Makeup Bag Must-Haves

How much makeup  is enough? And what really constitutes a must-have? While it is all very much a personal decision, it goes without saying that there is such a thing as having too much makeup -- in your makeup bag.  At home, where you undoubtedly have a place for stockpiling mass amounts of blushers,  lipsticks  that didn't look right and random eyeshadow  pots, when you're on the go, whether it be for the day or a week, it's essential that you have a makeup bag packed and ready to go with you wherever you wind up. For some though, it still remains a mystery about how to get every item that you need whittled down to fit into a compact bag to facilitate your every need. This guide has the solution.

Remember that you need the bare essentials.

• Something to make your skin look great: With great skin, everything else is secondary. For some, a tinted moisturizer  is enough to do the trick, while others only need some concealer.  It really depends on your skin.
• A touch of color: Whether you like to dress up your eyes, cheeks or lips the most is up to you. But it's good to carry at least one or two color items. A mascara, gloss and multi-function cheek/lip color usually cover all the basics.
• Confidence and a smile: Remember that you are gorgeous with or without makeup. Put on a smile and sport some confidence and nobody will notice that you didn't get to go through your normal 15 minute makeup routine.

Face

Concealer  What's your biggest issue that you stress over? Dark circles? Zits? Redness? Not every flaw can be concealed with only one shade of concealer so you may need one of two types depending on your imperfections. Choose yellow  to subdue blue undereyes, pink  to counteract gray undereyes, and green  to banish redness. Or get an all-in-one: Sephora Concealer Palette,  Makeup Forever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette,  or Pixi Eye Bright Kit.	Blush  Forget neutral blushes when you can own just one power blush that with a touch, transforms your face from blah to brilliant. Pick the type that best suits your skin, whether it be cream,  powder,  or a stain.  Favorite brands of makeup artists? NARS  takes the cake.	Illuminator Only a touch of highlighting powder, liquid, or cream can make your face come alive when applied properly. Dust it on the brow bone, cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead , and under the lips. Or get an illuminating moisturizer that does double duty and goes on light and sheer without a fuss. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick  is hands down one of the biggest hits of the season so far.	Foundation  A foundation suited to your skin type is a must-have for all special occasions as it evens out skin tone and gives a pristine finish to the skin. Of course, do be sure to have the proper foundation brush  or makeup sponge  to apply it with so that you get flawless coverage. Should you feel that foundation is necessary for even daily use, consider a [{Search:tinted moisturizer]] which would be less likely to clog the pores and cause breakouts.

Eyes

Eyeshadow Primer  Wear it alone for a clean look for daytime. At night, use it to create the perfect palette to apply color. It will help powders and creams float without creasing, and for bright hues, the color will look truer, more saturated.	Palette  A slim palette packed with a variety of cream or powder shadows is all you need to create a variety of looks. Buy one in the shades you use most often, whether they be dark, light, pastel, or neutral.	Eyeliner  Pick a liner, any liner since they can turn your look from simple to saucy in seconds. Black or brown is your best bet depending on the tone of your skin. Buy one of good quality since they last a long time.	Mascara  Nearly everyone looks like they've had a little pick-me-up with a swipe of mascara. Again, choose black or brown depending on your skin and be sure to replace it every three months.

Lips

Lip Liner  You need two liners: one should match your lip color and the other should match your favorite lipstick. The one that matches your lips should be worn all over in place of lipstick, giving a matte finish that will wear all day. Swipe on some gloss over top and you're set.	Lip Balm  What girl doesn't carry along a lip balm? This is a given for every makeup bag. Usually a stick is best (travels better in any weather) but clear liquid glosses are okay. They just don't offer the same moisturizing benefits as a balm. Burt's Bees  is a long standing favorite balm across the board.	Lipstick  A single trademark shade of lipstick should be kept on stock in your makeup case all year round. Usually a true red works for all fancy occasions, but for a girl who feels red is too intense, a pink works too.	Palette  This is a necessity for all the gals who can't decide on what they like, or if going from day to night, dinner to dancing you find you need a change of hue. Pocket size palettes are paramount so that they don't weigh you down.

Tools

Lash Curler  Nothing beats a curler for making your eyes look wide awake. A slim mini curler, as shown above, fits neatly into most small cosmetics cases.	Powder Puff  These are ideal for applying powder, blush, bronzer, etc., but where they really come in handy is when you flub. Perfect for dispersing streaky bronzer or blush.	Brushes  You could own twenty, but all you really need are three: one for concealer,  one for eyeliner  (when creating a smoky look), and one for foundation.	Sharpener  Each time you use eyeliner or lip liner you should clean the pencils by sharpening them. It will keep out bacteria and will give a cleaner line.

External Links

• Advice Sisters -- See impartial monthly reviews of hundreds of items that fall into the categories mentioned here and more.
• Blog for Beauty -- Check out Blog for Beauty's "Inside My Makeup Bag" sections that feature what real users have stocked in their makeup bags.