A Peek into Nena's Makeup Bag

For years monthly magazines have given us the opportunity to delve into many a famous beauty's makeup bag, without gaining a restraining order!! But have you ever wondered what fellow beauty addicts use on a day to day basis? For the next few weeks I shall be taking a peek into some of my favourite bloggers makeup bags, and asking them to spill the beans on their everyday must haves!! 

This week is the turn of a truly lovely blogger from across the pond, Nena. 

Nivea Visage Q10 Plus Anti Wrinkle BB Cream -  It's my favourite BB cream, I use it everyday ( except for the days where I don't use any makeup at all) It's not heavy, it doesn't make my face look oily, it feels light on the skin and unlike some foundations and BB creams when I wear it I feel like I'm not wearing anything.

L'oréal Paris Glam Bronze Brunette Harmony - I like this Bronzer it is currently my favourite from the ones that i have tried.

Essence Quattro eyeshadow in 05 to die for - These are my favorite eyeshadows ever!, I've totally used up a lot of it, I use it every time I have makeup on, it's perfect for smoky eyes, it doesn't smudge and doesn't flake, I once fell asleep with it on and when I woke up it didn't move at all ( only the eyeliner i was wearing smudged haha)

L'oréal Color Infaillable eyeshadows in 002 Hourglass Beige and 012 Endless Chocolat - If you haven't tried these eyeshadows you need to!, they are so good ( actually currently no 1 favorite with my essence one) but i don't wear these everyday because i feel like it's a little too metalic for everyday, but they have great lasting power and don't smudge at all.

Essence eyebrow pencil in 01 black - It's good, nothing amazing, the first eyebrow pencil i've ever tried so i can't compare it to others, but currently it works well for me.

Essence get BIG lashes mascara - My favorite mascara ever!, it makes my lashes look big and it doesn't clump, smudge or flake, ( unlike some Maybelline mascaras that I've tried and didn't work for me)

Clinique eyeliner in 07 really black - i only use this one on my water lines, i don't like to use it lash line because it's not that black, i feel like it's a really soft black, and when i wear black eyeliner i want it to be really black which this one isn't ( but when i first got the eyeliner it worked well).

Essence 2 in 1 eyeliner pen - I really like this one!, it's really black and really nice and easy to apply with, it has two sides one is thin and the other one is thick, i usually use the thin one.

Dream Lumi touch highlighting concealer - this one just doesn't work for me, maybe i got a bad one or a bad color for me, i don't know but it just doesn't work for me, i won't be repurchasing it. 

L’oréal caresse lipstick in 06 aphrodite scarlet – one of my favorites, i love it, it feels nice on the lips, it’s a pretty colour, but the lasting power isn’t the best

L’oréal caresse lip tint or gloss or lipstick ( not sure what to call it haha in 102 Romy – love this one too, i always keep many different type og lip products in my bag because i can get bored of the one i am wearing and be wanting a different color

Eos lipbalm - gotta have my favorite lipbalm with me haha.

Dior Addict Lipsticks in 343 Miss Dior and 753 Fashion - I have only one complaint about these lipsticks and it's the lasting power, other than that I love them, they look great, feel great, but don't last that long.

Dior Addict lipgloss in 087 sweet rose  - I love this lipgloss, it's a clear pink one and it's not sticky at all.

L’occitane hand creams – I always keep hand creams because my hands get pretty dry, I love my L’occitane hand creams, they work really well on me, i love the rose one esp, it has such a nice scent

I always keep at least one brush in my bag, this one is from eco tools

And lastly i have my mirror, i use this one that i got when i was in paris, it’s really light and thin, i really like that.

A Peek into The Claudia Couture's Makeup Bag

For years monthly magazines have given us the opportunity to delve into many a famous beauty's makeup  bag, without gaining a restraining order!! But have you ever wondered what fellow beauty addicts use on a day to day basis? For the next few weeks I shall be taking a peek into some of my favourite bloggers makeup bags, and asking them to spill the beans on their everyday must haves!!

This week is the turn of the beautiful Claudia from The Claudia Couture, who also runs a youtube channel. Both brimming with fabulous reviews on gorgeous products (check out her review on the ridiculously cute Chanel retractable kabuki). Oh and FYI her Mum has a rather enviable handbag collection. 

 When Sophie at A Hint Of Sparkle asked me if i’d like to do a guest post on my makeup bag essentials, i was really excited. I love to hear about other peoples HG beauty items, so i’m always happy to share my own! Although i have lots of different beauty products and many favourites, i still like to keep just my daily essentials at-hand. So if i’m going away for the weekend, or staying at a friends, these are the basic items that i always take. It’s also much easier and quicker in the mornings if i have my ‘go to face’ all in one place! It means that i don’t spend five minutes umming and ahhing over which lipstick or blush to go for that day! So here are my current makeup bag must-haves...

For base products, my current foundation is the Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation in N25. Formulated without parabens, mineral oil, fragrance or talc, it doesn’t irritate my sensitive/acne prone skin. It’s a great brand to try if you suffer from any type of skin condition. Not only does it work great for my skin type, it also provides medium-full coverage and still looks natural on the skin. Easy to blend (i use the Sigma F80 to apply), and when paired with the Matte Setting Powder (i use the shade light), it lasts pretty well on my oily skin. With exam stress taking its toll this month, under eye concealer is even more of a necessity than usual! I’ve been loving the new Fake Up concealer from Benefit- it brightens and conceals, without creasing or emphasising fine lines/dryness around the eyes. For the cheeks, i’ve been loving the Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette which contains your three essential products- a bronzer, blusher and highlighter. It’s so quick and easy to have all three products in one place, and i love all of the shades on my light-medium skin tone.

 Moving on to the eyes, i always start off with the Urban Decay Primer Potion in ‘Eden’- it ensures that my shadows stay put all day without creasing. Also from Urban Decay (can you tell i’m a fan?!), i have the Naked Basics Eye Shadow Palette. With six neutral shades, it’s ideal for creating everyday eye looks in an instant. Pigmentation is fantastic and all of the colours work perfectly together to create the smokey brown eye looks that i love. For liner, i love the Guerlain Liquid Eyeliner (so easy to use!) and Chanel’s pencil to tight line. My current mascara of choice is the Inimitable Intense by Chanel- it’s great at defining and lengthening the lashes. And not forgetting the brows, my HG product is the Benefit Brow Zings Kit. I use this every day without fail- it defines and shapes the brows, framing the whole face. The wax and powder stay put all day and just make my eye brows look so much more defined and well groomed. Love it!

Last but not least, i have my lip products. As a lipstick obsessive, it’s incredibly hard for me to stick to just one colour! So these are my current most-used. I have Chanel’s ‘Fantasque’, MAC ‘Creme Cup’ (both lovely pink shades- great for everyday) and YSL’s ‘Blond Ingenu’ (my all time favourite peachy-nude- along with Lana Del Rey’s too!). If i decide to wear lipgloss i’m guaranteed to opt for Buxom- non sticky, plumping and incredibly glossy, their my favourite brand. My two most used colours are ‘April’, a sparkly pink, and ‘White Russian’, a creamy nude- great for pairing with strong eye makeup.

So they’re my current makeup bag must haves- i hope you enjoyed taking a peek inside!

A Peek into Maria Sparkle's Makeup Bag

Hello Kitty makeup bag (from Boots) 

For years monthly magazines have given us the opportunity to delve into many a famous beauty's makeup bag, without gaining a restraining order!! But have you ever wondered what fellow beauty addicts use on a day to day basis? For the next few weeks I shall be taking a peek into some of my favourite bloggers makeup bags, and asking them to spill the beans on their everyday must haves!! 

This week is the turn of the beautiful Maria Sparkle. If you love all things girly and beauty related, with a hint of sparkle on top, then you will love Marias blog!!

Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder

The next best powder to my holy grail Mac MSF natural. I am using this at the moment as my MSF is running low.

Mac MSF Natural

Dior Rosy Glow Blush

I have this in my makeup bag as it adjusts to your skin tone, its ideal if I need to freshen my blush as it doesn't matter what shade I am wearing as it adjusts to my skin tone and blends pretty well with all other blushes. Its not a must have in my opinion, just super easy.

Hoola Bronzer ( A sample size)

I just have this in my makeup bag, lol, its one of my favorite contours.

Clarins Travel face brush

I have had this for years, I got it when I worked for Clarins, it was discontinued a good few years ago but I just love it for my makeup bag.

I am a lip product obsessive so I always have at least 3 or 4 lippy's in my makeup bag. Today, these are what I have in my bag...

MAC Angel... MAC Chatterbox...

TopShop All About Me... Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

Top Shop Lip Crayon in Wave Goodbye... NYX Beige Mega Shine Lip gloss, my holy grail lip gloss!!!!... GOSH Lip Glaze in 01

I also have

Soap&Glory A Good Kisser lip balm... Sugar Lip Treatment

NYX Lip Liner in Pale Pink... ELF Natural Blush Lip Liner

Dior Lip Serum ( I think its no 21, its worn off!! lol.

Essentials that I always have with me are

Hand Sanitizer,

Pencil Sharpener,

Bobby Pins/Kirby Grips

Tweezers...

I have also been loving my Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser in the brightener shade to give my makeup a mid-afternoon pick me up.

I always carry my brow pencil with me, at the moment my favorite is the NO7, its just the right texture, not to hard and not to soft!

Lastly another obsession, I always have a few Mascaras on the go, my four at the moment are...

Lancome Hypnose, my all time favorite.

Maybelline The Rocket, I love this and think it may be my favorite drugstore Mascara!!!

L'Oreal False Lash Flutter, I like this, but I don't think its love...

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic, I used to use this when it first came out and I fancied trying it again, I do like it but like the False lash Flutter, I don't love it.

Jane Irredale Lash Primer, My primer of choice, I don't use this every day, mostly when I use lengthening mascaras as I am a massive fan of volume, so add this to a lengthening mascara and I have the best of both worlds :))

A Peek into the Makeup Monster's Makeup Bag

For years monthly magazines have given us the opportunity to delve into many a famous beauty's makeup bag, without gaining a restraining order!! But have you ever wondered what fellow beauty addicts use on a day to day basis? For the next few weeks I shall be taking a peek into some of my favourite bloggers makeup bags, and asking them to spill the beans on their everyday must haves!! 

This week is the turn of the wonderful Makeup Monster. With beautiful photos and fabulous reviews, this blog has quickly become a firm favourite, after finding it a mere month or so ago!!

Skin79 gold - My skin and traditional foundations don't mix very well so this is a god send for my eternally dry skin and can be slapped on any old way and still look amazing, love it!

Guerlain Meteorites Pressed Powder in Voyage -  I'm all about illuminating products lately and this is an amazing product for giving skin a luminous quality that still looks natural. I use this as a final dusting  over my normal powder! 

NARS Immaculate Complexion Powder - This is a brand new discovery but it's amazing on dry skin, covers pores and leaves a radiant finish with no dreaded powdery bits!

Collection Concealer - I spent years trying out high end concealers with no joy so when I came across Collection's humble concealer, it changed my dark circles forever! a must-have budget buy 

kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder - If you need to fake some chiseled cheekbones in 5 minutes flat this is your only man and although its expensive, a little goes a long way!

Naked 2 and Naked Basics - These two palettes give me endless possibilities with eyeshadows it seems and as I'm very much a neutral kinda gal this covers all my basics, from barely there shades to smokier looks for night time.

Urban Decay Perversion Liner - More Urban Decay, this time with their blackest ever liner perversion. I love a soft eye pencil that's easy to use and this gives great results although it's softness means you get through it quite quickly. 

Shu Uemura Brow Pencil - I've had this about 2 years already and there's still more than a normal sized pencil left to use. This is more expensive but is a great natural brown for brows that doesn't have any of the orange tones I hate in other eye pencils.

Korres Lip Butters - I shamefully neglect lipsticks in favour of balms and glosses and Korres lip butters in a range of gorgeous shades are some of the nicest tinted balms out there and all are cruelty free!

A peek into Beauty & Some Books (aka Nev's) Makeup Bag

For years monthly magazines have  given us the opportunity to delve into many a famous beauty's makeup bag, without gaining a restraining order!! But have you ever wondered what fellow beauty addicts use on a day to day basis? For the next few weeks I shall be taking a peek into some of my favourite bloggers makeup bags, and asking them to spill the beans on their everyday must haves!!

This week is the turn of Danielle from Beauty & Some Books, better known to me as Nev my fabulous University housemate. living with Nev for three years, resulted in many a shopping trip, countless hours browsing through each others makeup collections, and a ridiculous amount of time spent getting ready for a night out. Now miles apart, I thought it was the perfect time to rekindle a favourite past time and ask her to reveal the current contents of her makeup bag!! 

When Sophie asked me to get involved with this feature, not only was I ridiculously excited, I also knew exactly what I was going to tell you about. 

My holy grail foundation this month (as is everyone's) is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 51 Vanille Clair. It just seems to glide all over my skin perfectly and matches my complexion to perfection. Not only that but the finish is so good for my oily skin that I don't wear powder over it which is very very rare for a foundation, especially when they promise 70% more radiance. 

Sophie will know from living with me for so long that I am obsessed with Mascara and in desperate attempts to lengthen my fair, stubby eyelashes I will spend most of my morning routine layering mascara onto them. Rimmel Lash Accelerator does the best job on my lashes without me ending up looking like a spider eyed clumpy eye-lashed harlet.

Chanel's Illusion D'Ombre in 83 Illusoire is perfect for lining the top lid, or going for a heavier look on a night out. I got it as a gift but if I had to tell you one premium beauty buy this would be it. It's a thick textured paste with high pigmentation that is to die for. Plus it has a massive Chanel logo on it!

Two of my absolute favourite MUA palettes are the Undress Me Too and Artiste collection. 

The Undress Me Too is a dupe of the Naked 2 palette by Urban Decay. If you want a budget palette that you can use daily then this is for you. I get loads of compliments aswell so for £3 (normally £4) compared to the higher brands £36 price tag you are onto a winner with this palette. Its got great pigmentation running from cool neutrals to warm metallic coppers. 

The Artist Collection is the ultimate multi-use palette. It has 6 marbled shadows (none as good as the Undress Me Too palette unfortunately), 2 blushes, a bronzer and a highlighter. So that's contouring, bronzing, peachy blushes, and your eyes covered in one palette for £3 (normally £6). A no-brainer for the budget buyers amongst us. 

Finally Lasting Perfection in Fair doesn't even need anything said about it. It literally is lasting perfection!! 

A peek into Call Of Beauty's Makeup Bag

For years monthly magazines have given us the opportunity to delve into many a famous beauty's makeup bag, without gaining a restraining order!! But have you ever wondered what  fellow beauty addicts use on a day to day basis? For the next few weeks I shall be taking a peek  into some of my favourite bloggers makeup bags, and asking them to spill the beans on their everyday must haves!! 

This week is the turn of beautiful Laura from Call of Beauty (for obvious reasons my boyfriend thinks her blog name is amazing ha, and I have to agree). 

Firstly, thank you Sophie for asking me to post in this feature. I feel very honoured. Secondly, I have to admit something to you all. I don’t really have an everyday make-up bag. Gasp, I know. I tend to just keep my make-up bits and pieces stored and dotted around me so I can pick and choose on the day. However, for this post, I grabbed the things that are pretty much in daily rotation, and if I was to go on holiday tomorrow (anyone fancy taking me?) these are the items I would pack.

 Face Products:

My main foundation is the bareMinerals Original foundation. I like to keep what’s on my face light, so I alternate between that and the Dr. Jart+ BB cream. For a primer, I’m yet to find one I love, but this one from Rimmel ain’t too bad. For a powder I’ve just started using this Healthy Balance one from Borujois, so far so good. For some highlight I’m loving this Topshop Glow, and I’d be nowhere without this Multiple in Portofino by the gorgeous Nars. My holy grail concealers are Estee Lauder Double Wear for those pesky blemishes and the ‘better than YSL’ under eye concealer by Maybelline – Dream Lumi Touch. If I fancy a bronzed look I’ll hit up my Nars Laguna, I love Hoola by Benefit too, but it’s not that great for a make-up bag. Finally, I am obsessed with lip products at the moment, but if I had to choose one, it would be Berry Smoothie by Revlon.

Eyes:

I am an eye make-up junkie, which is why there is a vast range of products for eyes. Firstly my Mac palette, whilst majorly expensive, it houses my favourite shadows, and I wouldn’t be without it. I also have a two palette which contains my two brow colours. I also have a Max Factor Brow Pencil in Hazel for my ‘natural’ days.  Two mascaras may seem excessive, but the Revlon 3D volume one is perfect for a ‘natural’ look, where False Lash Effect by Max Factor gives to die for lashes. The perfect travel palette would be this Merry and Bright one from Stilla, it has six shadows and a blush colour. I have to eyeliners, one for my waterline (Rimmel Kate Scandaleyes in Nude – amazing!) and a grey Loreal one for my lashline. Finally to cream based shadows, Mac Painterly for a netural wash of colour, and for a bit of daring Maybelline color tattoo in On and On Bronze.

So that has been my ‘make-up bag.’ I hope I haven’t bored you, and thanks again Sophie.

Laura xoxo