How I Finished my Make Up Products - PART 1 The Make Up Bag Theory

According to my blogger stats the most popular posts on my blog are the “Finished Products of the Month(s)” updates.

According to my memory the most popular comment I receive on such posts is
“How do you finish your make up?”

I personally do not believe I finish any make up product quickly, they do take a good year + to complete, but I understand if you are a make up junkie like myself you are probably surrounded by choices, and to rotate through them all, making mini dents in several little items, but never completing a full product.

I have finally thought of my method on explaining how I do it personally. 

I don’t know if this is going to help anyone, but to finally answer the question, here is Part 1.  

(stay tuned for Part 2, as I have a diagram planned! Lol)

The Make up bag Theory:

Every day, I use the same products.

Out of my entire collection 99.9% of the time, if you see me within a several months span, I am most likely wearing the exact same thing.

Everything I use is housed in a small self- contained make up bag – the true contents of my face!

The first thing I do, is create a look.

This takes a few days of experimentation, but something put together, not lengthy or product heavy, and something you would not mind wearing every day. You should look forward to these products.

Not only will this save you a mass amount of time in the morning because you can put your face together in a few minutes (you get faster each day if you choose the same products) but you will get through your items – make sure to pick items you enjoy using!

Now grab a make up bag, and pick a bag that’s not too big.

Not big enough to fit in 2 bronzers, 3 blushes, 8 lipsticks. No.

One powder, one color product, one single shadow, one brow pencil.

Little things, but enough to comprise your look.

Everyday, your face routine is mainly the items in your bag. I don’t carry a lash curler or loose powder, those kinds of things stay home.

I don’t re apply mascara so that also stays out of the bag. 

Mostly bring whatever you use that can also act as a touch up if needed.

Try not to use separate items at home, then other items for touch ups.

Try to use the same items.

Here is my make up bag and it's current contents. These have been steady residents of my bag for the last five months. (Yes 5 months! at least! ) I keep these in the bag and use them daily, usually to the point where enough products are completed and I need a new routine- then the cycle recommences.

I apply a tinted sunscreen as my base every day and just touch up with concealer so I carry 1 small concealer in my bag daily that I can re apply if I go out at night.

I carry Lancome Dual finish powder if I ever get shiny, I don’t really anymore, but if I go out at night and take photos I do want to give myself a dust of powder. One L'Oreal true match concealer for touch ups. 

Guerlain bronzer as my all over color. I just concentrate a bit more on the cheeks.

Jemma Kidd's  Dewey Glow in Rose Gold for a highlight.  I just added MAC's Peaches this week to the mix since my bronzer lost all the peachy shades and it lacked the color it once provided so Peaches fits the bill. Sephora brow pencil which I just carry around in case I lose a leg at the end of the day with a spooly end, I use brow powder at home.Mac chromographic pencil to look awake, I try to buy eyeliners that stay on my waterline  so I don’t carry around a pencil outside this, as the waterline does tend to fade the most. Anastasia's brow duality to give my inner corners a wake me up and can double as a brow highlight. Benefits Speed Brow in case I don’t have time to pencil, the light color in the gel is enough to polish those stray hairs and add a hint of color. Benefits RSVP sample. This is my daily base and shadow. I just use my fingers and don’t even apply powder on top. This is brightening enough. Chap stick, 1 colored lip gloss (currently Ample Pink by MAC) because I don’t wear lipstick during the day often, and 1 red lipstick (Mac's Runway Red to be specific) for night time!

Mini travel perfume spray to freshen up my scent up if I continue to a night out, and blotting papers in case I do get the occasional shine but don’t feel like powder.

Lastly is a mini kabuki for either the powder, bronzer, or blush.

That’s my everyday routine. Sometimes I apply a little less, but this generally does not change and I can do it in about 10 minutes or less.

I don’t feel the need to reach for other products because I have come to fully love these products- admit tingly after 5 months I am ready for some pink blusher!

On the weekends I generally do lean towards this routine also, but if I am doing something special I whip out a few things from my inventory ;)

Stay tuned for Part II on how these products get chosen!