I used to end up with back pain and shoulder pain, just from carrying my handbag around with me all day. I’m the kinda girl that likes to carry everything I could possibly need for any eventuality, but it’s just not practical. So I decided to really curate what I was carrying around in my makeup bag for when I’m on the go as I really don’t need 34 lipsticks for ‘just in case’.
For my makeup bag, I’ve definitely realised small is better. The bigger the makeup bag, the bigger the chance I’d overfill it, so I now ensure that the makeup bag inside my handbag is on the smaller side with just my essentials.
Another thing I’ve realised is that I always apply my makeup whilst at home so the only products I need to carry around with me are those I’d use for touch ups. So there’s absolutely no need for a primer as I’d always apply my primer at home before applying any other makeup. There are the odd occasion where I’d perhaps been in a mega rush and need to take a full face of makeup with me, but nine times out of ten, I’ll have applied the majority of my makeup at home before even leaving to go out.
I have around nine products in my makeup bag now in my handbag now, so I wanted to share the products I chose incase you also want to streamline your makeup bag. I’m not mentioning items likes mirrors as they’re a given so these five makeup must haves are purely makeup products I’d need for on the go makeup touch ups.
Full Coverage Concealer – before I used to take maybe one or two foundations and then a concealer, but I finally realised it’s definitely unnecessary. By choosing a full coverage concealer, I can then use it for concealing blemishes, breakouts and imperfections, but it also can be built up on the skin to give coverage in lieu of foundation.
I like to have either a makeup sponge or blending brush in my makeup bag, and when dotted all over the face, and blended, concealer doubles up as a foundation perfectly. Plus it’s much lighter than carrying around a weighty foundation bottle which would typically be glass, and prevents any potential smashing incidents too. My personal favourites would be the Barry M All Night Long Full Coverage Concealer as it builds up nicely, works well under the eyes for covering up darkness or imperfections and also lasts well on the skin.
Eyeshadow Palette – For my five makeup must haves roundup, I had to include an eyeshadow option. When I say eyeshadow palette, I’m not talking a full Urban Decay Naked Palette. I’m taking about a small travel friendly palette that would double up well for eyeliner and/or brow powder depending on the shades. I also like my palette to have a mirror in the lid, so I don’t need to carry around a separate mirror too.
The I Heart Revolution Mini Chocolate Eyeshadow Palettes have robust packaging, eight shades in shimmer and matte finishes with multiple different palettes to choose from. The quality is decent and for only £6 it’s not going to break the bank, and I’m not going to worry too much about the shadows being damaged in transit. If you don’t want a full palette, an eyeshadow pencil is another great option as you can draw over the lid and blend with your fingertips in a matter of seconds, and you don’t have any issues with potential damage to powder shadows that way either.
Multi-use Tinted Balm – Instead of carrying around a blusher, lip balm and highlighter I’ve really enjoyed using multi use products in my makeup bag like the Dr. PawPaw balms. They have different tinted versions which you can use for a cream blush, a tinted lip colour, and they add sheen to the cheeks, so you don’t necessarily need to apply a highlighter if you really do want to streamline the products inside your makeup bag. If you have their clear version, it can be used to tame the brows and hydrate cuticles too.
Cream Blush – I try to avoid powder blushes in my makeup bag as they can be bulkier, you need a separate blush brush for application and then the powder formula can be be prone to breakage whilst on the go. Cream blushes are so easy to apply, and some cream blushes like the Stila Convertible Colors double up as a lip colour too. They’re slim compacts with mirrors, and you can apply just with your fingertips in a matter of seconds.
Mascara – I always wear mascara even on my most minimal of makeup days, but I had to include it within my Five Makeup Must Haves For On The Go as it’s such a must-have in my makeup routine.
I don’t typically touch up my mascara on a daily basis, but I like to carry one around just incase I have a situation where it’s smudged, flaked or run as I feel like mascara makes such a difference to your whole makeup look. I usually carry around a drugstore mascara like the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara as it can be layered over dry mascara without mega clumps, and it lasts on my lashes all day.
I really hope you found my Five Makeup Must Haves For On The Go useful and it inspires you to streamline your makeup bag.
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