The makeup you should have in your bag

Tinted moisturizer
Part hydrating treatment, part cosmetic, a tinted moisturizer is perfect for a natural, luminous look. Lighter than full foundation, it gently tints the skin and moisturizes at the same time. Perfect for hot days or when skin is dry and dull.

Eye shadow palette
The joy of a colour palette is that it stops your makeup bag from getting filled up with lots of separate little single-colour containers. A well-chosen palette gives you a choice of colours to work with. Look out for refillable palettes so if one shade is used more than the others you can top it up. Eye shadow pencils, liquid eye shadows and cream shadows are also available.

Mascara
Two mascaras: one black and one brown, and preferably waterproof for daytime or evening lashes. Block mascaras and liquid wand mascaras are available.

Eyeliner
Eyeliners give the eyes definition. Depending upon your choice of eye shadow palette, a coordinating liner will liven up your eyes. Kohl eyeliners will give a bold look.

Lip balm
A lip balm is probably the most versatile item in your makeup bag. It can be used to soothe chapped lips, smooth unruly eyebrows or give sheen highlighting to the cheeks.

Lip gloss
A range of lip glosses in your favourite shades gives versatility and flexibility to your look. Pick two or three to have as staples.

Lipstick
More matte in consistency than glosses, lipsticks have more staying power and colour pigmentation. If you have a lip colour you love, buy more than one as lipsticks have a habit of being discontinued.

Eye shadow brush
An eye shadow brush should be blunt at the tip, soft and full. This helps with blending and even application. Choose natural fibres where possible.

Other equipment
A mid-brown brow liner will define your brows and help you create a perfect arch. Sparkling body gel may be used on your face, but not around the eyes. Block mascara must be dampened before use. Eyedrops can be used to make eyes sparkle. Tweezers are useful for plucking eyebrows. False eyelashes are fun accessories. Eyelash curlers can create beautifully upturned lashes. A small brush can be used to style eyebrows, and an eyebrow pencil will be needed if you need to draw these on. Lip brushes can be used for more intricate application of colour than a lipstick. A thin lip pencil is used for outlining and a thick lip pencil for filling in. Tissues are useful for blotting.

Page 2 of 2