A few years ago I had a much larger collection filled with various products, all from big name makeup companies. Some of the products I actually used, most I didn’t, but bought because I thought I needed them, they were a good deal (ugh sales and duty free), or I couldn’t bring myself to return them. But then a few things shifted in my life. I moved to a very small space with no storage or closet space and started downsizing everything. I also began reading about what harmful ingredients some companies put into their products. Why are lead and formaldehyde in my makeup?! When I realized more than 90% of my makeup had ingredients I didn’t want on my face I chucked them. The products that had been kept forever beyond their expiration that I wasn’t using because I felt guilty wasting so much money? Gone. All the eyeshadows and blushes I never used because I had too many or they were the wrong color? Donated. I felt awful throwing away so much product and money, but I couldn’t make myself use them knowing they might be toxic.
I was tired of always having to throw something away that was barely used before it expired and worrying about where in the heck to keep all of it. I didn’t even wear that much makeup! I needed to make a change. I resolved to buy from companies that were using ingredients I felt good about putting on my face, and only buy what I needed or could use before it went bad. So I started doing my research and stopped blindly buying because it had a popular name brand on it or someone wrote in an article that I need the latest and greatest product.
You will notice that there is not a lot of variety brand-wise in my collection. I tend to be OCD about brands that I find work for me and just stick with them. I mostly have RMS Beauty products partly because it was the first brand I stumbled upon after throwing out just about everything else I owned, and their “un” cover-up works so well for me, it was love at first try. Concealer is especially hard for me to find one that doesn’t dry out my skin while covering up my dark circles (thanks to my Yugolavian heritage). And since that product worked so well, I decided to try just about everything! Most of the products have a creamy consistency, due to the coconut oil, and they are super easy to apply, even with just your fingers. Overall, I find that a creamy consistency works the best with my skin. Cream formulas are easier to apply for someone like myself who is a novice when it comes to makeup. Also, cream makeup lends itself to give you a more dewy and hydrated complexion – yes please!
When you’re on the hunt to try out a new makeup line or product, remember it’s what’s on the inside that really counts, so you can’t judge a product by its cover (puns intended). Pretty packaging, fancy terms and even price can be misleading. Ingredients speak for themselves. No doubt this collection with change as I discover new brands and products, and I’ll be excited to share with you what new finds I’m obsessed with.
Face
RMS “Un” Cover-up #22 – this is usually my summer/fall color, and when my complexion is lighter I use the #11.
RMS Tinted “Un” Powder #0-1
RMS Lip to Cheek in Modest – I love anything that does double duty.
RMS Magic Luminizer – I’ve had the Living Luminizer but prefer this as it is a softer color.
RMS Buriti Bronzer – I use this as a bronzer and for contouring, though I’m not great at it.
Raw Elements Tinted Facial Moisturizer SPF 30 – I mix this with my moisturizer in place of foundation.
Lips
Ilia Lipstick in Femme Fatale
Ilia Lipstick Crayon in Come Undone
Eco Lips Mongo Kiss lip balm – I’m obsessed.
Eyes
RMS Eye Polish in Karma (also an Eyeliner)
RMS Eye Polish in Seduce – When I want a more dramatic color.
RMS Eye Polish in Imagine – This is my everyday color.
Mineral Fusion or RMS volumizing mascara.
Brushes/Tools
RMS Foundation Brush
RMS Blush Brush
Bobbi Brown various mini brushes from gift sets I keep for traveling.
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler