Wedding Mistakes & Makeup Bag Revelations…

My wedding revelations about the makeup bag…

In my case, I had several bags stocked full of wedding beauty necessities for my big day.  In the end, I left an entire makeup bag behind when I left for the church… my brand new perfume, handmade earrings, cell phone, and other various makeup items - I had none of it.

Now… I can’t help but think that if I had streamlined the “necessities” down to just one, properly sized makeup bag, this wouldn’t have happened.  Or, maybe if I had invested in a new, pretty little makeup bag – I couldn’t have missed it!

Inevitably, after my wedding I decided to update my makeup bag – I would actually seek out a new one, that would fit everything I needed, and would look fantastic with my purses everyday.  During this process of finding “the one” – I realized several things, however:

1. I could not remember “choosing” the makeup bag I liked best… ever. This was because -
2. I had always used those “gift with purchase” bags… no choices.  Then, over time –
3. I subconsciously believed that this was the only way to get a new makeup bag… “why would I buy one?” in other words.

Examining further, I pulled out my current makeup bag(s) only to realize that my makeup bag(s) were:

• Old, and I couldn’t remember where any of my bags had come from
• Ugly - only something that I would take for free
• Gross - makeup everywhere, or just random age spots from somewhere
• Tiny - why?  I was using several, why?
• Depending on the day - carrying anywhere from hundreds, or thousands of dollars worth of makeup (makeup that was very pretty to look at, I should add.)
  

Obviously, it was time for me to make a change!

I had to go hunting for a new bag to keep my makeup organized, safe, and cozy!

Here are a few favorites from the hunt:

A fat, boxy little bag in cutesy pink! By: simbiosisbyjulia (Etsy)

Little Hip-Hop Bag - By:abreakastudios (Etsy)

Adorable little 'underoos' with a ruffle bloomer backside! By: minihorse (Etsy)

Juicy Chic... Juicy Couture 'Sailing' Train Case - By: Juicy (@ Nordstrom)

Sleek, chic vanilla mini-tote - By: morelle (Etsy)

The ultimate... The MAC Case - By: M.A.C. (@ Nordstrom)

Something old, and something blue! Vintage makeup train case - By: ModishVintage (Etsy)

Upscale lady... pink train case - By: Sephora

Retro black, white and pink! By: Target"Green" Option - is better than yours... Recycled Case - By: Target

♥ So, whether it is an upgrade for your wedding, or for every day after – just remember these revelations:

Buying a new makeup tote is a VERY small price tag to pay, compared to the many paychecks spent on the makeup held inside those bags!  It makes sense to drop of few extra dollars, for an updated bag to match those sophisticated powders and paints.

And, you can guarantee that you won’t be forgetting something so new and fancy from your bag… pretty new things can shock the memory, ensuring that you won’t be stuck sans mascara ever again.  (Especially on your big day!)

Scent of a wedding, and that black and white bottle…

I have liked the idea of having a “signature wedding scent” since the second I saw that term in print – it is the lovely notion of having a scent chosen just for your wedding, so that the smell will always be associated with your wedding day.

For those of us that have VERY strong ties between memories, emotions, and scents (like moi) – I couldn’t think of a better idea!  So, I went to Nordstrom armed with cash and ready to buy my “wedding day scent!”  This is a personal opinion – but, a wedding scent cannot be chosen as you would chose any other perfume.  Unlike the other perfumes that you will buy in your lifetime, there is no need to consider versatility of wear… it has only one purpose, and that purpose is “wedding.”  It just has to scream, “wedding” when you pick it up.

Of course, wedding overachiever Vera Wang has put the wedding industrial marketing machine to good use in the perfume aisle already – from what I could see, she was the first (in terms of “wedding-specific” products.)  Along with dresses, and even mattresses – she has laid claim to the “wedding perfumes.”

I gave them a fair trial, and I would give them a grade of “not bad.”  Better than expected – the “Sheer Veil” bottle was my preferred of the two (the second bottle goes by, “Bouquet.”  It was fresh, it was light, and it was better than tolerable.  In fact, I would say that it is worth testing, if you are into very light, sweet, florals.

You can find both Vera Wang scents at Sephora by clicking here. (Priced @ $40-$87)

Another competitor that I love, but could not include in my search (because I already owned, and wore it quite frequently) is Tocca’s “Cleopatra.”  Yum.  Actually, I would suggest trying out any of the Tocca scents, because they are each unique, and amazing.

You can find Tocca’s scents at Sephora by linking here. (Avg. price $68)

I also gave Stella McCartney’s “Sheer” a try, and liked it for everyday use – but, it just wasn’t wedding material, unfortunately.    It had a nice, light, floral/citrus scent that would be fantastic for daytime – but, not on this shopping trip!

You can find Stella McCartney’s “Sheer” at Sephora by clicking here.  (Avg. price $54)

Next on the nose was Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Lovely” – which, I had been meaning to try for a very long time.  I had avoided it due to my concerns about it possibly sucking – however, I was pleasantly surprised.  Not the boring “everybody smells like that” scent – lovely just as the name suggests.  But, it’s too light for the wedding.  Next!

Ger your own SJP “Lovely” at Sephora by clicking here.  (Price – $30 to $50)

Then, I come to more infamous scents that I had been meaning to try for some time…  the Marc Jacobs “splashes.”  WOW.  The basil is to die for… sure, it’s way, way, WAY too light for the wedding – but, I buy it anyway, because I cannot imagine life without it.  (For everyday use, however – still no wedding!)

Pick it up for yourself from Sephora by clicking here.  (Price $65)

Finally, I make my way to where I should have began – duh…

Chanel.

I have made my way through several different bottles of various Chanel scents, but I had not tried “COCO.”  “Coco Mademoiselle?”  Sure.  But, not “COCO.”

Oh my, how I adore this fragrance.  It has the depth of an overwhelming Chanel scent – plus, something that to me – reminds me of “fancy sweet tarts.”  I’m totally serious!  Try it!

Can’t get this one at Sephora – only Nordstrom!  (Price ranges from $35 to $130 based upon size of bottle.)

As you can guess, this one won my vote… by a landslide.  So, I went home with my new, little black and white bottle of “COCO” & a huge bottle of Marc Jacobs’ “Basil” concoction.

And, I can say that I have been spraying the Marc Jacobs on me like it’s spring water… it never gets too heavy, or tiring.  Get out of the shower – spray down with the “splash!”

As for my little black and white bottled scent – I never even got to wear it.

I accidentally left it in the hotel – with my earrings.  Dammit.

That is the advice portion of this post: DON’T FORGET YOUR PERFUME!