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What’s In My Makeup Bag: Beauty Blogger Alexa

So you want to know what’s in my makeup bag? Because I’m not even sure that I know myself. This will be a journey we can go on together, collegiettes. Get ready for a crazy ride.

Since we’d be here forever if I showed you through all my products, I’ll walk you through my most basic, everyday routine instead. Now, let’s see what’s in my bag…

For starters, one does not simply have just “one makeup bag.” Say hello to the squad. 

But I’ll spare you. Since there’s simply so much, I have done the great justice of labeling each product to their respective letter for you. I’ll also list prices. (You’ll quickly find that ULTA is my holy grail.)

Face

Before anything, I always wash my face before applying makeup. Immediately after, I apply Simple’s moisturizer while my skin is still somewhat dewy—can’t emphasize how important moisturizer is! I then apply Maybelline’s Fit Me! liquid foundation with a beauty blending sponge (AKA a lifesaver.) Then I like to set it with the pressed powder, though you don’t have to! For this, I use the Real Techniques brushes from the kit. The kit honestly has everything you need and is a great deal for the price.

I usually save contouring for last because I fear I’ll make a mess of it by the time I’m finished with all of my makeup—but it’s all up to you and what order you’re comfortable with! You honestly cannot go wrong with Urban Decay’s Naked Flushed 3-in-1 contouring palette. It has a blush, a highlighter, and a bronzer. Contouring is what I like to call the figurative ‘icing-on-the-cake’ in your makeup routine.

A. Real Techniques Core Collection Set ($17.99)B. Maybelline Fit Me! Pressed Powder ($7.99)C. Simple Kind To Skin Protecting Moisturizer ($12.99)D. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($5.99)E. Maybelline Fit Me! Foundation ($7.99)F. Urban Decay Naked Flushed in ‘Naked’ ($30)

Eyes

Eyes are my favorite part of any makeup routine! As you can see, I’m big on Urban Decay. The gang’s all here, except Naked2. (Anyone willing to fill the void in my heart? Just kidding… kind of.)

Though for my everyday routine, I use the little baby Naked on the bottom—Naked Basics. I use the shade ‘Foxy’ as my base shadow, ‘Naked 2’ for my lid, and ‘Faint’ for my crease. This palette can create some beautiful (but mostly natural) looks, which is why it’s so great for everyday use. Also, the Real Techniques brush starter kit is a great deal for what you get as well.

If I’m feeling fancy, I will apply some liquid eyeliner to my top lid in a wing. Though what I like to focus on more for an everyday look are some full but still natural-looking eyebrows. The day I purchased Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow-Wiz was honestly the day my life changed. Thin pencils like this one are great if you’re looking to achieve the more—as Bey says, ‘I woke up like this’—look. 

And to top it all off, I use Benefit’s They’re Real! mascara for some nice, long lashes. 

A. Real Techniques Starter Kit ($17.99)B. Urban Decay Naked Palette ($54)C. Urban Decay Naked3 Palette ($54)D. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette ($29)E. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow-Wiz in ‘Soft Brown’ ($21)F. Benefit They’re Real! Mascara ($23)G. L’Oréal Linear Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner ($8.99)

Lips

For me, moisturized lips are more important than anything. I usually apply lip balm before starting my makeup routine to prep my lips for smooth application of lipstick/stain/etc. I probably have tried every flavor of eos lip balms, but it’s safe to say it’s a staple in my anywhere bag. Also, Vaseline offers a cute little container with a pink-tinted formula for those days when you don’t feel like wearing lipstick but still want a bit of color.

As for lipsticks, NYX offers an amazing set of colors in their line of Butter Lipsticks. They’re only $6 each—so naturally, I bought as many as I could. I’ve also taken a liking to NYX’s soft matte lip cream, which works similarly to a lip stain but makes your lips super soft—and it’s got amazing long lasting color!

Speaking of long-lasting, Maybelline’s Color Stay is no joke. It actually takes a few washes to get completely off. It also has lip balm on the other end if you’re worried about drying. 

A. Vaseline Lip Therapy in ‘Rosy’ ($1.79)B. eos Rachel Roy Limited Edition Smooth Lip Balm Sphere in ‘Wildberry’ ($3.49)C. NYX Butter Lipstick in ‘Licorice’ ($6)D. NYX Butter Lipstick in ‘Sugar Wafer’ ($6)E. NYX Butter Lipstick in ‘Taffy’ ($6)F. NYX Butter Lipstick in ‘Sweet Tart’ ($6)G. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in ‘Athens’ ($6)H. Maybelline Superstay 24 2-Step Lip Color in ‘Blush On’ ($7.99)

Well, that’s all, collegiettes! Hope you have enjoyed this incredible journey with me. I know I have.

What’s in your makeup bag? Do you have any of the products listed above? How do you like them? Let us know!

 

Alexa Amato is a third year Media Studies student at Hunter College in New York City. She is a Beauty School Blogger and Pop Culture Blogger for HerCampus.com. In her spare time, she is a Professional Procrastinator. She enjoys long walks to the fridge and frequently laments over the fact that her life is not directed by John Hughes. Things that are important to her include winged eyeliner and Harry Styles. It also makes her uncomfortable to speak in third person.