What's in my Makeup Bag?

I realized it's been awhile since I posted an update on what makeup I'm lugging around with me day-to-day. I've still been doing a quite minimal, easy look. I still enjoy the process of putting makeup on during the week, but I've just got so much less time to play around than on the weekends. I keep my makeup bag stocked with foolproof products that I know work for me.

Lately I haven't been wearing foundation much and have instead been using the Milk Makeup Flex Concealer on any areas where I need coverage. It looks just like skin, yet still gives great coverage, so it's a great option for a no-foundation look. As for other skin products, I obviously need all four shades of Glossier Cloud Paint* with me at all times - I love all four shades, so which ones I choose really just depends on my mood. They don't take up much room, so it's nice to keep all four around to mix together if the mood strikes. I also need to always have my Glossier Haloscope in Moonstone and Wowder* to dew-up my cheekbones and un-dew the center of my face.

My brows are still being taken care of by the trusty combo of Glossier Boy Brow in Brown and the Nyx Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe. These give me the full, fluffy brow look that I'm always after. I've been getting back into putting some kind of eyeshadow on everyday, and right now I've got two options: Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color in Angel for when I'm wanting something shimmery and champagne, and Dior Fusion Mono Eyeshadow in Meteore when I want something more bronze and an extra bit of sparkle. They're both beautiful formulas that will not budge all day. My signature outer corner smudge of brown eyeliner is always taken care of by the Colourpop Eyeliner in Brew-Haha (although I always forget to include it in photos), and the L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara in Black Brown is an everyday staple, too. 

As for lips, I've been trying to keep things minimal and only have two in my makeup bag. The Nudestix Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm in Pulse is an everyday go-to at the moment, as the plummy-nude shade is perfect for the cooler weather we've been having. When I want something a little more sheer and moisturizing, I've been going for the Fresh Sugar Cream Lip Treatment* in Baby. These are beautiful and add just a little bit of shimmer to the lips, too.

What's in your everyday makeup bag?

*Products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information. This post uses affiliate links.

Get 20% off your first Glossier order at glossier.com/reps/kelsey, and get 10% off nudestix.com with the code DADMUNK10.

---

J.One Jelly Packs | Review + Comparison

I'm deep in my love affair with Korean Beauty, and I don't see it ending any time soon. I had been super interested in the J.One Jelly Packs for the longest time - I wasn't really sure what they were supposed to do, but the packaging and claims reeled me in. I've been using the original Jelly Pack in the white bottle since the spring, and I just recently added the Black Jelly Pack to my collection at the beginning of August - now that I've had some time to test them both, I thought I'd combine the reviews into one post.

The original J.One Jelly Pack is meant to be a multitasking product that will dramatically firm the skin. It can be used just after cleansing as a leave-on morning mask, making it a treatment, mask, and makeup primer all in one. This one comes out as a super thick, jelly texture. When I first felt it I had no idea how I was going to be able to spread it over my skin, but the key is to pat it in instead of rubbing. The patting motion turns it into a thinner liquid that sinks into the skin quickly. The results are instant and phenomenal - so incredibly firming and plumping. The initial sticky texture may not feel that way on the skin, but it still somehow does an excellent job of gripping onto makeup and keeping it on all day. Usually the primers that extend the life of my makeup will end up drying my skin out, but this is one I can count on for long days. Because it's got that mask element, it keeps my skin hydrated all day long. I still use it as the last step in my morning skincare routine, rather than replacing my serum and moisturizer, and I think my skin looks all the better from it. This is definitely already on my list to be used on my wedding day.

Since I had such great results from the original Jelly Pack, just about a month ago I decided I needed to also try the Black Jelly Pack. This is basically supposed to be the overnight version of the original, plumping and hydrating the skin as you sleep so you wake up with a bright, glowing complexion. It uses red wine, black cumin seed, black truffle, black currant, blackberry, black bee propolis, and black pearl to treat the skin. This is a more lightweight, smooth jelly as opposed to the stickiness of the original. I still pat it into the skin, and I can instantly feel it plumping. I use this right after cleansing and toning, and my skin usually feels hydrated enough to not layer anything else on top. I wake up with smooth, glowing skin every time, and the fine lines I'm getting around my eyes always seem diminished.

I certainly would recommend both Jelly Packs because I've noticed lasting improvements in my skin's firmness and elasticity. It's nice to use sister products in tandem - my best skin days seem to be when I use the white Jelly Pack the morning after I've used the Black Jelly Pack. But if you just want one, I'd start with the original because of its multi-tasking abilities. I love it as my primer so much more than any of my other dedicated primers!

Have you tried either of the Jelly Packs before? Which is your favorite?

---

Three Ways to Spice Up a Minimal Makeup Look

On a day to day basis, I prefer a super minimal makeup look. It's just what's most practical for me at work, and it means I can stay in bed longer (because I have it down to a science where it only takes me 5 minutes). It's come to be my "signature look" in a way (more on that in a post soon), but sometimes when I want a little extra something-something, while still keeping it looking natural overall, I'll do at least one of three things.

Dramatic Lashes

My normal mascara on a day-to-day basis gives me just a little bit of length and flutter. But if I want to amp up my look, I'll beef up and make my lashes look a little more dramatic. My favorite lately has been starting with the Givenchy Base Mascara Perfecto* (can we talk about that packaging though?!) and following with a layer of their Noir Couture Mascara.* I talked about the mascara in my Three Mascaras post, and it's a great one for everyday. One layer fans out the lashes and gives a little bit of volume, but layering it over the new primer takes it to the next level. I can see the primer adding so much length and volume to my lashes right away. It goes on smoothly and doesn't cause the mascara on top to flake - a problem I've had with any mascara primers in the past. Usually these are just too many steps for me, but I've been using this duo quite a lot.

Bright Blush

This is my go-to. Since I'm so pale, I find adding a brighter blush on my cheeks helps me look healthier and more awake. For the longest time I avoided blush, thinking they made my redness even more pronounced. But now I've gotten my redness under control, and I've figured out the most flattering placement for my face (farther back than my apples, more along my cheekbones). For me, cooler-toned pinks and berries look most flattering, but if your skin is more warm toned, a pop of coral or peach would look lovely. My go-to's have been the Glossier Cloud Paints* in Puff and Haze and the Estee Lauder Genuine Glow Blushing Creme* in Sweet Cheeks. They all create a natural but noticeable flush that adds something nice to an otherwise minimal look.

Sheer Flushed Lips

Along the same lines as the bright blush, a pop of a sheer bright color on the lips is a nice way to add a little something. It instantly makes the look more put-together, and like the blush, makes me feel like I look more awake and healthy. Again, my favorite kinds of shades for my skintone are cooler-toned pinks, purples, and berry-reds. The Glossier Generation G lip colors are perfect - my go-to for this kind of look is Jam, a lovely berry purple - as are the Nudestix Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balms* (review). They both give a sheer but buildable wash of color to the lips. If you want a matte stain effect, go for Glossier, but for more of a sheen, go with the Nudestix. Another great tinted balm is the Wander Beauty Beach Balm* - it comes in a lovely sheer berry red shade called Sangria that adds the perfect flush to the lips. Blending a bit of a more pigmented lipstick into a balm to sheer it out is also an option too - I love doing this with the MAC Lipstick in Craving for a lovely plummy pink, as well as the Rodin Olio Lusso Luxe Lipstick in Billie on the Bike.

Do you add a pop of anything when wearing more minimal makeup looks? What are your tips and favorite products? 

*Products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

---