Hello, friends! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend. I had such a lovely one, as I spent it with my family and friends! Bobby and I made a trip to Mount Pleasant on Friday, and we got home Sunday evening. It was fantastic being able to see everyone!
As I’ve mentioned in many a blog post, I’m currently on a journey to clear out my makeup collection. Which means using up all sorts of makeup products from brands that I no longer care to support, for one reason or another. This post will most likely highlight that. I will write little notes by the individual products and mention if I’d recommend them. Some products I may have mentioned in other posts, so I’ll be sure to link those other posts!
Moisturizer. It’s always important to keep your face hydrated, but I find it to be especially important in the winter. In my makeup bag, I packed my rose hip seed oil. The rose hip seed oil I have is from Oryana, the brand is Life-flo, which is cruelty-free, and this product is totally vegan! I love rose hip seed oil SO much because it makes the skin incredibly smooth, and it does wonders for my dry, sensitive skin. It also tends to come in glass bottles which is fantastic! I will make a quick note that this rose hip seed oil definitely has an earthy smell to it, so if that is something that may bother you, I would maybe find a different brand. I find that the smell only lasts as you’re putting it on, and after you’re done, it retains none of that smell.
Concealer. The concealer I’m currently using is the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair. $27.00. I’ve had this concealer for quite some time, and I am just about out of it. It’s definitely my favorite concealer that I own, and it’s cruelty-free AND vegan! However, it’s an 8 on the Think Dirty app which is classified as “dirty”. (I’ll make a post going through all my concealers, and going into more detail about all of this!) I really love this concealer, but once it’s gone, I’ll probably try to switch over to a more natural concealer.
Foundation. The foundation that I’m using currently, and that I’ve had for FAR TOO LONG, is the Loreal Paris True Match foundation in warm porcelain, W1. $10.99. I actually really like the foundation, but the brand is not cruelty-free or vegan, so, I won’t be purchasing this again. As I’ve said numerous times, I’m just trying to use up all my extra makeup, so that I can create a makeup collection made up of only products that I LOVE. I will say that I like that this bottle is pretty small, so that it can fit into my makeup bag easily. That’s definitely something I suggest, packing as minimally as you possibly can and bringing along some products that may be a little bit smaller. I also like that it’s a glass bottle! I will note that the Think Dirty app has given it a score of 8, which is considered “dirty”.
Setting Powder. Despite me having quite dry skin, I find myself needing copious amounts of powder! I recently did a blog post talking all about the powders I currently use, so I won’t go into too much detail in this post!
Blush. I have the Too Faced Love Flush Love Hangover blush. $28.50. I have had this blush for about three years, and I will be completely honest in saying that I don’t think this color suits me whatsoever. I prefer my blushes to be very pinky and sometimes even blush that is a bit more of a coral color. This blush is a bit too dark for me, I think. I will be 100% transparent and say that I bought this product for the packaging. And while it is VERY darling, that is definitely a mistake I try not to make anymore — buying for the packaging. I’ve hit pan on this product, which is exciting because it means that I will have one less product to go through! Too Faced is a cruelty-free brand, and while they have some vegan products, this particular shade of their Love Flush Blush is not vegan.
Eyeshadow. This is probably the only product that doesn’t physically go into my makeup bag, as it’s a wee bit too big… however, this palette is the one that I use the most, and that’s the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette. $42.00. I think that this is such a fantastic palette for everyday makeup, and it is cruelty-free, but unfortunately, not vegan. So, I will enjoy it while I have it, but I won’t be buying it again. It’s great for travel though, because it has great neutral shadows, but also some more dramatic ones as well. It has a 5 on the Think Dirty App which makes it somewhere in the middle of dirty and clean.
Chapstick The chapstick that I’m currently using is the Zambeezi Organic Beeswax Lip Balm in tangerine. It’s an organic, ethically sourced, and fair trade brand, which is awesome. I do believe that they’re cruelty-free, but they’re not vegan, as they contain beeswax. I will say that I don’t particularly like the tangerine flavor, but I’m just working on finishing it up!
Lip gloss. The lip gloss that I have in my bag currently is the Clinique superbalm moisturizing gloss in 09 Currant. $18.50. I’ve had this for far too many years. I really like this one because it’s pretty small, super glossy, and it does have a nice bit of coloring to it. As I’ve said in other posts, Clinique is not cruelty-free or vegan, so I will be using this up, but not purchasing again.
Lip Liner. The lip liner I currently have in my bag is a Wet N Wild one, a gel lip liner in shade 657A Plum Together. $3.29. I honestly don’t like it too much, but I’m trying to use it up. I feel like that despite it being a lip liner, it doesn’t give a very crisp line. The color is quite nice and I think it’s great for the colder months, as it’s a bit darker of a color. I like to add a bit of gloss to it sometimes to make it seem a little bit more casual, if that makes sense… This product is cruelty-free and vegan which is AWESOME.
Mascara. I currently use the Loreal Paris Telescopic Mascara in 905 Black. $10.99. I love this mascara for its lengthening abilities, but alas, it’s not cruelty-free or vegan. I’m honestly on the lookout for a new mascara, any recommendations would be awesome! It has a score of 8 on the Think Dirty app which is considered “dirty.”
Blush brush. The blush brush that I have in my bag is from Mineral Fusion, and is a Flawless brush. $29.99. I honestly am not 100% sure if their brushes are vegan, but I do know that their brand is cruelty-free. The brush I have is very soft, but it sheds like crazy. I’ll use the brush because I own it, but I do not really recommend it. I also realize that this brush isn’t made for blush, but I don’t think that has anything to do with the shedding.
Eyeshadow brush. The eyeshadow brush that I use is a Wet N Wild one, and I can’t seem to find it online, unfortunately. I LOVE this brush, though. I would imagine any Wet N Wild eyeshadow brush would work just as well. I think this brush works wonderfully, and I do believe that it’s vegan and cruelty-free! And it’s SO soft!
Eyebrow brush. This brush I’ve had since high school, and I can’t remember anything about it, other than the fact I bought it from Sally’s Beauty. It has an eyebrow spoolie on one side and a brush for drawing your eyebrows on on the other side. I also use this brush to apply eyeshadow to my lower lash line.
Eyelash curler. Again, I’ve had this for YEARS, and don’t know where it’s from, but it is definitely one of the most important steps in my makeup routine. Even on the days that I don’t wear makeup, I almost always curl my eyelashes. Adds just a little oomph to your eyes. I don’t think it matters too much what brand of curler you get, but I do think that it’s super important to have one!
And that’s that, my friends! As always, I’m not trying to push any products on you. I wanted to create an outline for all of y’all, in the hopes that it makes it just a little bit easier to pack up your makeup bag! I always find myself forgetting one thing or another when I go away, and I have to frantically ask all the other makeup wearers for a blush or an eyeshadow brush.
I would love to hear about what items are necessities in your makeup bags! What are some of your favorite makeup products? I love learning all about other people’s makeup routines!
Thank you so much for reading!
XOXO,
Mattie Mae
Midwest mattie 