Happy Friday y’all! Can you believe that we are seriously all the way to the last week of August- holy wow, time is seriously flying by wayyyyy too quickly! For this week’s drop of the Beauty Behind The Blog, I have managed to bring you another one of my favorite bloggers Mercedes. Mercedes is the beautiful blogger behind the amazing blog Beyond Beauty Lounge. She is a fellow makeup addict and product junkie that loves herself a perfect Starbucks latte. P.S- she also is a solid shoe and handbag collector- love it!! Soooooo without further ado, I bring you this week’s Beauty Behind The Blog: Mercedes from Beyond Beauty Lounge…
I am so excited to be on Jamie’s blog today. The first time I checked out Makeup Life and Love I instantly added it to my list of daily reads. I love Jamie’s Beauty Behind The Blog features and I’m happy to give you all a peek into my handbag today. Years ago I was the type to keep anything and everything in my bag. If you were ever in a random crazy situation, chances are I had something in my bag to assist. Carrying a 10 lb. handbag was just not comfortable anymore, so I have managed to tone it down to these few basics.
HAND & CUTICLE CARE: I always have at least three or four different hand products in my bag at any time. They say you can often tell a woman’s age by her hands, I now moisturize my hands constantly. I have a lot of favorite hand creams, and I am always buying new ones. I also find my nails break less when I stay on top of keeping them moisturized so I also apply cuticle oil or balm a few times a day. Here are a few that are often in rotation:
- Hand Perfection Nourishing Day Cream
- Neutrogena Norwegian Formula
- Colleen Rothschild Restorative Hand Cream
- Hand Perfection Cuticle Oil Pen
- Dior Apricot Fortifying Cream for Nails
- Crabtree & Evelyn Antibacterial Moisturizing Hand Gel
I have become sensitive to overly scented things so I like hand creams that have a light scent and don’t leave my hands greasy. The three here all absorb quickly, another favorite of mine not pictured is Avon’s silicone glove. P.S. The hand sanitizer gel from Crab Tree & Evelyn is my hands down favorite. The scent lingers, and the gel formula isn’t drying to the skin. Whenever I pull it out around other people they always ask about where to get it.
FACE: In the summer a mist is great for cooling down and refreshing the face, in the winter a mist helps with moisture. Whichever season we are in, a face mist is always in my bag. If you are not using one, I recommend you start. Good ole fashion rose water works nicely too, Mario Badescu makes a rose and aloe one that is lovely. When doing my makeup I also like to spritz my foundation brush with one of these sprays, for that Fix+ is usually my go to. I find that creamier foundations spread nicer when the brush isn’t dry.
LIPS: I am crazy about having chapped lips so I always have a few balms around. When it comes to lip color, I am probably one of the most boring people ever. I buy close to the same color over, and over, and over. If it’s not a nude it’s a deep rose or mauve. Most days though I skip lip color, I’ll have a full made up face and then just lip balm. I might venture out with a gloss a few times a week. I’m so weird right, I think I look weird with lipstick on. #allinmyhead. Poppy by Aerin Beauty is my new favorite lipstick, and of course it’s a mauve color. I love the old romantic, classic vibe from the Aerin line; everything is very soft, pretty & feminine. Here are a few of my favorite lippies:
- Aerin Beauty Lipstick
- NYX Butter Glosses (Tiramisu & Madeleine)
- L’Occitane Organic Shea Lip Balm
- Waxelene Lip Tube
- L’Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color (Molto Mauve)
- L’Oreal Colour Riche Le Gloss (Really Rose)
- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss (Peach Petal)
FACE: I have combination oily skin, which means sometimes a little shine will start to come through. I cannot live without a face first to remove any excess oil. My powder puff keeps walking off, so now I use a retractable powder brush. I love MAC Cosmetics Blot Powder in Dark and I always make sure to carry my trusty Mary Kay Retractable Powder Brush or Ecotools Recycled Retractable Kabuki.
RANDOM: I always need to have something to write notes on in my bag. My mind is always all over the place, maybe it’s an Aquarian thing. I picked up a bunch of these notebooks in all different colors and patterns. I jot down everything from my grocery list, blog notes/ideas, and wish list items I discover while reading other blogs. Having tissues with me is a must, nothing worse than a sudden runny nose or sneeze and no tissues. Gum or mints, hair pins, a pen, and Aleve are among the other random things I always have on hand. I promised myself when I bought a Keurig I would stop buying coffee in the morning, but every once in a while I make a quick Starbucks run for a Chai Tea Latte. Love it!
So there you have it- now you all know why I adore this girl. Mercedes is hands down the best. A handbag and shoe collecting, beauty blogger who brings some amazing reviews and beauty product knowledge to the world. If you aren’t obsessed with Mercedes after this, then head over to her blog and get your read on. Follow her on Twitter to ask her questions or just say hello. Catch up with her on Instagram to see some major beauty enabling. Happy Weekend everyone!!
SHOP MERCEDES TOP PICKS:
Destany says
My purse is full of lip glosses and balms and cuticle balms and oils hahah
Allison @neversaydiebeauty says
Ooooh, what a great way to get to know Mercedes by looking in her purse/MU bag!
Cosmetics Aficionado says
I carry surprisingly little beauty items lol.
erikatheicyone says
This is a fun feature and a lovely way to get to know fellow bloggers. :D
I pack a lot of beauty stuff into my handbag to take along but then I put it all away when I get home. I like a very neat, organized handbag. Clutter makes me crazy. LOL
Nidia Doherty says
Hi, Mercedes! Nice to get to know you better. What a great feature. I’m an Aquarian, too, and lists are my bestie. Gotta write that stuff down before it’s gone forever… lol.
Anastasia says
I really enjoyed getting to know Mercedes better, and I love her beauty picks :)
Brooke @ Blushing Noir says
I love seeing what’s in my handbag posts!!!!! Mine would have to be a series *hides*
Phyrra says
So happy to see Waxelene!
Cindy Ingalls says
I always enjoy looking inside people’s handbags!
Aleya Bamdad says
Some great products here.
Laura says
Oooooo! She has some good stuff in her bag
Kimmi @ The Plastic Diaries says
I love Mercedes!! It’s great to see what is in her bag. I absolutely love snooping what products other people use.
Noelle says
Yay Mercedes! Love what’s in her bag!
Betzy Carmona says
I love seen this type of post !
Justina says
Love her blog! Great post!
BTBAshley says
Loved this post! My handbag is SO small now that I don’t carry as much as I used. My back appreciates it. =)
Sheila Arkee says
I loved reading this post and peeping in her purse!
Cosmetic Sanctuary says
Love Mercedes! Great post!
Citizens of Beauty says
Evian is one of my fav beauty items of all time.
Audrey says
Your photos are too pretty. Thanks for sharing the secrets of your handbag!
xoxo
Audrey