So I thought I'd share the top products your makeup bag should have:
Mascara (L'Oreal Voluminous or Bourjois Liner Effect Mascara are both some favs!)
One dark lipstick/one light lipgloss (YSL or Revlon for the lipsticks and Stila or Bobbi Brown for the glosses)
An eyelash curler (Try Shu Uemura's! Amazing!)
Foundation (So many I can't even begin to elaborate on them.)
Concealer (I love Lise Watier's concealer wheel as well as CoverGirl for under the eyes.)
Eyeliner - one brown pencil and one liquid black (M.A.C.'s Teddy has been my go to for years. I also like Annabelle for a great purse cheapie!)
Blush (Nars Orgasm is everyone's fav but mine is Nars Desire and I also love Joe Fresh Beauty blush and Cargo.)
Bronzer (Physician's Formula has a great option for on-the-go and Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Brick can be used all over.)
And of course you can always add in extras but those should be your staples!
My advice? Dump out your makeup bag every time you're going away or even dragging it to the gym. Take out the basics and realize, if you can get by with those you can probably do without a lot of your other items. I keep a big makeup drawer (okay many drawers and bins – it's an occupation hazard!) of products I don't use all the time but that I want to save for special occasions. I don't lug them with me every day but I have them nearby if I need them. – Kate DaleySubscribe to our newsletters for our very best stories, recipes, style and shopping tips, horoscopes and special offers.