MakeupBag: How to Pick Out the Makeup Essentials : My Top Ten

If you're brand new to makeup or you've worn it for years there are some things that I think NEED to be in your makeup bag. Trust me, for a makeup junkie like me narrowing it down wasn't easy. But I realize that not everyone wants a whole drawer (or drawers!) full of makeup. I'm ranking them from most important to least important (which was TOUGH because each is needed for its own purpose) Let's take a peek into my makeup bag.

One:

Mascara - skip all the other makeup if you want but don't skip mascara! It will open your eyes up more then you think. Its quick, its easy, do it.

Two:

Concealer - I'd suggest two different concealers, one for under your eyes to brighten and conceal dark spots and one for any blemishes. The under eye one should be lighter then your natural skin tone and the one for blemishes should be the same color as your skin.

Three:

Blush- finding a blush color that works with your skin tone will make all the difference in the world when it comes to your face. Start with something light, that has a bit of shimmer to it and focus it on the apples of your cheeks. (the part of your cheeks that lift when you smile).

Four:

Eyebrow pencil or powder -  your eyebrows frame your face and while it takes awhile to figure out exactly what works best for your brows it is so worth it once you do. Even if you have very full brows filling them in just a bit will make them smoother, neater and able to frame you face just a bit better.

Five:

Eyeliner - this one product can bring any look to the next level or you can do eyeliner and mascara only and be lookin' good.

Six:

Light Shimmer Shadow- If you want only one shadow this is the one to get. It will brighten and make your eyes look more alive. You can slap it on all over the lid and be good to go. It can also be used on the brow bone and in the inner corner to highlight the eye.

Seven:

Eyeshadow Primer- This step is so often skipped in a makeup routine but I cannot stress its importance enough. As much as an eyeshadow claims it "won't crease" it is LYING. If you don't use a primer your shadow will not last and you will get that incredibly ugly crease. A primer makes the shadow stick to your eye and keeps it looking exactly how you put it. I put primer after the shimmer shadow on this list because if you HAVE to choose, get the shadow, but be warned-it will crease.

Eight:

Crease Color- this is a color that is slightly darker then your normal skin color. Its meant to go in the crease to add a bit of depth to your eye. 

Nine:

Lip Balm, Lipstick or Lip gloss - depending on how much of a makeup girl you are chose one or all of these. A pink "your lips but better" lipstick, a light or clear lip gloss and/or a bit of chapstick or lip balm will complete your makeup look.

Ten:

Brushes - the right tools to apply the makeup will change everything. This is an entire post all on its own but make the investment in a good eyeshadow and blush brush to start with. The brushes that makeup comes with are useless. This really isn't number ten, but I didn't know where else to put it! 

Want to take it to the next level? Add any or all of these:

Red or dark colored lipstick - the quickest way to take your look up a notch is to add a darker or red lipstick. A dark pink, a raspberry or a deep red is going to glam you up in an instant.

Deeper crease color- adding a darker color into the crease, concentrating it on the outer "v" deepens and dramatizes any makeup look. It can also be used to smudge underneath the lash line and smoke the look out.

Bronzer - instantly warms up your face! You can use it to contour and make your face a bit more chiseled or just apply it all over to add warmth.

Highlighter- hitting the high points of your face (top of cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, forehead, cupids bow) helps to contour and gives your face a nice glow.

Foundation - to make the skin perfect and even it all out foundation is the way to go. This step isn't completely needed if you already have great skin but it creates a nice base to start everything else.

And then we can just expand from there! But start with these and you will be well on your way. I'll go more into detail on each product in the future. Each of these will have a blog post of their very own.