Makeup Bag Makeover

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things with you, there is a good chance you will be taking some makeup. Am I right? A woman never wants to be stuck without it, but that does not mean you have to carry the contents of your entire at-home vanity everywhere you go. The last thing we need is unnecessary items in our handbags weighing us down! Keep it simple and keep it light with a few, select products. If you chose the right ones, you will look as beautiful as ever – and your back and shoulders will thank you!

Follow these basic guidelines of “Have” and “Have-Not’s” to help you decide what makes the cut:

EVERY MAKEUP BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE:

Expired products

All products that have moisture in them are breeding grounds for unhealthy bacteria (i.e. liquid and cream foundations, shadows, blushes, mascara, etc.) So how do you know what to keep and what to pitch? Almost all of these products have an illustration of an open container with a number next to it. This number represents the number of months it will stay preserved from the time it has been opened and exposed to air. It may be small, but it is there. You just have to look for it!

My recommendation– If it smells different from when you first bought it, throw it away! Be conscious of when you opened the product to be sure you are not using it past its shelf life. Whether they smell or not, mascaras need to be replaced every two to three months. There should be no compromising when it comes to your health and well-being!

Foundation bottles

Bottles of liquid foundation are not designed to accompany you to your morning work meeting, lunch date, or happy hour with the girls! Not only does it add weight, but the possibility of it leaving you with a leaky mess and wasted foundation is very likely!

My recommendation- Shed the weight and leave it at home. If the thought of parting from your foundation is giving you withdrawal symptoms, purchase a small travel jar (found at beauty supply stores and some drug stores) that seals tight to carry with you.

Multiple lipsticks in a similar shade

A woman’s lips are of utmost importance. For some, they are her signature; however, 2+ in the same color family is wasting precious real estate in your bag!

My recommendation- If you would like to have more than one lip option at your reach throughout the day, select products of various textures and colors to satisfy your ever-changing mood. For example: a nude gloss, a bold red lipstick, and a sheer pink tint is a great wardrobe to carry on-hand.

EVERY MAKEUP BAG SHOULD HAVE:

Powder Compact and Concealer

Powder can be a great help in your time of need; concealer, a (wo)man’s best friend.  I have yet to work with a client who has a perfect complexion or experiences no oiliness in the t-zone. You are not alone! Apply concealer around the eye area to fake your recommended eight hours of sleep, and on the face to hide blemishes, redness, or hyperpigmentation. The powder will combat shine and keep your face looking polished from morning ‘till night.

My recommendation- choose a powder that has a mirror, a bit of coverage, and room for a sponge. Carrying a powder with some coverage, combined with your concealer, can double as a complexion perfector in a pinch instead of a full foundation.

Lip Gloss/Lipstick

Let’s revisit our earlier discussion of lip colors. We have established that you do not need 2+ colors in the same family, so what DO you need?

My recommendation- A hydrating balm or clear gloss is essential as well as a lip product with a tint. The balm will guarantee those lips are smooth and plump, and is best worn when you would like to keep the focus on your beautiful eyes. The lip product with a tint easily doubles as your cheek color if you find yourself in a bind!

Mascara and Eyeliner

These are your emergency products. Your backup. When you cannot make it back to the full artillery at your home base but need to do your makeup from start to finish, these two saviors (along with your powder, concealer and lip products) will pull your look together no matter where you need to be.

My recommendation- choose an eyeliner in black or brown with a smudger on the other end. Black or brown can be worn with any style of makeup or outfit, and the tiny yet crucial detail of the smudger will help deliver a smokey eye in no time if needed! Simply apply the liner, starting from the lash line working about half way up the lid. Then use the smudger to soften and blend (you can also use some face powder in the crease to ensure there are no harsh lines.) Finish with one or two coats of your favorite mascara and you have created a smokey eye!

We all make room in our makeup bag for products we cannot imagine parting with, even for a moment. What are some products that you carry around at all times? Use the comment section below to tell us what is important to you!