WHAT'S IN MY MAKEUP BAG

Let's talk about makeup!

It probably has a lot to do with being a busy mom, but my makeup routine has gotten pretty darn simple over the past couple of years. There are definitely days when I don't put any on at all, but I try not to make a habit out of that because I feel SO much better when I do. Maybe because it's the fastest, simplest way to be at least a little bit put-together while the fast-approaching-third-trimester-belly and frigid winter has me wearing bulky layers and sweats most days. And on another note, I finally started investing in some higher quality products a few years back. Gone are those days of wondering down the Walmart makeup aisle trying to figure out which shade of foundation to buy, only to have it be the wrong one and find myself right back at the store spending twice as much and still not getting a great product. I'm certainly no beauty expert, but I've learned that when it comes to things like foundation, concealer, lipstick, and even eyeliner, spending a little more results in products that work so much better and last so much longer. It's absolutely worth it to walk into a nice cosmetics department and have a professional match your color. Then you know exactly what you need and can stick with it over the years.

Anyway, for around the house, running errands, play dates, etc, I like these four products:

EVERYDAY WEAR

1. Lancome's Effacernes Waterproof Under-Eye Concealor. If there's only one thing I put on, it's this! It's so good at brightening up my eyes and it also covers other spots that have gotten darker from pregnancy.

2. Bonnie Bell's Glimmer Bronze Highlighting Dust. I don't use blush, but this is great for getting a hint of that sun kissed look no matter what time of the year it is. And at under $5 it's super affordable, I usually find it at Target.

3. Target brand Kabuki brush. For the bronzer.

4. Urban Decay's Glide On Eye Pencil in "Oil Slick". 

Then, for church or fun events or on days I'm feeling a little fancier {haha}, I put these on as well:

SPECIAL OCCASION

5. Urban Decay's Eyeshadow, Asphyxia. Nothing beats purple eyeshadow. Not in my book, anyway.

6. Eyeshadow brush.

7. Lancome's Definiciles Mascara. This is my favorite, but I'll admit that I haven't been back to the store to get more since I ran out last. So in the meantime, I've been using a basic Cover Girl variety. Here's a neat tip that a good friend of mine in the cosmetics business told me- some makeup is worth splurging on, and some isn't- like mascara. The cheap stuff can be just as good as the expensive stuff!

8. Lancome's Color Design Lipstick in "Wine Party". This isn't included above because it's much more rare that I wear it, but every once in a while I love a little lipstick!

Best of all, all of this fits into one small cosmetics bag that I can very easily carry from house to diaper bag to car. I do a lot of in-the-car-makeup-application {yep, that's me trying to hide behind the rear-view mirror while applying mascara and looking totally awkward in the church parking lot}. So it's really convenient to have everything I need in one tiny bag.

So what about you guys? I love swapping notes on beauty products, be sure to leave a comment with your personal favorites!

P.S. It wasn't really on purpose, but a simple makeup routine fits right into my goal to simplify everything for 2015, so amen to that!