Beauty, Simplified: What I Actually Use and Why Less Is More - By Ashleigh Stewart
Updated: Jul 27, 2025
It’s not often I share glimpses into my personal life these days—especially on my business profile. But for fun (and a little break from the usual beauty banter), I thought I’d give you a peek inside something a bit more personal: my own personal makeup bag.
Gotcha! You thought I was going deep, didn’t you? 😉
Truth is, I’m a sucker for a good makeup tool. If it’s out there, I want to try it. But after years of working as a professional makeup artist, I’ve learned something that completely changed my routine: less is more and I like beauty simplified.
When I first started, I believed having hundreds of brushes made me look more professional, and able to do a better job. Before I became an artist I dreamed of wearing those sleek artist belts stocked with every tool imaginable—like the ones I admired at MAC. Now that I am that artist, I’ve realized I don’t need to carry the entire store with me. In fact, using fewer tools has made me a better artist in many ways.
I waste less time shuffling through brushes
My work station stays cleaner
Cleanup and brush-washing take a fraction of the time
I use single brushes for multiple purposes
And I’ve embraced the magic of a good sponge
That shift has also transformed my personal beauty routine. My daily glam routine is now faster, more efficient, and more intentional—without sacrificing results. As someone who’s always looked for smarter, time-saving systems (hello, working mom life), this has been a game-changer.
Here’s a peek at some of my ride-or-die tools— things I use daily and what I stock in my pro kits:
⭐ My Signature 8-Piece Brush Set – Thoughtfully curated for versatility, this set covers everything from soft blending to detailed definition. I especially love using the fluffy blending brush for both eyes and highlighter, the angeld brush for eyeliner, brows and lipstick application, and the fact that is all comes in a sleek little brush roller means it travels in style.
⭐ Precision & Full-Size Lash Curlers – I love having both! The full-size curler lifts the lashes beautifully, while the precision one is perfect for shorter lashes, sensitive eyes, or creating a lifted cat-eye look on the outer corners.
⭐ Tweezers – A clean brow is everything, and a trusty pair of tweezers helps keep unruly hairs in check for a polished finish.
⭐ Mini Sponges – These are a secret weapon for blending around the eyes, contouring small areas, and dabbing on highlighter with precision.
⭐ Sharpener – Because crisp lip and eyeliner looks require sharp, clean pencils—always.
⭐ Clear Vinyl Zipper Bag – This bag is my go-to for personal and pro use. It opens flat for easy access, has breathable mesh to keep products cool and fresh, and lets you see everything at a glance. I use these to organize my kits by product category so I can grab exactly what I need in seconds.
This setup is clean, efficient, and luxe. Whether you're a fellow artist or just someone wanting to simplify your routine, I hope this inspires you to edit your kit down to the essentials that work—and work hard.
Because in beauty (and in business), it’s not about how much you have—it’s how well you use it.
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