Makeup Bag Must-Haves
When it comes to makeup kits, the goal is to make the most within the least amount of space. But it can be hard to decipher what you need and what you can toss, so we’ve gathered together all the essentials below.
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Tinted Moisturizer
Estée Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release Moisturizer $54
Tinted moisturizers can even skin tone and cancel out redness with just the right amount of coverage. DayWear Sheer Tint Release Moisturizer from Estée Lauder is our top pick because it enhances skin tone while fighting free radical damage that can lead to visible aging, leaving virtually every skin tone looking radiant, and protects with SPF 15.
"With this moisturizer, you don't need foundation because of the tint in the product. Every time I wear I, everyone tells me my skin looks great!" says moeski100 in her product review.
Concealer
Charlotte Tilbury Miracle Eye Wand Brightening Duo $45
No makeup bag is complete without concealer. Often called the miracle product of beauty, it brightens complexions fast, can be used as a primer on lips and eyelids, hides imperfections, and helps you look awake and refreshed—even if you've only had a few hours of sleep. For all those benefits in a portable click pen, try Charlotte Tilbury's Miracle Eye Wand Brightening Duo. It's a double-ended eye cream and brightener in one that brightens and hydrates in an instant.
"This miracle eye wand is truly a miracle! I use the eye cream side of the pen first and dab on with my ring finger and then go in with the brightening/concealing side of the pen." says TheDomesticDesi in her five-star review.
Mascara
CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara $6.17
Mascara can wake up your eyes instantly and help them appear brighter and bigger. CoverGirl's LashBlast Volume Mascara is a favorite and bestseller because it has silicone bristles that are perfectly spaced to define and lengthen each lash individually so you won't be left with too much clump, and at just $4.99, the price is right!
"I've been using this product for years now and it is hands down the best mascara that exists. It stays on all day and never needs to be re-applied. The brush is silicone/plastic/rubber (or something) which I think is what truly sets this apart. The mascara NEVER and I mean NEVER gets clumpy. The brush separates my lashes and evenly coats each one to make them look FULL and long." says JTHB in their five-star review.
Blush
IT Cosmetics CC+Vitality Brightening Creme Blush $29.17
Just a touch of the right blush can bring color to your complexion, especially helpful in the overcast and dreary days of winter. New CC+Vitality Brightening Creme Blush from IT Cosmetics has light technology to instantly diffuse the look of imperfections while giving cheeks a natural flush of color.
"Love this product. Gives soft and natural looking glow!" says Susan M. Keith in her online product review.
Eyeliner
Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer Self-Sharpening Eye Color Pencil $6.35
Whether you like a well-defined eye or prefer a lower-key look, eyeliner showcases your eyes and can help you appear awake and more youthful—even if just dabbed between lashes for a little definition. For maximum versatility, we're loving Rimmel's Exaggerate Eye Definer Self-Sharpening Eye Color Pencil. Highly pigmented for intense color, it creates high precision lines, self-sharpens, and can be blended to your preference with the built-in smudger. Choose from six colors that range from creamy matte to metallic.
"I have been wearing this same eyeliner for over eight years now. It is the only pencil eyeliner with smudger combo that I have ever had that wears like a true waterproof eyeliner. I have an eye that does not have a tear duct system so it constantly waters, and this is the only eyeliner that I have ever had that lasts throughout the day!!!" says jwar in her product review.
Lipstick
Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lipstick $38
A punch of lip color can give you an instantly pulled-together look, even with no other makeup applied, making it a true essential. Bobbi Brown's Luxe Matte Lipstick is an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner because it's a 12-hour lipstick that delivers a vivid matte look with a smooth and silky feel. And with 18 shades to choose from, there's one to suit every style and occasion.
"I've finally found a matte lipstick that I love!! It has deep pigmentation and lasts all day even through meals and drinks" says pepperedinstyle in their five-star review.
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