Whether you’re applying makeup on the go or have daily and nightly engagements that require retouching, carrying a well-stocked makeup bag will keep you from sacrificing beauty on your busy schedule. Since no one wants to be weighed down by an overstuffed bag of makeup (heaving lifting is for the gym!), selectivity is the key to keeping a well-stocked cosmetics case. With handy application tips from beauty experts, we’ve highlighted nine products to carry at all times so you can stay fresh-faced and fabulous.
1. Sunscreen
We all know the importance of SPF in the summer months, but UV rays are equally damaging during the rest of the year as they are during beach season. In order to protect your skin from future fine lines, wrinkles and sunspots, always wearing some form of SPF is key.
“Young women don’t always recognize that in just a few years they’ll be seeing their first wrinkles,” says Dr. Elizabeth Hale, a dermatological surgeon and clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU. She stresses the importance of taking preventative measures now “rather than spending a lot of money to reverse sun damage later.”
“UVA rays are longest and can penetrate through clouds and even car windows,” Hale says. For this reason, Hale suggests looking for products with ingredients that specifically block UVA rays, such as zinc oxide. Dr. David Leffell, a professor of dermatology and surgery at the Yale School of Medicine and consultant to Coppertone.
, explains that “makeup with SPF can give women a false sense of security. While it may have a certain level of sun protection, they likely don’t apply it with the same precision they would with a sunscreen.” He suggests Coppertone Oil Free Faces Sunblock Lotion, ($9.99). “The formula is light, non-greasy and won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts,” Leffell says. “Keep sunscreen in your makeup bag, and make it your first line of defense during your morning makeup routine.”
For quick and easy application, a face stick such as the Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Stick ($8.99) is another option.
2. Concealer
Hiding everything from under-eye bags to blemishes and breakouts, concealer is one of the most obvious beauty essentials. “Liquid concealers in tubes provide the best coverage,” says Jackie Cortes, professional makeup artist and owner of Beauty by Jackie. She says that “as long as you find an exact match to your skin tone,” all-over application is unnecessary. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to shop for concealer in a store rather than online so you can try out a few testers to find the best color match.
When it comes to application, Cortes’s advice is to rub liquid cover-up onto the back of your hand and apply it with a blush brush in a fluid, circular motion as needed, as long as you’re sure to get to the under-eye area and around the nose, where the pores are the largest. An example of a good liquid concealer is Neutrogena’s Shine Control Liquid Makeup ($12.99).
For those more comfortable with the idea of a powdered concealer, Scott-Vincent Borba, co-founder of e.l.f., suggests using a multi-tasking touch-up foundation. He specifically recommends his Anti-Fatigue 8 Hour Mineral Foundation ($30). “This will make your skin look flawless in any light and you can layer all day if needed without looking like you have makeup on,” he says. Another option is Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation ($18), which comes in 12 different color varieties.
3. A Set of Brushes
Whether you’re applying concealer, blush, bronzer or eye shadow, quality makeup brushes are necessary to ensure the best application. “Using the right applicator is a necessity,” says Borba. He advises you invest in “one brush that does everything.” His Anti-Fatigue Foundation/Contour Perfecting Brush ($26) includes a Micro-Exfoliation tool that has the added benefit of smoothing your skin during application.
Cortes recommends investing in a natural hair bristle brush, saying “natural hair, like a pony, will glide very smoothly on your skin.” A good example is the Sephora Collection Pro-Precision Blush Brush ($32).
You can also find more complete sets that include different-sized brushes designed specifically for the eyes, cheeks and face, such as the Sephora Collection Tools of the Trade Brush Set ($62). For a less expensive option, you can also check out the e.l.f Studio 11 Piece Brush Collection ($30).
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4. An Eyelash Curler
The simple lift that a good eyelash curler can provide will really make a difference in your standard beauty routine! Cortes recommends the shu uemura Eyelash Curler ($20), and advises that you always curl your lashes BEFORE you put on mascara to ensure that the curler doesn’t stick to your lashes and cause breakage. A less expensive option is the Maybelline Expert Tools Eyelash Curler ($4.49).
5. Neutral Eye Shadow
Though you have many color and application options when it comes to eye shadow, Cortes says natural, nude looks have been recently trendy. “Pop on nude eye shadow with mascara and you’re good to go!” she says.
To pull off a natural look that adds dimension to your eyes, you can choose your favorite shade of taupe or brown and highlight with ivory just below the brows and at the inner corners of your eyes. A perfect product for this look is CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadows ($4.99) in Café Au Lait, which includes three universally flattering nude shadow essentials. For a slightly more varied set of neutrals, Urban Decay Naked Basics ($27) consists of a six-shade range from light beige to dark brown.
6. Mascara
“Mascara will instantly brighten up your eyes,” Cortes says. With its ability to give you thick, luscious lashes, it’s easy to see why mascara is a must. There are many fantastic mascara varieties to choose from, but Make-Up Artist Magazine Beauty Editor Chantel Heister recommends L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara ($7.29). “It’s great because it won’t flake or smudge, plus the price is right!” she says.
Borba advises all of his clients (celebrities like Selena Gomez and Mila Kunis!) to always carry tinted mascara. “This formula will stay on through that slumber party, the final all-nighters and the boyfriend sleepovers,” he says. Borba recommends Max Factor Lashfinity 3 Day Mascara for “three days of tint, so you don’t have to worry about touchups!”
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7. Colorful Eyeliner
For a trendy way to add instant interest to your eyes, colorful eyeliner is an excellent option for special occasions and going out. “All shades in fall leaves are beautiful, such as golds, bronze and most shades of greens,” Cortes says. She warns, however, that “what’s hot for the summer is not for the fall. So I wouldn’t wear aqua blue all year round.”
If colored eyeliner is a step outside your comfort zone, it’s best to start with something more neutral, like a plum or navy color. For a natural look, Cortes’s tip is to “line the inner corners on the bottom of your eyes with a soft, smudged line of color.” Her favorite product is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil, ($19), which has 40 fantastic shades to choose from. A good way to determine which colors will work best for you is to choose a shade that contrasts with your eye color. Blue eyes tend to pop against shades of brown and vice versa, while green eyes stand out alongside reds and purples.
8. Lip Lacquer and Balm
The undeniable appeal of a colorful, glossy pucker makes a pretty lip product a beauty necessity. “Brighter colors are in for the season,” Cortes says. She recommends a colorful lip lacquer, which is essentially a thick, liquid form of lipstick, rather than a gloss, because “a lacquer will last all day, whereas a gloss will come right off.”
The other great thing about a colorful lip product is that it can be used elsewhere on your face. For what Cortes describes as a “very pretty, dewy look,” you can blend a drop of your lip color onto your cheekbones to brighten up your face. Heister recommends Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar ($18), which has many color varieties ranging from mattes to metallics.
For the times when you want to take a break from a bold lip color, all you need is a good lip balm. “I’m a self-professed lip balm fanatic, from my Hard Candy days to e.l.f. cosmetics to my new line of products,” says Borba. He recommends Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment in SPF 15 ($22.50), which includes different color options for a subtle tint.
9. Makeup Remover
Since you never know when you might need to salvage a smear or start completely from scratch (haven’t we all been caught without an umbrella at some point?), carrying some form of makeup remover is crucial so you can start with a clean slate.
Heister suggests investing in KohGenDo cleansing spa water cloths ($39), saying, “they feel like water on the skin.” Another budget-friendly option is Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Pads ($6.49).
Another option recommended by Borba is Mangosteen spray. “This is a non-irritating, skin-clarifying mist,” he explains. “It’s great for all skin types to keep skin clean and clear. It also helps kill all the bacteria when you use dirty makeup brushes for touchup[s].” An example is MyChelle Fruit Enzyme Mist ($14.75), although according to Borba, another option is to “go to your local Whole Foods market and get a concentrate. A few drops into purified water and a $1 spray bottle will do your face good!”
But makeup removal doesn’t only apply to your face, Cortes points out. The key to maintaining your products and making them last is keeping them clean. She explains that for this purpose, all you need are alcohol pads, which can be found at any drug store; try CVS Alcohol Prep Swabs ($2.37).
As you revamp your on-the-go beauty regimen, it may be worthwhile to invest in a new makeup bag. Whether you now need more or less space for cosmetics, better compartments to keep everything organized or you simply just want a cuter case, these are some fun options worth checking out!
Top Left: Sephora Collection Seize the Night Beauty Pouch, $28
Top Right: River Island Brown Leopard Print Color Block Makeup Bag, $26
Bottom Left: Forever 21 Bolt Studded Faux Leather Cosmetic Bag, $9.80
Bottom Right: Stella & Dot Frida Print Pouf, $26.
Carrying these nine products can keep you looking your best, as long as you keep in mind that a well-stocked makeup bag is only the first step. Since you never want your beauty regimen to be rushed, Heister says “less is more when it comes to makeup.” Cortes agrees, explaining that the key to on-the-go beauty is to keep it simple, and “play up the part of your face that looks best.” By picking one favorite feature to focus on and downplaying everything else, you can save time and focus on perfecting the few beauty moves you make, rather than scrambling to do too much at once.