When you survey your handbag makeup bag, is it stuffed to the brim with products you hardly ever use or is it skimpy, barely filled leaving you missing the products you actually need?
Organize your makeup with these five essentials to keep you looking fresh all day.
- Foundation balances skin tone and revives your complexion. But as the day goes by, this miracle worker can fade away. Keep it with you so you can reapply foundation when needed to bring back the evenness in your skin tone. And as a bonus, make it more beneficial by opting for foundation with SPF of 15 or more. When to toss: If you use liquid foundation, toss it after six months; powdered foundation can be kept for two years. Because liquid foundation is dipped onto brushes and fingers, it's more vulnerable to contamination thereby increasing bacterial growth.
- Lip gloss and/or lipstick—no matter what advertisements say—does not last all day. So when you notice your vibrant lip color fading away, reapply. When to toss: Lipstick can last for two years.
- Blush, your pop of color, can enrich your look, but will dim over time. So go ahead and reapply it to revamp the look you had before you went out the door. When to toss: Powder blush can last for two years.
- Eye Shadow is great to keep in your bag so that you can refresh your color any time of the day. When to toss: These fun, colorful palettes have a life expectancy of three years.
- Eyeliner is only necessary to carry with you if you opt for a pencil eyeliner, as it can fade as the day goes on. If you use liquid eyeliner, you won't need to carry it with you as it has staying power. When to toss: Liquid eyeliner has the same effect as liquid foundation. It can trap bacteria, so give it three months and then dispose of it. A pencil eyeliner can last for two years because of the fresh, clean surface it gets when you sharpen it.
Additional Essentials
- Ponytail elastic or hair band for a bad hair day.
- A nail file or emory board in case you break a nail.
- A compact mirror for when you have to refresh your makeup.
Keep the mascara at home. Reapplying mascara can make eyelashes flaky-looking and clumpy. So invest in a good quality, long lasting mascara to give you all-day eyelash coverage.
Sources:
http://handbags.wetpaint.com/page/The+essentials+of+any+great+makeup+bag%3A
http://www.suite101.com/content/essential-cosmetics-for-your-makeup-case-a232904
http://www.suite101.com/content/when-to-discard-makeup-moisturizers-and-beauty-products-a356878
http://successfulsistas.net/beauty-break-makeup-bag-essentials/
