The Non-negotiables In Our Beauty Bag

What do you take with you every day? …

We all have our favourite beauty staples – the items that are always in our bag, wherever we’re going. I always remember Tom Ford being quoted (back in 2011, when he was launching his beauty collection) as saying: “You can’t put this make-up on in the subway or in the car ever … Why would you do that?” Here in the real world, most of us do a bit, or a lot, of grooming on the go. Even if you’re with Tom when it comes to a full face of make-up, here are some simple, travel-friendly items we always have with us.

Many of us are lipbalm hoarders; I seem to have one in every coat pocket and bag. Whether it’s Burt’s Bees, minty La Mer or a tinted Augustinus Bader stick (delightful), this is a non-negotiable whatever the season. I feel that the new Gisou Honey Glaze lip mask (€26) will be my next carry-around, plus the bouncy Charlotte Tilbury Life-Changing Lip Mask (€26). No wonder it’s tricky to carry just one at a time, rather than five.

Rhode is good at portable beauty in general, from neat stick blushers to chic overnight kits. Merit Beauty is also portable, especially the Minimalist foundation/concealer.

I always carry scent with me, too. This is where mini perfume samples come in. I’ll be looking for a sample of the upcoming Frederic Malle scent, Contre Jour, landing on March 2; it’s based around helichrysum, also known as immortelle, a bright yellow Mediterranean flower known for its warm, almost spicy, smell.

A commuter-friendly eye cream is a good shout: the new brightening, priming one from Poco Beauty, Universal Glow Illuminating Eye Cream (€32), has a cooling tip to apply easily while on the bus. A brush concealer is ideal, too, while a mini face mist can help freshen up your foundation.

A mini mirror is handy, if only to save you from lipstick on your teeth. Many classic Balenciaga bags come with an integral mirror, a thoughtful touch. This season, Marc Jacobs is doing mirrored bag charms – finally, something to hang on our bags that isn’t a fluffy toy.

While sunscreen isn’t top of our minds right now, a little tube of Dry Touch Fluid Sunscreen (€18) by CeraVe is handily portable – it’s part of the first sunscreen range from the affordable skincare brand. One to get the teens wearing SPF at last …

SEE MORE: 4 Multitasking Beauty Buys Worth Their Weight In Gold

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