Make Up Bag Staples Every Woman Should Own

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Make Up Bag Staples Every Woman Should Own

Discover the make up products that deserve prime position in your make up bag with expert Mary Greenwell, says Boots.com's Digital Beauty Editor.

Katie Campbell

Katie Campbell

Beauty Editor

Published 01/10/2009

Ready your make up bag, it could be time to start afresh as we reveal the make up products every woman should own.

Baffled by make up? Don't know where to start? It's time to get back to basics with Mary Greenwell, make up artist to the likes of Kate Moss, Uma Thurman, Kate Winslet and Kylie. Here, she explains which make up staples should be sitting pretty in every woman's make up bag.

Revlon ColorStay Mineral Foundation

1) A Well-matched foundation

"The formulation should depend on your age and skin type, but it's important to get the shade just right so you skin looks flawless," says Mary. "I love mineral powder foundations as they are fast, easy to use and a good way to start for younger skin."
Try: Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse, Clinique Almost Make-up SPF15.

Click here to read our guide to finding your perfect foundation.


Dr Nick Lowe Super-Charged Day Cream SPF15

2) A good moisturiser

Hydrated skin is the best canvass for make up, so a decent moisturiser is a must. "It will nourish the skin and help with make up application," says Mary.
Try: Dr Nick Lowe Super-Charged Day Cream SPF15.






Clinique Airbrush Concealer

3) Concealer for spots and a separate under eye concealer

For flawless skin, you need two different concealers; one for spots and blemishes, the other to use under your eyes. "The spot concealer will be thicker to camouflage imperfections and should match your skin tone exactly," says Mary. "The under eye concealer should be thinner in consistency and slightly paler than your skin tone to give a lifting and lightening effect."
For eyes: Clinique Airbrush Concealer
For blemishes: No 7 Quick Cover Blemish Stick


Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher

4) Blusher

Every make up bag should include blusher, "to add freshness to the complexion," says Mary who believes the right colour is more important than the choice of texture. Choose a shade that mimics the colour your cheeks turn naturally when flushed. Mary recommends Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher, an ultra-fine pressed powder blush in 11 shades.




Pure Eyeshadow Sets in Day

5) A four-colour eye shadow compact

Four-colour eye shadow compacts are super-handy for make up novices and experts alike, having often been designed with shades that complement each other. "I would suggest one that has neutral shades that can be blended together. Look for one with browns, taupes and greys." says Mary.
Try: Pure Eyeshadow Sets in Day, or Rimmel Colour Rush Quad in Smokey Brun.



Prestige Soft Blend Kohl Eyeliner

6) Eye pencil or liner

From precise eyeliner looks to smudgy kohl eyes, eyeliner is a versatile make up bag must. If you want to create a smoky eye, choose an eyeliner pencil, says Mary, who loves Prestige eyeliner. For defined, more precise looks, you'll need a liquid or gel liner.
Eye pencil: Prestige Soft Blend Kohl Eyeliner, Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Zero.
Eyeliner: Max Factor Masterpiece Glide & Define Liquid Eyeliner


Estee Lauder Bronze Soft Duo Bronzer

7) Bronzer

You need bronzer "to add glow and to contour the face," says Mary. Opt for a shade similar to the colour your skin goes naturally when tanned. This way you can build up gradually until you reach a level of bronze you're comfortable with.
Try: Estee Lauder Bronze Soft Duo Bronzer




Maybelline Great Lash Blackest Black Mascara

8) A Black Mascara.

A make up staple, mascara lengthens and defines lashes. "Most people should choose black, unless they are very blonde," says Mary.
Try: Maybelline Great Lash Blackest Black Mascara.






Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucka Lipgloss Clear

9) A gloss or lipstick

"Every woman should own a clear lipgloss or balm. I also recommend investing in a lip stain that is a couple of shades darker than your natural lip colour," says Mary, who's a fan of Chanel lipstick and glosses. "They're so chic. And they're the products you'll be proud to pull out in public."
Gloss and balm: Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipgloss Clear, Burt's Bees Beeswax Lipbalm.
Lip stain: Korres Quince Lip Butter


Tweezerman Wild Slant Tweezer

10) Tweezers

Ultra-handy for keeping brows groomed and applying false eyelashes, Mary recommends using slanted tweezers as they're easier to use.
Try: Tweezerman Wild Slant Tweezer.






Brush Basics

"A starter makeup kit should include an eyeliner brush, two shadow brushes, a blusher brush and a bronzer brush," says Mary.

An Eyeliner brush

For precise shadow or gel liner application. Try Origins Eyelining Brush (available instore).

Benefit Fluff Shadow Brush

Eyeshadow brushes

"You need two; one should be wide, the other narrow," says Mary.

No7 Blusher Brush

Blush brush

Look for a round brush that's large enough to cover your cheek apples but smaller than a powder brush. Try No7's new Blusher Brush.

Bronzer brush

"Not be confused with a blusher brush as you'll use this to contour the face," says Mary. Try Chanel Contour Face Brush.


  • Macmillan

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