I have always loved makeup – since before I was really allowed to wear it and I distinctly remember my first eye shadow palette. It was from Revlon and had smoky colors & a beautiful purple shade. I was in 8th grade & after my parents left for work, I’d still have about 15 minutes before I would need to leave for the bus so I’d make it a little darker than what my mom had approved ๐
Fun fact: When I was in college I worked for John Casablancas – the modeling school and on the weekends I would drive back home and teach classes – a lot of those classes were for makeup, which were my favorite ones to teach and from there my love for beauty just grew. Fast forward to today and I’m still just as makeup obsessed! I always have those holy grail makeup items, but I thought I’d share some of the latest and greatest items I’m currently carrying in my makeup bag!
{Tory Burch Cosmetics Pouch}
- Better than Sex Mascara || At this point, I’m sure you’ve heard of this mascara from Too Faced. It has a very thick consistency, is a little wetter than other mascara’s and if you like very “va va voom” lashes then this is the one to try. If you want a little extra oomph – definitely use primer for your lashes – this is the current one I’m using.
- IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream || You guys – I want to shout from the rooftops with how much I’m loving this product right now! So much so that I actually just purchased my second tube! It claims to be like “your skin, but better” and that it is! I love that the coverage is build-able, but you don’t need a lot of product to get the job done! I use the color “light” and it’s a perfect match. It gives you the cleanest, almost airbrushed finish!!
- Ultra Repair Lip Therapy || I’m not going to say we’re in the dead of winter, but the weather is up and down and that wreaks havoc on my lips – leaving them dry & chapped – not so good when I want to wear lipstick! I picked up the lip therapy from First Aid Beauty during a recent trip to Sephora and while the texture feels a little bumpy – like it’s taking the chapped-ness off your lips, it works! Just like with their other products there isn’t a smell or taste!
- Essie Gel Couture Polish || While nail polish isn’t necessarily makeup, it is a beauty item and I do carry the shade that’s on my nails with me believe it or not! I’ve been wearing the new-ish gel coutureline from Essie for the last few months and can I just tell you how well this polish hold’s up! The shades I have are Make the Cut, Flashed & Spiked With Style. I’ve pretty much thrown out my other polishes because of how much I like the wear on these. I still go get a manicure and bring my own color with me and when I get a chip, which is 8-9 days later, I touch it up and get the manicure to last 2 weeks! I haven’t had a gel manicure in over 2 months and my nails are the healthiest they’ve been in a long time!
- E.L.F. illuminating face primer|| A year or so ago I tried the mineral infused face primer and was a little less than impressed, but when I spotted the illuminating one that gave a little more luminous prime – I decided to try it out and I’m really happy I did! I love how soft my skin feels after I apply it & honestly you can see your skin glow right away!
- Skin Dew Mist & Setting Spray || I love a good setting spray! This Farmacy one was in one of my last Sephora Play Boxes and is actually not a sample size – it’s the same amount you get in the full-size version! This is the perfect setting spray for the winter and drier months because it hydrates and sets your makeup in place. One thing to note, it is a bit “wetter” than other setting sprays so keeping it a little further away from the face is a good idea so you don’t come out looking like you just stepped out of the shower – I speak from experience!
- Amuse Bouche Bite Lipstick || I’ve been a fan of Bite Lipsticks for a long time. The lipsticks are always perfectly pigmented & the colors are just so pretty. The new neutrals line is just gorgeous – the next color on my list is the lilac beige – gorgeous in person!
SHOP THE POST
There you have it – a few of my current makeup favorites that I’ve been toting around with me. What have you been using in your makeup bag recently and loving?
I remember when I was allowed to start wearing makeup and the first thing my mom let me wear was lip gloss and clear mascara, and I thought I was so cool! haha I've been meaning to try a setting spray so I may try what you have!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
I love that you had such a pretty palette for your first eye shadows – I am pretty sure mine were pink and blue!! I recently heard about IT cosmetics a week or two ago and I really want to give it a try. Setting spray is on my list of things to try – sounds like you have a good one!
I could wear eye shadow in 8th grade but I wasn't allowed to wear foundation til I was a freshman, my mom helped me so it didn't look caked in, lol. Just love Essie polishes. Happy Wednesday gorgeous!!
HA! I would totally put on my makeup on the bus ride to school, then take it off in the bathroom before I went home! So many teachers called me out. Glad to know I wasn't the only one ๐
Yay for matching beauty posts today, Biana! We are on the same page with IT Cosmetics too — I love the CC cream and just bought another tube. For some reason while at the store, I thought "fair" was lighter than "light" and I bought the fair! Needless to say I am most definitely the light shade so it looks like I've been someplace warm recently haha! Such good products though!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
That is literally the best mascara on earth… I guess it does live up to its name! ๐ I also use the Elf foundation and it's one of my favs!
Brittany ๐
kingdomofsequins.com
I have the Essie gel topcoat and I've really wanted to try the actual gel colours! Do you get a discount if you bring your own colour to a manicure?
Xo, Evelina @ Fortunate House
I have heard so many good things about the IT Cosmetics CC Cream so I think I need to finally try it! Also aren't those Bite lipsticks the best?! They're AMAZING. Honeycomb is my favorite shade!
rosyoutlookblog.com
Better Than Sex is hands down my favorite mascara! I always re-purchase it as soon as I'm out!
that is my fav mascara hands down. i always use it! and that polish is all i use now too. i really should just pitch the old ones – they get so gnarly after a year anyway! addicted to so much right now from a makeup/skincare perspective. i'm a lover of kat von d tattoo liner to finish out my cat eye after i use mac chroma line. i'm addicted to my liner what can i say ๐
xoxo cheshire kat
What a fun job to have in college! I would have been all over that! You listed some of my absolute favorites right now. The Essie Gel polish is the only one that I have been wearing lately! I cannot wait for them to come out with more shades!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Love reading these kinds of posts! And I agree – the ITCosmetics CC Cream is amazing!
I have to check out that setting spray and lipstick! I cleaned out my bathroom this weekend……oh wow the amount of products! Made me realize what a sample junkie I am.
Your skin has been looking flawlessly airbrushed and even more perfect than usual– I'll have to give the IT CC cream a try when I'm out of my bare minerals! XOXO, R
I've been wearing the Gel Couture line and I loveeee it! I also have only been really wearing that and nothing else because I know it lasts for more than 2 days, haha. I picked up a Bite lippie while I was home recently and I am obsessed with it.
While I've never been much of a makeup person, I've slowly started to integrate it into my day and I have to say, I love seeing how I look once I've got the good stuff on ๐ xoxo
I've been wanting to try that gel couture line! I heard it's amazing! Also I think you've convinced me I need to try that IT CC cream!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
How much fun that you used to teach makeup classes! No wonder you always look flawless! I need to try that CC cream, I've heard nothing but amazing things. Awesome round up gurlie <3
Green Fashionista
Now I need to try this Elf primer! Where do you buy it? Thanks ๐
xo Kristy
Style-Blueprint.com
I totally see nail polish as a makeup necessity! And that's too funny that some of your first makeup was purple eyeshadow because that was my first eyeshadow too!
thecourtneydiaries.com
So many of these I love too! You already know I'm obsessed with the Essie Gel Cotoure polishes. SO GOOD>
That's so cool that you taught makeup classes, girl! I loved getting to know a little more about you in this post! As fro the products, I've heard of some of them, while some are new to me, such as the IT CC cream. I'm really intrigued with the cream, it sounds amazing. I've been working so hard on my skincare regimen to clear up any blemishes so I don't have to wear much foundation and I'd love to try this as an alternative. Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you're having a wonderful week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
thestylecontour.com
You have some great products and a GORGEOUS makeup bag! Have a great day! Gemma x
jacquardflower.uk
So many goodies! I need to pick up a couple of winter polish shades – I'm going to try the couture line!
Amanda Kids and Cabernet
I'm always looking to see what mascaras people use – mine is always leaving me with dark spots under my eyes as the day goes on. Sigh.
That is awesome about the makeup classes, I had no idea! I use the ELF primer, but the one for redness and I lovee it and cannot believe how cheap it is! I have heard some amazing things about the IT cosmetics cc cream and clearly need to check it out!
Denise | Fashion Love Letters
People are just obsessed with that mascara, so I may see if I can get my hands on a travel size to give it a go. And, you can't go wrong with Bite lip products!
I switch off between the itCosmetics CC Cream and Estee Lauder double wear for my foundation and love both of them! And I need to try that lip therapy!
Zelle
Southern Style
I've heard nothing but good things about Better Than Sex mascara, might need to be my next try! Have you tried BareMinerals Lash Domination?? I get so many compliments when I wear it.
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
I see a few of my favorite products — I also love the CC cream and I'm so glad to hear you are loving it as well. My first ever eyeshadow palette was from Revlon as well…I actually still have it BUT don't use it, just keep it for the memories I guess. LOL!
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily๏ปฟ
I'm always so nosy when it comes to makeup products other people are currently using. I just ran out of my Urban Decay perversion mascara and looks like I'll be giving better than sex a go!
I'm using that lash primer too! So good!
Your skin always looks so pretty, I will have to try the cc cream and primer. That lipstick looks so pretty too. I finally got the better than sex mascara and there is no going back! Ah love the story about your first eye shadow palette, so cute!
When I use makeup, I use better than sex mascara and the IT CC cream. They're the best.
That face mist sounds perfect for combating dry winter skin. I need to try that!
Fun to hear more about where your beauty ove originated. These goodies are great! I keep wanting to try that polish!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I need to try that setting spray! I've been looking for a good lash primer, so I'm glad you linked to one!
Ok, I've officially heard enough people rave about that CC cream that I need try it!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
This cosmetics pouch is absolutely gorgeous. Love the nail polishes too, so pretty shades.
Nina
Nina's Style Blog
I have heard so much about setting spay and I feel like it would make a world of a difference. Must have!
What a fun fact about you! No wonder your beauty tips are always on point! I am totally trying that lip therapy because my lips get so chapped! I totally agree with you about It Cosmetics CC Cream! xx, I'm Fixin' To
I always love makeup bag posts- and since your makeup always looks flawless, it made me so excited to read! I love Bite's lipstick too. Will have to try out those shades you mentioned.
Thanks Biana for the ideas!
xoxo, Jenna
Boston Chic Party
That CC cream is my jam!! So good!
xx Leah / eatpraywearlove.com
I'm on my THIRD tube of the IT Cosmetics CC cream and I'm still every bit as obsessed! And I dont think I'll ever paint my nails with anything other than the Essie Gel Couture line ever again! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
That BTS mascara is seriously such a game changer! I'm on my second tube now, and I can't believe there was ever a time in my life when I didn't use it…. It's the best!
Oooh, I love this ELF primer! I need to try it!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
lol i love that you'd put on extra eye shadow when you're parents left. i was wearing yellow eye shadow in high school so you were light years ahead of me ๐
better than sex is definitely my favourite mascara! i don't really use it for every day, but when i want that little extra oomph, it's my go to.
i still haven't tried the it cosmetics cc cream but i've heard nothing but good things!
Haha. I'm cracking up over your eye shadow comment! I went to a Catholic school so we weren't allowed to wear makeup until 9th grade, but I did always try to sneak a little bit of clear mascara to make my lashes longer… do you remember that stuff?? Do they even still make it? Haha.
I've been wanting to try the It Cosmetics CC cream. I'll have to give it a shot. I have an e.l.f primer as well and really like it! Great value too!
Your make up bag is super cute! Thank yoy for linking Ultra Repair Lip Therapy! I suffer badly from dry/cracked lips in the winter so I am going to look more into it!!
xo,
Kay Elle
iamkayelle.com
I really want to refine and perfect my makeup routine to get a 10-minute face on without worrying at all. My biggest issue with the products I use currently is with the tinted moisturizer. It just requires a LOT of blending and if I don't wet my brush first, it's a bit of a nightmare. I don't like full coverage stuff, my skin is just too dry. Anyway, that rambling is all to say that I've heard great things about the CC+ cream before, and I think I'll try it out next time I'm somewhere I can pick up a sample!
I need that ultra repair lip kit! One of the things that I always struggle with in the winter is chapped lips too, so this is definitely a necessity for me I think!
I can totally remember what friend got me into wearing makeup for the first time, but I wish I could remember my first beauty products! I really want a CC cream to have on hand, but whenever I've tried them I always feel like I need more coverage because my skin is so spotty, but maybe I should still try the one by It Cosmetics. I got a mini of the amuse lipstick as a 100pt and it's so nice, I'd definitely love a full size!
Better Than Sex became my new holy grail mascara this year. I love it! I totally need to try that lip therapy from First Aid Beauty! You also peaked my interest with that Elf primer.
Your lipstick always looks amazing! I am definitely going to have to try some. I only wear chapstick. I'm such a dud!
I have the First Aid Beauty lip therapy too. I like it but idk how I feel about the grittiness. You really have me interested in the IT cosmetics CC cream! What is your skin type? I have combo/oily so I prefer makeup with a matte finish. Would you call this medium coverage? I LOVE Bite Lipsticks too. Especially the matte lip crayon in Glace. I haven't tried the Amuse Bouche lipsticks but they look awesome!
Isn't that iT CC cream ridiculous? I swear it is the best product created! I LOVE Better Than Sex! I am all about volume and this is the best for it! I have to pick up those Essie colors because I am always too scared to buy one without knowing if someone likes them!
Ooooh that CC cream and lip repair sound amazing! Making note of them right now!
I love seeing your makeup posts! I suck at makeup…so suck!!