My makeup bag is an essential part of my everyday life. I use it almost everyday, and when I go on a trip its the first thing I make sure is packed. I have been asked a few times what my favorite must have makeup products are. That question got me thinking about this blog post. When I pack my makeup bag, what are the most essential products that I MUST have in there?
I want to include products that are versatile in the sense that they can create a beautiful natural everyday look. However, the products can also transform that look into something more glam if needed.
Primer
Have you ever seen this photo where someone put concealer on an orange and half of the orange had primer and the other half did not? A good face primer really is no joke! When I use mine at the beginning of my makeup routine, I can tell a big difference in how my makeup look versus without. My go to right now is the Nyx Cosmetics Studio Perfect Photo Loving Primer. It is a PERFECT dupe for the more expensive Smashbox Photo Finish primer, at a drugstore price.
Foundation
I am incredibly picky when it comes to my foundation. Your perfect foundation match can sometimes be tricky to figure out because the skin on our face is so temperamental. You can be oily, dry, have combination skin, be acne prone, have perfectly clear skin, the list goes on and on. And trust me, there is a foundation for every skin type. Dewy, Matte, Stick, Powder, etc. It can be kind of intimidating. I know there are tons of amazing different foundations on the market right now, and maybe one day I can make a blog post all about foundations. But my favorite foundation right now happens to be a drug store brand. The Maybelline Fit Me Dewy foundation is the best one I have used to date and I absolutely love it!
Bronzer
It took quite a bit of practicing and trying different products for me to master the art of contouring. Using a good bronzer really is the majority of the trick. My favorite bronzer to use is the Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer. It has such a beautiful color and does not make your skin look dirty or muddy. It also blends beautifully!
Blush
I used to be a little intimidated by blush, just because its one of those products that could make or break your look. Blush has really be “in” recently and lots of makeup artists are using it more in their looks as well as applying it a little heavier than we used to. My favorite blush right now also comes from Benefit Cosmetics and its their Galifornia blush. Such a beautiful pink color that also has specks of gold in it. I love packing this on my face whether I’m trying to go natural or full glam!
Brows
If you are a regular makeup wearer, your brows play a major role on your face. They can completely bring your look together. Doing a full face of makeup and having not touched your brows really makes the look seem “off”. And thats because your brows are there to be accentuated, why not fill them in, shape them, or at the very least throw some clear brow gel on them and call it a day? I go back and forth between brow products a lot, but one of the easiest to throw in my bag and use on the go is my Nyx Cosmetics Micro Brow Pencil. Its double sided with a tiny brow pencil on one side and a spooly on the other. The perfect 2-in-1 tool for your makeup bag.
Lashes
Doing my lashes is one of my favorite parts about doing makeup. Lashes are almost always the last thing I will do and I honestly think it makes your eyes pop after you put on your mascara. I have a serious problem with hoarding mascaras and buying them before an old tube runs out. My tried and true mascara will always be the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. It gives my lashes length, volume, and some curl all in one mascara. It also comes in a waterproof version!
Lips
This year I am trying to wear more satin and cream type lipsticks and give my liquid lipsticks (and my lips!) a rest. However there is one liquid lipstick that will always be my favorite and that is the Too Faced Melted Matt lipstick in the shade Cool Girl. This has been my most perfect nude shade that I have ever been able to find for myself and I am obsessed with it. Also the formula of the TF liquid lipstick is awesome, it doesn’t dry out your lips or make them feel like they’re going to crack in half.
Setting Spray
A setting spray is a beautiful, beautiful thing. It helps your makeup stay in place for the rest of the day and provides a nice rejuvenating spritz that doesn’t ruin your makeup. A good setting spray, like the MAC Cosmetics Fix+ Prep and Prime setting spray, can not only be used at the end of your look, but can be used before and during too. This versatile product can be sprayed on your face before you apply makeup, as a primer. And it can also be used to help products, like glitter or metallic eyeshadows “pop” on your eyelid. It also feels so refreshing when sprayed on your face!
I know some of the products I listed above may not be someone else’s favorite products. But thats the beauty of makeup, everyone has their own preference. And what may work for me, may not work for someone else and thats okay! What are your makeup bag essentials? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading and we’ll talk again soon. 😊
