What’s in my Makeup Bag: December

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It’s that time again… the last WIMMB post of the year. 

On the one hand I feel (just like pretty much everyone else… probably) that this year went by incredibly quickly. Aaaand… on the other hand, I feel like I’ve been stuck in 2018 for ages. So many things that I was hoping to happen didn’t, and so many things that I’d never think would happen… happened.

BUT, that’s a topic for a whole different post. Let’s talk makeup.

Funny thing about makeup. There have been days when I’ve been feeling so down lately that the only thing I had the energy to reach for was a tinted moisturizer. There have also been days when I felt so down… but then I’d reach for my makeup bag and think “you know what? This winged liner kinda does make me feel a bit better.” I was actually surprised to see that I was still able to get those wings to look nice and even, after such a long break. I guess it’s just like riding a bike, eh?

Of course, nothing compares to my beloved Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen, but I’m actually really impressed by the H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen from elf.* It doesn’t tug or smudge, AND it stays in place all.day.long. I haven’t been using it for a very long time so I’m still not sure how the formula will work overtime with continued use (as a lot of eyeliner pens tend to dry out a bit after a while) but so far, so good.

I recently tried Sara Hill‘s “yogaskin” makeup technique (you can see it in action here) and loved the natural and glowing look.  It’s prepping the skin then mixing a bit of a sheer foundation with a cream highlighter and a facial oil, and massaging it into the skin with your hands- a minimal and no-tool approach to making things easier. I love the combo of Guerlain’s Baby Glow Foundation, Marc Jacobs Dew Drops and juust a tiny drop of a Rosehip Oil (sometimes I substitute this step with adding my favorite facial mist/toner instead, like MUN’s Anarose). I wouldn’t dare to try this pre-Accutane, (when the surface of my face often resembled a paper towel that’s just been used to soak up the excess oil from some french fries) but I gotta say that right now, it’s kinda working for me. Even when trying this technique though, I still like to use a bit of a mattifying powder (IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores  Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder– this stuff is so incredibly silky smooth) around my nose, chin, and forehead.

This month I also finally got the chance to try Zoeva products- happy to say that they lived up to the hype. The brushes are not only beautiful but they also perform incredibly well- pictured here is the Rose Golden Luxury Set Vol. 2*. The Caramel Melange* palette (pictured on top here) is one of those rare eyeshadow palettes where I actually reach for every single eyeshadow color- this doesn’t happen to me too often. Cocoa Blend* is just as beautiful with a mix of mattes and shimmers. Both palettes have great color payoff, creamy but not chalky formula and they blend well.

Marc Jacobs Glambition eye palette is one I reach for whenever I go for something simple, but don’t have the time to search through my palettes. A simple, neutral palette with some pretty browns and shimmers that go well with everything. 

Another new beauty bit is Glossier’s Lash Slick mascara. After about six months or so, I finally gave up on eyelash extensions and my lashes are slowly recovering. While I usually love a good volumizing mascara, they don’t work too well with my lashes right now. They’re just short, not as full as before and don’t hold a curl very well. This is why I’ve been loving mascaras that give a more natural and simple look- Lash Slick does just that. I love that it doesn’t feel “heavy” it doesn’t flake or smudge. Another mascara that I’m also loving right now is Benefit’s Roller Lash– it definitely helps lift the lashes a bit and make them look less pathetic (I’m at it again with the castor + sweet almond oil mix and Rapidlash though, and I’ve seen the light).

And… speaking of the makeup bag itself, this beauty is a new Large Deluxe Cosmetic clutch in RO-PRO Celeste from Henry Charles.* You might remember me talking about their Blue Moon Cosmetic Clutch last year in this post. The bag is beautiful, yes, but the real magic lies in its sturdiness, quality, and functionality. I always, ALWAYS struggle with storing/packing my makeup when traveling, and this bag right here is the answer. It just makes organizing beauty products and tools so easy. The strong, magnetic closure also turns this makeup bag into a beautiful clutch so those beauty products are not only stored safely, but they also travel in style. I’ve had my Blue Moon clutch for over a year now and we’ve been through a lot- and it still looks and feels brand new. The quality of these bags is beyond amazing. 

What’s been hiding in your makeup bag this month? Do you ever find yourself feeling out of practice with your makeup skills?