I can’t believe that it has taken this long to write about one of my favorite obsessions: makeup. How could I have ignored this subject so long? Time to make things right.

I adore makeup and always have. In fact, it’s something that I really should be banned from buying because I love it too much. I buy tons of makeup, but I don’t really wear that much. This realization has made me take inventory of my makeup case and decide what I really wear and what I need to toss.

I always wear mascara, blush and some type of lip something (balm, gloss or lipstick). So obviously I can have a variety of these things. However, I find myself buying lots of eyeshadow and not really wearing any. I think this goes back to my high school days where I fought against my glasses (didn’t wear them) and wore too much eye makeup. So I need to lay off the eye products. I’ve been watching what markup items I grab each day to track what are must haves and what are sometimes products. Here’s my list of everyday, gotta have them items:

Lip Smackers (any flavor)

I have a collection of (no joke) 40 tubes. That’s not as bad as it sounds, since each tube is around $1.00. My all-time favorite flavor is Dr Pepper, but it’s pretty safe to say that I have all the flavors.

Tarte Cheekstains

Oh how I love you, Tarte! Cruelty-free, natural and not too expensive. These stains are quick and last all day, so no need to carry them around. My current two favorites are Tickled and Blissful. Plus, Tarte is awesome about sending coupons out for 20 and 40% off three to four times a year. Hooray!!!

Nars lipliner in Rosebud

The perfect rosy pink to go under everything. I carry it everyday.

Smashbox Hyperlash mascara

Cruelty-free (see a pattern?) and it just works. My lashes are long and fluttery without a giant mess. Also, lots of natural ingredients in this baby.

Nars Pure Sheer Lip Treatment in Angelique

Works perfectly over the Rosebud liner. Also has SPF 15.

Laura Mericer Translucent Setting Powder

Even complexion, no shine.

Ok, so that’s the basic face. The fun part is adding lip color. Here are my favorites. These are not worn together, silly. It’s just a list a options

Tarte 24/7 Lip Sheer in Thursday

A perfect rosy stain that doesn’t scream “makeup”!

Nars Dolce Vita Lipstick

The perfect rose-mauve-pink. Great for everyday.

Nars Flamenco Lipstick

A great strawberry red that can ease you into wearing bright reds.

Nars Manhunt Lipstick

Really red. Not for the shy.

Of course there are many other colors that I love, but these are my frequent appliers right now. Oh and before I forget, everything I use has to be cruelty-free. As a long time vegetarian and animal lover, I can’t bear to think that an animal suffered so I can be pretty. I am also trying to eliminate all unnatural ingredients and weird chemicals. This is hard. Drugstore makeup and beauty products are cheap, and a lot of them work really well. But I have to stick by my principles and if that means I have less makeup because it’s more expensive, so be it.

So, I’m dying to know. What products do you swear by? I love looking into other people’s makeup bags. I feel like I’m opening a secret door to a treasure chest. So, please share!!!!!

These are some outfits from my school week, including the Back Porch Blouse and Camera Obscura Chemise.

As an artist, I love makeup. Probably too much. I don’t wear tons, but I’m a big collector of colors. A few of you have commented on my lipsticks or just had questions about what makeup I like, so I thought I would share my current obsessions/essentials.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

I received a sample of this from Nordstrom recently and have fallen in love. I don’t always wear foundation, but this stuff is so light and so pretty, I use it a couple of times a week.

Nars Blush in Deep Throat

This blush looks scary in the package, but with a light hand it lights up my face. I used to avoid blush, but for the last few years it has been an every day staple. I also like MAC blush in Cubic.

Smashbox Bionic Mascara

I love thick, thick, thick lashes. So thick they are like fake lashes. This mascara does that with just a few coats and doesn’t flake. Just take it off with makeup remover, or it might still be there after you wash your face.

Nars Lipsticks

I have recently switched to Nars lipsticks (after being a huge MAC fan) and they are the best. Every color is great. The color stays on for about 5 hours (depending on eating and drinking) and doesn’t get on my teeth or dry out my lips. Lately I have been using Dolce Vita (for natural looking lips) and Flamenco and Manhunt for red lips. I also like the Strawberry Fields lipgloss (what I was wearing yesterday) and Pop Life Matte Pencil. Bright lips are my favorite. I like to keep the rest of my face neutral and then have red lips with thick lashes and pretty skin.

After all that makeup, I usually use a dusting of powder to set it. I know I sound like a commercial for Nars, but I am really brand loyal once I find products that work for me. Plus I think that they work better together than with other brands. Nars does not test on animals, which is a huge deal to me (I’m a vegetarian and very pro-animal). I’ve been using Nars for the last month or so, and I have received a lot more comments on my skin or makeup since the switch, so it must photograph well.

I switch up the blush colors and add eyeshadow sometimes, but this is the basic face.

What are your favorite products? What makeup item can you not live without? I love peeking in other people’s makeup bags

It’s finally started cooling off here in Portland, enough to wear my awesome new sweater skirt and tights. Horray for Fall!

Mitch Madness took this photo of this lovely Fall day, while out walking our beast-child.