You know that makeup bag makeover you’ve been promising yourself that you’ll do right away? It’s time! Make this month the month for fresh starts, and that includes your stash of daily cosmetics. If your makeup bag looks like it’s been through a war and is filled with cracked blush, dried-up concealers, stubby eyeliners, and that sparkly crimson lipstick that seemed so, er, fun last year, lookie here, ladies. Tune up your toolbox with these (way) better basics worthy of your purse. Welcome to the easiest makeup bag makeover ever!
A Clear Winner
If there’s one must-have, it’s lip balm. Eos crystal lip balm makes a makeup bag basic smack – literally — of an indulgence. It’s wax-free, so on your lips it feels like air and like you’re wearing nothing at all. Five natural oils protect and nourish your pout from the elements. Find it at CVS and ULTA.
A Goof-proof Blush
Fend off that undesirable winter pallor with fresh wash of color. Up for the job is jane iredale PurePressed Blush. It doesn’t look like makeup as much as it does a natural flush. You totally need to use it with the just-launched jane iredale Dome Brush. It’s 100 percent animal-free as the Naturon and Taklon fibers make for buildable (read: hard to put on too much) blush. Both are shoppable at Nordstrom and JaneIredale.com.
Oh, and since we were bouyed by the spirit of new beginnings, (as in regularly getting the gunk out of your makeup brushes, anyone?), we discovered the Artis Brush Cleaning Starter Set, sold at ArtisBrush.com. The pad and foam is specifically for cleaning makeup brushes and is a much better option than doing so with baby shampoo in your bathroom sink.
A Down-to-Earth Concealer
Arm yourself to pull off the perfect cover-up with Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Waterproof Concealer. It’s serious stuff that camouflages dark circles, fends off discoloration, and battles blemishes. It can be found at Beauty Brands. For more on the trendy, earthy ingredient, see: Spa at Home: The Benefits of Clay.
A Lipstick to Love
Oribe Lip Lust Crème Lipstick is aptly named and tres sophisto! First off, it visibly plumps your lips just enough, and since it’s lipstick and not an expensive fake-looking injection, it looks natural. It also seems to smooth away lines. Apparently, the myrrh extract is to thank for that. The color disperses evenly and stays exactly where you put it, minus any feathering. It’s available at SpaceNK, Amazon and Oribe.com.
A Smoky Eye Savior
If the one thing you want to accomplish in 2018 is finally mastering the perfect smoky eye, have at it. We don’t judge anyone’s life goals and won’t in this case either. Consider tucking a Laura Mercier Kajal D’Orient in your makeup bag. It has that necessary supremely dark color, but with a slight shine to the finish. The creamy texture allows it glide on quickly and precisely. This kajal eyeliner is incredible if a cat eye’s your thing, too. Because #options. Pick it up at Macy’s and LauraMercier.com.
A Shine Zapper
Blotting paper is so 2017. This year, you can squash shine with a spritz of Volition Oil-Control Mattifying Mist. Do so either in the morning pre-makeup or as a touch-up between work and happy hour. The combo of amino acids and a humectant powder will give your face a matte finish and moisture. Bonus Perk: The gloriously refreshing, light rose scent. Available: VolitionBeauty.com and Sephora.
A Good Thing That Comes In A Small Package
“The smaller, the better” should be your mantra when it comes to essentials we carry every day. Happily, Stowaway Defined Volume Mascara makes tiny the new big. This “wet fiber” formula works in tandem with the curved, twisted fiber brush to lift and curl each lash. Find this wee road warrior at Stowawaycosmetics.com.
A Glow Getter
Animal product-free. Gluten-free. Cruelty-free. Paraben, mineral oil, and petrolatum-free. Is there anything the Smith & Cult Illumify Shimmering Highlight isn’t lacking? It has the power to impart a just-right glow, yet you never fall victim to that “sexy martian” look that is often the case with products that add so much glow that your skin could communicate with NASA satellites. This highlighter stick is a silky, ultra-fine cream-to-powder. Track it down at SmithandCult.com and Revolve.
A Post-Gym Refresher
Purse-pack face wipes? Those are so necessary. Kleenex Facial Cleansing Wipes are made of textured, layered fabric to grab makeup along with oil and dirt. They don’t leave that pesky residue that makes you want to rinse off your face, which kind of defeats the purpose of using a wipe in the first place. And unlike many makeup remover wipes, these can be used on your eyes.
Available: Amazon
A Perfect Pouch
Who could bear to put all these new get-gorgeous goodies in the same old crusty makeup bag? Upgrade your cosmetic pouch to James Goldcrown for Sephora Collection Bleeding Hearts: The Minimalist. It doubles as a cute clutch, owing to its simplistic shape and interior divider. The punchy, limited-edition print is the artwork of famed muralist James Goldcrown. His capsule collection is exclusive to Sephora.com.
So go on…you’ve been meaning to ditch all those dated, yucky beauty products, haven’t you? Starting fresh will make you look even lovelier, and it’ll feel pretty good, too. Who knows? This might inspire you to end procrastinating for good. Now, about those taxes.
