What's in my everyday makeup bag?

I like to carry around my makeup bag wherever I go in case I need to touch up my makeup on the run or when unexpected meetings with friends comes up. I also like to keep small things I might need in case of an emergency like bobby pins, a hair elastic, snap clips (for clipping back my shorter layers in the front), eyelash glue, and gum. And although I change up my products depending on my look for that day, here are my "go to" makeup items in my cosmetic bag: 

Eyes:

2. Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Mascara in Glam Black - this mascara has been the one I find myself grabbing the most. I'm not a huge fan of it like many people seem to be, but it gets the job done. I find it clumps my lashes together, but I love the extreme dark black color which gives my lashes a dramatic look. 

3. Rimmel's Lash Accelerator in Extreme Black - I LOVE this mascara! It's skinny wand reaches the inner and outer corners of my lashes that I can't reach with a fatter wand. I like to mix both the Collosal Volume Mascara and this one for a more lengthy, voluminous look!

4. L'Oreal's Infallible 16 hour Eyeliner in Carbon Black - This has got to be one of the best if not THE best eyeliner I have ever tried! It glides on super smooth and creamy and allows me to smudge it right before it sets. I have repurchased this product time and time again and continue to love it. I will never be without it!

5. e.l.f.'s 'C' Brush - hands down one of my favorite brushes (and cheap too! e.l.f.'s brushes from their Studio Line are extremely high quality and are all under ten dollars!) I use this brush mainly to smudge my eyeliner to give me that smokey look when I don't have to me before work to apply eyeshadow. It blends my eyeliner to give it a more soft look instead of a harsh line.

**Note: I threw a brand new L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara in my bag since my Maybelline Colossal one is almost done. I have repurchased this item time and time again and it never disappoints. It is one of HG items.

Face:

6. NYX Concealer in a Jar in Light - pros: full coverage, lasts all day, a lot of bang for your buck! Cons: has a powdery smell to it which is such a turn off in my book! *Note: When at home, I use Coastal Scents palette which I've spoken about here. This and Revlon's Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Treatment Concealer in Light 20 are my current faves.

7. YSL Bronzing Powder in Terre Saharienne - this is the perfect matte bronzer. It has just a hint of shimmer but nothing that will make you look shiny or sweaty as shimmer bronzers often do. I prefer matte bronzers and this color is perfect for olive skin tones like mine. During the winter months when I am too fair for this bronzer I use it mostly for contouring instead.

8. Blush-this is a hard one as I am always trying out new colors and brands. This past summer I used only Tarte's Amazonian Clay in Tipsy, but now I'm experimenting with Wet n' Wild's Heather Silk which I'm loving for two reasons: 1. The color payoff is phenomenal for $1.99 and 2. The rosy color is perfect for a pink wintery flush.

Lips:

9. I can never decide on which lip color I will stick to during the day, so I normally care 2-3 lipsticks and 1-2 glosses in case I want to change it up. Of course a nude-ish pink is always flattering so I tend to stick to those. My all-time favorite lipstick is Sephora's Lip Attitude in Glamour G01. Please pick this up if you are looking for a creamy, moisturizing, pigmented color. It glides on smoothly is the perfect nude pink. I've repurchased this color at least 3 times. It is timeless. I also carry with me NYX's Circe which is a more true nude and NARS' Turkish Delight Lip Gloss, which aside from the smell is the best pink lip gloss color I've ever used. If you are looking for an inexpensive dupe for Turkish Delight try Bonne Bell's Strawberry Parfait for $2.99! Sometimes I like to layer these two lippies and top it with the gloss; a perfect combo!

Some other miscellaneous items I carry in my bag are hair clips, hair ties, and eyelash glue. Of course I change everything up depending on my mood or occasion, but this is pretty accurate to what I normally carry around on a daily basis. You can find all the products mentioned at your local drugstore or Ulta.

What do you carry in your makeup bag? Comment below and let me know what are some items you can't leave the house without. 

Love,

Monica Sofia

Soleil Tan De Chanel = To Die For Bronzer

Before I figured out how to use Chanel's bronzing makeup base: Soleil Tan De Chanel (formerly Bronze Universel De Chanel), it just sat in my makeup drawer collecting dust. I didn't know how to apply it, and was using a sponge applicator. I didn't like the fact that when I put it on with the sponge, I was never able to get an even application. My skin always looked blotchy cakey in areas. Ugh!

Thank goodness I eventually learned how to apply it correctly...with a face brush!! What a difference! If your experiencing the same dilemma, try it this way. Just swirl your face brush (I use e.l.f.'s Studio Powder Brush) in the mousse like consistency. Then start from the outside of your face, and work inwards. Lightly brush all over face for an amazing glow! That's it! You can wear it just by itself for a more dewy fresh look, or try setting it with your favorite powdered bronzer. One of my high end favorites is Chanel's Moisturizing Bronzing Powder in #63 Terre Ambre. A drugstore dupe for less than a fraction of the cost is N.Y.C's Matte Bronzer in Sunny #720.

Even though at a pricey $48.00, this bronzer is worth the splurge! I have had mine for almost a year and only now have started to make a dent in it. It has become one of my staple items. It lasts all day and I never have to retouch it! After a long night of partying with friends, it did not budge, smear, or melt off. It stayed on like a true champ! 

Add this product to your collection and let me know what you think!