Beauty Drawer: My Makeup Storage and Organisation, Benefit, Models Own and More

It's kind of a sin to admit as a beauty blogger that you don't own or use a ton of makeup, and even worse to admit that you don't want to, but I have to admit that my storage and organisation is even more important because of the small space I have to store it in. I keep a small but regular supply of products I generally know and like, as well as samples to try, so enjoy having a nose around my beauty drawer!

Striped Box, Accessorize: samples (Benefit 'That Gal')

Secrets Tin: 100ml travel bottles, travel makeup brushes (Real Techniques), Zinc tablets (Holland and Barrett)

White Wicker Basket (from set of 3), John Lewis: extra makeup sponges, spare toothpaste (Colgate)

Gaudi Mug, Barcelona: current lip products to use up (Rimmel Stay My Rose lipgloss)

Spare tissues (Kleenex Balsam travel tissues)

Yes, it does need a sort out, any ideas? How do you organise your products?

Carpe Diem xx

Vintage Makeup Collections, Compacts and Coming of Age in the 1950s

Collecting vintage compacts and cosmetics can be an exciting and fun way to bring social history and beauty together in one hobby. The history of the cosmetics industry as well as women's social history can be told through the cosmetics and packaging that have been sold to us. 

1950s post-war Britain saw a boom in the production and marketing and cosmetics and specifically handbag-friendly lipsticks and compacts. The glamour of a red lipstick or a flawless powdered complexion doubtless helped Britain and other countries on their feet after the austerity and trauma of war, during which much cosmetics production was given over to war paint. This is the Marks and Spencer mirror and powder compact that my granny was given when she turned 21 in 1953.

Have a look at Lisa Eldridge's 2-part interview with vintage makeup collector Madeleine Marsh on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBbAqfIxUNM

Have a read of my review of Madeleine Marsh's 'Compacts and Cosmetics', a guide to the history of cosmetics and vintage makeup collecting http://cupcakesandcosmeticsbyclare.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/back-to-bloggin-title-tuesday-compacts.html 

Or check out the book on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=compacts+and+cosmetics

Carpe Diem xx

Boots/The Body Shop Travel Beauty Haul

Boots:

Boots City Lights Cosmetics Purse (£5) - small but fits in much more than you might think

Boots 200 Cotton Buds (£1.05) - 1000 uses!

Colgate Advanced White Toothpaste 50ml (£1.85) - small travel size

Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Daily Scrub (£3.99) - value for money

The Body Shop: 

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Lotion SPF 15 50ml (£10) - expensive for the size of the tube but great for moisturizing dry/sensitive skin

The Body Shop Chocomania Body Butter 50ml (£5) - smells so amazing you could eat it - DON'T!

The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel 60ml (£2) - really fruity, perfect travel size for a week

Carpe diem xx

Teen Essentials: Best Budget Beauty Buys (High Street/Drugstore)

I've narrowed down my makeup collection to what I consider the best high street starter kit for teens and students - or anyone who is just on a budget - to this:

(1) Best lipstick: Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick (180 Vintage Pink) - My favourite all-time lipstick, brilliant for paler skin tones

(2) Best lip gloss: Rimmel London Stay Glossy Lipgloss (160 Stay My Rose) - Great basic clear gloss

(3) Best lip balm: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm - A nice slighty minty flavour

(4) Best foundation: Maybelline New York Dream Creamy Foundation (04 Light Porcelain) - Works best on drier and paler skin

(5) Best blush: Rimmel London Powder Blush (004 Pink Rose) - Beautiful rosy glow effect!

(6) Best concealer: Collection 2000 16-hour wear Lasting Perfection Concealer (2 Light) - Easy application and long-lasting coverage

(7) Best mascara: Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara (Blackest Black) - Perfect day-wear black my-eyelashes-but-better mascara

What are your essential high street beauty products?

Carpe diem xx