How has my make up bag changed this year

Well, it has changed. A LOT. Make up was my biggest obsession this year. I've started reading a lot of beauty bloggers and wanted to try almost all famous products. Now I have three eye shadow palettes (I used to have only one), more than 6 blushes, uncountable amount of lipsticks and empty wallet. Did I need all these things? No. I believe every woman can survive with only two lipsticks in her bag. But every time I felt sad or stressed I wanted to treat myself. Unfortunately, illusion of happiness of having new thing doesn't last too long and you find yourself constantly looking for something another to buy. In the end this shopaholic mania left me feeling guilty about spending too much. Next year I want to learn how to control my expenses.

In order to do so, I'm going to follow simple rules:

• I'll buy new make up products only in case if I run out of something. I have plenty of products to play with already. Got tired of your usual eye shadow palette? Try to create looks with shades that you don't use on regular basis (and don't lie that you don't have such shades - everyone has one or two that they don't use at all). Experiment with things that you already own.
• Focus on skincare and hair products that are affordable (of course only cruelty free and possibly vegan). Brands worth checking out: Urtekram (shampoos & conditioners), Sukin Organics (skincare, hair care), Natio (skincare), natural oils like Macadamia Oil, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, etc (for hair treatment).
• Avoid sales and impulsive buys. Ask yourself "Do I really need this?" all the time.
• Have budget for every month.
• Remember that not material things will make you happy, but people and interesting experiences.

The biggest step this year was learning about ugly side of beauty industry i.e. animal testing and trying to buy only from cruelty free companies. Next year I'll also try to cut my spending on brands that have non cruelty free parent companies, if 100% cruelty brands offer much better deals. In other words, next time my Urban Decay eye primer potion runs out, I'm buying shadow insurance primer from Too Faced, because hey, it's the same size as UD but much cheaper on beautybay.com (and beauty bloggers reviews tell me that quality doesn't differ much + Too Faced is 100% cruelty free).

Another big step was starting using sunscreens. Yeah, I know. I didn't used it even when I lived in Japan (and I tell you, Japanese sun is a killer for skin, especially during summer) :S Now I'm using it 365 days a year, because sun in the primary case of skin ageing and may lead to cancer.

What are yours beauty resolutions for next year?

Current

- I've finally finished reading Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy. I love books which can capture your attention from the first page to the end - I couldn't stop reading The Hunger Games until it was last page of the third book. I also watched two movies yesterday - it was okay, but the original was better, because when you read it's like you actually live character's lives, feel their emotions (I actually was the same terrified as Katniss when she was thrown into arena for the first time). I don't know, but usually books leave much bigger impression on me than movies or tv-shows.

- Got Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Creator just in time for Halloween. It's beautiful black with golden glitter in it. Applies easily and dries out quickly. Can't say anything about removing it, because I used it only one time and it's still on my nails. Cruelty free and the most expensive nail polish in my small collection (15 euro with discount, wtf).

- Since A/W lip colors are very popular in beauty bloggers community lately I gave in and bought myself Make Up Store matte lipstick in 401. It's dark plum color and application is quite difficult because you need to have an ideal lips. Lip scrub (I use e.l.f. exfoliator) + lip transparent pencil (e.l.f. Lip lock) + lip brush + lipstick from the tube + blotting lips with a tissue = this is a formula to get a great look with this product (takes some time). I'll post more swatch photos later.

- Natural deodorants don't work for me. I tried both solid and liquid Crystal deodorant and it made me more smelly and sweaty than ever. I ordered travel size of Schmidt's Natural Deodorant from their etsy store, but since I'll sweat to death waiting for parcel from USA to reach Estonia, I've decided to buy deodorant from non cruelty free company. It wasn't an easy decision and I'm still feeling guilty :(

Current wishlist #2

ASOS Pastel Cat Peplum Pyjama Top / Illamasqua Masquara / Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Creator / ASOS Crazy Cat Shell Top

Not much, really. Asos is having its usual sale at the moment and cat pyjama tops are something I really need in my life. Also I want to try high end dramatic lash mascara - I can't choose between Too Faced Better than Sex and Illamasqua Masquara. Since Too Faced isn't sold in Estonia anymore (well, I haven't seen it around lately) and Beautybay.com is out of stock at the moment, I guess I'll buy Illamasqua one, but still not sure. Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Creator is beautiful black nail polish with glitter which suits perfectly dark autumn evenings.

What are you wishing for?

Cruelty free travel makeup bag essentials

Hello everyone, long time no see! Since I returned from my Amsterdam trip I've been a little bit busy getting used to my usual work routine and spending time with friends/boyfriend. The huge post about my trip will be up as soon as I finish editing videos and photos (oh I have a lot of them, believe me). But for now, here's "What's in my travel bag?" post which I've wanted to do for ages.