Editing My Make-Up Bag

I've been on an editing mission lately! I decided it's ridiculous to give up precious real estate in our house for things that I don't ever use (or even for the rarely used things). 

I used to keep my make-up in a huge zippered case. It was large and awkward and I only used a small fraction of the products that I was keeping in there. I did this for years! So silly! Case in point: Somehow I had two of the exact same green eyeshadow in that bag. I mean, what? I can't even remember wearing sparkly green eyeshadow post high school.

Then a couple weeks ago, around the same time we decided to paint the laminate cabinets, I found this pretty leather pouch at American Apparel and it inspired me to simplify.



After going through and tossing all the stuff I didn't actually use, I was left with a small collection of make-up that I really do love.  One of my latest favorites is the Beautyblender (the pink sponge in the corner of my bag here) - it was a bit of a life-changer for me. Have you tried it? I use it to apply my favorite tinted moisturizer and I use the flat bottom of the sponge to smooth out my blush when I wear it. I've been trying BB cream too, but I think I like the feel of my tinted moisturizer better than the BB cream. I do like how the BB gives you an airbrushed look though, and I was pretty shocked the first time I tried it! It's really amazing stuff. I ran out a couple weeks ago and decided to try the l'oreal version from the pharmacy and I like it just as much as the fancier brands.


Anyway, I still have a small drawer of cosmetics that I use less often, but it's nice to have my daily make-up bag edited down to the basics. I'm annoyed that I waited so long to make this happen, but now I am pumped and feeling ready to attack the rest of my house this weekend. Clutter, be gone! My closet will be hit especially hard and I'm determined to get it more edited and organized for spring.

Speaking of spring, I wish the weather outside right now would cooperate and help me get more into the spring cleaning spirit, but it's snowing again, so... mostly we're just combating cabin fever at this point. I hope you have a fun, warm weekend ahead of you! xo

32 comments:

  1. Hi! I do the same - I have my 'daily' make up in my makeup bag in the bathroom, next to a pot holding my everyday jewellery,and then my 'going out' make up in a box in my wardrobe next to my specialy occasion jewellery. So now I dont forget what makeup I have and actually use the sparkly stuff when I need it :) Love your blog!

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  2. I tried so hard to do the same with my makeup-our bathroom is a speck, I ended up moving half to the back of my closet. I couldn't toss it. Bravo to your bravery! Btw I love the case!

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  3. Seriously, that make-up bag is off the charts! I soo love it! I also am going to try the Loreal version you mentioned that you really love. My Bobbi Brown foundation is almost out and I want to try something different this time around.
    I am totally in the same boat and have a ton of things in my makeup bag, I need to do an EDIT for sure!! I bought this cool Stella Grey cosmetic bag, a Chicago designer. It's so fab in oxblood hide.
    Beth
    http://www.chicandglamorous.com

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  4. SUCH a lovely makeup bag...I feel like I really need to do this but I just know I'll talk myself out of every item thinking I will some day use it!
    One day I will attempt though, you've inspired me!

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  5. Not sure that a sponge on the loose in your makeup bag a good thing...ripe for bacteria.
    Just sayin.

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  6. I went down to just a small bag a couple of years ago and I haven't looked back. I kept some less-frequently-used things in a cabinet, and ended up tossing them a few months later because I hadn't touched them. Makes packing a breeze! Well packing the makeup, at least :)

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  7. ah. excellent reminder that i need to clean out my makeup bag. i only use a handful of products, but have SO much old stuff in there.

    side note: does anyone have a good "natural" face moisturizer they'd recommend?

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  8. Ok so I've heard about the airbrush effects of BB cream, but it sounded too good to be true? Is there any downside to it? Have you tried CC cream? My skin is kind of a mess right now, so I'm desperate :)

    www.anna-bird.com

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  9. I used to use the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, and swore it couldn't be beat...but I've been using L'Oreal (Youth Code) BB cream for the past couple of months and I'm totally converted. Has SPF 15, gret on sensitive skin and blends seamlessly (with better texture, I think). Highly recommend!!

    Cleaning out the makeup drawer has become a necessity every couple of months. I work in the beauty industry and come home with new products to try every week...most of which I need to toss soon after. It's a hurdle to tackle, good job!!

    Have a great weekend- thanks for your post!

    xo,
    Sasha @ sashapearl.blogspot.com

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  10. I'm with you. I'm itching for a good weekend of decluttering / spring cleaning...and my makeup bag might be a good place to start! We are planning a move to NYC this summer, so I should probably parlay that into a larger effort!

    http://orangedoorhome.blogspot.com/

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  11. I love editing...words, clothes, linens, make-up. PAre it down, straighten it up & move on with less stuff.
    www.mysoulfulhome.com

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  12. Ok, me again...had to re-comment after reading the comments. L'Oreal better than Laura Mercier??...really. Both Jenny & Sasha think so. I am a loyal LM girl, but I will try it for sure. You learn so much from the comments don't you!
    Have a great day!
    kelly
    www.mysoulfulhome

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  13. Love to hear what you have to say on makeup and fashion so thanks for dropping that in now and then, Jenny. I'll try Loreal's BB cream sometime, but next on my list is to try Dr. Perricone's products. They're pricey but I've heard rave reviews about the pore minimizing products. I'd love to know what lipsticks you wear!

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  14. funny! just this morning i was thinking that i have edited down my closet/accessories/everything but my makeup bag and it really shouldn't take me so long to find my concealer! will be working on this this weekend.. thanks for the motivation!

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  15. With the change of season I alway feel the need to edit, clean out too. I certainly need to go through my makeup bag/ drawer too. Perhaps a new make-up bag purchase will inspire me!

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  16. Would love to know the contents of your "everyday" makeup bag! There are hardly any beauty products that I'm committed to, and my goal is to find some favorites that I can stick to for a while. Please share!

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  17. I'm definitely trying the L'Oreal BB cream and cleaning out my make-up bag this weekend. I don't even know what's in there anymore!

    simplymodernhome.com

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  18. I had literally just done a google search for "best beauty products" right before I read your post! I had not heard of this BB cream...very interested to try it. And at $42, the NARS product is pretty high for me, but if it's really awesome, I may give it a try. Having turned 30 this year, I feel like I need to up my skincare and make up game!! Have a great weekend!

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  19. I went through several boxes in my garage yesterday and got rid of a ton of junk I was hanging on to! It must be the warmer weather that's motivating us all to de-clutter. ("Edit" is a much nicer word than "de-junk." I may have to adopt it, lol.) It feels so good to get back to basics. Less really is more.

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  20. This is great! I try to do it periodically too and it's about that time. Thanks for the reminder.

    xoxo
    Mags
    http://magsmind22.blogspot.com

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  21. OK, I looked back at the original bath update post but don't see this info anywhere... WHERE are those cool geometric patterned towels from??! I am in need of a towel update and am totally in love.

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  22. BB Cream is on the all the blogs. Even my non-makeup-wearing friend asked me about it. Is it really that great?? Guess Im off to get some Loreal because most everything I've read also agrees Loreal does the trick as well as the pricier ones.
    Great motivator....I've got the make up pared down. It's the closets I need a nudge on. Well, really the entire upstairs of the house.
    Happy weekend!

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  23. Mrs B- That's actually the thing I like about the Beautyblender - it works by getting it wet, so I just use a bit of soap each time and wash it before using it. So no bacteria situation here. Plus, not sure why there would be so much extra bacteria in my make-up bag? :) It's probably cleaner in there than on the countertops or in the drawers.

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  24. Paige Byrd - I've used a couple of products from the Honest Company and I really like them. Worth looking into!
    xo

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  25. Anna Louisa - I haven't tried CC cream, but the BB cream is as good as everyone is saying it is. Really. And at $7 it's worth a try! I don't wear it everyday bc I'm used to just tinted moisturizer, but the BB cream doesn't feel too heavy at all. It does feel a little different on your skin - sort of powdery maybe? Good luck!

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  26. My Soulful Home -

    I used to be a diehard Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer fan, but when I did that Lean Cuisine video thing in December the makeup artist on set was using NARS tinted moisturizer and I asked her about it. She says it's way better than LM, and lasts forever (so, worth the $42 price tag). So I've been using it ever since and I do like it way better! You should try it on next time you're at Sephora. I think the color matches my skin tone better or something? It makes my skin look healthier though for sure.

    And YES to trying the L'oreal BB cream - it's seriously so great. Worth having in the rotation!

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  27. Barbie - I bought the Dr Perricone pore reducer and it does work! I like his stuff. I should do a post about this because there is a lot to say here, but I think if you're looking for something to reduce pore size, invest in the new clarisonic mia 2. It has seriously changed my face. Total miracle-worker!

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  28. Annabelle - The tag on the towels says they are made by Bristol by Kassatex? I bought them on sale at Century 21, a department store here in the city. I bet you can find them online somewhere though. Good luck! xo

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  29. That's my favorite tinted moisturizer, too. It feels amazing on my skin. But now you've made me want to try the BB cream I've been avoiding. Maybe I'll start with the Loreal version.

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  30. I've always have too much makeup hanging around. What if I decide to go dramatic and don't have the right ingredients for smoky eyes?! But, the more mature my husband and I become (some could use the term "older" but that's just cruel), the more we are able to travel. What I've found is that I really only use a few pieces of makeup, even when I pack a selection. There's still a small drawer dedicated to my dramatic side, but my ready-to-go pouch is nice and trim these days. It's so freeing, isn't it?

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  31. I love the makeup recommendations in the comments. I've been wanting to try Laura Mercier but its on the expensive side for me. I'll give L'Oreal a try. I've been looking for something new. I rarely wear makeup any more and want to get back to a quick daily routine. I look better and feel better when I take a few extra minutes in the morning to put on some makeup.

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  32. I recently did this and it does make all the difference to have everything ready for touch-ups. I love all your DIY
    s but I also love simple things like this.
    pve

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)