Differentiating between what you actually need and don’t need in your makeup bag can feel like Arie trying to decide who to pick to be his wife at the end of this season of the bachelor! And heaven forbid we make the wrong choice! I mean should we really toss that nude gloss when it just seems like the more appropriate lip choice? In all seriousness, the beauty world has gotten to be so large and diverse that it can be super tricky to figure out what you need without loosing your entire paycheck to Sephora.
So what should you buy?
Even if you are not much of a makeup girl per say, it can be nice to have a few necessitates on hand when you want to get dolled up for a night out or a special occasion. Now, these 7 picks are not enough to complete an entire makeup look, but I do think they are handy items to have around to make the whole beautifying process go much more smoothly.
1. A Vanity Mirror
Bathroom lighting is less than ideal for makeup application, but I get it. Sometimes you really do not have another choice. Investing in a magnified or vanity mirror is a great item to have on hand to get a closer look at the details of your makeup look. You can even bring it to another room that has more natural light and do your application there. I have been enjoying this Impressions Vanity Co. LED Mirror.
2. An Intoxicating Fragrance
The never ending argument is whether or not it is better to have a signature fragrance or a small collection. I say both! Have a signature scent that you wear most days, and maybe another for date night and special occasions. My husband got me this Valentino Aqua Fragrance for Valentine’s Day and I am totally obsessed with it!
3. A Neutral Eye Shadow Palette
I am a girl who is guilty of having an entire drawer of eye shadow palettes. But I found that when I would pack my makeup for my travel, I couldn’t nail it down to just one palette. There wasn’t one that had the colors I like to create both a day and night time look. That is until I picked up the Marc Jacobs 720 eye shadow palette a couple months back. I haven’t been able to put it down since and use it to create my eye look everyday for work.
4. The Perfect Nude Lip
Are you even human if don’t own a nude lipstick? If you don’t have one on hand, that’s okay we are going to change that real quick! A great nude lipstick can bring a sense of life to your face that is natural and fresh. If you have darker skin, you can get away with a darker nude. If you are fair in complexion, you can opt for a more peachy pink nude. This YSL Matte Lip Stain in number 7 has been my perfect shade of nude when paired with the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Liner.
5. A Primer for Your Foundation
Gone are the days when it was okay to slap foundation on your face and call it good. It has been found that a primer can not only increase the wear time of your base, but also fill in pores, provide hydration, and basically make your foundation look flawless. If you have oily skin or large pores, I highly recommend this Milk Makeup Blur Stick. I use it in conjunction with my Guerlain Primer. The milk one fills in pores and gives an even skin texture. And the Guerlain one gives lift and hydration.
6. A Black Eye Liner
I was die hard about my Maybelline gel liner for years. And while that is still a great drugstore option, I have finally made the switch to liquid liner. Deep set eyes are not the greatest eye shape for the signature cat eye, but I love it anyway. I use the Stila Stay All Day Liner for my everyday liner look.
Having these six items on hand will be sure to make your beauty routine run a little more smoothly during that morning rush. Having a signiture look or products can really make getting ready in the morning go a lot quicker. Down sizing my makeup collection was honestly one of the most freeing things. Don’t worry about the money spent, if you don’t love it, trash it or give it away. Try to keep a small collection of products you love and I bet you will feel relieved and happier.
What are some of your favorite products that get you through that morning rush? Share your picks in the comments!