What should every makeup bag contain

Unless you're uniquely blessed by nature, your face has blemishes and imperfections, like dark spots, scars or dark circles under your eyes. Concealer can make those blemishes fade, if not disappear entirely.

Concealer comes in liquids good for dry skin , creams and sticks. Liquids are the lightest form of concealer, while sticks are the most solid and opaque. Concealers also come in a variety of shades, and you want to make sure you find the one or one palette that best matches your skin tone. The general guideline is to go one-half to one shade lighter than your skin.

A lighter concealer is best for minimizing darker areas--like those circles under your eyes. Darker concealers help hide puffiness. There are color-correcting concealers, too, which come in green, blue and yellow.

Green neutralizes red, so you might use it to mask red spots like scars or acne. Yellow hides bruises well. These work a little differently on different skin tones; for example, people with browner complexions should use peach or orange-colored concealer to hide bluish or grayish splotches on skin. After you apply concealer, use a sponge to blend it in.

Top it off with a light layer of translucent powder to set the stage for a flawless face. Makeup should never scream "made-up. Translucent face powder can give you that effortless look. When applied correctly, it's invisible, but it creates a flawless, perfectly blended look.

Translucent powder is a sheer, fine and colorless substance. It's applied all over the face in a light layer, and it has a few different benefits:. You can apply translucent powder to your eyelids, and around your lips, nose, forehead and chin to reduce shine.

Translucent powder comes in different shades to match your skin tone, and in a couple of different forms: loose powder and pressed powder. For an on-the-go makeup bag, you'll probably want to go with pressed powder. It's less likely to leak out all over the bag, and it typically comes with a built-in applicator so you don't have to carry a separate brush.

Eye color can be dramatic for evening or understated for daytime. Eyeshadow comes in pencil, cream and powder forms, making it very versatile. You can wear it just on your lids, or make it do double duty by applying a thin line of dark brown, gray or black eyeshadow just above and below your eyelashes in place of eyeliner. Neutral eyeshadow shades produce a classic look that accentuates your eyes.

You can also go with colors that match or complement your eye color peach highlights blue eyes, while any neutral tone goes well with brown eyes. For a more dramatic look, choose a bright color that "pops" and draws attention to your eyes, or blend several shades together to heighten the effect. Luckily, eyeshadow often comes in handy "expert coordinated" palettes, in which you'll find three or more colors in one little case.

It's a space saver, and it can help you identify the right combination of colors for your look. Before applying eyeshadow, start with a thin layer of concealer, followed by a powder to smooth out your eyelids. Use a separate brush for each color of eyeshadow you're applying, so the colors don't run into one another.

You stopped painting with your fingers when you graduated from kindergarten, so why are you still putting on your makeup that way? Your face is the canvas, and makeup brushes are the tools you need to make it a masterpiece.

Using a makeup brush will also keep your hands off your face before they can leave behind a layer of dirt, oil and bacteria that can cause breakouts. You don't need to buy every single one of these; just don't use one brush for everything, unless you want to wear blush on your eyelids and eyeshadow on your cheeks.

Before you buy a makeup brush set, test it out. In a good-quality brush, the bristles should all move in one direction to give you more control over application.

When you pull on the bristles, they should stay firm. If clumps of bristles fall out in your hand, find another brush to carry around. Nothing can take you from drab daytime to dramatic nighttime like an eyelash curler. Just look for something light that shimmers. You can put it in your lids for a soft, girlie effect, in your inner corners to open your eyes up like you see here or along your cheekbones to make them look higher.

So versatile! An acceptable substitute: Highlighter. Of course, there are lots of other great things that can be handy to have on hand, but those are the five I think everyone should have. What would be on your list? Rewards Free Stuff Promos. Topics beauty tools eye shadow eyelash curlers eyeliner eyeliners eyeshadow makeup mascara. As for matte vs. One compact lasts forever and the powder looks incredibly natural on the skin. Love the bronzed look? See our list of the best bronzers for a sun-kissed glow.

See our posts on the best setting powders and the best setting sprays for our favorite beauty buys! Eye primer has been a lifesaver for me, as before I started using it, my eye makeup would literally be nearly gone within two or three hours. My all-time favorite eyeshadow primer is this one by Too Faced. My shadow never, ever, ever creases when I wear this. Along with highlighter, eyeshadow is my favorite makeup product, simply because it comes in so many different colors and finishes, and can be used in so many different ways!

See our guide to the best eyeshadows for specific product recs. Mascara has a magical way of pulling your eye look together, and comes in countless different formulas that lengthen, thicken, and curl your eyelashes. Black is fine for most people, but if you have very light-colored lashes, you may want to look into getting a brown mascara instead for a more natural look. Nothing beats its volume. Love mascara? Check out our guide to the best mascaras for perfect lashes.

Love falsies? We have a guide to the best false eyelashes too! Eyeliner , like mascara, can also add the little extra something needed to really make your eye look pack a punch. While black eyeliner is often considered a staple, consider giving brown or dark gray a try if you have lighter skin. It lightly hydrates skin with coconut and aloe and creates an even tone without weighing skin down. Everyone should wear an SPF of 30 or greater every single day regardless of season, amount of time spent outdoors, and skin color.

In addition to protecting skin from UV damage, it doubles down on hydration. It dries down to a powdery finish and nourishes skin with algae extract, baobab seed oil, and kukui seed oil. The unique square shape makes it easier to apply, and the formulation features 3D glow pigments that create the illusion of fuller lips.

If you prefer something subtle, try a medium to dark brown mascara that lightly coats your lashes. If you want more impact, opt for a jet black product that lengthens and volumizes. The brush features both long and short bristles to separate and define with zero clumping.

A hint of color on your cheeks with blush is one of the easiest and fastest ways to bring life and youth back to the face. To keep things simple, we recommend a cream or liquid blush that you can easily blend in with your fingers, negating the need for a separate brush. Also, it can double as a sheer lip color in a pinch. Each color is buildable and easy to blend out for a natural, flushed finish.