Get the Look: 30 Cute Cosmetic Cases

Last week I pulled together a collection of cute cosmetic cases, “Kiss & Make Up” in the Boston Globe. I generally like to do a travel-related roundup in the summer, and I had already done weekend bags last year.

Mostly, though, I was inspired by a particularly cute cosmetic case by Deux Luxe, that the publicist had sent me back in the winter—the Anguilla cosmetic case in jade green emblazoned with exotic birds. I love the look. Unfortunately it didn’t make it into the Globe, but I’ve included it here (#17), along with 29 other cute cosmetic case finds.

Bostonians, pay attention to #1, #9, and #18 by ultra preppy, Brookline-based design label Ame & Lulu. I’m kind of attached to #2 from Catseye London. Adorable, though maybe channels too much of a crazy cat lady vibe? There’s a doggie one as well (#21). And if you’re more of a boho girl, Target has a couple of great Coachella-worthy makeup bags (#5 and #8).

Browse through for a new one; you know yours is smeared with gunk. Me? I still use the iconic brown & white striped cosmetic bags and toiletry case from Henri Bendel, a long-ago gift from an ex boyfriend’s mom. And yeah, it’s a bit worn.

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Shop cute cosmetic cases from StyleCarrot partners and other favorite brands.

S H O P P I N G

1 Mercer Floppy Cosmetic Bag, $38 at Ame & Lulu.

2 Catseye London “Kitten” Cosmetics Case, $25 at Nordstrom.

3 Trina These Are the Days Clutch, $24 at Ulta.

4 LeSportsac Striped Cosmetic Case, $42 at Macy’s.

5 Geometric Print Toiletry Bag, $9.95 at Target.

6 Renny Drive Annabella Cosmetic Case, $68 at Kate Spade.

7 Rebecca Minkoff Floral Izzie, $85 at Bloomingdale’s.

8 Striped Coral Toiletry Bag $9.99 at Target.

9 Cosmetic Bag with Mesh, $56 at Ame & Lulu.

10 Adidas by Stella McCartney Transparent Case at Farfetch.

11 Catseye London Lips Cosmetic Case, $44.56 on eBay.

12 Trina Soak of the Rays Clutch, $24 at Ulta.

13 Rip Curl Aloha Spirit Clutch, $29.50 at Nordstrom.

14 Ted Baker Floral Cosmetic Case, $50 at Bloomingdale’s.

15 Lee Coren Ciclo Flat Clutch, $54 at Pod.

16 Steph & Co. Tahiti Viveca, $22.50 at Nordstrom.

17 Deux Lux Anguilla Cosmetic Case, $38  at Nordstrom.

18 Ranger Floppy Cosmetic Bag, $38 at Ame & Lulu.

19 Tropicana Cosmetic Case, $9.99 at Nine West.

20 Let’s Makeup Lil Zip Bag by Dogeared, $24 at Zappos.  

21 Jack Russel by Catseye London Cosmetic Case, $15 at Nordstrom.  

22 Hudson+Bleecker Marrakech Avion Cosmetic Case, $66 at Bluefly.

23 Fendi Roma print make-up bag, $250 at Farfetch.

 24 Rockstar Cosmetic Case, $28 at Saks

25 Izzie Snake Cosmetic Case, $85 at Rebecca Minkoff

26 Chanel Preowned Cosmetic Case, $399 at Luxe Designer Handbag.

27 Marc Jacobs Smiley Face Cosmetic Case, $98 at Shopbop.

28 LeSportsac Tuileries Cosmetic Case, $31.50 at 6pm

29 Charlotte Tilbury Canvas Cosmetics Case, $20 at Net-a-Porter. 

30 Vera Bradley Luggage Lighten Up Travel Cosmetic Case, $34 at Zappos.

Gift Guide: Valentine’s Day Hearts You’d Actually Want

Last week, I put together a gift guide of heart-shaped goodies that you’d actually want (unlike, say, a pink heart-shaped diamond engagement ring) for KEEP (it’s like Pinterest but all shop-able; definitely check out my KEEP collections). I’m porting it over here today for you, since we’re getting pretty close to the big day. Flowers die, sparkly jewelry, cashmere sweaters, edgy tableware, mid-century modern chairs, and vintage Chanel are much more appreciated. Here are 10 heart-shaped Valentine’s Day gifts that even would-be heart haters wouldn’t be able to resist.

Heart Shaped Gifts For Valentine's Day
S H O P P I N

1. Cashmere Sweater With Cross Heart Face

2. Brown Diamond Heart Drop Earrings

3. Neon Heart Art Print

4. Black & White Graphic Heart Scarf

5. Fragile Hearts Splatter Bowl

6. Alex Woo Heart Pendant on a Ball Chain

7. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Heart Pop

8. Vintage Chanel Heart-Shaped Minaudière

9. Hot Pink Diary With Heart Lock

10. Verner Panton Heart Cone Chair

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Shop Valentine’s Day confections at Dean & Deluca >

Edible Valentine's Day Gifts Dean & Deluca

Beauty Break: The Mascara Wars

Let me start off by saying that my husband came up behind me last night to rub my shoulders in a much appreciated spurt of affection, saw me scrolling through an endless array of waterproof mascara on a cosmetics site, and said, “Why are there so many? They all serve the same function. I don’t understand.” Needless to say, I didn’t bother to respond.

If you’re a longtime StyleCarrot reader, you might remember, that while I rarely blog about beauty, I did gush over a particular mascara a few years back. Dismayed to find my Bobbi Brown mascara had been discontinued , I took an inexpensive chance on a drugstore brand with great success. I feel like it’s time for a change, so I decided to poke around the Interwebs. These smudge and waterproof mascaras caught my eye, for one reason or another. I’ll share my non-scientific findings.

Waterproof Mascara Designer & Drugstore Brands

S H O P P I N G 

1 Tarte Lights, Camera,  Lashes 4-in-1 Waterproof Mascara, $19
Never mind that the brand name “Tarte” is alluring, look at the packaging of this beauty—deep purple snakeskin and gold anchor insignia. Reviewers claim it’s great—no smudgy racoon eyes.

2 Chanel Inimitable Waterproof, $30
I like the descriptor “Inimitable.” Obviously it’s a more pricey product, but reviewers rave about it. I like the sleek packaging, but what really pulled me in is the color selection—it comes in aqua and lime. Fun!

3 Yves Saint Laurent Waterproof Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils, $30
Love the blingy packaging (brass is back, baby). Love the electric “Majorelle” blue color even more. True, Katy Perry turned in her blue wig, but blue eyelashes still work. Most of the reviewers liked it, but one mentioned that it’s perfume-y, so, no thanks.

4 Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara, $25
I was using a dark brown Bobbi Brown mascara before it was discontinued, so obviously it made sense to have a look at this one. Plus, I like the name and the charcoal mirrored packaging. (Call me superficial, but hey, we’re discussing makeup.) Reviewers weren’t completely sold at first, but came to love it, particularly when they layered it with another mascara. Um, who has time for that? Still, it’s available in chocolate, and it’s Bobbi, so I’d try it.

5 Marc Jacobs Lash Lifter Gel Volume Mascara, $26
I didn’t even realize Marc Jacobs launched a cosmetics collection until I was in the Marc Jacobs boutique in Provincetown over Labor Day weekend. The rounded packaging is very Marc. Unfortunately, people seem to hate it.

6 CoverGirl LashBlast Water Resistant Mascara, $6.94
This is the mascara I’ve been using for several years, with great success. It goes on smoothly, doesn’t smudge, and comes off without a hassle at night. (I use Neutrogena eye makeup remover). If you want drama, this one’s not for you, but for me, it’s ideal for everyday.

7 Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $23
Like a true girl, I clicked through to this because of the metallic pink packaging. And, ok, because it’s called “Better Than Sex.” Not so much. Most reviewers declare it “clumpy.”

8 Benefit BADgal Waterproof Mascara, $19
Benefit Cosmetics opened on Newbury Street  near me. I haven’t gone in yet, but as a preview I thought I’d see about this mascara, although it’s name, “BADgal” is hardly a selling point for me. The reviews are so-so, but if you want mascara that absolutely doesn’t come off, even if you want it to, this seems to be it.

9 Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, $4.44
For years, models and celebs claimed that this is the mascara they used. It’s the one I grew up with, since my mother used it. I tried it once but wasn’t a fan. I suppose if you’re super preppy, the pink and green packaging is a draw. And yes, it’s very affordable.

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