If you’ve ever seen a picture of me (which, hello, you’re reading a blog called “AllEyesOnJenny”. Clearly you’ve seen me.), you know that I go for more of a natural look when it comes to make up. This is in part because I’m a simple girl at heart and also because half the time I honestly have no idea what I’m doing. The following products (and the way I use them) will pretty much prove that to you.

Before I start I want you to know, this is all I own for make up*. No exaggeration. This is a picture of me all “done up” for a black tie event a few weekends ago. I used everything, but only everything, I listed below. Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.

1) Q-Tips Cotton Swabs. I love, love, love these things for applying or touching up make up. I use them for everything from smudging and softening my eyeliner to cleaning up any misplaced mascara. If you’re looking for a more dramatic look, get the top a little damp with water, rub on your favorite eye shadow and it creates a faux creme shadow (that lasts!). My favorite Q-tip trick? Dip them in the colors you are wearing on your eyes that night (each color on a different tip), wrap in a small piece of plastic wrap and tuck it into your purse for quick touch ups.

2) Almay Smart Shade Makeup. I’ve tried a few other “smart” make ups (“smart” being a liquid make up that starts off white and blends to match your skin tone) and honestly, the Almay is my favorite. The match is always perfect, it covers flawlessly AND it’s SPF 15!

3) MAC Studio Stick Concealer Every girl has got to have a good concealer stick. This works on everything from blemishes to annoying under eye circles. But! I only apply it AFTER my Almay Smart make up to keep me from overusing.

4) Physicians Formula Powder Palette. This is my go-to compact for so many reasons: 1.) it’s oil free! 2.) I have extremely sensitive skin and have never had a problem with this powder, ever. 3.) the compact itself is great – the powder and applicator are kept in separate compartments – which, this might be totally in my head, but just seems cleaner to me. And it had a good sized mirror. 4.) because it’s a mix of several different shades, they combine perfectly to fix any imperfections on my face (in my case, oh hai freckles and under-eye circles) and 5.) all those different shades mixed in there are the perfect touch up for make up all over your face. I always keep a few Q-tips in my purse in case I need to use the white as highlighter for my brow and cheek bones on the go!

5) Avon mark’s Instant Blush Tint. This stuff is by the newer Avon line mark. I can not get enough of their make up – it’s cheap and works just as good as the more expensive stuff (no seriously, I used another blush tint from Sephora for years that was 4 times as expensive and the mark tint works just as well, if not better).This is probably my favorite item in my make up bag. I know it’s technically “blush” but I use it all over: my cheeks, my lips, and sometimes even my eyes as a base. I use this constantly and I’m still working on my first tube of the stuff. Which I got last December. And it cost me SIX DOLLARS.

6) Almay Liquid Eyeliner. I draw a full line right on my top lash line from inside to outside and only go from the outer lash line to the middle on the bottom. Then I grab my trustee Qtip and smudge, smudge, smudge. Works every time.

7) MAC Eye Shadow Yeah this stuff is a it pricey as far as eye shadow goes (typically about $13-$14 for one color), but it goes on fabulously without using a lot. I find that if I use a cheaper brand, I have to use twice as much and the color still isn’t as brilliant as my MAC. I use 2 shades of MAC eye shadow – 3 if I’m feeling saucy. They go from a deep shimmery espresso brown to a bright highlighting white. I always wanted to learn a smokey eye. I tried to teach myself once with varying shades of gray. BIG MISTAKE. I never would have though in a million years to try BROWN. But do yourself a favor – go book yourself a session at the MAC counter. It will change your life. (Yes brown brings out blue eyes like nobody’s business.)

8) Avon mark Make It Big Lash Plumping Mascara. I know, I know. Again with the mark. But I really do love this stuff. I can not stand a mascara that gets goopy or thick or smudges to the touch. This Avon mark stuff does none of the above. And again, it’s SIX BUCKS.

9) Cotton Squares.I like using new cosmetic cotton squares every time I apply make up instead of using and reusing the ones that come with my make up for a couple of reasons: 1) I have extremely sensitive skin and this is easier than constantly cleaning the ones I have 2) I’m a little OCD about what I put near my face and a used compact puff caked with old make up just grosses me out.

10) MAC LipGlass. When it comes to lip gloss, you have sticky girls and non-sticky girls. I am a sticky girl. In fact, the stickier the better. This MAC LipGlass seals in any color I put underneath (see Avon mark blush tint!) and keeps my lips shiny and smooth all night. (And now my trashy side: Wet ‘n’ Wild makes a glassy gloss that is pretty much identical to MAC’s LipGlass for about $12 cheaper!)

*Ok it’s not all I own. The truth of the matter is I’m a lip gloss JUNKIE. That deserves to be in all caps because it is painfully true. I have not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but SIX different glosses on me right now. At work. Who needs six glosses at work? This gal riiiiight here. You all can shut up now.

Ok, what’s in YOUR make up bag?