So you don’t have time to run home before heading out with friends after work, but you still want to look hot? Don’t worry: the HC beauty editors have you covered.
Whether you want to touch up your daytime makeup at the office or vamp it up for a night out after work, having a streamlined makeup bag with you at your job or internship is a must. I just leave my bag at my internship (this is super helpful if I’m running late in the morning – I can do my makeup at the office!).
You don’t need a million products to take your look from day to night. Instead, a few key items will be plenty, and they should all fit inside of a small cosmetics bag (I picked mine up at CVS, but you can get them anywhere!). Some of the products in my beauty bag are makeup and some are general beauty items, so there’s something here for everyone — no matter your beauty routine!
Makeup
Concealer
Concealer is a must for me since I tend to break out quite a bit. A cream concealer, such as this one from Laura Mercier, is easy to use for pinpoint concealing, and the peachier shade is great for covering undereye darkness.
Pressed Powder and/or Oil Blotting Sheets
Whether you have oily skin or not, most girls will experience a little bit of shine throughout the day, so it’s a good idea to have a powder compact, like this CoverGirl one, for touch-ups. If powder looks too cakey, try oil blotting sheets.
Smudgy Eyeliner
A dark and smudgy eyeliner, such as Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner, is one of the easiest ways to take your look from day to night. Just run a bit of pencil around your eyes, smoke it out with your finger and voilà! Instant smokey eye.
Neutral Lipstick or Balm
A neutral lipstick is generally a great thing to have on hand, but a peachy or pink lipstick has the added benefit of doubling as a cream blush. Just dot the lipstick on the apples of your cheeks and blend out with fingers, and you’ll be good to go. Check out Revlon Super Lustrous Lipcolor in Coral Berry for the perfect shade!
Bright Lipstick
Neutrals are great and all, but sometimes you just need a punch of color. I like to keep a super bright lipstick, such as Revlon Moon Drops in Orange Flip, with me to brighten up any outfit. Plus, if you swipe on an eye-catching lipstick, you don’t need to add any more drama to your eyes.
General Beauty
Hand Sanitizer
This is a must for me. I take public transportation and spend all day on my computer, so it’s imporant to clean my hands before I touch my face.
Fragrance
Sometimes you need to freshen up a bit, and a mini atomizer, like this one from Sephora, does just the trick and fits easily in your handbag. Lots of perfumes also come in a convenient rollerball form (and you won’t risk accidentally spraying your neighbor!).
Lip Balm
There’s nothing that feels (or looks!) worse than having chapped lips, so I always have a lip balm in my handbag, my bedroom, my car … you get the idea. I especially love the Smooth Sphere Lip Balm from eos!
Nail Clippers
I’m a bit OCD when it comes to my fingernails, and if one of them is jagged, I tend to obsess over it until my entire mani is ruined. Long story short, I always have a pair of nail clippers to avoid self-sabotage (not to mention they’re great for cutting off tags or removing stray threads from clothing!).
Extra Contacts and Eye Drops
I have contacts that I replace every night, so I like to have a few spares with me in case I get something in my eye. If I’m out late or I’ve been staring at a computer for too long, my eyes can get dry, so I like to keep drops on hand. And yes, that prescription is correct — my eyesight is that bad.
Extra Hair Elastics and Clips
‘Nuff said.
These are just the items in my emergency makeup bag that I leave at the office, but obviously, feel free to remove or add products based on your skin tone, makeup style and beauty regimen! It’s all about being prepared and feeling your best, no matter where you are.