Must Have Makeup Products For Your Makeup Bag
Feeling Overwhelmed By Your Makeup Bag, Or Not What You Truly Need?
Think of this post as a personal shopping experience helping you pick the best products!
How many times have you walked into a store to pick up some new makeup but been faced with overwhelm and confusion? It is pretty crazy how many brands and makeup products are available. I think we can all relate when I say we have all purchased products, not really knowing if they are right for us or even what we want and need!
Unless you already have knowledge of what already works for you, the best products to invest in, or have been lucky enough to have had a makeup lesson that helps identify what you need, it can get a little tricky.
Makeup lessons have been my area of expertise for years. I have seen and used many products and brands over the years, and I can confidently recommend what I feel is the best around. You do not need a vast makeup bag of products to achieve a simple, easy makeup look. I want to take a step back and help you identify the must-have makeup products for your makeup bag. Let's break it down into key areas and create the best makeup bag ever!
Foundation
You may not want to wear foundation all the time, perhaps just for special occasions, and that is OK. But it is always great to have a foundation to hand to even out your skin tone and create a finish that looks like natural, healthy skin. Please do not put off using foundation if you are concerned it will look heavy and cakey. The key to applying foundation is to apply it in 2-3 thin layers buffed well into the skin.
My top foundations for creating a beautiful finish are;
All of these foundations have great medium coverage, which can be built up to create fuller coverage. You can also do a little trick and either mix a tiny amount of moisturiser or face serum to thin out the formula to create lighter coverage. Using a damp sponge will also help with creating light coverage. Foundations are very versatile; you just need to find the way you love to use them the most.
Concealer
I meet a lot of ladies who either do not own a concealer or have one but are not sure how to use it. Concealer is a different type of coverage from foundation, so it is perfect for the only product to be used under and around the eyes. I also like to use concealer on areas of the face where there is redness peeking through the foundation or where the foundation coverage is not quite enough.
It is better to build extra coverage with a concealer after foundation rather than applying more foundation; this is where you could accidentally end up with a heavier coverage you didn’t really want.
My top concealer recommendations are;
When I meet clients who do not necessarily want to wear foundation all the time, I tend to recommend using a concealer just where they need the coverage. So if you feel you need a little coverage under the eyes, around the nose, on the chin, and on the cheeks, just blend a little concealer in these places to give a little coverage.
Blusher
Blusher can be hit and miss with ladies; some fear it in case it recreates redness on the skin; others are just not sure how to use it or lack the confidence. Using blush is a great way to bring some life to the face and create a lovely, healthy flush that will have a youthful appearance. My advice is to also spend a little more money on your blush so you get a quality powder. Cheap powder products can look bity and chunky on the skin.
My top blusher recommendations are:
Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow is the perfect way to enhance your eyes, whether that is with a little sweep of colour or built up to be a little more striking. Like with blusher, I highly recommend you spend more on your eyeshadow powders, as again, it comes down to the quality of the product. I try to have a more compact palette of colours so it does not feel overwhelming with too much choice!
Here are my top eyeshadow recommendations:
The eyeshadow palettes have been selected as they both have a mix of matte and shimmer shades, making them very versatile and, of course, great if you like to pop a bit of shimmer on the eye for special occasions.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner is perfect for framing the eyes and adding that little bit of definition; you do not need to think of eyeliner as a strong, thick line. I like to teach my clients to nestle the liner into the lash route and smudge it into place to create a more subtle effect.
My top eyeliner picks for ease of use are:
Mascara
Mascara, as we know, really draws attention to our eyes; sometimes just wearing a little mascara with a small amount of concealer and a blush is all we need to look a little more put together! Mascara, I find, is a personal choice as all the brushes have a different effect, but these are my personal favourites.
My top recommended mascaras are:
Brows
Brows are the key to framing your face and bringing your makeup together; never underestimate how amazing a groom's brow looks. If you are not feeling confident with filling in your brows, a brow gel will be your best friend. The two I have selected also contain little fibres that attach to your brown hair, giving the illusion of thicker, fuller brows.
If you like to pencil your brows in but have not found a really great pencil yet, the one I recommend is incredible. You barely need any pressure, and the colour glides on like a dream.
Here are my top eyebrow product recommendations:
Lipstick
If you are not a lipstick wearer, then leave your makeup bag as it is with the above products. Alternatively, you could just pick up a tinted lip balm to give your lips a wash of colour while also hydrating them at the same time. If you do like to wear lipstick, I have found my favourite brands, which I will always carry in my kit. These recommended lipsticks are of great quality; they glide on and have an amazing colour payoff.
My top recommended lipsticks are:
Hopefully this felt a little personal shopping experience for you with a variety of brands and budgets! If you feel like you would like to take your makeup routine one step further why not have a look at my personal makeup lessons and get booked in if you need a boost or refresh! You can out more over at my Makeup Lesson page.
* This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a very tiny commission on any sales. This does not affect your purchase at all. Use code LFTFNICOLALOUISE for 20% off at Look Fantastic.
