Ah makeup, one of my true loves. There is just something so relaxing about sitting down on my floor in front of my big mirror, pulling out my favorite makeup bag filled to the brim with an array of cosmetics from numerous brands. I enjoy sitting down and taking my time to carefully choose which products and colors I’d like to use for the day. Let’s take a peek inside my everyday makeup bag and what some of my favorite makeup products are.

First let’s begin with the ever so lovely bag that houses all of my lovely cosmetics and beauty tools. This beautiful cosmetic case is from KyiStitches and is the perfect size for housing all of the products I could ever want to use. I’m a sucker for seersucker and monograms so it’s no surprise I love using this bag to keep everything contained in one place.

Let’s talk foundation. Now I’m not someone who likes a lot of coverage and heavy foundation which is why I typically reach for the perfect products. From left to right we have Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation by Benefit, Benefit Erase Paste, and Smashbox Photo Ready BB Cream. I typically use the Hello Flawless foundation from day to day to get the perfect amount of coverage while still having that light weight feeling. For any blemishes and hard to cover spots I use Erase Paste. Lastly I usually grab for my Smashbox BB Cream during the warmer months or when I just need a bit more moisture in my coverage.

Now let’s talk face. As you can see my products in this area have been deeply loved. Once I find the perfect face product I’m hooked and it’s hard to break that obsession. So let’s give y’all a run down of my favorites. From left to right we have the Anastasia Contour palette, MAC blush in Sunbasque, and Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. My typical makeup routine consists of using the middle contour color on the bottom row to contour my cheeks, jawline, and forehead. When I’m heading out for the night I like to focus on a little heavier contouring and adding highlighting as well. My adored MAC blush in Sunbasque gives the perfect rosy color to my cheeks and I use it every day. Lastly to keep my face matte all day I use my Rimmel powder all over my face.

Now for the eyes. Color choices range from day to day, however there are few I use rigorously each day to complete my look. Starting from left to right we have the first Urban Decay Naked Palette, NYX liquid eyeliner, Maybelline pencil liner, Benefit They’re real Mascara, and ELF Eyebrow Kit. My go to eyeshadows are always in my Naked palette, with so many color options it’s easy to create any look. My color choices change from day to day, but I typically like to smudge the color Buck under my lower lashes. Speak of liner, I typically use my Maybelline pencil liner for my water line. If I’m going out that night I like to use my NYX liquid liner for a darker look. My favorite mascara is Benefit’s They’re Real because it gives my lashes perfect length and volume. Lastly when I want my look to be all pulled together I reach for my ELF eyebrow kit. It has a great gel color and and powder to get the perfect brows.

My latest obsession, lips. Though I really only reach for these two staple lip items, I’ve been itching to try a few darker lip colors for this winter. Now for the perfect duo I have here, Too Faced La Creme in Nude Beach and Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipliner in Liberated. Combining these two colors gives the perfect everyday nude lip color. I can’t get enough of it.

Lastly the tools. Just as important as the actual makeup. Though I’m not usually one to spend a lot of money on my tools, I still have my favorites. Starting on the left I have my Real Techniques brush that is perfect for contouring my face. We then have a nice buffer brush from It Cosmetics that is perfect for powdering my face and setting my foundation. Next is my ELF blush brush, it’s perfect for getting the right amount of color on my cheeks. The next two brushes are the only ones I use when it comes to eyes. A flat shader, crease, and smudge brush are perfect for my everyday looks. Last but not least is my eye lash curler, curling your lashes gives such a polished and awake look to anyone which is why I always use it.

Makeup, for me it’s a relaxing way to start my day, taking my time to careful choose the colors and textures for my look. I encourage all of you to take a little extra time out of your day to really focus on what you’re doing with your every day makeup. You don’t have to be a makeup artist to be into makeup. Trust me when I say a nice face of makeup can really have an effect on how your day goes. You’ll be more confident and excited to show off your new expertise.

What are some of your makeup must haves?

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle