Not just one, but *two* pouches to hold my goodies.

As you can see, I have two bags – one for my larger products and one for my pencils & brushes, as I got tired of digging to the bottom of the bag to find them all the time.

In my bag, you will find several of my staple items, and after cataloging it, I realize I *might* have a plum/purple theme going on:

My cute Milly bag holds a bunch of goodies!

Laura Geller Baked Marble Eyeshadow in “Amethyst/Lagoon”
Three Custom Color 3C Eyeshadow in “Cool Peony” (*makes such a great base color)
Clinique travel-size Blushwear Cream Stick in “Rosy Blush”
Elizabeth Arden sample bottle of “Pretty” Parfum Spray (*sometimes you just need a touch-up spray)
MAC “Hocus Focus Clourful Face Kit” from the “Magic, Mirth and Mischief Holiday Collection”. From 2009. (*What? Shut up. “Pretty Baby” is the prettiest beauty powder for me I have found yet. That’s why.)
Sonia Kashuk 01 Powder Brush, with Blue Handle (*One of the first brushes I ever bought many years ago, and it’s still going strong!)
Josie Maran Argan Eye Shadow in “Parfait” (*This makes a great base for those warmer colors.)
MAC Fluidline in “Dark Diversion”, from the “Stylishly Yours” collex. (*Another candidate in my eternal quest for the perfect Plum liner.)
MAC Shadestick in “Street Cool”, from the “MAC Me Over – Icelandic Cool” collex (*Makes a great smudge for a lazy smokey eye, or just a base lid color.)
Mally Beauty Eye Brightening Eye Shadow Duo in “Lavender Glow” and “Plum Glow” (*From the no longer available “Rise and Shine” collex on QVC.)
Three Custom Color Crème to Powder Blush in “Kiss My Apricot” (*I love me some cream blush!)
Sampar Prodigal Pen (*For that last minute, unexpected pimples, without irritation.)
tarte Rise & Shine Lipstain and Lipgloss in “Nude”. (*A warm nude for when you are kind of washed out, but don’t want anything obvious. And it tastes good, too.)
MAC Lipglass in “Lap of Luxury”, from the “Fabulous Felines – Palace Pedigreed” collex (*Looks scary dark in the tube, but is a nicer dark, yet sheer, color for when you go out at night.)
Flirt! Cosmetics Glamourazzi! Extreme Lip Lacquer in “Paparazzi” (*Closest thing to a real Red that you’ll see me wear.)
Three Custom Color Lip Gloss in “Just Bitten” (*This brown sheers out to a nice warm nude.)
Maybelline “Dark Circle Eraser” (*I just love the little sponge tip applicator.)
Maybelline One by One Volum’ Express Mascara (*for when I want the most natural looking lashes)
Mally Beauty Voluminzing Mascara (*for when I want big, spidery, drag queen lashes as Mally would say!)
Maybelline “The Falsies – Flared” Volum’ Express Mascara (*my go-to daily mascara for to big fluttery corner lashes)
Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender (*Duh! What *more* do I have to say??)
Maybelline EyeStudio Color Plush eyeshadow palette in “Spirited Seas” (*I love lining with that copper on the end.)
Maybelline Eyestudio Color Pearls in “Silver Starlet” (*I love the marbelized side so much, I have hit pan and *still* try to get some off of the side of the silver. No joke.)
Boscia BB Cream, SPF 27 PA++ (*This 5-way multi-tasker is heaven for a lazy gal like me to look somewhat pulled together on the quick.)
MAC Prep + Prime Beauty Balm SPF 35 (*I’m a big fan of MAC’s Prep + Prime line.)
CoverFX ConcealFX Camouflage Concealer (*color adjusts so it blends right in)
Mally Beauty Cancellation Conditioning Concealer (*This one is kinda light on me, so it’s good for those slight pinkish spots that need a quick cover, but nothing layered on.)
Ulta Brow Gel (*still one of my best ways to tame unruly brows on the quick, without needing to draw anything in.)
shu uemura Eyelash Curler (*It’s a classic.)

As you can probably tell, I might have a *smidge* of an eyeliner issue. But, if you pay attention, you might notice one thing some would say is glaringly missing:

I kind of have a thing for colored eyeliners.

Skinfood Banana Concealer Stick, from Asia (*the creamiest concealer that I have.)
Mally Beauty Brow Beauty brow fix (*I’ve never learned to use a powder, as this does the trick for me.)
Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencils in “Ava” and “Gold Reef” (*Would you believe me if I told you I wore one or the other of these colors at least 5 days a week? True story!)
MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liners in “Marked for Glamour” and “Signature Blue” (*My favorite felt tip liquid eyeliner!)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in “11 – Diamond Burgundy” (*part of my neverending HG Plum eyeliner search – the color is good enough for me to ignore the stiff felt tip pen.)
Avon Glimmersticks Diamonds Eye Liner in “Emerald Glow” (*just enough sparkle, without drifting into Glittertown.)
Daniel Sandler Velvet Waterproof Eyeliner in “Velvet Grey” (*The perfect grey – almost matte, but not flat)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Waterproof Eyeliners in “Alligator”, “Purple Stain” and “Blue Moon”. (*If I could marry these eyeliners I would, because they will be true and not leave me for anything. Seriously, these bitches don’t go ANYWHERE after you put them on. My fav bright color eyeliners!)
Bourjois Paris Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eyeliner in “grid tecktonic” (Much more amped up silver grey)
Three Custom Color Light Clarifier Pencil (*Everyone needs one of these. That is all.)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in “3L – Iridescent Navy Blue” (*Who says a blue-eyed girl can’t wear blue?)
Mally Beauty 24/7 Professional Eye Lining System in “Smoldering Topaz” (*Yes, I know it’s part of a system, but I like it just fine on it’s own.)
Mally Beauty Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner in “Gunmetal”. (*Hands down my favorite eyeliner for that dark-but-not-black liner & it. doesn’t. move! Ironic for something to be called “Gunmetal” to be bulletproof?)
elf Studio Eyeshadow “C” Brush (*My most used brush. Of all.)
Bare Escentuals Flat Edge Liner (unavailable now) (*I use this for tiny concealer touch-ups.)
Sonia Kashuk Spoolie
Crown Brush Double-ended Brush (*I don’t use this one, but I keep it in my pencil case, since I can’t store it in my rock filled brush-holder.)
MAC 275SE Medium Angled Shading Brush (*A shorter version of the full-size brush that is great for that windshield-wiper blending action.)
Avon Double-Ended Liner and Shadow Brush (*I think this might be discontinued now.)
Mally Beauty Double-Ended Blending Brush (*I am certain this came with one of my sets, but I’ll be damned if I can remember which one!)
Benefit Cosmetics Get Bent Eyeliner Brush (*My lining world was turned upside DOWN when I discovered this brush. Life changing. And now it looks like it’s discontinued. My preciousssss….)
Avon (*I think!) Eyeliner Brush (*This unmarked brush is really firm and works really good on my drier liners.)
Sonia Kushuk Lash Comb (*The foldable design has saved me many a finger puncture from the metal tines!)

Did you figure it out? (spoiler alert: There is not a black eyeliner in the bunch!)

So, that’s a gander at my goodies (*As the boys like to say) (*In the 1860′s). Tell me – do I have anything you carry in your stash? Let me know what are your daily must have’s, so we can compare.

*Disclaimer: I received some of these products from their PR for editorial consideration, and some of them I spent my hard earned money on.

Copyright secured by Digiprove

Let’s talk about the ones I pulled out tonight:

I think I’ll start talking about these in separate, individual posts, and include ones that I may have missed this go-round. Products mentioned in this video:

MAC Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm – $30

MAC Studio Moisture Tint – $29.50

boscia B.B. Cream – $38

Bobbi Brown SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer – $40

BECCA Luminous Skin Colour – $42

American Beauty Youth-Full Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 – $25

Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint – $27

Miracle Skin Transformer Treat & Conceal – $36

CoverFX Skintint FX – $42

JOUER Luminizing Moisture Tint – $38

e.l.f. Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 – $3

Milani Tinted Moisturizer – Uhm, oops! Apparently this is discontinued. I saw that it *can* be located on ebay, but by now it’s old enough that we should all get rid of our tubes. My bad, sorry for mentioning it!

Are you tinted moisturizer fans? Have I missed one of your favorites? Let me know what you are using, in case I overlooked it in my stash or I need to hunt it down new.

*Disclaimer: I purchased the e.l.f. and Milani, and received the other products from their PR for editorial consideration.

Copyright secured by Digiprove

When I was growing up, the only kind of blush I ever used, or was even introduced to, were powder blushes. I have come to learn that there are so many variations besides powder now, that I want to make sure you know, too.

In this video I mention several different types of blushes/brands. They are:

• Three Custom Colors Crème to Powder Blush in “Morning After” (*PR provided)
• tarte Cheek Stain in “True Love” (*discontinued – boo! – GWP)
• Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in “Shy Blush” (*mine is a mini-tube GWP)
• MAC Blushcreme in “Florida” (*PR provided)
• Benefit “Posie Tint” (*from a gift bag)
• NARS Cream Blush in “Penny Lane” (*from a giveaway)

I forgot to mention a couple of brands/products that def deserved to be shown, too. The first is the Sue Devitt Starbrights Lip & Cheek Gel in “Capella” (*got in a gift bag). This cheek gel scared me when I first saw it becaus it is *purple*. But after the lovely MUA put it on my cheeks and showed me how pretty it could be on my skintone, I was hooked.

The second one that should have been in the video is the Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush. Besides being a creamy blush that goes on easily, it is also the only blush that incorporates Olay’s Regenerist Serum into the mix – making it not only pretty, but good for your skin, too. (*of course, I can’t help but to mention that I was lucky enough to have celebrity MUA Jake Bailey apply it on me and it looked *good*). (*warning: I may be biased).

Like I said in the video, the colors are going to look more intense in the package, but with a light touch, you make just about any color work for you. Also, don’t forget what I said about layering – you can start with an alternate type of blush, finishing off the top with your powder blush for a longer lasting cheek.

Let me know if you have tried any of these, or if you have heard of another blush type that I didn’t list here. I would love to hear about it.

I love my birthday – like a fish loves water. I used to countdown to my birthday starting 30days prior. I try not to do that outloud any more, as some people seemed to tire of it, like the spoilsports that they are. I also like presents – A LOT. Because I am greedy like that. *shrug* However, this year, in observance of my almost 40th birthday, I have decided to give away a present to one of you – my fun readers. (*except for my fab Int’l readers, of which I know there are many. I’ll try and make it up to you in the new year, okay?)

So, I asked some of my favorite brands if they would help me celebrating my birthday, and coincidentally, my 1st Blogiversary and they agreed. Check out what one lucky reader can win:

Talika Beauty of Your Eye Kit ($48)
CoverFX SkinprepFx ($45)
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17)and Super Rich Olive Body Lotion ($10)
Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System (*sans bag) ($50.50), SuperBalm Moisturizing Gloss (14.00), Blushwear Cream Stick ($18.50), High Impact Mascara ($14.00) and Vitamin C Lip Smoothie ($17.50)
Kiss Professional Manicure Kit ($9.99)
Dashing Diva Nail Polishes ($56)

Holy Crap – That’s worth more than $300! Do I love me some great brands, or what?

So, because it’s *MY* birthday, I get to make the rules, sort of. Enter in the box below, one entry per person, randomly picked winner, etc. HOWEVER, I would also like to know what has been your favorite thing that I have written this past year, because I am all nosy like that.

The contest closes at Midnight on the night of the 17th, after I have enjoyed my entire birthday, and I will announce the winner on the 18th. Good luck and thanks for playing in my playground with me.

And this just furthers the TFSI vs UDPP ongoing preference battle. But I know what side of the fence I’m standing.

C.O. Bigelow Cinnamint Mentha Lip Shine (Remind me to tell you about going to the original apothecary)
SoftLips Cherry Lip Protectant (mmm…cherry)
Philosophy Green Apple Flavored Lip Shine (OMG, seriously, I eat this stuff off my lips)
Hershey’s Almond Lip Balm (I have *such* a soft spot for Almond flavor/scent)
Blistex Lip Infusion Soothing Splash (this is like putting water on your lips)
Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick (my first “fancy” (upscale) lipstick)
MAC Petting Pink Tinted Lip Conditioner (my current fave!)
CoverGirl Mauve Shine 490 TruShine LipColor (pretty color – mauve looks good on me)
CoverGirl Petal Shine 425 TruShine LipColor (so light, but goes well over others)
Avon Sparkling Mauve Ultra Color Rich Lipstick (got this after I wanted to try it on – mauve – again)
bareMinerals Brillance Lip Gloss (From the Champagne Diamond collection on QVC)(see?)

Okay, maybe I just don’t want to take any of these out, because it seems like they are all mostly different, but still….wow.