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What Should I Have in My Makeup Bag?

Published Categorized as Beauty Tips, Makeup Tips

There are certain must-haves that every woman needs to keep in her makeup bag (or makeup bags!). Do you have all the absolute essentials? Give your makeup bag a spring clean and check out our 2020 Makeup Bag Essentials list. Whether you’ve got a small makeup bag, or need a huge makeup bag for your cosmetics collection, this is the essential list of makeup products for your makeup case!

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Ellis James Designs Extra Large Makeup Bag With Compartments - big makeup bag organizer, large cosmetic bag black, train case makeup bag large, huge makeup bag With Handle Travel Make Up Bag For Women

Moisturizer

Every woman’s makeup bag needs to contain an effective moisturizer. Look no further than Olay Regenerist with Collagen Peptides. It instantly lifts the skin, giving visible results from the first day. The moisturizer will plump and lift surface cells while correcting the appearance of deep wrinkles over time.

You won’t find a more luxurious and affordable moisturizer, thanks to the infusion of an amino peptide complex and hyaluronic acid.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin B3+, 1.7 oz

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RELATED: Hydro Boost Water Gel or Gel Cream

Primer

After washing and cleansing comes primer. Face primer is more important than you think.

Get yourself a primer which supports and heals the skin while bringing out the natural vibrancy and glow of your skin. Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer Fluid carriers a pink tint which brightens and softens the skin. This primer also reflects and diffuses light which makes your photographs look as if you are airbrushed.

Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Pore Reducing, 0.91 Fl Oz

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Foundation and Concealer

Maybelline Fit Me! Matte+ Poreless Foundation leaves a natural silky smooth look, granting complete coverage without any layering or caking. A little goes a long way and this is a foundation that will stay all day. With 40 shades available, you will definitely find the perfect shade to match your skin tone.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup, Warm Nude, 1 fl. oz. Oil-Free Foundation

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BB Cream

Get yourself the Garnier SkinActive BB Cream. With its 5-in-1 miracle skin perfector formula, you’re guaranteed a perfect complexion instantly. It reduces wrinkles while naturally correcting skin tone irregularities and it even helps to firm the skin when you use it regularly. With 24-hour hydration, each application can be used as an alternative to primer and foundation.

Garnier SkinActive BB Cream Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer, Light/Medium, 2.5 Ounce

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Learn more about BB Cream on our blog post called BB Cream vs Foundation.

Eyebrow Kit

L’Oreal Paris delivers an outstanding eyebrow kit. Their Brow Stylist Frame and Set is the ultimate tool for sculpting and shaping brows, while the solution itself grants 24hours of complete water resistance.

L'Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Prep and Shape Pro Brow Kit, Light to Medium, 0.12 oz.

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Eyeliner

Bobbi Brown has an impressive range of leading cosmetics. Get a Bobbi Brown Eyeliner for the longest-lasting color and smoothest application. The gel-based formula is waterproof and can be used for anything ranging from sleek fine lines to a dramatic cat eye.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner Espresso Ink 07, 0.1oz, 3g

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Check out our picks for best eyeliners for oily skin.

Mascara

Clinique Mascara is easily the best casual mascara available. It is highly water resistant and will not smudge nor dry and crack. There is no better way to guarantee great looking lashes while on the run. This mascara suits any style from fine delicate accentuation to bold definition.

Clinique Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara, 01 Black, 8ml/0.27oz

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We’ve got some tips for removing mascara the right way on our blog!

Eyeshadow

You never know when you’ll need a touch of eyeshadow. Make sure that you’ve got a great range available by buying yourself the Venus Bundle. Lime Crime’s Venus Eyeshadow Palette Lime Crime Venus XS Eyeshadow Palette, Holly Daze – 4 Color Matte & Metallic Eyeshadows – Complementary Shades of Green – Long-Wearing, Buttery Smooth Formula – Vegan, Cruelty-Free – 2.75 ozhas the ultimate collection of colors that last.

You’re given matte, glow, and velvet matte shades which are perfect for highlighting without settling into cracks. The collectible box is so attractive that you’ll find yourself using it well after the eyeshadow runs out.

Lime Crime Venus XS Eyeshadow Palette, Holly Daze - 4 Color Matte & Metallic Eyeshadows - Complementary Shades of Green - Long-Wearing, Buttery Smooth Formula - Vegan, Cruelty-Free - 2.75 oz

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Lipstick

This lippie from Anastasia Beverley Hills guarantees that you’ll always look kissable for any event. This product delivers full-pigment vibrancy and a smooth finish.

Keep this on hand in your travel makeup bag.

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Liquid Lipstick - Crush

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Blush and Highlighter

A good blush and highlighter are forever handy to have. Go for Sleek Makeup’s Ultra Pigmented Contouring Palette for the best multitasking palette available. You’re given contour powder, highlighter and blusher, letting you bring out the definition of your face. This kit is ideally suited for very light to pale skin tones.

Sleek Makeup Ultra Pigmented Contouring Palette FACE FORM FAIR 372 - Blush, Highlighter and Contouring Powder - for Very Light Skin Tones, 20g

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Setting Spray

When you’ve got COSMEDIX Mystic Hydrating Setting Spray on hand, dry skin, oiliness and any other irritations are sure to subside. With SPF 50 protection and a formula which deeply hydrates, this is the ultimate setting spray. Use it infrequently as a moisturizing mist and you’re sure to look and feel your best all day.

COSMEDIX Mystic Hydrating Treatment, 5 Fl Oz
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Bronzer

A bronzer is great for all skin types. This BareMinerals bronzer gives the ideal nude tone for subtle brushing and bronzing. It is one of the best bronzer’s out there and delivers great benefits for the health of your skin as well.

Bare Minerals All Over Face Powder, Color Warmth, 0.05 Ounce

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Brush Set

The Sigma Beauty Brush Set gives you the best selection of sizes to ensure that you can handle any style of makeup. The set gives you a precision flat angled brush, a soft blend concealer, a firm shade, a brush with a diffused crease, a domed utility brush, and a smudging brush.

Sigma Best of Sigma Brush Set

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Check out our tips for choosing high quality brushes!

Beauty Sponge

The best way to blend is to use a beauty sponge. Aesthetica Cosmetics have a beauty sponge that’s a great alternative to the more popular sponges. It gives you an edgeless way to apply powder, cream and liquid makeup.

It is the perfect tool for blending on and around the cheeks, while the flat edge works wonderfully for contouring the nose and eyes. Within minutes you’ll have a smooth complexion that appears to be airbrushed.

Aesthetica Cosmetics Beauty Sponge Blender - Latex Free and Vegan Makeup Sponge - For Powder, Cream or Liquid Application - One Piece
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Want to find out how to use a blending sponge for foundation or how to apply cream foundations using a sponge? Click thru to read on our blog!

Makeup Wipes

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes come in a 25-pack and are the most effective way to cleanse your skin. Single-use sachets remove 99.3% of all makeup without needing to use more than one at a time. You can’t go without them.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, Daily Cleansing Face Wipes to Remove Waterproof Makeup and Mascara, Alcohol-Free, Value Twin Pack, 25 count, 2 Pack
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Curler

A curler is a staple in every makeup bag. Why not splurge and get an electronic ceramic curler instead?  The CHI Air Spin N Curl Rotating Ceramic Curler is safe, effective and gives better results than any manual curlers ever can.

CHI Spin N Curl in Onyx Black

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Natural Stone Facial Roller

Keep a face roller in your makeup bag and you’ll always have a way to unwind and restore the glow of your complexion.

The eDiva Jade Face Roller is ideal for bringing back your natural shine and giving your lymphatic system the stimulation and drainage that it needs.

Jade Roller for Face, Jade Facial Roller, Gua Sha Scraping Massager, Anti-aging 100% Natural Facial Jade Stone Set - Face Eye Neck Beauty Roller For Slimming & Firming

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Travel Mirror

Never underestimate the value of a good travel mirror. This travel LED mirror is battery operated and should fit into any conventional makeup bag. No less than 14 bright LEDs illuminate so that you can always see exactly what you’re doing.

Mirrorvio | LED Travel Mirror Makeup Lighted Vanity 72 LEDs 3 Colors Lighting Modes Rechargable Foldable Ultra Thin Warm Soft Day Light Portable Touch Control Design Compact High Definition Cosmetic

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Consider a Travel Makeup Bag

It is always a good idea to fully equip your makeup bag so that you’ve always got the right selection of skincare products and cosmetics to handle any situation.

You may wish to pack a separate travel cosmetics case but most women prefer to use one huge makeup bag. This keeps everything sorted and ensures that nothing is ever left behind.

Check out related posts on the EJD blog:

What essential products do you always keep in your makeup bag? Tell us in the comments section below!

By Ellis James

We design luxuriously glamorous bags, organizers and life essentials for you. At Ellis James Designs, it’s all about YOU. Your bag, Your way. Our exclusive designs are timeless, indulgent and most importantly inspired by you. What will be your first Ellis James Design?