These are a few of my favorite make-up things....

So, I just became a "blogger" last week and by the weekend, my friends Mindi and Claire were already on me about writing a new post.  Come on, girls! I'm just learning how to do this whole thing and it has been a crazy busy week!  I know from time to time I make my friends envious about how my current job gives me 3 weeks off at Christmas, Spring Break, optional summers off, Fall Break, and currently most Fridays off.... but, sometimes I actually do get busy at work! And this has been one of those weeks.  Nothing blog-worthy to report in the world of Sally this week, but I enjoyed Mindi's post on the contents of her kaboodle, so I decided to do a similar post.  I don't recall ever having a kaboodle of my own.  If I did, it was likely off-brand because the Steen family was/is thrifty like that.  But even before my "pageant career" began (and especially after), I have been a lover of all things make-up.  And once I discovered Sephora, and more recently Ulta, it's been bad news.  So I've always had an overflowing make-up bag of one type or another.  Here are a few of my current favorite things (cue music and Karen Walker singing)....

I am a big fan of Dior Diorshow mascara (http://www.sephora.com/).  It is a little pricey, so I can't keep it stocked all the time, but I love it when I can afford to splurge on $25 mascara. 

I'm sad that Mindi isn't as big of a fan, but maybe it is because the waterproof version is sub-par.  As much as I tear up, I probably should use waterproof mascara, but I always find it difficult to deal with.  When I don't have the funds for Diorshow, I usually use the less expensive Maybelline Falsies these days.

Most of my go-to cosmetics are MAC (http://www.maccosmetics.com/).  I have loved almost every product of theirs that I've tried.  And getting a free lipstick for recycling empty make-up containers just sweetens the deal!  One reason I love MAC so much is there huge array of eyeshadow.  There are so many colors to choose from.  Whenever I'm in a department store with a MAC counter, it's inevitable that I spend time staring at all those beautiful shades.  Here are a couple of my favs:

MAC eyeshadow in Humid

MAC eyeshadow in Trax

I've found that since I added some red to my hair a couple of months ago, I've had to change some of my make-up colors also.  I'm still trying to figure out what looks best for day-to-day eyeshadow.

As for lips, this Mary Kay lipstick in Whipped Berries is my go-to choice(http://www.marykay.com/).  My mom introduced me to this shade a couple of years ago.  I've introduced it to several friends and it is definitely a shade that seems to look good on everyone!

Artistry Cosmetics by Amway(http://www.artistry.com/) is a sponsor of the Miss America pageant.  While we were in Vegas, they gave us some of their light up lipgloss.  I just threw it in my purse and didn't open it until I got home, but I really like it.  It's great for being out at night or somewhere without great lighting because it has a light on the lipgloss wand that shines on your lips and the gloss container has a little mirror on it for you to use. 

And of course, no good make-up bag would be complete without tweezers, false eyelashes, and an eyelash curler...

Ok, all this make-up talk has me really wanting to go browse the aisles of Sephora or log on to the MAC website and do some serious damage.  I'm going to attempt to resist and just pick up a bottle of nail polish or something when I go grocery shopping this evening.