Your Make-up Bag Essentials

Most make-up bags are a mishmash of old favourites and one or two never-wear mistakes. However, updating and refreshing your look largely depends upon how well basics are chosen. Many women are reluctant to spend money on make-up tools, but these can make or break your make-up application, and are as important as your cosmetics to get a refined and foolproof look. Most make-up now has a best before date, so don't hang on to old products that won't do their job properly anymore. Anything that looks or smells 'odd' should be thrown away immediately as the contents have deteriorated. Look for a box with drawers to keep everything on hand and organised.

1. Foundation:
Your foundation is designed to even out your skin tone, rather than give color. A perfectly matched foundation is the canvas for the rest of your make-up. Cream and liquid foundations are available.

2. Blusher:
It's a good idea to have at least two or three blushers in your basic make-up kit. At least one should be a neutral, cream blusher for daytime wear, while the others can be more lively shades for evenings and dramatic make-up looks.

3. Concealer:
Every make-up bag should contain at least a couple of concealers. A green based one will neutralize redness, while light reflective concealers bounce away dark undereye circles. A concealer stick will cover blemishes and an olive pan-stick will help to mask shadows.

4. Sponge Applicator:
While many women are happy just using their fingers to blend in their base, using a wedge-shaped, soft sponge or latex applicator will give a better, more even finish. These can be bought in packs at any drug store. Keep them scrupulously clean by washing in mild soap, or simply throw away after a week. Synthetic and natural sea sponges are available.

5. Blusher Brush:
A soft fat blusher brush gives a pop of color to the cheeks in a very natural-looking way that is hard to replicate with fingers. It can also be used to sweep powder over the face, but ensure you have tapped away any residual blush first.

6. Powder:
Face powder is available in a wide range of shades and textures. However, a light, translucent powder, applied sparingly just to give a matte finish and prevent your foundation from streaking or running, is usually all that is required for a fresh 'unclogged' look.

7. Tinted Moisturiser:
Part hydrating treatment, part cosmetic, a tinted moisturiser is perfect for a natural, luminous look. Lightern than full foundation, it gently tints the skin and moisturises at the same time. Perfect for hot days or when skin is dry and dull.

8. Eyeshadow Palette:
The joy of a color palette is that it stops your makeup from getting filled up with lots of seperate little single color containers. A well-chosen palette gives you a choice of colors to work with. Look out for refillable palettes so if one shade is used more than the others you can top it up. Eyeshadow pencils, liquid eye shadows and cream shadows are also available.

9. Mascara:
Two masacaras: one black and one brown, and preferably waterproof for daytime or evening lashes. Block mascara and liquid wand mascaras are available.

10. Eyeliner:
Eyeliners give the eyes definition. Depending upon your choice of eyeshadow palette, a coordinating liner will liven up your eyes. Kohl eyeliners will give a bold look.

11. Lip Balm:
A lip balm is probably the most versatile item in your make-up bag1 It can be used to soothe chapped lips, smooth unruly eyebrows or give sheen highlighting to the cheeks.

12. Lip Gloss:
A range of lip glosses in your favourite shades give versatility and flexibility to your look. Pick two or three to have as staples.

13. Lipstick:
More matte in consistency than glosses, lipsticks have more staying power and color pigmentation. If you have a lip color you love, buy more than one as lipsticks have a habit of being discontinued!

14. Eyeshadow Brush:
An eyeshadow brush should be blunt at the tip, soft and full. This helps with blending and even application. Choose natural fibres where possible.

15. Other Equipment:
A mid-brown brow liner will define your brows and help you create a perfect arch. Sparkling body gel may be used on your face, but not around the eyes. Block mascara must be dampened before use. Eyedrops can be used to make eyes sparkle. Tweezers are useful for plucking eyebrows. False eyelashes are fun accessories. Eyelash curlers can create beautifully upturned lashes. A small brush can be used to style eyebrows, and an eyebrow pencil will be needed if you need to draw these on. Lip brushes can be used for more intricate application of color than a lipstick. A thin lip pencil is used for outlining and a thick lip pencil for filling in. Tissues are useful for blotting.