really mean I have 3 or more at home! Previous post on my top 4 blushes can be found here.
Bronzer ||
Bronzer ||
Oh man do I love bronzer! I know that I don’t apply bronzer the “right” way because I don’t use it to contour my face, I use it to give me color!! I will always get the full size versions of a bronzer because of how often I use it!
Face Masks ||
Face Masks ||
For the longest time it felt like every subscription box I was getting only had face masks, but the bright side (literally and figuratively) was getting to test out so many different types of masks. From clay and overnight masks – I would spend a week to two weeks at most using up the samples and then I was on to the next and happy about it!! As much as I love my Origins Rose Clay Mask, I’ve had it since last summer and barely made a dent in it. Sticking to travel sizes for masks is definitely my preference!
Eye Shadow Base ||
Eye Shadow Base ||
If I could get an endless supply of eye shadow bases I would – this is by far the one makeup product that I use THE most!! Whatever palette, the one shadow that always gets used up first is the base! With that being said, I’ve actually never bought an eye shadow base on it’s own, which is kind of silly now that I think about. I finally picked up MAC’s Brule color which I’ve seen in YouTube beauty videos for years and I can’t wait to start using it!!
Which beauty products do you like to have full size and which ones do you like in travel size?
Agree and agreed, travel sizes, especially to try something out just make more sense!! Great and fun post!! Now I'm going to be looking at all my make-up and pondering this! Have a Happy Wednesday Beautiful!!
I have never really thought to use travel sizes in the products I don't use all that often, or want to switch up. Great idea!
I do the exact same thing with mascaras, one full sized drug store and one or two travel size high end ones because they always dry up before they get fully used! I have a Maybelline Tattoo shadow base color that I love but you are right, I always use the base out of palettes first and never purchase just those to really make better use out of the full palette after they are gone. To be honest, a lot of colors in palettes are a waste for me and I try to remind myself of this when I shop because I am easily distracted by pretty packaging lol.
I loved this post! Thinking about it, I'd probably get travel size everything besides foundation and powder because i am a hoarder and have way too much of everything. As it stands now, i probably couldn't use what i currently have in a lifetime! Happy Wednesday! XO- Kim
I get so excited when I receive a trial sized mascara! I feel like there is always something better coming out everyday when it comes to mascara, so I get to try it out without committing to a full size tube. I am with ya on the full size foundation though!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I feel the exact same way about blush. I'm still working on my current Nars one, but want to try a new color. Smaller size is the way to go for that one!
Until reading this, I never realized I've never finished a blush either! My Bobbi Brown blush is close to be gone, but I have a NARS in mind. Totally agree about using the eyeshadow base the most!!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
I know what you mean, there is plenty of makeup that I have for years and other stuff that I go through so fast (of course that's the expensive stuff, ha ha) I have had the same blush forever now, it barely has a dent! I love your idea of travel size higher end mascaras, makes total sense!
I always love reading about everyones makeup favs! I love the two faced blushes they are so good! I love the idea of travel size! Because I have so much makeup that I have never even made a dent in this is perfect!
xoxo,Victoria
coffeeandablonde.blogspot.com
The Make-Up Forever HD foundation is definitely my holy grail! I always come back to it because it's just SO good! I've actually never bought an eyeshadow base either–it's one step I always tend to skip! Interested to hear how you like the Mac base!
rosyoutlookblog.com
I'm a big fan of travel makeup sized things since I always seem to never finish the big guys and love trying out new products. MUFE has the best foundation!
Such a good point about the size of products. I don't wear a lot of eye makeup during the week, and I know some of mine are too old…
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
great idea for a post! i totally agree that some things i have are just too much and i would need a travel size but that bronzer is not one of them – i use that sucker daily to give me color ha. now I'm inspired to do a makeup post π
xoxo cheshire kat
I have a lot of eyeshadow palettes and what I find helps me use them all, is limiting myself to one a week. I purposely lay one out and use it through the work week and try to make a different eye look every day. Then, the following week, I switch to a different one and go on until I'm back where I started and then start again. (: I've found that to be a huge help! I also typically buy mini mascaras. Way more fun to try a new one every time that way. (;
I've never really considered travel vs. full size products because I'm always looking for the best deal. You bring up some great points, especially about mascara. I think I may just start buying the travel size because, like you said, they tend to dry up before you can finish it. Thanks for sharing! Cheers, Laura
I always buy the travel size of products. I find that I will use them up alot faster as opposed to the full size version. Plus, I love trying new products. I also think travel size is better because you will actually use it up before it gets too old. You can always tell when makeup is starting to get old. I never EVER finish the full size of blush. At one point, I think I was using the same blush for over a year. I also buy the travel size of my hair products except for shampoo and conditioner.
I do the exact same thing as you. I love Bobbi Brown. They have a great bronzer too! and Tarte is a fun brand to try.
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
There's a 'right way' to use bronzer? π
I use it for everything too – to give me some life, as a countour, as a pep me up. I go through that myself.
This is such a great post, beauty, because you've given me the idea to try out sample sized mascaras of some of the higher-end brands. Like you, I often want to try, but the hefty price tag will often keep me away; I can't believe I've never thought to sample one! Thanks for idea, beauty, and I hope you're having the best week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
thestylecontour.com
I think I want to try your foundation bc your face is always flawless!
I've got to try your eyelash trick! Ever since I had R my eyelashes never look as long and voluminous!
Such a fun post! I agree, while I like having a lot of somethings others I can do with a smaller amount. I am the same way with my bronzer. This is the worst season for me because my tan fades π Beautifully Candid
I'm the same way with bronzer. Who the heck knows where it's supposed to go. I just want it all over my face so I'm not casper status.
I'm the same way with mascara, I never use up a full one so I always go for travel size when I can!
Kisses,
Sarah
EverydayStarlet
I was just thinking that I SHOULD replace my naked palette because it's so old, but I can't gather to do it! There's so much product left!! XOXO, R
i use bronzer the same way you do! that's the way my mum told me to do it and it's the way i've always done it haha. i feel like an idiot with contouring. i don't think it works for everyone and that's okay. and yeah seriously with the eyeshadow bases. i have so many palettes and one colour always runs out before the rest, and it's so frustrating. i love travel size mascara when they are more expensive/high end so that i can try them out and not feel like i am wasting my money. i do buy better than sex in full size because i feel like it's SUPER wet and clumpy when i first get it, so it lasts longer than normal mascara. in my experience anyway!
I couldn't agree with this post more! There are eye shadows I've had for years!! But then other things like concealer, mascara and eyeliners I fly through.
I've never finished a blush either…but I'm getting close to a few. As far as mascaras go…I have tons but I only have one…maybe 2 opened at a time, that way they don't dry out on me. I actually don't like to spend a ton on mascara since there are so many good ones at the drugstore nowadays.
I love getting travel-sized masks…you can usually always tell if you're going to like the product or not.
And you are using bronzer the right way…it's used to give a subtle bronzed look to the face. A contour powder is different, they tend to be more on the ashy, cool side whereas bronzers are usually more on the orange-y side. π
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lilyο»Ώ
I'm with you on practically all of these! I love travel sizes of mascara and eye primer – I'll pretty much try anything in those categories, so it's fun to switch it up fairly regularly with smaller sizes of those!
I've been wanting to try that foundation forever since I only hear fabulous things about it. I can't get enough of all the amazing samples I receive from Sephora, and sometimes they're the perfect size especially for mascara and perfumes I've been wanting to try out <3
Green Fashionista
I adore that hd foundation. It's been my go to for years. Whenever I buy something beauty from Nordstrom I always choose as one of my samples, the MaC zoom mascara!
I'm exactly like you in that I don't think that I've ever finished a blush before! I like having a random variety to change things up, so maybe getting samples or travel sizes will be the way to go in the future!
I have that same blush and I LOVE it!! I'm a tried and true Bobbi Brown fan!
I am SO bad about using the same products forever!! I need to start marking mine or something so I remember how long I've been using them.
I get so excited about deluxe samples when I make my Sephora orders online! It's so rare that I can make it through an entire full size product before it dries out or expires. I feel like all products should come in a half size! I'm a beauty junkie and love trying out new skincare, makeup, and hair products but I end up wasting so much product.
I never finish an eye shadow palette or blush, I wish I would! I always blow through foundation so must get the regular size. I am going to try that one you have next time I pick up some.
Yesss definitely blush and lip products for me– I never go through the entire things before it's time to toss them! Speaking of blush, that Too Faced blush is so pretty!
cute post!
kelseybang.com
You use so many amazing brands! I've been wanting to try that makeup forever foundation. Your makeup bag is so cute!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Everything I own is full size but I really wish my highlight came in travel size because I don't think I will ever use the entire container! And we wear the same foundation! I really love it on my skin!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
I always have like 6 mascaras going at the same time, too! One in every bag!
I'm with you on the bronzer! Totally a favorite in my makeup routine and one needed in the colder months for my pale skin. My tried and true bronzer for full face but with a natural look is from Clinique. I'm not sure I'll ever stray just cause the color matches my skin so perfectly and it's not shimmery.
I always finish about 85-90 percent of my stuff, and then I get bored with it and buy new stuff. Which means I have a ton of almost empty products in the back of my cabinet!
Great round up! My blushes and eyeshadows last forever too! I know you're supposed to throw makeup out after a certain period of time due to bacteria, but I never follow that haha! I think I need to exclusively buy travel size blush too! I actually have put myself on a ban from buying more blush/eyeshadow until I run out. I always buy the travel size of eyeshadow primer (urban decay) which lasts forever, and I also buy travel size perfumes before investing in the full size!
Annessa
seekingsunshine.com
Lately I became a big fan of travel sizes! Been traveling a lot and got used to it. Anyway the foundation and cleanser should be in kingsize!
I'm with you! Whenever there's a product I want to try that cost more than what I would typically spend, I always buy the travel size first! Also, one of my favorite activities is browsing the Target travel size section and buying things I don't need π
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
Travel size mascaras are the best because I get so frustrated when the big ones dry out! I feel like my pricier ones dry out faster than my cheapie ones too! What's your favorite bronzer? I am on the hunt for a new one!
Face masks are my favorite to apply during a pampering session after work! I've been trying to minimize the amount of unused makeup that I own too!
thecourtneydiaries.com
Oh gosh, sometimes I look down at whatever makeup too and think this is way too old to be using! And same thing with the blush – I always get close but never quite finish!
I seriously live by travel sized mascaras! I love trying new ones and that's the easiest (and cheapest) way! And you have me hooked on buying rollerball perfumes instead of full size. Smartest idea EVER!<3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
I have my favorites of foundation, bronzer, mascara and lipstick so I always buy those in full sizes. In all honestly, I love getting the free gifts with sample eyeshadows when you spend a certain amount of money with a particular brand. I like mixing it up with eyeshadows, so I prefer the small sizes!
Travel sized items always make me happy. I love that I can have it on hand and not worry about "wasting" it by letting it sit forever. If I love a product I always buy a travel sized if it's available for travel. I have a bag of essentials always packed in my bag for trips so I never forget anything!
Trish
thetrishlist.com
Yes to this girl, I have yet to finish the blushes I have, I think because I apply so light-handed, I hardly use it up. I also just use bronzer to add some color to certain places on my face and don't use it to contour. Sample/trial sizes of face masks are all that I need, I hardly ever make it through a full size. I need to check out that MAC base eyeshadow color, base/neutral colors are my go-to in any palette!
I don't think I've ever used up an eyeshadow palette or blush before. It makes sense to buy the travel size for some things. I recently picked up a mini Tarte eyeshadow palette. It's the perfect size!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Do you buy water-proof mascara or not? Do you find the Lancome to be easy to remove?
I was JUST having the high-end foundation conversation with my 15 year old cousin. I always buy high end b/c it's so much easier to match in the store, you can return it at Sephora if it doesn't work, and the assistants help you.
I buy full size everything, for the most part…and I definitely have gone through my fair share of make up. When Urban Decay had their On The Run palette I LOVED it for travel. It had a mix of travel sized everything so you only had to bring that one palette with you when you traveled. Unfortunately, they've discontinued it.
I always feel weird about travel sized stuff b/c I always worry I'll use it all up while I'm traveling and then will be stuck. OR I don't use it for that reason so it sits. I know, it's weird. Sigh.
The only time I've ever bought travel sized products was at Sephora… and surprisingly, they also last me a long time. I can't do travel size mascara, eye base, or highlighter. I need those to be full size… but everything else, I think it works!
I should really try to purchase more travel size products. I don't wear a lot of makeup, so I don't go through things very quickly. I too love my Makeup Forever HD foundation. It's amazing!