By Wendy Gould
Whatever kind of makeup and beauty routine you have, wherever you live in the world, whatever season it is, there are particular makeup and beauty products that you probably have with you at all times, right? Those little secret weapons are the key to creating or maintaining your favorite looks, year in and year out.
As makeup and beauty trends change and we learn more about our skins and bodies and what’s best for them, these products may vary a little, sure, but your favorites are your favorites for a reason!
When you shop beauty products, there are a few things that you should take into account: the occasion, your skin and its unique needs, the season, and what kind of look you’re trying to create.
Though there are specific products you might use for certain things only and not keep in your purse all the time, there are a few items that every makeup and beauty fan should keep in their purse no matter what.
Let’s take a look at our top picks!
Sunscreen
This is a non-negotiable! Not only should you have sunscreen with you at all times, because you never know how the weather may turn, but you should also have it on your face.
Many beauty products have a built-in SPF, but this is often far lower than the recommended daily coverage, which is SPF 50.
How well we remember those days when we were much younger and convinced of our invincibility and that exposure to the sun would improve our looks rather than cause them to deteriorate!
Thankfully we know better now. Even indoors, harsh sun rays can sneak in through the windows and cause permanent damage to your beautiful skin, and we can’t have that!
Hydrating Lip Balm
Whether you wear lipstick regularly or not, it’s a good idea to have a hydrating lip balm in your bag. It wouldn’t hurt if that hydrating lip balm had a decent SPF, either!
Over the last few years, the trend toward wearing a tinted lip balm rather than a full coverage lipstick has taken over, so there are many different hydrating tinted and plain options on the market.
Choose a tinted lip balm for a basic daily look or a clear lip balm as a primer underneath your lipstick to keep those lips looking smooth and fresh.
Spot Drops
There is never a good time for an unwanted pimple to appear and ruin your day! Applying spot drops as soon as one of them pokes its ugly little head up is the only way to nip the issue in the bud.
That might be while you’re relaxing at home, but it also might be in the middle of a busy work day. You don’t want to leave that spot untreated to worsen, so keep a spot treatment in your bag for emergencies.
Hydrating Mist
Depending on where you live and your climate, either summer or winter might be the driest time of year. The seasons can take a toll on your skin, so while you should have a deep moisturizing routine in the morning and the evening, you should keep a hydrating mist with you when the weather is driest.
Even over foundation, a few spritzes of this will keep your makeup from looking dry and cakey or starting to flake, and it will keep your skin hydrated and glowing.
Hand Moisturizer
Yes, we know we’re harping on different varieties of moisturizer, but they are essential to keeping your skin youthful and happy, wherever it is on your body.
Your hands go through a lot every day: they might be in and out of soapy dishwater, they’re getting sanitized all the time, they’re exposed to the sun and air, and they are constantly touching foreign surfaces.
You need to moisturize your hands more than you think you do to keep them looking and feeling their best.
Anti Perspirant
There should be far more to your antiperspirant than just its sweat-stopping properties. That little stick should be a moisturizer as well!
YES, we want moisture in everything, everywhere, all the time.
Realistically, especially in the summer, that stick could be used anywhere from under your arms to under your boobs to between your thighs.
It should keep you dry while maintaining the delicate balance of your skin’s ecosystem.
Hair Oil
Your hair oil will vary according to your hair type and the treatment it most needs. Hydration, curl control, frizz-fighting: there’s a solution for everyone.
Keep a travel-sized bottle of your favorite hair oil in your bag; you might need to slather some on before after-work drinks or an impromptu date, or even before a meeting with the boss.
Wrap Up
If you have your version of these little life savers in your bag, there will never be any problem for which you don’t have a solution.
