Fashion & Style

You can’t carry a complete beauty kit in your purse, so here are a handful of essential cosmetics every woman should carry with her.

It’s not easy to find women today who don’t wear cosmetics. Most females prefer to use a little of this or that to enhance their natural appearance. Some have become so dependent on makeup that they touch up their faces every hour or so.

Such an extreme is unnecessary. With correct application, quality makeup will last, and a woman can feel confident knowing that she looks her best. But when she becomes tired or the weather plays havoc with her features, she may need to touch up her look. Although every woman has her own recipe for beauty and a set of products that she relies on, here are the five basic cosmetic items many women should carry along with wherever they go:

1. Skin foundation. Get a second bottle of your favorite complexion enhancer to carry in your purse. Be sure the lid is tightly secured, and perhaps place the bottle in a plastic lunch bag to contain leaks or spills. Don’t keep foundation any longer than six months before replacing it, as bacteria can multiply once the bottle has been opened. Foundation makeup is easy to apply or touch up, and it smoothes out late afternoon facial shadows, shininess, or wrinkles.

2. Blush. A container of rouge-type blush, moist or powder, can freshen your overall look by adding a hint of color to your cheeks. Use a product that coordinates with your foundation, and secure it in a baggie or another container that will not leak in your purse. If you apply it on the run, however, be careful not to overdo it.

3. Eyeliner. Use the pencil eyeliner if possible, since it is less likely to run or drip than the liquid kind. Eyeliner pencil also can be used to line the eyelids as well as darken your eyebrows. Some creative women have used a touch of it to highlight their lip shape. Versatile in color and usage, the eyeliner is a valuable cosmetic.

4. Mascara. Every woman looks better after applying mascara. Long lashes draw attention to the eyes and emphasize feminine beauty. Research shows that the eyes are an important tool for flirting and attracting others’ attention. Bring along a tube of mascara for a freshening or lengthening effect while in a hurry or when you can’t redo your entire face. You may wish to pack a palm-size mirror to be sure you apply this one correctly.

5. Lipstick or lip gloss. Select an appealing shade of lipstick to take with you that goes with the color of your outfit. Don’t choose a color that is overly bright or unduly dull. Go for a medium shade that accents your lips without making them appear pronounced or unnatural.

Of course, you can include other types of makeup as well, so include whatever you feel is needed to enhance your natural beauty. But if space constraints limits the type and number of cosmetics you can bring, opt for those that will add a flash of appropriate color and clarity while requiring minimum space and application effort.

Written by Debra Johanyak – 2002 Pagewise