Beauty in the bag!

Every woman I know has a bag joined at their hip at all times. I’m no different. The female handbag not only performs the function of being a style accessory or even a item of status (yes I’m talking to you ladies who always rock the must-have, often expensive “it” bags) but contains everything a woman needs. And like an obstacle course, the item you’re after (your keys, your lipstick, you name it…) can only be located after much sifting. It is also the container of all our beauty secrets! Here are my ten beauty essentials in my Goyard tote right now:

Papaw Ointment

It a little red tube of nourishing goodness for your lips. It’s also handy for rashes or light skin irritations. With the amount of lipstick I wear, this hydrating lip lubricant is so necessary to stop my lips looking like bark coming off a tree. I will pick up Lucas’ Papaw Ointment in Australia whenever I’m visiting.

Lipstick

At least 3 shades (nude, red, peach). You never know who you may bump into, what meeting may pop up or what drinks event you may find yourself attending. For those of us that don’t have a spare set of heels handy in our bag like a spare tyre for a car, lipstick is the perfect little touch to spruce you up. I like NARS Honolulu Honey, Joyous Red and Urban Decay Naked2.

Concealer

For that pesky little pimple that chose to rear its ugly head (pun intended) at the most inconvenient of times, a tub of trusty concealer is all that you need! It’s also a great quick fix for dark circles under the eyes. Go for Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage as it offers two shades to help blend to perfectly match your skin tone. It’s my life saver.

P.S. Also try Marie France Asia’s favourite, Laura Mercier Secret Concealer.

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Brows

Get yourself a Brow Box. There’s a quote (author unknown) that I live by – “Don’t let someone with bad brows tell you sh*t about life”. In short – don’t be the bad brow girl! Make like Cara Delevigne and frame your lovely peepers! I use Urban Decay Brow Box in Brown Sugar. Zing!

Mascara

Right now I’m using The Body Shop Divide & Multiply Mascara. The brush is amazing at picking up all those teeny tiny little lashes. A small coat on every lash makes a difference – it’s the closest you’ll get to the look of a fake row of lashes or extensions, trust me! TIP: I’ll apply this in the privacy of a bathroom as I can’t avoid opening my mouth as wide as a jet-lagged yawn as I douse my lashes in this black stuff.

Liquid eyeliner

I’ve tried and tested various brands in my time and now I’ve settled on Rimmel Glam’Eyes Liquid Liner. Move over Brigitte Bardot – the winged eyeliner is my signature style! The feline flick elongates the eye with a hint of sexiness. It’s my go-to look for the everyday. Although, you should avoid doing this on the train or bus or you may end up looking less French glam and more Panda or even worse, Mike Tyson!

Eyelash curler

I’ll curl my downward facing Eurasian eyelashes in the morning and then give them a little pump later in the day (they like to droop unfortunately so much I’m staring to think they are depressed or have bad posture syndrome). Tweezerman Classic Lash Curler makes the best curlers. This tool is a must have. And yes your man won’t get it. At. All.

Blush

I brighten up those apples of my cheeks with NARS Amour. I’ve always been a fan of blush as it can really brighten up your face in the flash of an evenly spread brush stroke. I said evenly. No clowns please.

 

Loose powder

To avoid the South East Asian tropical “sheen” look, I always have my Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder on hand and in the bag. A little pressed powder smooths out your complexion and helps achieve a flawless surface. Goodbye shiny T-zone. Good ridance.

Tinted moisturiser or BB cream

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska Light 2 is what I use to even out my skin tone, moisturise and also protect my face from the harsh rays of the sun – this bad boy is SPF 30.

 

Before I sign off I should share that while they may not classify as ‘beauty products” I also always keep a bottle of water and some tissues in my purse. The water is as essential to beauty as any product (skin is the body’s biggest organ so hydrate mate!) and the tissues are handy for blotting and unruly lipstick. Finally, I am never without a small mirror compact – for touch ups and checking for parsley in the teeth after lunch. Standard.

Yvette King is a Singapore-based fashion and lifestyle TV presenter who has interviewed the who’s who in the fashion world. When she’s not reporting backstage at a catwalk show or at a red carpet, she’s working on her style blog tanjongbazaar.com.