march makeup bag.

TODAY I wanted to kick off a little monthly series that I'm excited to start here. I love makeup, & I've long been wanting to figure out a different way to share my favorites, as well as ways I've been using those products. This makeup bag was a gift from Justin, & I adore it.

This month, I'll simply be sharing the contents alone, but in the coming months, I plan to share specific looks, complete with photos & techniques I've picked up while incessantly watching YouTube beauty videos. Disclaimer: I'm definitely no expert. I just want to share what I know! 

For primer, I've been using the Revlon PhotoReady. I haven't been using this product daily, but only on days that I know I'll be really active, or for days when I know my makeup will need to wear all day long. For foundation, I've been torn between two selections: Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 [I currently have two shades: 805 & 825], & Maybelline FitMe [in 115]. The Covergirl selection is more matte and more full-coverage, whereas the Maybelline is a little lighter, with a more dewy finish. And as for concealer, I've been combining two: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Treatment Concealer & Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch. I apply the Dark Circle Eraser after foundation & before setting powder, and I apply the Dream Lumi Touch as the very last step of my makeup routine, for brightening purposes. I really love them together!

For setting powder, I've stayed true to the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transluscent. Though I love this powder, I have to admit that lately I've been missing my Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. And while I've been shying away from bronzer to go for a more rosy look, my Revlon PhotoReady Bronzer in Bronzed & Chic has been residing in my makeup bag. The blush I've been using to achieve the rosy, spring-time appropriate look? ELF's Studio Blush in Pink Passion. I haven't been doing a lot of highlighting, but when I have been in the mood for a little extra glow, I've reached for my NYX Liquid Illuminator or my Maybelline Chic Naturals single eyeshadow in Champagne Fizz. 

For eyeshadow this month, I've exclusively been using these two palettes. The Urban Decay one is a limited edition, I believe, & unless I'm wrong, it's called the Peacock Palette. As you may have guessed from the indentations, I've been using Toasted the most [all over my lids], followed up by Smog [in the outer third of my lid and blended up into the crease]. And to be totally honest, that's the look I wore 90% of the month, though I did create some looks with the ELF palette while I was in Colorado.

For eyebrows, I've been using my ELF kits. I had been using the Ash shade, but I've been realizing that I needed something a little darker, so I picked up the Medium selection during my visit in Shreveport, at Target. I've mostly been smudging either Toasted or Smog [mostly Smog] eyeshadow onto my lower lash line for a sultry type of eyeliner, but when I've wanted "the real thing" I've been reaching for the Jordana Easy Liner in Coffee Bean. I haven't really been using any of the others, and definitely not the liquid selections, though perhaps April will see a return to that kind of liner. For eye base, I've either been using Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion or the NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk [not pictured]. I've been curling my lashes with an ancient eyelashes curler, and I've been using a mascara I adore from NYC.

As you can see, I've used quite a selection of brushes. Brands: Eco Tools, ELF Studio, ELF, My Glam [now Ipsy] and Urban Decay. One of my favorite brushes is the ELF Studio Powder Brush, which I use to stipple on and buff out foundation.

As for lips, it really has been just as simple as the photo you see above. I've been addicted to Carmex, and this NYX Lip Gloss in Beige has been the perfect, easy, spring-time pink. Effortless. 

And that, folks, is the inside of an empty March makeup bag. Looks like the lining needs a little TLC, doesn't it? Perhaps I'll give it a good cleaning as I switch out to some products I'm sure I'll be loving all during the month of April.

What's in your makeup bag? What do I need to add to my collection in April?

[Photos: March Makeup Bag | Nikon]