How I’ve Scaled Back My Makeup Bag

Is it just me, or does it feel like we’re in our ‘editing’ era? A time for scaling back, decluttering and truly holding onto those everyday pieces and nothing more? Of course it SINGS to me and is something I’ve been working on wardrobe-wise over the past few months, so over the weekend when I had a spare moment I took the time to have my biggest beauty declutter to date. What remains are those things that I wouldn’t hesitate to repurchase once I’d used them up. Everything’s in date (I hope!) and there’s no ‘just in case’ products in there because SPOILER – I never end up using them anyway!!! Of course there are still more items than I could use on a daily basis because I like a few dewy base options, lip choices and eyeshadows to pick from, so I pack an everyday makeup bag* just to make getting ready in the morning quick and easy. I like to rotate it every few weeks as my tastes, the seasons and my skin shifts. Here’s what’s in it now…

BASE

I’m big into tinted moisturisers these days. Even though my skin isn’t GREAT right now, I love that sheerness and barely there feel on my skin, even on days when I’m doing more of a ‘proper’ makeup. So at the moment it’s the MAC Face + Body Foundation in C2* that I’m reaching for daily. For concealer I’m currently using two – the Glossier Stretch in Light 2* for under my eyes – it’s really the only concealer I like for under there as my eyes get so dehydrated – and the ILIA True Serum Concealer in 1.75* which has a bit more coverage to it, but is still really smooth and spreadable so I find it good for my psoriasis patches and blemishes. For cheeks I’m not really into blush or highlighter at the moment, I just go in with the Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer in Light Medium* which does a bit of everything in one. Like seriously, what did I do before this product!? It adds warmth and softness with a bit of contouring too. If I’m feeling fancy or filming I might add in the Victoria Beckham Contour Stylus in Travertine* which is ridiculously easy to use and blends like a dream. Such a foolproof contour product.

EYES

I set my brows in place with the Patrick Ta Brow Gel* AS ALWAYS (although I’ve got the new Anastasia one* in the post right now as I thought I’d give it a go!). Then usually I’ll use one of my liquid or cream eyeshadows, but I thought I’d pull out this powder eyeshadow palette that includes such classic as (from top left clockwise) – MAC Tete-a-Tint*, Soba*, Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow in Caramel* and MAC Uninterrupted*. Can you remember those!? Very similar tones as my cream eyeshadows, but just thought I’d get them into the everyday rotation as it had been a while. For mascara I’m currently loving the Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara* – another blast from the past. I tend to apply and then take a clean spoolie through the ends to get rid of any bulk.

LIPS

Most days I just stick the Summer Friday Lip Butter in Pink Sugar* on and call it a day, but seeing ass it feels like it’s been ages since I used any other lip product I thought I’d add the Hermes Rosy Lip Enhancer in Rose Tan* to my bag. A very similar tone to the lip butter to be honest, but with a slightly more satin-like finish.

TOOLS

I keep my tools SIMPLE. Mostly because I hate washing my brushes, so on a daily basis I only use three. The Westman Atelier Blender Brush* – so expensive, but I’ve used it every day since it launched in 2019 and it still looks brand new, you get what you pay for with this one. The Beauty Pie Pro Angled Cheek Brush* – just the best for the Makeup By Mario Bronzer – it sort of hugs the cheekbones so you can get a really precise, but easily blended application. Then finally the Makeup By Mario EF2 Brush* which is what I use to apply all my eyeshadow products, no matter the formula. Oh and the Suratt Eyelash Curlers* which again I’ve used for years – nothing else comes close.

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