A good old fashioned bag dump
Because I love a "what's in my bag" video
Since the dawn of time, by which I mean since I first started spending unhealthy amounts of time online, I’ve been obsessed with what’s in my bag videos. First off, I’m nosy. But I also find that there’s something deeply revealing about them— it usually takes about three items before I can decipher whether the bag dumper would be a friend or foe. It’s an odd little glimpse into how someone moves through the world—what matters to them, what they prepare (or overly prepare) for, or what they need to feel grounded. I’ve always thought the things people panic about forgetting say more about them than they realize.
It won’t shock anyone to hear that my own bag is ludicrously jam-packed with beauty products. I don’t know what the hell it is, but I really like being the person who has whatever anyone needs—migraine meds, lip liners, brow gel, hand cream…whatever! It’s a little purse apothecary that’s part practicality, part comfort. There’s also something fabulous about being the friend people really want to go to the bathroom with, just to mess around with products for a few minutes. So I figured I’d do a bag dump.
This bag is one of my most treasured possessions. It belonged to my grandma, and I brought it back with me the last time I was in Brazil. It stayed on the shelf for a while, something I loved looking at but felt weirdly nervous to actually use. But eventually I thought: what’s the point of loving something so much if you’re afraid to actually enjoy it? Now, it’s the bag I reach for most days, and I’ve adorned it with sweet little bag charms that make the bag feel a bit less serious and more me. And I love the size! It holds everything I might possibly need, so I never feel unprepared when I walk out the door.
So without further ado, here’s a good old fashioned bag dump.
Pleasing Hand + Nail Balm
They sent me this hand cream a while ago, and I’ve got to say, I’m kind of obsessed. It’s super thick, so it’s one of those rare hand creams I only need to apply once a day. It also does a great job of smoothing out my cuticles and keeping them moisturized.Merit flush balm in “Rouge” and “Terracotta”
I love these blushes because they’re so sheer, you can swipe them on quickly in a car mirror. That’s kind of the theme across all these products, they have to be easy to use without much fuss. I think of them as emergency products I could apply in the back seat of a car or in my phone camera while I’m out.Mandom - Lucido-L Hair Styling Stick
My friend Maya got me a version of this in Japan, and I’ve been buying them from J-beauty and K-beauty stores ever since. This little portable waxy hair stick is one of my all-time favorite beauty products for quickly taming flyaways (of which I have many) on the go. It really keeps everything in place, and I always reach for it before getting my picture taken, because if I had a penny for every time flyaways ruined a photo...
Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover
Not to sound like a granny, but I retain information and ideas so much better when I write them down. This is basically my handwritten version of the Notes app. I jot down everything in here: thoughts, lists, random ideas, all of it. My actual Notes app is complete chaos, so this feels slightly more put together.
Kindle
One of my favorite Christmas gifts ever is my Kindle. I’ve been obsessed with it, especially after years of carrying bulky books around in my tote bag. The fact that it fits right into this purse is heaven. I just finished reading God of the Woods, which was incredible.Stickers
Lately, I’ve been loving going to Young Art in k-town for stickers. They have such a good selection!
Chanel Eau de Parfum Twist and Spray “Mademoiselle”
This is one of my favorite Chanel fragrances. It is a very mature, powdery floral scent, but it smells good. It’s a really strong smell, and I feel like an elegant lady when I wear it. And how effing cute is this packaging it almost looks like a lipstick.Glossier “You Fleur”
I don’t really feel here nor there about this perfume, but I’m giving it a try. It’s a cousin of the original “You” with a floral punch.Orebella “Blooming Fire”
I like some of the Orebella fragrances, and I think Window2Soul is my favorite. I love keeping a mini one in my bag because it doubles as a last-minute body oil. If I have any dry patches on my arms or legs, I’ll just give it a spritz. It adds a little moisture and shine, and leaves behind this soft jasmine-y scent that makes me feel way more put together than I probably am.A classique.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Rumberry”
This is one of my favorite drugstore lipsticks ever. It’s the most stunning red-ish berry-ish dark 90’s shade. I picked this lipstick up at CVS after seeing makeup artist Alexandra French use it on TikTok. I usually dab a bit in the center of my lips and smudge it out with my finger, and it looks so good like that.Burt’s Bees Lip Balm in “Red dahlia”
This is my most lowkey lip color. Like, it’s the kind of thing I throw on when I’m going to the beach or walking out of a facial, and I just want to look a tiny bit better, without committing to anything major. It’s a really pretty red that looks like you’ve eaten a bunch of cherries, that you can apply without a mirror.Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment in “Ribbon”
I love how shiny the Rhode lip treatments are. I’m particularly into this ultra-shiny baby pink gloss, especially on top of a brown lip liner.
One of my favorite lip glosses of all time, despite the absurd price tag. They’re high shine with a very sheer tint and have the most luxurious plushy doe foot applicator.
Armani Beauty Power Fabric + Longwear Matte Concealer
This one’s interesting because it’s technically a matte concealer, but I find it feels super hydrating and creamy. It’s really easy to apply with my fingers, and while it goes on dewy, it dries down to more of a soft matte finish. The coverage is pretty light, but I really like it.Fenty Portable Contour & Concealer Brush 150
If I need a brush for a little bit of blending somewhere, I got this!AORA Acaríciame Solid Lip Serum in “Vanta.02”
I was recently sent this very cool black lip balm from the Mexican beauty brand AORA. I know it sounds a little intense, but it actually just gives this soft, sheer veil of color, almost like you’ve just eaten a handful of black cherries. Nothing too dramatic, just a moody little shiny tint. Love it!
Glossier “Buff”
They describe this as a “toasted almond”, which I agree with, but it’s a little pinky. This is a surprisingly lost lasting lip liner, which I was not expecting. You kinda gotta work fast to buff it in when you apply it, because it almost dries down.I wouldn’t say this lip liner is super long lasting, but I absolutely love the ultra-blurry, waxy finish it leaves behind. I’m really into the fact that it’s something I can apply confidently with just an iPhone camera while I’m in the passenger seat of a car. It’s just a really easy, low-fuzz lip liner to wear and I love this color Twist, which is a neutral taupey shade. I always have this in my purse.
Mac “Cool Spice”
Spice is one of those OG, beloved mac lip liners, which they describe as a “pink cinnamon”, that every makeup artist has in their kit. The original leans warm, so I was pretty excited when they dropped a cool-toned version. I’ve been wearing this nonstop.Mac “Stone”
It’s the coolest, greyish-brown lip liner I own, and I feel super chic and mysterious whenever I wear it. Since it’s a bit more intensely cool than my other liners, I usually save it for nights out.NYX “Moonwalk”
This drugstore lip liner is my most cool-toned, mauvey shade (I bought it because someone said it’s a drugstore dupe for Endless Cacao, but it’s not really). I love wearing it at night with a berryish tint on top.Makeup by Mario “Spiced Chai”
I’m obsessed with this lip liner right now. It’s a soft, warm brown that adds just the right amount of depth without feeling too intense. The little brush on the end is my favorite part because it makes blending super easy. Honestly, it’s fabulous and totally worth it.Makeup Forever “Wherever Walnut”
A nice soft dusty rose that I adore. It’s very close to my natural lip color.
SunLife Hydration & Beauty Sachet
I’ve written about these before, but it’s an electrolyte packed powder that you pour into some water. I love drinking these after workouts or handing them out to hungover friends.
Blink Dry E Eye Drops
I have stingy eyes (unclear why, maybe allergies?) and these drops help a lot.I don’t really know why I’m including a link to Advil, but alas.
Native Mini Deodorant "Coconut and Vanilla”
I always have a little deodorant on me because I’m insanely paranoid about being a stinky when I’m out, especially when it’s hot out.Little Sanrio pouch
Again, another gift that someone got me from Tokyo that, after some sleuthing, I was able to find on Etsy.
Le Specs Outta Love Sunglasses “Shell Pink”
These are one of my favorite shapes of sunglasses. Historically when I’ve worn colorful sunglasses, they’ve always coordinated with my outfit for something monochromatic. Lately, I’ve been using them as the pop-of-color in my look, with jeans and white t-shirt or black skirt and black sweater. I’m into it!Stick-on phone holder
Okay have you ever watched someone’s video (like a bathroom sink shot, chopping onions, filming in their car) and thought “how is their phone even staying up right now?” As it turns out, it’s always this little thing. It’s basically this suction tripod that sticks to mirrors, windows, tile, whatever. You can twist it into all kinds of angles, so it’s weirdly perfect for getting those oddly specific shots. If you make videos, you’re gonna be obsessed.Miffy Pen
One of my very cute Miffy gel pens that has a very thin fine tip, which I find makes my writing look a bit neater.HVN x Casetify battery pack
This magnetic battery pack lives in my bag because I can’t stand that specific kind of panic when your phone’s about to die and there’s no charger in sight.Keychain
Okay, I can’t find my specific keychain, which I bought in Japan town in LA, but I did find some other really cute Sanrio liquid keychains on Ebay.
Not pictured:
My wallet
It’s 200 years old and honestly kinda dirty.I really need to buy a new one so I was too embarrassed to include it in the photo.Hand sanitizer
I ran out and ordered another one that is delivering today. Hehe.Compact mirror
My HVN x Casetify phone case has a mirror on the back of it (the phone bank pictured above has the same mirror for reference), which is the most amazing thing ever.