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Have a Peek Inside My Handbag!

June 6th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 16 Comments

Dampaì Bernarda Handbag
My everyday essentials can easily fit into this tiny Dampaì Bernarda Handbag!

The beauty bits that accompany me on my daily journey could easily fit even into the smallest of my purses. I like to think that it’s because I’m so low-maintenance (HA! — I can’t even keep a straight face while saying that!), but more likely that’s because I have a bad back and the less weight I carry around, the better.

Besides my wallet, phone and keys, very few are the products that you can usually find in my purse. Let’s have a look!

Handbag Beauty Essentials
My handbag beauty essentials: KIKO Blotting Papers, BIODERMA Hydrabio Moisturizing Anti-UV Mist SPF 30, Merci Handy Hand Sanitizer, Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Cherry (mini-size), Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed

Let’s start with my most essential essential – that is, lip balm. My favorites are the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments ($24 for the full size), because not only are they nicely moisturizing, but also add a pretty tint to my otherwise corpse-like lips.

If I’m wearing lipstick, I’ll usually pop it in my bag for any touch-ups, but lip balm is most definitely a permanent resident in there.

Coming in a close second on a scale of on-the-go essentialness are blotting papers (I use KIKO’s — $10). Being cursed with oily skin, I love how they turn me from ‘grease ball’ to ‘freshly made up’ in an instant — and no, regular tissue doesn’t work the same!

Unless it’s a special occasion, I don’t keep very much makeup in my handbag at all. Most of the time, I’m happy with just a bronzer, which I can use throughout the day to liven up my complexion. For the longest time, I used the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder ($58 at Nordstrom) in shade 50 because of the pretty decent brush it contains, but now that I’ve almost finished it up, I’ve replaced it with the slim Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed ($28 at Sephora), paired with the Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush ($9.99).

Even though I’m not a germ freak, I like to keep hand sanitizer in my purse to use before touching up my makeup in case of a special occasion or, well, whenever I feel like I need it. My teeny, tiny one from Merci Handy is super cute and smells really nice – which is always a plus.

My last, but most certainly not least, on-the-go beauty essential is the BIODERMA Hydrabio Moisturizing Anti-UV Mist SPF 30 ($13.77 on Escentual.com).

You know, even if I put sunscreen on in the morning, its effect will most likely be gone by lunchtime, but with this genius mist from BIODERMA I can make sure my skin is protected without disturbing my makeup.

Unfortunately, I don’t think you can find it in any stores in the U.S., but I know COOLA Suncare makes something pretty similar that you can easily get at Sephora ($36).

Handbag Beauty Essentials
Wallet, phone, keys, and I’m ready to go!

Do you like to travel light on your daily journey, or are you one to carry anything you may need in any possible scenario?

Carolina Braina


Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

Have a Peek Inside My Handbag! / Originally published June 6th, 2016

There are 16 comments on this post. Leave yours.

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Comments

  1. LindaLibraLoca says

    June 6th, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    This is not really my choice at the moment, as I need to carry a diaperbag. But I also have the RT Kabuki, the Bioderma and lip balm as my essentials. Plus powder in my case.

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 7th, 2016 at 6:38 am

      Yeah, I’m pretty sure you can’t travel light with a baby!

      Reply
  2. Becky says

    June 6th, 2016 at 9:09 pm

    I’ve picked up a little can of the Bioderma Hydrabio mist from Escentual and I can’t wait for it to arrive – it’s such a good idea, and I haven’t heard one bad review! I love your bag, too!

    Beekeyper – Latest – Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 7th, 2016 at 6:39 am

      Thank you, Becky!
      The Bioderma mist is brilliant, I hope you’ll like it.

      Reply
  3. Kiss & Make-up says

    June 7th, 2016 at 2:06 am

    Yup, that mist really is genius! Bought 10 bottles in one go when I was in France last summer, hahah.

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 7th, 2016 at 6:41 am

      It is genius! And I can’t think of anything similar you can find here in Europe.

      Reply
  4. Kelly B. says

    June 7th, 2016 at 4:17 am

    That is such a cool bag! I don’t think I’ve seen much like it at stores here in the US, especially in such a gorgeous color!

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 7th, 2016 at 6:43 am

      Thank you, Kelly. I love the color, too, and that it’s made of rubber. It’s pretty unique!

      Reply
  5. Agata says

    June 7th, 2016 at 7:32 am

    Other than lipglosses and lipsticks I actually don’t carry any makeup in my handbag. Unless I know I will be gone for a day, then I will grab some powder and an eyeliner for touch ups.

    Btw, I need that RT brush.

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 8th, 2016 at 12:40 am

      Hi Agata 🙂
      The RT brush is rather convenient!

      Reply
  6. Karen says

    June 7th, 2016 at 9:36 am

    Thanks for the heads up on the Coola bronzer, Carolina. I’m going to track it down because it sounds like something I would like. 🙂

    Your bag is super cute, by the way. Love the color and it looks easy to clean.

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 8th, 2016 at 12:41 am

      You’re welcome, Karen. Hopefully it’s as good as the Bioderma one!

      Reply
  7. Milena says

    June 7th, 2016 at 11:17 pm

    Love your bag, it’s so cute! I was so excited for the Bioderma mist. Unfortunately I am a bit disappointed with it, I didn’t expect it to be that “thick” on the skin, leaving a heavy feeling. And I think there might be something wrong with the spray button, I have to press it multiple times in order to get the amount for my whole face. I don’t know is only mine like this or ?
    In my bag usually I only bring a lipstick or a lip gloss, don’t do touch ups during the day, a hand cream and hand sanitizer. On rare occasions I would bring a blush 🙂

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      June 8th, 2016 at 12:49 am

      Hi Milena!
      Sorry to hear you’re a little disappointed with your SPF mist. I can’t feel it on the skin at all. Maybe because I have oily skin?
      About the spray button, personally, I’ve always had to use multiple spritzes to cover my enire face with any face mists I’ve ever tried. And especially this one, since it’s sunscreen, I’d recommend spritzing it rather liberally.

      Reply
      • Milena says

        June 8th, 2016 at 12:53 am

        Thank you for your answer, Carolina! 🙂 I am with combination skin myself, but I will give it another try, I still think it’s a great idea to have such product on the market.

        Reply
        • Carolina Braina says

          June 8th, 2016 at 1:22 am

          You’re welcome! Have a great day 🙂

          Reply

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