Disclosure: This sponsored post contains affiliate links. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Stashing stuff in my cosmetic bag is a thing of the past for me. I have always kept every little item until it’s gone. I’ve decided to pare down what I keep on the counter because my makeup bag overfloweth. That’s not including the items I carry in my purse or stash in my desk. When I think about it, there are only a few things I actually use on a regular basis. As painful as it felt, I decided to weed out the dried-out mascaras and 1990’s eyeliners. What’s the purpose of keeping those things when I don’t ever use them? Here’s what made the cut.

At home, I had to keep my Urban Decay naked pallete, Tarte eyeliner and mascara, and Loreal BB Cream. For days when I need something a bit more, the mineral powder foundation is used. Of course my Dove Clear Tone and Coach perfume get to stay. I also kept my Juara tea rose perfume. There are really only a few things I need to store in my desk at work. My must-have items are lip gloss, pressed powder, and Dove Clear Tone. I always apply my lipstick after dropping off my kids at school. They don’t like having those lipstick kisses on their cheeks. In my BeautyBox5 this month, there was a cool lipstick with a mirror on the lid. Genius!! I need that since most days I don’t look at myself in the mirror after I leave for work. That lipstick stays in my purse pocket.

My makeup touch-ups need to be accomplished on the go and within a few seconds. For one thing, we don’t have an employee restroom on our hallway. The student restroom is at the end of our hallway. Since I need to monitor the hallway in between classes, I’m usually washing my hands at the sink while watching the hallway. I totally depend on my students to tell me if I have broccoli stuck in my teeth or if my hair is sticking up. And believe me, the sixth graders will tell me. If I do have a moment to attend to my face while on my planning period, it’s only for a moment before a meeting or something like that. There isn’t time to apply mascara or even brush my hair. Things don’t change when I get home, either, but thankfully only my family sees me by that point.

The Dove Clear Tone is a necessity no matter where I am. At work, I’m on my feet all day long, walking and moving around the classroom. That activity can work up a sweat! When we study Ancient China, we always end the unit with a trip to the local Chinese buffet. To save money on the trip, we walk the mile to the restaurant and back. Believe me, when we get back, it’s nice to have a clean shirt to wear and my Dove Clear Tone to make me smell good again. Sometimes I take my class outside for fresh air when we’re working on an assignment. We made some cuneiform dough tablets earlier in the year and it was HOT outside. I know the afternoon classes appreciate that I keep that Dove Clear Tone in my desk for days like that! It’s perfect for my sensitive skin. My underarms are very easily irritated, especially after shaving, and Dove Clear Tone seems to soothe them.

Now, my at-home cosmetic bag is full of completely cute and fun samples that I get in my BeautyBox5 every month. It’s a great way to try something new without having to be stuck with it forever. I’m ashamed to admit how many partially-used bottles and containers that I made myself toss out because I simply grew tired of the product. Keeping smaller sizes works for me. This month in my BeautyBox5 I received a pretty pink polish and a clear polish with gold glitter. It’s so fun to have those tiny bottles of polish on hand. They are perfect for travel or just to have a new color without committing to it for the rest of my life.

What’s in your cosmetic bag this fall?

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Dove. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.