What's In My Makeup Travel Bag?

MAC Carry All Soft Case (discontinued)

Whenever I'm travelling, I always take my MAC Carry All Soft Case. It does get dusty easily; however, you can fit alot of things inside, even the Stars Makeup Haven eyeshadow palettes (review). There are 12 compartment slots surrounding the bag and 1 zipper compartment. It also comes with an adjustable strap, so you can carry it on your shoulder or in your hand. It measures 12" L x 6" W x 5.25" H.

I never peeled the plastic off the mirror because I find the mirror to be unnecessary, 

since I usually do my makeup in the hotel bathroom.

Overall, I have no regrets buying the MAC Carry All Soft Case. The only thing that bothers me is that the top flap/lid doesn't open all the way. The picture above shows the farthest way that it can open. Also, it flaps down by itself sometimes, so you have to hold it open with your hands.

As you can see in the picture above, there is still room in the case after I pack my makeup essentials, so I usually throw in my hair products, skincare products and personal care products inside too, which is not pictured to save you from boredom. =)

The metallic makeup pouch is from Sephora and I got it for free about a year ago for purchasing something. I usually place my brushes inside it when I'm travelling. (I recently bought the Sigma brush holder and will let you know how travel-friendly it is.)

I try not to bring my mid-range and high-end brushes for fear of losing them on the trip; however, sometimes I just can't resist. (My MAC 182 couture brush is so luxuriously soft. There is just no cheaper substitute and I have to bring it with me on all my trips.)

Top Left: 

• MAC 182 Buffer Brush Couture Limited Edition $55 (full review) - for applying setting powder and to buff out over-applied blush

Bottom Left to Right: 

• Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer Brush $14.95 (full review) - for applying liquid foundation
• Studio Gear #13 Blush Brush $35 (mini review) - for applying blush
• Inglot 4SS Eye Brush $22 (full review) - for applying cheek highlight
• Sonia Kashuk Black Small Multi Purpose Brush $10.99 (full review) - for applying setting powder under the eyes & around the nose
• Sonia Kashuk Black Domed Eyeshadow Brush $9.99 (short review) - for applying highlight under the brows
• Royal & Langnickel Silk Eye Shader SM Brush BC410 $15.99 (mini review) - for applying eyeshadow on the lids and lower lash line
• Coastal Scents Pro Blending Fluff brush $3.95 (full review) - for applying transition color
• Sonia Kashuk Large Crease Blending Brush $5.99 (mini review) - for blending out harsh lines & dark eyeshadows
• Ulta Tapered Crease Eyeshadow Brush $14 (full review) - for applying eyeshadow on the outer corner & highlight on the inner tear duct
• Royal & Langnickel Silk Sable Brow Angle Brush BC530 $7.99 (mini review) - for filling in my brows
• Generic Spoolie Lash Brow Brush (mini review) - for blending out brow color
• Royal & Langnickel Silk Lash Comb Brush BC515 $9.99 (mini review) - for separating lashes
• Shu Uemura Lash Curler - for curling lashes

Top Left to Right:

• Le Metier de Beaute Visage de Soie Finishing Powder in Shade 6 $40 for 9.9g (mini review & swatches) - I never got the chance to return this product. So, ever since I finished my MAC Select Sheer pressed powder, I started to use the Le Metier one. There is nothing wrong with the quality of this product; however, my MAC one works just as well and is cheaper. So, I will definitely not repurchase the Le Metier powder after I'm done with it.
• Dior Diorskin Shimmer Star Amber Diamond $44 for 10g (full review & swatches) - I love using this as a cheek highlight. The texture is smooth and it gives me a gorgeous sheen. It's definitely not gritty or glittery like MAC's MSF in Soft & Gentle (full review & swatches).
• MAC Prim & Proper Blush $13 for 6g (full review & swatches) - When swatched, it looks like a mauvy rosy nude; however, when applied to my NC30/NC35 skin tone, it translates into a warm rosy nude & has a nice sheen.
• Too Faced Peach Leopard $29 for 9g (full review & swatches) - I can't use this to contour because it's too peachy, but it looks amazing on my cheeks alone and acts as a blush and bronzer for me. 
• Glass Lid - I pump out my foundation onto this lid. Even though I wash my hands right before makeup application, I still prefer not to apply foundation with my fingers because I find that using a brush gives me a better finish.

Middle Left to Right:

• Chanel Demaquillant Yeux Intense Eye Makeup Remover - I got this as a sample and although it removes waterproof mascara and eyeliner, I won't purchase a full size because the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover works just as well and is cheaper. 
• Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion $19 for 11ml - It makes my eyeshadows last all day without fading or creasing. It dries to a clear finish and sets quicker than the Too Faced Shadow Insurance.
• L'oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes in 270 Blackest Black around $8.95 - I got this for free through L'oreal's Facebook page. It lengthens my lashes with one coat and volumizes with 2 coats. However, it starts to clump after 2 coats and I have to separate my lashes using my Royal & Langnickel BC515 brush. Also, when my eyes get watery, the mascara flakes. I will finish this mascara because I don't want to waste it; however, I won't purchase a new one after I'm done with this.
• Mac Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20 $17 for 9ml (mini review & swatches) - It's too light and looks too pink under natural lighting. NW25 is too dark for me, so I have to mix NW20 with my NC30 concealer to get a perfect color match for my under eye area. The hint of pink counteracts my dark circles very well, but I would not use this for any blemishes on the face because I have a yellow undertone. (I poured my NC30 concealer in the container of my NW20 concealer and mixed it. The cap was so hard to take off, but I still managed to open it!)
• Milani Infinite Liquid Eye Liner in 05 Everlast around $6.99 for 5ml - This does not fade or smudge and is waterproof. You just have to wait about a minute to let it dry & set. The problem is that it's really wet, though not watery. So, I have to wipe off alot of the excess before applying it or else it applies very thick. Also, I wish it was a felt tip applicator because the brush applicator is a little too thick and a little hard to control. I have to be extra careful or else the liner ends up being too thick.
• L'oreal True Match Foundation in W4 around $10.95 for 1oz - It has SPF 17; therefore, it gives a white cast during flash photography, but it's great as a day foundation. I like that it's oil-free and the shade matches my NC30/NC35 skin tone really well. It gives me medium to full coverage and it's buildable. It also gives me a natural finish that's neither dewy nor fully matte when set with a powder. The problem is that my t-zone gets oily after 4 hours. So, I have to blot after 4 hours and then every hour or two after that. (I've tried MUFE HD Microperfecting, CoverFX Clearprep FX Matte, Philosophy The Present Clear Makeup, NARS Pro-Prime Oil-Free, Smashbox Photo Finish regular + light version, Laura Mercier Oil-Free, Lancome La Base Pro Perfecting primer and many others. However, they don't make a difference in the longevity of the L'oreal True Match foundation.)

Eyeshadow Palette:

• MAC Carbon (swatches)
• MAC Embark (swatches)
• Stars Makeup Haven Taz (swatches)
• Stars Makeup Haven Frenzy (swatches)
• MAC Satin Taupe (swatches)
• Stars Makeup Haven Plum Crazy (swatches)
• Coastal Scents S06 (swatches)
• MAC Ego (swatches)
• MAC Humid (swatches)
• MAC Sumptuous Olive (swatches)
• MAC Warming Trend (swatches)
• Urban Decay Half Baked (swatches)
• MAC Espresso (swatches)
• MAC Swiss Chocolate (swatches)
• MAC Soft Brown (swatches)
• Urban Decay Sell Out (swatches)
• MAC Shroom (swatches)
• MAC Brule (swatches)
• MAC Blanc Type (swatches)

Yikes! This is a long post. -_-
Hope you all enjoy reading it or at least enjoy looking at the pictures. ^_^

What makeup case do you use for travel?

Do you travel light or heavy?

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Review: Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer Brush

From Left to Right: MAC 187 Brush, Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer Brush, MAC 131 Brush

I only use my foundation brushes once before putting them off to the side with my other dirty brushes and I usually do my brush cleaning at the end of week. So, I'm always on the hunt for a foundation brush. (I don't reuse brushes that are used with "wet" products, such as cream eyeshadows, eyeliner & liquid/cream foundation, liquid/cream blushes, & liquid/cream bronzers because of hygienic reasons. Damp brushes allow bacterial and fungal growth; therefore, reusing damp brushes can cause acne, rashes, irritation & eye infections. I strongly recommend washing brushes after each use if you are using them for liquid/cream products.) 

Anyways, I decided to get the Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer brush because there are many postive reviews online and Coastal Scents was having a 30% off sale.

From Top to Bottom: MAC 187 Brush, Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer Brush, MAC 131 Brush

Pros:

• feels soft when I run my fingers through the bristles & when I use it in a buffing motion
• bristles are dense & firm
• able to reach into all crevices of the face
• doesn't streak when buffing or stippling liquid foundation
• ideal for buffing in liquid/cream products, if you don't mind shedding
• no shedding when used with powder products or when stippling liquid foundation
• not expensive
• no dye bleeding
• no funky smell after a few washes
• dries within 4 hours
• easy to wash when used with powder products

Cons:

• feels prickly when used in a stippling motion
• sheds at least 1 hair when buffing in liquid/cream products
• takes at least 2 washes for all the liquid/cream product to get out
• too dense for applying powder blushes, bronzers and setting powders

From Top Left, Clockwise: Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer Brush, MAC 187 Brush, MAC 131 Brush

Like I mentioned in my other posts, if you stipple and swirl any liquid product, such as foundation with a duo fiber brush (a brush that is made with a blend of synthetic and natural fibers), then the foundation will come in contact with the bottom part of the bristles where the black natural fibers are, and that will cause the brush to shed. If you only stipple with a duo fiber brush, which is its intended use, then it will give you an airbrush finish & there will be no shedding whatsoever because the foundation will only be in contact with the white synthetic fibers.

The problem with the Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer brush is that I can't use it to stipple liquid foundation because it feels too prickly when I use it in a stippling motion. The only option is to use it in a buffing motion and we all know what happens when we buff in liquid foundation with a duo fiber brush. It sheds! It doesn't bother me that much because it only sheds 1 hair each time I use it to buff in liquid foundation. I've had this brush for a few weeks and it's still looking good and feels just as dense as when I first got it.

Overall, I like using this brush for applying liquid foundation because the bristles are firm & dense. It's the perfect size for foundation application because it can get into the small crevices of the face and it's quick & easy to use. It's not your average duo fiber brush because of it's density. Think of it as a "duo fiber kabuki" brush.

I find it too dense to use for buffing in blushes, bronzers, and setting powders. However, if you really want to use this brush for applying blushes or bronzers, then you must take the extra steps to make it work by tapping the product onto the cheek area and then lightly blend downwards. If you buff in the product in a circular motion, then it can "move" or mess up your foundation. Also, remember to apply setting powder (with a fluffy brush and not the Coastal Scents one) on top of liquid/cream foundation before applying any powder product in order to make blending easier. (The technique that I mentioned in the beginning of this paragraph only works for sheer and regular pigmented products. Do not use this brush with highly pigmented products because this brush is simply too dense and will place a concentrated amount of product onto the cheek area; thus, making it difficult to blend out.) 

As for maintenance, it's super easy to wash when used with powder products and it dries super fast. However, when used with liquid/cream products, it takes at least 2 washes to get all the product out. It is important to note that I have to do this with all my other foundation brushes.

As for packaging, the handle is a little too thick to store in my brush holder. It doesn't stand upright unless I jab it in because I use sand to fill my brush holder. Also, I would much prefer the handle to be matte and the ferrule to be nickel because it'll look more professional.

From Left to Right: MAC 187 Brush, Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer Brush, MAC 131 Brush

MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush $42 (full review): This brush is longer, wider and not as dense as the Coastal Scents one. It's ideal for stippling liquid foundation, applying highly pigmented powder products, such as blush and applying a light dusting of setting powder. (The Mac 187 brush that I'm referring to is the old version. The new version (review) is flimsier and not ideal for stippling liquid foundation.)

Mac 130 Short Duo Fibre Brush $40 (full review): This brush is denser than the Mac 187 brush, but it's not as dense as the Coastal Scents brush. It's also significantly smaller and takes more time to apply liquid foundation with. If you're contouring or highlighting with a liquid/cream product, then the Mac 130 brush would be ideal; however, if you want a brush for buffing in liquid/cream foundation, then the Coastal Scents brush would be more suitable since the head is bigger and it takes less time to apply the foundation onto the whole face.

Bottom Line: I love my MAC 187 and Sephora #44 brush (full review) for stippling liquid foundation because they give me an airbrush finish; however, stippling requires more time. So, if you're always in a rush, I recommend getting the Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer brush to buff in liquid/cream foundation as long as you don't mind some minor shedding. It's also firm enough to stipple liquid foundation & it doesn't shed when using that technique; however, the bristles feel prickly when I use it in a stippling motion as opposed to a buffing motion. It also doesn't shed when used with powder products; however, if you're a makeup beginner, I recommend using "traditional" brushes, such as the Studio Gear #13 brush (mini review) & the Mac 168 brush (full review), for applying powder blushes & bronzers because it takes more work and technique to use the Coastal Scents brush for that type of application.

Note: The Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer brush measures 6.25 inches and retails for $14.95 on Coastal Scents' website. 

Have you tried the Coastal Scents Divine Powder Buffer Brush?

Do you prefer it over "traditional" duo fiber brushes, such as the MAC 187?

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.