Makeup Bag Essentials

There are a few items everyone should have in their makeup bag. With these you can create almost any look from natural daytime to a full on evening makeup.

Here is a list of my recommendations:

Powder foundation: I use one every day, it evens out your skin in a flash and sometimes you don't even need a concealer. My pick is Hello Flawless by http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ which also has an SPF in it so you can top up your sun protection all day!

Black eyeliner pencil: This you can use to give subtle definition or go for an all out smoky eye. Useful to keep in your bag for touch ups too. My favorite is 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero by http://www.urbandecay.com/ it stays on all day and is waterproof, I also like Oil Slick which is black with a tiny silver glitter in it - perfect for night.

Black powder eyeshadow: I always use black powder shadow over eyeliner to set it and you can use this to add drama too by smoking it outwards and lining under the eyes too. My choice is Black 4 by Makeup Forever available at http://www.sephora.com/

A palette of neutral shadows that you can create different looks with, going from extremely natural with light sheeny shades to dramatic evening with the more shimmery shades combined with the previous black pencils and shadows. I love 5 Coleurs in Earth Reflection by http://www.dior.com/

Eyebrow pencil: Your face isn't finished until you have defined your brows. It's amazing what a difference it makes. Choose a pencil in your shade from http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ their Instant Brow Pencil comes with a spooly brush on the other end making it wasy to achieve perfect brows, even on the go.

Black mascara: I know everyone says you should wear brown mascara if you're blonde but I like the added definition and depth that black mascara gives to every coloring. My favorite is Deep Color Mascara in Black 01 by http://www.korres.com/   for US readers go to http://www.korresusa.com/ also available at http://www.sephora.com/ and http://www.studiobeautymix.com/

Powder blusher: This is the easiest to apply, especially for touch ups. I prefer a pinky peachy shade which suits most coloring, if you have very dark skin opt for a plummy shade. The one I use all the time is http://www.cargoscosmetics.com/ powder blush in Catalina.

Powder Bronzer: Great for any skin to add warmth and cheekbones if shaded underneath the apple! It's best to choose a matte formula that isn't too orange so it looks natural during the day and add shimmer with a highlighter at night. The best I've come across is http://www.jouercosmetics.com/ matte bronzer in Suntan.

Lipliner: A neutral shade can be used to define lips and add a base for gloss. I don't like just lining the outside of the lips, I always fill in too so that you don't end up with a ring around the edges when your gloss wears off! A great choice is Lipliner in Natural or Blush (for pinkier lips) by http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/

Lipgloss: This is entirely your choice of texture and color. You can go for ultra glossy, plumping or a sheeny balm depending on your preference. Good picks are: Ultra glossy - Extreme Sheen by http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/ , Plumping - Instant Plump Volumizing Lip Shine by http://www.get247beauty.com/ (also available at CVS), Balm: Sugar Lip Treatment in original (no color) or Rose by http://www.fresh.com/ which has an SPF 15, great for the summer months to stop lips drying out in the sun.

Eyedrops: After a long day my eyes get red and no matter how great your makeup is, this can definitely spoil a look! I keep a bottle of Naphcon A eyedrops http://www.alcon.com/ (available at all good drugstores)  with me all the time, they not only relieve redness totally but also stop itching and irritation from allergies.

Last but not least I like to keep a makeup finishing spray in my bag to set my makeup but also refresh during the day. I cannot do with 10 Years Younger by http://www.skindinavia.com/ - it has come to my rescue many a time!

Check out my how to get Reese Witherspoon's look on The Daily Obsession

How To: Get Reese Witherspoon’s Natural Look
Posted by The Daily Obsession
on April 7, 2009
We simply adore Reese Witherspoon and think she’s totally gorgeous. We also think she’s been making more smart, but bold fashion choices lately. We particularly liked her fashion-forward Rodarte dress at a recent premiere and thought her makeup complimented the choice appropriately.
We wondered how to get a similar naturally gorgeous look and asked celebrity makeup artist Melissa Walsh to help us out! “Reese’s look is natural with a modern twist,” says Melissa. “The matte pink lips rather than the usual neutral shade update a classic and give it a new fresh feel.” To get the look, follow Melissa’s instructions behind the cut.
1) Start with a light base of a glowy tinted moisturizer such as Jouer Luminizing Tint and conceal any areas that need extra help. Then brighten under the eyes with a product especially formulated for the job like Smashbox Photo Op. Next, dust a very fine milled translucent powder all over the face to eliminate shine but still keep an ethereal quality to the skin.
3) On the eyes, start with a light camel colored semi matte shadow all over the lid (Urban Decay has a great selection), deepen the crease with a slightly darker brown shade, but be careful not to be heavy handed. Blend well.
4) Define the lash line with a liquid eyeliner pen. (Melissa likes Hourglass Calligraphy in Ebony.) Shade under the lower lash lines with a light brown pencil; Cargo Eye Pencil in Wood is a good shade. Two coats of volumizing mascara finishes the eyes and adds extra depth.
5) Fill in your eyebrows lightly with a color that is as close as possible to your natural shade. Melissa uses Tarte Toolbox, which has a combo of brow gel and wax, to keep them in place!
6) The cheeks are a bronzey shade, which you can do double duty with your usual bronzer by shading under the cheekbones and topping with a slight shimmer on the apples.
7) The lips can be achieved by using some lip balm, followed by a lip pencil in a light pink shade. Josie Maran Lip Liner in Blush is a good choice to keep the look matte and long lasting.

To check out the full piece including pictures go to: http://thedailyobsession.net/2009/04/how-to-get-reese-witherspoons-natural-look/