-- 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 work wonders to give all skin ages a bit of a boost; both are a staple in my collection as they bring skin to life in a natural way.
Foundation/Tint. I don't do full coverage; light, dewy, natural bases are my perfect match and just emphasise 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 colour 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 favourite 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 |
Eyes. I actually keep my eyes really simple these days as my older eyes now look better with less. I opt for liquid/cream eyeshadow and what is undoubtedly the easiest eyeshadow you will ever use in your life,
Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow shade 22M, a perfect neutral brown shade that makes it look like you've spent much longer doing your eyes than you actually have. A few swipes, blend and you are done. I have quite a few shades now, as they really are the easiest eyeshadow hack so add this to your shopping list. As for powder eyeshadows, my trusty
By Terry VIP Palette is my go-to as it has a mix of pink/brown tones that I love. For liners, I use always the
Sweed Eye Pencil in Bright in my waterline, as it is key to making you look more awake.
A Brown Kohl pencil liner should be your best friend I say because they are so much more flattering than black and less harsh on older eyes. I use
Sweed Dusty Brown Eyeliner,
By Terry Blackstar Kohl in Brown Secret,
MAC Kohl in Coffee or
Urban Decay and just blend it into the lash line for a really soft smoky look. I've also become a fan of brown liquid liners when I want to just slightly emphasise my eyes a little bit more the
Too Faced Chocolate Brown liquid liner is a must! It has the perfect felt tip applicator and smudge-proof formula that makes it so easy to use. Go over your brown liner pencil, just on the outer corner of the eye for a subtle but sexy defined eye.
Mascara. Right now I am addicted to my
Sweed Lash Lift Mascara, especially the
Dark Brown. I can't recommend trying dark brown mascara enough if you haven't yet. It just adds a really subtle difference that 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 prefer to use a cream as they are much easier to work with 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, very pigmented so a little 'dot' goes a long way but the shades are stunning. Haus Labs Glassy Stick, is the perfect blush for the glassy skin look as they stay looking glossy yet they don't move your makeup; Lady Gaga's brand is just phenomenal! Merit Flush Balm is great for when you want quick and easy as you just swipe it on and blend; it's a beauty. Armani Luminous Silk Liquid Blush is super natural yet buildable and I love the luminous finish on the skin it gives like all their makeup.
As for Powder Blush, I am mostly reaching for Dior Rosy Glow Blush in Rosewood as the shade is perfection being a muted mauve/rose which works with your own skin tone and is anything but powdery. If you want to try a new blush then opt for Haus Labs in Hibiscus Haze and Pomelo Peach as my word, they are so buttery smooth and the shades are stunning. Plus I could not mention an old faithful that will always be in my makeup bag, Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk as it's just the perfect everyday blush shade.
 |
| Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag |
 |
| Edit your perfect everyday makeup bag |
 |
| 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 cod
e SC9497CM for a discount**. Oh and don't forget
a staple like the Sweed Lash Curlers, an 'essential' essential!
T
he stunning Beautifect Beauty Case. If you are feeling extra spendy, the
Beautifect Case is aesthetically so pleasing yet offers the perfect lighting in a ready to go make up setup, whether you’re travelling or just at home. I wrote a full post about it
here if you want all the details!
A good makeup bag. I own hundreds, but the
Maison Minimalist, SALY cosmetic bag (below in Barbie Pink of course) is a new favourite of mine as it packs in so much product and zips up in a way to save space; genius! They have so many colour and size options and I truly love their whole branding. I also have the
SALY Large for Hair Tools which travels with me when I go away as it holds all the Dyson styling attachments. Again, a brand that is well aware of what we need! 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 |
Kelly xx
*post contains affiliate links.
