MAKEUP PROfessions is a brand spankin’ NEW series that I’m introducing on Pretty In Pigment!
As a professional makeup artist and beauty blogger, people are constantly asking me questions about my favorite products and how to achieve certain makeup techniques. To answers all of the questions in one place, I decided to start this series, in which I will dish a bunch of my tips & tricks as a professional makeup artist with my readers. Enjoy!
5 Makeup Bag Must Haves
Every woman needs, I should say MUST have a make up bag with at least 5 essential products. Even those “I don’t like to wear makeup” kind of women should take this bare essentials kit into consideration.
Let’s face it! Everyone can use a little makeup to help them bring their best face forward and give their natural beauty a boost. And for those people on the natural beauty train, these essentials are designed to bring out your natural radiance, without masking your face under a ton of makeup.
An essential makeup bag should NOT be a traveling version of your vanity. It should be a compact bag that fits into your purse, easy to carry and is lightweight since you will be hauling it around all day.
I have put together my 5 makeup bag must haves, which are the basic items that should be found in your bag. There are a few more items that I think every woman should have, but this is the trimmed down version.
BB Cream- Cut the clutter in your makeup bag and opt for a multi-purpose BB Cream. A BB Cream contains everything you need to keep your skin radiant, such as moisturizer, sunscreen and a primer. Everything comes compact in an easy to carry tube, while still providing light to medium coverage.
My Favorite: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, $39.
Concealer- Every woman should have a go-to concealer to hide little imperfections such a blemish and/or redness. In my opinion, a good concealer is one that gets the job done, while providing long lasting coverage that remains invisible all day. Try a few options until you find one that you love and always keep it on hand.
Tip: If you concealing redness or blemishes- Use a cool (green) tone concealer. If you are covering dark circles under the eyes, use a warm (orange) tone concealer.
My Favorite: MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, $19.
Mascara– I think that mascara is the only eye product that instantly makes your pretty peepers pop! If I could only use one eye product on my eyes, mascara would be my gal!
Here’s a quick lesson on mascara: All mascaras are not created equally and each one is designed with a specific purpose in mind. From volumizing, to lengthening, to thickening, the mascara options are endless. When selecting mascara that is right for your lovely lashes, pick mascara that has your best lashes at heart. Also, pick a formula that is Clump-free AND flake-free.
My Favorite: Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara, $7.
Nude Lipstick or Lip Gloss- Some women prefer lipstick and others prefer lip gloss, as long as you have a go-to neutral shade in one them, that’s all that matters. Can’t decide on which to have? Well I’m a makeup hoarder, so I would say both, but if you are trying to keep your bag lite, chose a lipstick with a shiny finish. The key here is a nude shade, something that will work for any occasion, especially when you are on the go!
My Favorite: MAC Honeylove Lipstick, $15.
Good Brush Set- A makeup bag filled with great products is useless if you are not using the proper tools. Makeup brushes are the key players in bring your makeup to life, so make sure that you invest in good brushes. Good brushes are usually not cheap, but if you do some research, you can find a good set for your budget. Make sure that the set you purchase includes a diverse set of brushes that you will use. Can’t find a set that has the tools you need? Purchase your brushes a la carte.
My Favorite: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Professional Makeup Brushes, prices vary.
As I mentioned before, these are just the bare essentials for a makeup bag. My makeup bag has a few more key players, which I will talk more about in a future post.
Do you have a suggestion for a topic or trick that you are dying to learn? Email me with your suggestions.
What is your makeup bag must have?
Bee says
I really need to get the smash box BB cream 🙂 lovely list!
I swear by MAC brave lipstick (nude for me) when nothing comes to mind 🙂
Veronica Lee says
I never leave home without my lipstick! I’ve not tried MAC but I shall take your word for it!!! Thanks!