What's New In My Beauty Bag

{ Via: Etsy }

Every once in a while we girls need a maintenance day. You know, a day to clean up our act, polish our toes, cover the roots, shape the brows, powder our noses. I am having one of those days, and have "beauty" on the brain. So today I share five new items in my beauty bag. Each one has become an integral part of my daily routine. What's your new beauty obsession?

Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush
I can't imagine life without this brush. After 3 months of use, I can highly recommend it for foundation. It was the Winner of Allure magazine's 'Best of Beauty' Award for Best Brush for Foundation, 2016. It is the softest brush I have ever known. It is dense, too. What I like most is how it feels on the face and the fact that it does not absorb much of  my foundation product. My old brushes did. I hated to see the waste. I give this brush 5 Stars!
Nordstrom  

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue
It's a tinted hydrating gel cream. In other words, it is a BB Cream, CC Cream and Tinted Moisturizer all in one.  It also won Allure Magazine's "Best Of Beauty" Award for best Mineral Foundation. It's free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, dye, and petrochemicals. I wear it under my foundation, and it allows me to wear about 50% less foundation. This is what I like to put on in the morning, upon waking, so I don't frighten the world! It has a bit of radiance (not much) but enough to diffuse lines and wrinkles. I love the soft focus that it offers my complexion. The color natural is what I wear for my totally light beige skintone.
Nordstrom

P.S. Nordstrom has a Gift With Purchase Of BareMinerals. Click link above for details

Mally Ultimate Performance See The Light Concealer
I bought mine after reading this article in NY Mag. Concealers are tricky, and now I use two. This is the newest concealer to be added to my regime. The other is Laura Mercier's High Coverage Concealer. You don't hear much about this product but it is fabulous! Mally's though is my favorite. I use it on top of my foundation for "brightening" the under eye. And boy does it ever! A dab will do ya. Please click the following link to watch the video and see how Mally applies this dream cream in an inverted triangle. I wear Fair but plan to change to Light for Summer. Get the set at
QVC

Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Strobe Lighting Powders
Available in four illuminating shades, and designed to sculpt the face with light. This is my finishing touch to my makeup routine. The powder is so very fine that it instantly becomes invisible. I call it complexion candlelight. Like a candle, it casts a soft focus where you place it. Mr. Shop This, noticed something was different the first time I used it. Score! I use the shade called incandescent, but I plan to try all four shades. Love!
Nordstrom 

Farmacy Beauty Sleep Tight
Called a face lift in a jar (that may be a bit of an exaggeration) but it is a great product. After just one use, you will notice that your skin is firmer, pores are tighter, and the complexion is brighter. I love the fact that it is without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. It is also free of formaldehyde and artificial coloring, which is so important.  The color and consistency is unique. It is green, naturally, because it is plant based. The scent is green, as well. Very fresh. It is so emollient, almost like a gelee, a tiny amount, like a fingertip, is all I need for my normal not dry skin. Watch a video at
Sephora



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How Cheeky!

Face Time: What's In My Beauty Bag

As I was catching up on my digital Vogue reading this weekend, I came across a video series, which is excellent. Whether you are a beauty buff wanting a modern smoky eye, or the makeup novice who just wants a fresh face, Vogue offers some terrific tips. After all of these years, I have a few of my own. Today I share products that I absolutely love, and a very special sale at Stila Cosmetics! 

Prime Time: All About That Base

Stila Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Illuminating Beauty Balm with SPF 30

If you want to lighten up your face, this product does it in the most subdued way. It is what I am currently using as a primer. It does wonders for your pores, feels fabulously soft, it's lightweight, and adds just the perfect amount of color to my face.  I find that I use much less foundation when using this product. When I wake up in the morning, this is my "go to" item to freshen my face. Love it!
Stila

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liner
Eyeliner is more important to me than mascara! Without it, I look totally tired, and that's not good. This "magic marker" for your eyes, is my new fave. It never skips, runs or fades, until you take it off. I highly recommend it. I wear the black every day. "The thin marker-like tip is easy to use even for the least experienced, and delivers a defined thin line to a dramatic bold line with precision."
Stila

Take 25% Off  And Get Free Shipping! Code: SPRING25 Ends 3-13

Eye Shadow Pan in Compact - Kitten
My idea of the perfect eyeshadow color. It can be worn wet or dry. It's the perfect nude/pink and an ideal base for any eye look.
Stila

Take 25% Off And Get Free Shipping! Code: SPRING25 Ends 3-13

Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer
Laura Mercier, the pioneer of Foundation Primer, has quite a selection of primers. One for every skin solution. Once again, I choose the radiance type, as I am always looking for a healthy glow. This is an excellent product that works. It does not, however, offer much coverage. See all of her primers at...
Nordstrom

P.S. Purchasing beauty products at Nordstrom makes so much sense, as they offer free shipping and 3 free samples with every order.

Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zings
This complete brow kit comes with all the tools you need for clean, smooth, perfect brows. Shaping & defining lesson included. What I like best about the kit is the tinted "gel," It does a really nice job at "taming" those wild hairs. I prefer my Tweezerman tweezers, but on the go, the included mini tools work just fine.
Benefit Cosmetics

M.A.C. Strobe Cream
My newest makeup must. I decided to give this luminizer a try since there is a small $10 size. I have used it everyday for a month, and haven't begun to dent the tube. A little goes a long way. I am sure that I will have the tube left at the end of 6 months or a year. I love to mix a dab in my foundation for a "lit from within" radiance. This is what M.A.C has to say: 

"The ultimate quick fix for the skin. Super-powered with potent botanicals; de-snoozes, de-stresses, moistens, freshens and boosts the look of dull, flat or tired-looking skin with a fully loaded vitamin zap and a mega dose of green tea."
Nordstrom

Sephora Contour Edit
Contouring is a makeup must do in my opinion. Why have a flat face, when you can add dimension and highlights? I enjoyed the video "how to's" that you will see on the page.  And Sephora's own Contouring 101 Face Palette is so nicely priced, compared to others, you may want to start there.
Sephora

Bare Escentuals Angled Brush
This is THE tool you need to contour your cheekbones. If you are using a powder, there is no other way to go. I have owned this brush for maybe 5 years or more. It looks good as new. I couldn't live happily without it.  The best price I found on it is at...
Amazon

Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials
If you have trouble with eyeshadow creasing or not lasting all day, most likely you are not prepping your lids. This is a beauty step that I have always used since I can remember.  Trish makes one of the best ones out there. I love the choice of shades, and am currently crushing on 'Demure," a shimmering nude. (don't worry, the shimmering is more of a soft glow).  These bases brighten the eyes so well, that one would not even need eyeshadow. This product is a real eye opener! 
Saks Fifth Avenue

Everything always ships for free at Saks!
Code: FREESHIP

Laura Mercier Eye Base
I like this product equally as well as Trish McEvoy's. It truly does create a perfect canvas for eyeshadow. It's sheer and creamy. The only problem with both eye bases, is that I tend to go through them quickly, and they are not inexpensive.
Nordstrom's 

Nars Orgasm Shade Illuminator
One of the most universally flattering colors of any brand, I think, is Nars Orgasm. It is the perfect peach pink nude with just an undertone of gold. I use the Illuminator, to add a pop of color and sheen to my cheeks. The color pay off of all Nars products is really great, so only a dab will do ya.  This color is truly prettier than pink!
Saks

Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer
I have only been using this product for about a month, and I don't think I will be be changing anytime soon. It is fabulous. I must say that I "thought" I wanted a creamy formula in my concealer, and this is the opposite, but I love it. Two things to remember when applying this dream cream - make sure eyes are hydrated first - and literally you only need the tiniest amount. It is so pigmented that you only need a pin point. I love that the tube is made so you can only squeeze out a bit at a time. No wasting product here! I wear #2, as I wanted the shade to be lighter than my foundation (the secret to concealing under the eye).
Nordstrom's

Ready To Wear Lash Extensions
This  product delivers longer, fuller, thicker and healthier-looking lashes in seconds. The magic is applying it to your own wet mascara.  I don't use it every day, just when I want a more dramatic eye.  It takes just a bit of practice. In the end, you will be happy with the look of your lashes. They sell a mascara duo with the extensions for the same price. I have not tried the mascara, but it's kind of free! Watch a video here...

HSN

Lancome Beauty Bonus

Calling all Lancome Girls! Here are two Gifts with any $39.50 or $70 Lancôme purchase! Choose your cosmetics bag duo at Bloomies 

Your Gift With a $70 Purchase
Bloomingdale's

Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
Gosh I have been using this product for more years than I can count! I have had many other samples, but nothing works as effortlessly as this blue bottle. I should know, because most of my eye makeup is waterproof. It works, and never is a problem for my sensitive eyes.
Bloomingdale's

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So that's a few of my favorite beauty products. What's in your bag?
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Monday's Makeup Must Haves

( Image Via Yuri Ahn)

I'll admit it, I am a bit of a makeup junkie.

I even sold cosmetics once upon a time

at the great Marshall Field's. Today I'm

sharing my Makeup Must Haves. Here's

my personal award winners.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Primer
I fought this new "primer" discovery for a bit.
Seems as if we all did fine without it.  But after
experiencing the benefits of primer, I hate to
be without it.  For me, it helps in making pores
look smaller and keeps the makeup on all day.

Laura Mercier is the pioneer of primer. Her Radiance Foundation Primer provides a sheer
healthy glow to the skin. 
Nordstrom's

Tinted Moisturizer

Laura Mercier's Illuminating 
Tinted Moisturizer.

At my age, I like a healthy glow. But Laura

also makes this excellent moisturizer in an
oil free formula, and without radiance. In the
warmer months, you might be able to wear 
this alone without foundation, as it does offer
slight coverage.  I also like to mix it with
my liquid foundation. I like this product
so much, that it would be hard to be without it.

Nordstrom's 


Concealer

Signature Club A by Adrienne Big 7 Wondercover Makeup

This is my saving grace for traveling!

You will always find it in my carry on bag.
This nifty little compact holds creamy concealers, a blush, and cream foundation.
The concealers are some of the best with
a really good coverage. It's a little bit like
painting by numbers.

HSN

Amazing Cosmetics Concealer

Hands down...the best concealer I have
ever used.  It's highly pigmented and super-emollient, not to mention water-resistant. 
So many shades to match every complexion.
Sephora

Foundation

M.A.C. Studio Sculpt Foundation
My new obsession! This foundation feels
light as air. It is gel based and very buildable.
You can go from medium to full coverage.
It is water resistant, so great for warmer 
months. The key to this foundation is 
applying it with a brush. Buff, buff, buff!
Bloomingdales

bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation with Flawless Face Brush

I do like to switch my look up, preferring
the gel foundation for night and the mineral
powder for day. There are many mineral
powders out there, and I think bareMinerals
is one of the best I have tried.  The original
formula has a slight illumination quality. And
then there is the mat formula, that is just that.
This set is a buy at
QVC

Blush

Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks
These bricks of pretty shades add an 
interesting depth of color that looks more
interesting than one shade. I like the beiges.
They also work double duty as eyeshadows.
Love them!
Nordstrom's

Nars The Multiple

Mistake-proof color; quick and easy to apply.

Sheer, natural finish for eyes, cheeks and lips.
Enriched with Vitamin E and açai oil for antioxidant benefits. My fave color is orgasm.
Nars

Enter code JUNENP13 at checkout.
Complimentary Mini Orgasm Nail Polish

Eyeshadow Primer

Trish McEvoy

'Eye Base Essentials' Brightening Eyeshadow Primer

If your eyeshadow fades or creases, it's

because you need a primer. McEvoy's Eye
Base does the trick, and can even be worn without shadow. I wear Demure.
Nordstrom

Eye Shadow

Bobbi Brown's Metallic Shadows
are high on shimmer and pigment.
Champagne Quartz as pictured is my
perfect shade. 
Sephora

Sephora Collection
Moonshadow Baked Palette 
 In The Nude
I love a good palette. And Sephora has
created a good one. It's a great value, as well.
Sephora

Eyelash Curler
If your not curling your lashes, you should be.
What a difference a curled lash makes to your
eyes!  My personal pick is also rather economical.  

Tarte's Picture Perfect Duo

The ergonomic eyelash curler is easy to 
grip, thanks to the padded handle. The curved angle and wide mouth suits all eye shapes without pinching or crimping. 
Sephora

Eyeliner

My one desert island item is eyeliner!
I feel naked without it. For me, it must
be waterproof, as well.  Two rise above 
the rest. Bobbi Brown's Gel Eyeliner is
really excellent. It takes a little practice,
but the result is a very deep black with 
a nice shine...and it lasts and lasts! 
Available in 13 colors
Nordstrom's

M·A·C

Liquidlast Liner

This one lives up to its' name...if you don't
wash it off, you wake up with it looking
perfect in thee morning. Easy to use.
Nordstrom's

Mascara

It took years of trying many brands

to find my favorite mascara. It's
M.A.C.'s Opulash. It lasts 15 hrs, and I 
can attest to that. It is water resistant,
and I have cried a river in it. The black is
intense and the brush is huge..which is
the secret to this magic mascara. Also it
is $8 less than Dior Show, my past fave.
Nordstrom

Lips

Chanel's LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES GLOSSIMER 
There are many good lip products out there.
And I have to admit that I am not as discriminating about lip gloss as I might be
of other makeup products.  However, I do 
have a fave. Chanel's gloss in Sweet Beige
is the perfect nude with shimmer. As in all
Chanel products, it is rich in pigments, so
you only need a little bit.
Nordstrom's

That's what is in my beauty bag.
What's in yours?