6 Makeup Bag Essentials

 Here's a typical makeup experience: you go to Saphora or Ulta with one item on your list then through the whirlwind of pretty eye shadows and mascara that will give your lashes the power to make you take flight, your basket is overflowing and you bought half the store. Its easy and fun to buy everything you see and build your makeup collection, but what about the products essential to a makeup bag? Having that unique blush and that cool eye shadow pallet is fun and all but do you have the building blocks to build your makeup bag not just for fun but also for function?

Photo Credit: Mia Rotell

Sunscreen

Technically this isn't a type of makeup but just hear us out. Sunscreen protects you against different types of skin cancer, early aging, and overall helps your skin be clearer. Without a good base the makeup wont look as good on top. In other words, this is an absolute must. A higher end sunscreen that's good is Hydra Vizor Refillable Invisible Face Moisturizer SPF 30 with Niacinamide, priced at $35. A more cost friendly option is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant and Non-Greasy Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 70, prices at $10.

Primer

Primer is literally the glue that holds your makeup together. It makes the makeup stick to your skin and your makeup (if a good primer) wont move at all. You can go a full day and your makeup will look like you just put it on. A higher priced one is Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer, priced at $38. A primer that is laso really good but at a more reasonable cost is E.l.f Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer, priced at only $10.

Concealer

Concealer does wonders. It is typically only viewed as a contouring tool or erase your under eyes. However it can do so much more than that. Foundation and any other tinted face makeup can get streaky, feel heavy, and look cakey. But if you get concealer that matches the shade your face is then you can put it wherever you want and it wont feel heavy. However, even if you don't use it as a foundation then it can be spot treating, making your skin look flawless when you have practically nothing on. A great higher priced concealer is NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, priced at $32. A concealer that is a little more cost effective is Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser, priced at $11.

Mascara

Mascara (your lashes) give all the power to your makeup. If you have a gorgeous base and eye look, but your lashes are lacking then so does your entire look. It is important to understand the type of lashes you have and find a mascara that does specifically what you want. Even when not wearing a full glam look, with just some concealer and blush, mascara changes the game. As previously mentioned get to know your lashes and understand and exactly what you want your mascara to do, but to start off a universally loved higher priced mascara is ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara, retailed at $28. A lower priced but still good mascara is Maybelline New York Volum' Express Colossal Washable Mascara retailed at $10.

The Perfect Nude Lip

Whether it be a gloss, matte lipstick, or a semi shine stain, having the perfect nude is a must. Putting a nude lippie on makes your look elevated. Think of lips that are photo shopped to be flawless and a gorgeous color, that's your perfect nude is in real life. Though there are a lot of different skin tones and the perfect nude is different for everyone here is a high end brand that has a big selection, MAC  . MAC has everything lip, ranging from $35 and under. A money saving brand that also has an amazing range is Revlon, they range from $13 and under they have everything MAC has (including the shade range) but way more cost effective.

Setting Spray

Just like primer this holds your makeup in place for the whole day. We've seen people douse their face in setting primer, go to a pool party, and their face doesn't move. We don't know what magic is in it that cements your face in place but it works and were not here to question it. A higher priced setting spray that is tride and true is MAC PREP + PRIME FIX+, retailed at $33. A more cost effective one is the incredible MORPHE CONTINUOUS SETTING MIST.

All the items listed above are staple pieces for your bag. If you have all or most of these items your makeup will be flawless and you'll be protected from the SPF.