what's in your makeup bag?

As you may or may not have noticed, I don’t have advertising on my blog. I have participated in a few campaigns here and there that basically entail me writing about a topic and getting sponsored by a company to do so - but that’s about it. While I know that a lot of bloggers count on advertising on their blogs as part of their income, I really don’t get the kind of traffic that would make putting a bunch of ads on my site worthwhile.  I use my blog as a creative outlet and a place to share my story.  I am totally open to advertising, but I'm selective and I prefer that it tie in with my content so it is relevant to my readers.

I am fascinated by how companies/brands are trying to work with bloggers to advertise their products. Since I’m a small fish in this ocean of bloggers, I don’t get a lot of requests/offers, and trust me, I’m just fine with that. While giveaways are nice, I really don’t need to win a box of cereal for entering a contest. I’m not interested in running a draw on my site for my readers to win a $25 gift card either. So while the powers that be figure out an effective way to work with each other that actually brings value to everyone (brands, bloggers and readers), I thought I’d give away a little free advertising on my site. Just like that – because these are actually products that I really like and I want to recommend, and I don’t need to get paid to do that (not that there is anything wrong with getting paid!).

So, in complete random order, this is what's in my makeup bag:

eos lip balm - got it free in my BlogHer 2009 attendee bag
Covergirl “clean” powder compact (ivory) - because I’m a ghost
Covergirl “invisible” concealer (fair) – because I'm a ghost with zits
Covergirl lash blast luxe mascara (855) – tickles my eyelashes when I apply it but goes on without clumping or any of that nonsense
Covergirl outlast lipstain (450) – my girl drew has never steered me wrong – this stuff stays put!
Garnier skin renew anti-dark circle roller – just giving it a try and digging it for sure – much better than hemerhoid cream!
MAC dark brown cream liner – this stuff lasts forever, which is a good thing because I hate going in the MAC store
Tweezerman eyelash curler
2 Clarins “stop imperfections blemish control” – not 100% convinced this works but it wasn’t cheap so I can’t bear to toss it
Henckels sewing scissors – my mom will be PISSED when she finds out I stole them from her
Revlon colourstay foundation for combination/oily skin – still got the crazy skin of a teenager – now improved with wrinkles!
No-name brand makeup sponge - that needs to be replaced...it's nasty
Carmex – never leave home without it
Estee Lauder high gloss lip gloss (10 Rose)
Estee Lauder lip pencil (08 Spice Writer)
3 Estee Lauder lip sticks (116 Candy, 186 Tiger Eye, 187 Sunstone)
3 Elizabeth Arden lip sticks (Desert Rose, Lush Red, Soft Rose)
Glam compact mirror – a gift from Jennifer
Canestan external cream – don’t you just love my 100% openness and candor?

What’s in your makeup bag? And no, I am not sure why I travel with so many lip sticks either.

Next up - my purse and my medicine cabinet (which will prove to be quite scandalous I'm sure).