"Windows" Shopping (11/01/12) - What's in my emergency make-up pouch...

Hey everyone!

Yesterday was one of those hectic days where you sleep in, don't have time to put on make-up before you leave the house, have a hectic day at work, rehearsals in the evening and get back home at around 10:30pm... It's on days like this that I thank my stars that I always keep an emergency make-up pouch with me at all times...

So today I thought I'd share what's in my "miraculous" make-up case, so you can maybe take some ideas, or if you already have an emergency make-up case, why not leave a comment telling me what's in yours! :)

So, first off, the actual case is a plain black leather one with a gold zipper, which I'd got free about 2 years ago with some make-up. It's from L'Oreal (though it came with some Maybelline products funnily enough), and it's quite slim - kinda like a school pencil case - but it's perfect as it doesn't take up too much space in my bags (and anyone who knows me knows I like to be prepared and throw EVERYTHING I CAN into my magic handbags), but at the same time it's enough to hold all my essentials...

The first and MOST IMPORTANT THING I have in my make-up case is a mirror, which I got as a gift from a school friend a few years ago. He'd bought it from Paris (he knew I loved the City of Lights) and it's really pretty - and durable, which is important for me as I'm a bit of a clutz... Of course a mirror can be helpful on COUNTLESS occasions, and I'm sure I don't need to list why...

The second most important things in my make-up case are my lip-balms (yes, plural) - one which I use in the summer as it has SPF and is REALLY helpful when I go to the beach and won't be wearing anything on my lips, and the other is more creamy and is amazing in winter when it's cold and windy...

Nivea's Pure & Natural Lipbalm in Milk & Honey

Jason Sumbrellas Lipbalm with SPF35

The next thing I keep in my case are the Essence "Forget It!" 3-in-1 concealer and the Rimmel "Hide The Blemish" concealer... The Essence one is great for when I randomly get redness on my nose, as an eyeshadow primer (when I'm too rushed to apply my proper one from home) and also for hiding under-eye bags after a late night, while the Rimmel one I use mostly as a light cover-up on spots.

Rimmel's Hide The Blemish Concealer

Essence's Forget It! 3-in-1 Concealer

Since, as I said, I use my make-up case mostly as an "emergency-didn't-have-time-to-apply-make-up-this-morning" basis, it contains a neutral Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in "To Die For". I chose this particular palette because it's versatile in a way which allows both natural "barely there" looks, as well as a darker more smoky evening look.

Essence Quattro Eyeshadow

Closer look at the "To Die For" pallette

 Since my eyelashes are naturally quite light in colour, I like to put on mascara everyday, just to make them pop a bit. The mascara I carry with me is Essence All Eyes On My mascara in "Deep Brown". I opted for a brown, rather than a black because it gives just enough colour to my lashes that they look "natural", whereas black would look more "made-up"... Also, it's quite small in packaging, which helps it fit better in my (quite well-packed) case.

Another eye-essential is eye-liner, and I keep two mini-liners in my case - both by Max Factor - the Kohl Pencil in Black, and Kohl Pencil in Brown. I like these liners as they give quite a strong line and last a long time... (which is good, as Max Factor stuff can be quite pricey). The black one I'd got free with a make-up pouch from the UoM Agenda Bookshop (yes, I used to spend quite a lot on make-up) and the brown one used to be full sized, but as I said, I've had it quite a long time and it's in a bit of a pitiful state now (still works though!).

Max Factor's Brown Kohl Pencil (I know, it's seen better days...)

Max Factor's mini Black Kohl Pencil

Eyebrow gel: I only recently discovered the wonders of eyebrow gel, when I bought an Essence one a few weeks ago in a desperate attempt to tame my brows a bit more (yes, I'm one of those people who is great with eye shadows and lipsticks, but horrible at eyebrows and hair styles). I can safely say that so far, it's working great! I have quite thick eyebrows - even when I pluck them - and the hairs are quite unruly, so I found this to be a bit of a God-send really!

Essence's Clear Lash and Brow Gel Mascara

As I mentioned before, I'm quite hopeless when it comes to my hair and styling it... I'm more of a wash and go person (obviously not without my beloved Zero Frizz serum - otherwise I'd look like a troll doll or a Hallowe'en enthusiast - which is not good...) Fortunately for me, beanies, berets, baker-boys hats, trillbys and fedoras exist, so I need not worry much, as in winter I'm hardly ever seen without one on my head during autumn and winter. In summer, seeing that hair is more excusable in a "beach-wave" (read: "washed and air-dried") state, I make due with French braids and flower clips. However, when I literally have not time to even pull a beanie out of my drawer, or when I don't really feel like a case of hat-hair, kurby grips are my best friends! They keep my (very) stubborn hair away from my face with just a twist and a grip! :D

Hair clips - the basic need of every hair style...

So that's all from my make-up case! I promise more photos of my other items (I'd taken them all but somehow my PC can't find them so I'll have to upload some new ones...) Don't hesitate to leave me any comments with what you carry around with you or what beauty products you love!

Cheryl
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