I am on a never ending quest to simplify and downsize my makeup bag.  I used to have a Caboodle the size of a small country slammed full with glamorous goodness.  Of course, I used to have what some might call “the hook up”– I worked at the corporate level for a regional department store chain in the cosmetics area.  I was in no way a cosmetic VIP, but some vendors with very big labels did not underestimate the power of the resident bean counter and gave me stuff.  99% of that bounty is long-gone, and now I’m left with this:

My collection is so much leaner than it used to be, but my desire is to have a small bag with only my tried and true favorites.  Currently, my contents can be divided into three categories.

Here to stay:
L’Oreal  Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner Pencils in Brown & Gray
Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil in Light Blonde
L’Oreal Bare Naturale Concealor in Fair/Light (This isn’t my favorite for under-eye use, but it is a must for blemishes!)
Chanel Irreelle Blush in Mystery (Leftover freebie.  Not even sold anymore. Will take me a sweet forever to use it all.)
Tweezerman tweezers in Pink
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Just Trying Out:
Complexion Perfection Kit by Smashbox (The mineral powder foundation and the concealor I was using just were not cutting it, so I splurged on the on this collection of trial sizes.  So far, so good.  Actually, I might madly in love with the primer.  The only problem is that I traded two products–mineral powder & concealer for four–primer, foundation, concealer, & powder.  That’s not exactly simplifying.
Ulta Professional Radiant Lift Concealer (This is a highlighter, not a concealer, and, as the associate told me, is a must for my tired mama eyes.  I didn’t want him to be right.  I didn’t want to add another weapon to my arsenal, but I can tell a huge difference.)

When It’s Gone, It’s Gone:
pixi Eye Beauty Kit in Miracle Velveteen (Discontined palette – I got 75% off!)
Bobbi Brown Mini Foundation Stick in Porcelain (Hated it as foundation, but it makes a tolerable eyeshadow base.)
Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume Mascara in Brownish Black (It’s ok, you can read more of my thoughts here.)

I also keep a massive powder brush, concealer brush, eyebrow brush, three eyeshadow brushes (all-over, angled shaper, small structured one for my arches), a kabuki brush, and an old toothbrush (for my lashes) handy.  I have an embarrassingly large number of makeup brushes, but don’t have need for them everyday, so they stay in the bathroom.

So you’ve seen mine.  Want to peek inside the makeup bags of others?  Head over to Chic Critique and see.

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