What's in My Cosmetics Bag?

Hi Tory,

Every family dinner, you, me and Mum all get out our respective bags and handbags to do the reapplication of the lipstick ritual and it's always amazing to me how different women are when it comes to makeup storage. I used to be of the "throw in and never find it again variety" but I was stern with myself and finally invested in a cosmetics bag... and then I saw this tag going around YouTube and had to join in.

I try to keep the items in my cosmetics bag to a necessary minimum, working on the premise of touch-ups throughout the day, and a quick face if I stay over at a friend's house. At the moment my go-to lipstick is the MAC one, but in the summer it tends to be a nice bright lipgloss or even a tinted lip balm. You can always ring the changes according to the season and update your look.

I used to be of the "throw in and never find it again variety"

With the size of the bag, it's a good practice to avoid the bigger ones - that way you avoid the temptation to overfill with a bunch of products that you probably won't need on a daily basis, and it makes you really assess what you need, rather than what you want. Your shoulders will thank you!

Of course, the products here are just my own personal preference - you might find that a touch of powder and a lipstick is all you really need. Adapt it and tweak it and play with it for your own needs. Just know that you'll be able to find everything without doing the dreaded root canal thing!

Products Used

• Boots Flower Cosmetics Bag (no longer available)
• MUA Professional Eyebrow Kit
• MUA Professional Mosaic Bronzer in Natural Glow
• ELF Complete Coverage Concealer in Medium
• Travalo Perfume Atomizer in Black
• Samantha Chapman Real Techniques Setting Brush
• Boots No 7 Contour Brush
• MUA Professional Every Lash in Black
• Collection 2000 Eye Definer in Black
• Bloom Lip Pencil in Outline (discontinued)
• Rimmel Soft Kohl in White
• MAC Lipstick in Hug Me

One More Thing...

• I would highly recommend trying out the fuller lip technique - loads of people have asked what fillers I'm using!
• Does anyone want a tutorial on making theatrical prosthetics? Happy to do one!
• MUA are expanding their professional range at a rate of knots - going to do some product reviews on those!
• I'm thinking of doing a monthly awards for the best budget products - sound good?

Hugs and kisses,
xxx

Think Pink!

Hi Tory,

The drawback with pink eyeshadow is that it can make you look like you've been punched, have an infection, or are suffering from a human form of Myxomatosis... which is not a good look. I've vamped it up a bit here by blending it with a base of chocolate brown to give a lovely plummy/burgundy colour, and then lined the eyes with a warm brown to offset the pink even further.

Products Used

• Beauty UK Eyeshadow Palette in No. 6 - Day and Night
go pink with pride!
• MUA Intense Colour Eye Pencil in Rich Brown
• Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara in Waterproof Black
• Boots 17 Endless Shine Lip Gloss in Oriental Star

Go pink with pride!

Hugs and kisses,
xxx

Peacock Eye

Hi Tory,

Okay - here's what I like to call my Peacock Eye, and what James refers to as The Bluebottle Eye... it's a three-colour technique which is all about the blending, and you can use any three colours that you like.

Products Used

• Body Shop Quickshadow in Instant Indigo: discontinued, so any dusky navy would do :)
• Makeup Academy Pearl Eyeshadow in Shade 5
a three-colour technique which is all about the blending
• Makeup Academy Pearl Eyeshadow in Shade 8
• Makeup Academy Intense Colour Eyeliner in Jet Black: can't find a direct link, but it's in the £1 range :)
• Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara in Waterproof Black

This'd look really good with three neutrals for daytime, or maybe go wild with purples! Have fun :)

Hugs and kisses,
xxx

Blue Smoky Eye

Hi Tory,

I thought it was about time I did an actual makeup tutorial with some actual makeup in it ;) This is a nice and easy smoky eye that doesn't take much time, but gives maximum impact with a tiny number of products.

Products Used

• Body Shop Quickshadow in Instant Indigo: discontinued, so any dusky navy would do :)
• Makeup Academy Pearl Eyeshadow in Shade 8
maximum impact with a tiny number of products
• Makeup Academy Intense Colour Eyeliner in Jet Black: can't find a direct link, but it's in the £1 range :)
• Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara in Waterproof Black
• Urban Decay Lipstick in Rush

So, there you go - a smoky eye to practice :)

Hugs and kisses,
xxx