Now, there's nothing wrong with having lots of makeup products in every conceivable shade at home in your cosmetics drawer, but, when it comes to portability, it's just not practical. So, just what are the makeup basics that you need in your purse or makeup bag?
The Must-Haves
First off, a good sunscreen should be in your purse. No amount of cosmetics can take the place of protecting your skin from harmful UV rays from the sun. Buy a good moisturizer or foundation that has a sunscreen in it, and you have a double-duty product that will keep your skin soft, smooth and better protected from sun damage. Purchase a travel-sized product to save space.
Next, you need a good foundation makeup. Whether it's for touch-ups at the office or a fresh face for an evening out, a good foundation will even out your skin tone and minimize the appearance of any visible pores. Foundation really is indispensible for a polished look and works wonders to hide any flaws or imperfections that are no one's business but your own.
If you have trouble spots like dark circles under your eyes or blotchy patches of skin, you will also want to have a concealer with you. Nothing makes you look more tired or ages you faster than those dark circles, so cover them up for the best effect.
A pressed powder compact is great for quick touch-ups when you don't have time to repair your foundation. The compacts usually have a mirror, which comes in handy. To save space, try a liquid-to-powder foundation. It goes on as a liquid, and then it dries to a perfect matte finish.
Mascara is an essential in your makeup bag. Your eyes are a focal point, and you want them as bright and beautiful as possible. Choose a waterproof mascara, and you will be ready for anything from a tearjerker movie to an impulsive trip to the beach.
Speaking of beautiful eyes, an eyebrow pencil that does double duty as eyeliner is another space-saving trick. A brown pencil works great for blondes and lighter brunettes, but true brunettes and dark brunettes may prefer basic black. Complete your eye makeup with a trio compact of eye shadows that has three shades of intensity for base color, highlights and impact color.
As for the lips, you should have a moisturizing lip balm. Your lipstick and lip liner will not adhere well to a rough, dry surface, so always start with a good moisturizing lip balm to keep your lips soft and smooth. When it comes to color for your lips, many women opt for just a lipstick. If you want to be prepared for an evening out, however, slip in a lip liner pencil that is just one shade darker than your lipstick and a clear gloss for added shine. For daytime looks, just the gloss may be all you need.
If you use makeup brushes for applying any of your cosmetics, make sure you have travel brushes for your purse. You can buy makeup brushes that retract into their handle and have a snap-on lid that keeps your brush and your bag free from powders and creams.
Options for Special Situations
It is always best to travel light, but you may want to take a look at the following items in case you need them. Tweezers are a good idea. Nothing can send your perfect makeup out the proverbial window faster than a stray eyebrow hair facing straight out. You can buy tweezers in a case to prevent the edges from snagging or poking anything else in your bag. Another little lifesaver is an emery board. If you've ever broken off a nail, you know that those jagged edges look terrible and catch on everything.
Don't forget a hard plastic container of breath mints. You can look stunning, but it won't matter a bit if that garlic and onion bagel you had for lunch hangs around. Don't bother with a paper roll of mints. They aren't likely to be useful for long.
Gather these essentials together, and put them in a pretty makeup case with a zipper so all these little parts don't roll around. Toss the case into your purse, and you are ready to take on whatever your day or evening may offer.
