As someone who likes to be prepared, there are certain items in my everyday makeup bag that I can’t leave the house without. (And when there are times that I do forget it, I have to admit that it is a big annoyance for me.) But I also take into consideration that I don’t want to weigh my purse down with my makeup bag as you know with most girls, it’s a never-ending black hole that has something for every situation.
What I put in my everyday makeup bag are items that I’ll need for makeup touch-ups throughout the day or for “emergency” situations.
Concealer
Concealer is probably the one item I’ll never leave the house without having on. It really helps cover up under-eye dark circles as well as any acne or acne scars. I just feel that it makes me more presentable and less tired-looking. I’m currently using the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. I usually alternate between Tarte and the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Concealer whenever they go on sale. Depending on the color you get, you can also use this concealer as contour as well. This concealer provides full coverage that lasts all day but doesn’t feel heavy at all. I find that it doesn’t settle into lines and instantly smooths and brightens the areas you need.
Lip Balm
The second item in my everyday makeup bag that I haven’t gone without in years, is lip balm. I’m currently using the Jack Black Moisture Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 and will continue to purchase this. I used to always use the Blistex Mint Lip Balm SPF 15 but now I prefer a lip balm with better and cleaner ingredients as well as a higher SPF. My lips always get dry and it just feels better with a layer of moisture whenever I need it. I wish I didn’t have to rely on it so much but it really does help. The Jack Black lip balm contain antioxidants and moisturizers that provide lasting treatment to help with chapped lips. The SPF is also important to me as I was tanning on vacations since I was young and have gotten sun spots on my lips over the years. I also always wear lip balm under my lipsticks for the extra moisture and protection.
Black Liquid Eyeliner
I’ve tried a lot of liquid eyeliners over the years and the two that I go between is Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Eyeliner and KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner. Right now, I have the Rare Beauty eyeliner in my everyday makeup bag and I also prefer it a little more than KVD because it has cleaner ingredients and the wear is slightly longer. Because of my oily eyelids and occasional watery eyes from the wind or irritation, I absolutely have to use a waterproof eyeliner. And especially when I’m taking photos and using my viewfinder, my eyeliner seems to come off much quicker since I’m always squinting. These two liquid eyeliners seem to stay on me the longest. Even though it occasionally smudges, it’s still not as bad as other ones I’ve used where I have to consistently reapply throughout the day. If there’s one item that I have to choose to take with me at all times, it would be a liquid eyeliner so I can touch up the smudges.
Lipsticks
Ever since I started using Kylie Cosmetics liquid lipsticks in 2016, I haven’t looked back or used another lipstick brand. I prefer to use the matte liquid lipsticks as I like how long-lasting and pigmented they are. I usually only have to apply it once and even after drinking and eating, it still stays on. Right now, I have 3 colors in my makeup bag: for everyday (Charm – velvet), just-in-case (Naked – matte), and a bit more glam (Kristen – matte).
Mascara
I bring a mascara with me in case I have to do touch-ups or when my lashes start to droop a little. I rarely need to reapply my mascara, but I just feel better having it with me. After I finish a tube of mascara, I always switch to a different brand. But at present, I’m using the Lancôme Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara. It goes on very smoothly, is a jet black color, and provides decent volume and length. It is a fiber brush and is shaped the way I need for mascaras to work on me. I do find that there is a bit of transfer on to the bottom of my eyes throughout the day, but it’s very minimal and my oilier eye area is to blame. I don’t always wear eyeliner when I go out, and mascara does make a big difference.
Brow Pencil
Doing my brows aren’t part of my daily makeup routine as I rarely have to do any maintenance for them. But I have the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in my makeup bag just in case for when I’m on the go and I need to get made up. It’s super easy to use and looks very natural on. You can find more details on it in my Sephora Spring Saving Event post.
Blotting Sheets
I’ve used oil blotting sheets since around 2007 and out of all the ones I tried, I like the Boscia Blotting Linens the best. I find the size of each sheet large enough that it’s easy, comfortable to use and enough for the whole face. It’s made with abaca leaf fibers and are infused with green tea to help soothe the skin while taking away any excess oil on the face. This is a quick and easy way to get rid of oil and shine without having to apply more setting powder or setting spray on.
Other Items In My Everyday Makeup Bag
These item are not necessarily makeup, but I have it in my makeup bag for those just-in-case times, and emergencies:
– La Roche Posay Cicaplast Mains hand cream that really smooths dry hands with no stickiness or residue
– Hand Sanitizer: I’ve always had hand sanitizer with me for more than 10 years now so it came in handy during the pandemic as I was already stocked up. I use the Bath and Body Works PocketBac Hand Sanitizers and I always try out different scents. Surprisingly, this was the one thing that actually got rid of the fish smell when I went ice fishing in the winter. Even soap didn’t work for some reason.
– Mini pack of tissues: I use Tempo petit. It’s made in Germany and has been around for over 80 years. Their tissues are 4-ply and I find the quality top notch. It has saved me and my friends (and strangers) in emergencies many times! My favorite scent is the menthol, green apple and jasmine.
– Tide To Go pen: let’s just say I’m clumsy sometimes and this has come in handy for me as well as my friends whenever there’s an accident
– Plain black hair elastic (I should really invest in a scrunchie that’s less damaging on the hair) or hair clip
– Mini mirror
– Mini perfume samples
– Mini Vaseline Lip Therapy
– Dental floss
For travel makeup inspiration, here’s What’s In My Travel Makeup Bag!