The Daily Makeup Bag Revamp
I may own a fair few beauty products for the job I do, but what I wear daily is a different scenario. A makeup collection is different to a makeup bag; it may be a metaphorical makeup bag, but we are talking about what you use on a daily/regular basis.Shopping at one of my favorite stores, Sephora can be like hitting the reset button: suddenly, everything is shiny, new and promising. Whether you’re after a single hero product to jolt your routine back to life or a full arsenal of new-season essentials, this is where good intentions meet good makeup.
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
I recently had a huge declutter of my makeup collection, and I feel so much better for it. I realised, I really didn't need to hang onto the lipsticks that I've owned for over 10 years because let's face it, they are all off and smell bad. I now realize that the I get older I become, the less I need and want to hoard.
-- For the days when I am wearing make-up face, because home days mostly consist of being 'au naturel', I do what I call my 'signature look', a go-to routine, though I may alternate the product ... ie swap out my brown liner for another brand but ultimately it's still a brown liner.
**The Great Makeup Bag Declutter**
A decluttering session makes you feel so good! The first step is brutal but necessary: bin the half-used concealers, dried-up eyeliners and foul-smelling lipsticks and ask the questions:
- *Have I used this in the last six months?*
- *Does it spark joy?* (Thanks to Marie Kondo.)
- *Is it expired or just plain rubbish?*
Out go the lip glosses that smell off, the foundation that oxidized to a shade of Oompa Loompa, and the eyeshadow palette bought because it was on sale. The contents of your makeup bag should make you excited to use it.
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
*The Everyday Essentials**
Once decluttered, I identified my non-negotiables – the products I reach for every single day. For me, that’s a lightweight base (or tint for good skin days), a good concealer, a neutral eyeshadow, mascara, a brow gel/pencil, cream blush, highlighter and lips ie my weaknesses. I also rotate products every few weeks as my tastes, the seasons and my skin shift, making sure my whole collection is being loved and used.
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
**My Current Makeup Bag Essentials**
For those who are curious, here’s what’s in my own 'daily metaphorical' makeup bag right now and products I highly recommend:
Primer/Base. After skincare, I don't think primers are always essential and often depend on your skin. I wear a glow product as my primer to give me radiance; being either the Dior Star Glow Filter in shade 2 or Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter. Both are incredible products and both are a staple in my collection.Foundation/Tint. I don't do full coverage; light, dewy, natural bases are my perfect match and just emphasize the care I take with my skin. I do like to try new bases yet always have my favourites that are a staple such as Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint, Lisa Eldridge Skin Tint, and my current obsession, Sweed Glass Skin Foundation. I will do a separate post shortly about this but it's the perfect everyday base that offers hydration, and radiance and is a perfect color match (use code KELLYS-20 for 20% off).
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Concealer. I’m currently using two - By Terry Hyaluronic Serum Concealer for my eyes as it's so hydrating and creamy, yet gives the perfect amount of flawless natural coverage and Nars Soft Matte Concealer for any imperfections or redness that might need some extra coverage; this is one of those products I would say is essential to every makeup bag as it is such an incredible product that lasts forever.
Setting Powder. By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Power loose and pressed, has been a favorite of mine for years. It is practically invisible and hydrates and never makes your skin look dry or cakey. It just sets in the areas you want to use it. The pressed compact is the perfect make-up bag essential.
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Brows. I fill in my brows with the NYX Brow Pencil (a perfect replacement for ABH and a third of the price!) and set my brows in place with the Billion Dollar Beauty Brow Lift, a clear gel that holds brows in place like no other.
Eyes. I actually keep my eyes so simple these days as less is definitely more. I tend to use a liquid or a cream eyeshadow these days and what is undoubtedly, the easiest eyeshadow you ever used in your life, Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow shade 22M, a perfect natural Brown that makes it look like you've spent much longer doing your eyes than you actually have. I have quite a few shades now, as they really are the easiest eyeshadow hack. I really reach for an eyeshadow palette these days, but when I do, it's usually my beloved By Terry VIP Palette. For liners, I use my beloved Sweed Eye Pencil in Bright in the waterline, as it is key to making you look more awake and some kind of Brown Kohl, usually Sweed Dusty Brown Eyeliner, By Terry Blackstar Kohl in Brown Secret, MAC Kohl in Coffee or Urban Decay. I've really got into brown liquid liners when I want to emphasize my eyes a little bit more and love the Too Faced chocolate brown liquid liner and the Guerlain Liquid, a tad pricey, but it does not dry out and lasts a good while.
Mascara. I’m currently loving my Sweed Lash Lift Mascara, especially in Dark Brown. I can't recommend trying dark brown mascara enough as it is so flattering and will take years off you, trust me. (code KELLYS-20 for 20% off).
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Bronzer. A good bronzer is key to any make-up bag and I personally prefer to use a cream version which will either be Charlotte Tilbury Cream Bronzer or Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer in Light Medium which does a bit of everything in one. Both add warmth and softness with a bit of contouring too. For the times when I may want to use a powder to go over, I will use Dior Forever Bronzing Powder. I don't really go in for the whole, heavy contour look and much prefer to 'brontour'.
Cheeks. The hardest category for me to limit because I am a blush-aholic. I will always use a cream or liquid blusher before going over with a powder. This is where I swap out the product because I don't tend to use the same one every day. The liquid/cream blushers that I feel are staples and highly recommend are Rare Beauty Liquid Blush, Haus Labs Glassy Stick, Merit Flush Balm, and Armani Luminous Silk Liquid Blush. As for powers, Dior Rosy Glow Blush in Rosewood, Haus Labs in Hibiscus Haze and Pomelo Peach and Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk are my 'used daily'.
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Highlight. I love a liquid highlighter as they are definitely more flattering as you get older and I tend to use either Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand (love the product, but hate the packaging!) and the luxurious Armani Sheer Glow Enhancer as I find they give me the most natural glow finish with no glitter or too much shimmer. As for powders, I find I am still searching for 'the one' but the Dior Backstage Face Palette is so versatile on the eyes as well as the cheeks and just looks beautiful on the skin always, hence it's a staple go-to.
Lips. Another weakness of mine but currently I have been wearing the same look, Sweed Nude Pink Le Lipstick. It's just the most perfect pink tone with a really hydrating finish, that feels like a balm. I pair it with the Sweed Lip Liner in Dream Bigger and Clarins Lip Perfector in 06 and 05.
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Tools. I love good brushes. I keep my daily tools quite simple yet rotate them because I hate not giving them all some air time but I do find myself having favourites. The Makeup By Mario F4 is a dream for everything face based. It absolutely lives up to the hype because it's just the perfect size and shape to make everything blend flawlessly, plus it washes up so well. If you want to invest in one for your bases, make it that one.
For concealer, I highly recommend the very affordable Real Techniques concealer Brush as it's the perfect 'cat paw' shape that blends with gentleness, like fingertips but with ease and no mess!
For eyes, I swear by my Spectrum Brush Sets as they have every brush you'll ever need and the quality is superb. They have such great choices so you can really customise what brushes you want and need **Use code SC9497CM for a discount**. Oh and don't forget a staple like the Sweed Lash Curlers, an 'essential' essential!
A good makeup bag. I own hundreds, but the Maison Minimalist, SALY bag (below in barbie pink) is a new favorite as it packs in so much and zips up in a way to save space; genius! They have so many color and size options and love their whole styling. In fact, I have one also for hair products which travel with me when I go away and it's the best. Definitely check them out.
Saly makeup bag; Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
If your makeup collection is feeling a little out of control or old and in need of a refresh, I urge you to empty it all out, be ruthless, keep only what you love, and maybe make a new wishlist. I personally shop more for makeup at Sephora these days but love also Look Fantastic and Nocibe (for those who live in France) ..... places that are perfect for getting all the essentials.
Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag
You can find all my discount codes for a few of my favorite brands/stores here so don't be afraid to use them and enjoy!
Kelly xx
*post contains affiliate links.
