+ ORGANIZE YOUR MAKEUP IN AN ACRYLIC TOTE:

A few months ago I came to the conclusion that I needed my makeup to be more portable, but also wanted it to be organized and easy to access.  Of course, The Container Store came to the rescue. I purchased the 5-Section Acrylic Tote and have been happily carrying my makeup tote around the house- while it stays organized & accessible!

Look at that beautifully organized tote.  I like to organize each section by use.  One section has eye products, brushes, and so on.   

And, since I'm showing you my makeup...might as well talk about it!

As a preface, I don't spend too much time on my makeup.  First of all, I don't have the time.  But secondly, I'm not patient enough...

At any rate- almost all beauty products/tips I snag up are either word of mouth from a girlfriend, my sister (she is incredible at applying makeup & knows her products), beauty blogs, makeup counters (since I was 14 I've loved to get my makeup done and have asked makeup artists 500 questions while they are applying my makeup- sure they love me), and most recently samples from companies like BirchBox, ipsy, etc. - ipsy is my favorite.  

Here's what's in my tote in case you're interested (*almost all of these items have been purchased over a very long period of time and have lasted me forever): 

Face:

Laura Mercier SPF 20 oil free tinted moisturizer in bisque (this brand happens to not make my super sensitive skin break out), for a bit more coverage for events, etc. I like to use my sisters latest recommendation which is:  Loreal True Match Lumi in Warm W6 with the beautyblender sponge, for powder (which I use more in the winter) I love Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 15 in Real Sand, for bronzer: Tarte Park Ave Princess, for blush: in the summer the Nars The Multiple Stick in Orgasm and sometimes I set it with some Nars Blush in Orgasm , or use that in the winter alone. 

Eyes: 

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer  in # 2 for under eye, as a primer, for blemishes, etc. it's the best.  Then for day to day I use MAC Vanilla, MAC All that glitters, MAC Kid (for the crease), and for an eyeliner or smokey eye, MAC Carbon.  For mascara, love They're Real by Benefit & Loreal's Telescopic . For brows I really need the following items: Anastasia tweezers (I like to buy the gel and tweezers together- it's a steal), Anastasia Brow Gel, and Benefit Instant Brow in Medium.  For eyeliner:   If I have the time/it's a special event- I like to use the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner, but day to day I use the MAC Carbon with an angled brush, or use the L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner.

Lips: 

MAC Syrup is my favorite neutral & Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is my all time favorite now for some color (I put a little of this on before using it).