What's in my makeup bag?

Everybody probably thinks highly of their own makeup bag. I have taken great pride in researching certain products and getting to know what works for my face and my skin type. After all, I've been doing makeup on myself and others since I was an inexperienced youngen.  I'd skip P.E. in middle school and hide out in the locker room with an eager line of 11 and 12 year old's waiting for me to artfully apply that day's current eye-shadow trend. Point being, I love makeup and have blogged about it frequently here, here and here. And while I practically have a MAC/Sephora-medley makeup counter in my own bathroom drawer, I'm very particular about the items I actually carry with me.  I realize, most people don't carry 2 of everything, but you never know when you need to spruce things up a bit.  Here we go! 

Lips - I have talked about my love for nude and pale pink lips over and over again!  But now, I can get the same sexy lip and keep it on through dinner and kisses because I have fallen for YSL's lip stain; {it. is. amazing. extraordinary}.  Lipstick staples include:

• MAC Myth
• MAC Creme de Nude
• MAC Modesty
• MAC Snob
• YSL lip stain, #18 Rose Pastelle
• NARS Turkish Delight, Striptease
• MAC liner Boldly Bare
• MAC liner More to Love
• All my reds, plums and corals stay at home for special days

Concealer - Some of us have searched for years, but I am staying true to MAC.  I have tried Cle du Peau {so-called number 1} but I demand more coverage and there's nothing like it.

Liners - I daunt a mini-cat-eye liner everyday either in brown or black.  Not only does Benefit's Magic Ink last all day, it has a very easy brush for application. Lancome's Artliner in brown is also a keeper. I also carry pencil liners as well for inside my bottom eyelid in MAC's Teddy and Engraved.

Eye lash curler - If I were stranded on a remote island, I would need this bad boy with me.  The second I found out that Shu Uemera pulled all their products from the US, I teared a little.  It made our last stop in Milan on our honeymoon all the more interesting as I dragged my husband from Sephora to Sephora to find the one that carried the Shu Uemera eyelash curler.  Well I found it, and I will be stocking up on my next Europe trip. Be careful of fakes online!

Mascara - I was probably the number one fan of Lancome's Définicils  Pro. I was also crushed when it was mysterously taken off the market. In its place: Chanel's Inimitable Mascara - Similar to Lancome's Définicils Pro, so I am a happy camper.  Lancome's Hypnose Drama in excessive black - Exactly as advertised; for those nights your lashes need extra drama. 

Face - After setting my powder, I apply Guerlain's Terracotta Bronzing Powder #3 and Sephora's Microsmooth duo blush in Tea Rose Tickle on just the apples of my cheeks.  My tinted moisturizer, foundations and setting powders all stay at home along with my shadows.

Makeup bag - I recently found this Be&D bag at Nieman Marcus.  It was exactly my style, chic yet edgy with the snake skin print and gold studs.  I snagged it up and I didn't regret it, as it has enough space to comfortably store all my items. Lucky for you, it's now on sale here.

What are some of your favorite makeup bag staples?