How often do you empty your makeup bag out? Weekly? Monthly? Last year? Well it seems that many of us are carrying stuff around that we really hardly ever use or that we’ve used so much that we are bored sh*tless by. So, in an effort to encourage you to review and update your makeup bags here are a few of the items that we are currently keeping either in our makeup bags or somewhere in our handbags… of course there are lots of fab alternatives for you to choose from but these are a few of our current tried and tested faves that really deliver what they promise.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer

It also doesn’t leave a tint on the skin so you can even wear this on its own without foundation. This fabulous primer helps to mattify your skin and blur your pores, leaving your skin feeling like satin. It will help control oil throughout the day. I will often skip foundation completely and just apply a primer to make my skin feel and look a little better.

Hylamide Hydra Density Mist

This non-greasy formulation contains a blend of Marine Saccharides and Glucuronic Acid that work in tandem to retain moisture levels with more significant results than we are used to getting with Hyaluronic Acid. It also contains Rose to help support skin natural water retention. It is more than just a simple mist as it will help your skin retain moisture. Simply spritz onto your skin after cleansing, let it soak in and then while your face is still damp apply your serum or face Oil. Just to be clear this is not an ‘anytime of the day mist’, it’s ‘a post cleansing pre moisturiser’ mist.

Burts Bees Satin Lipstick

Everyone needs a nice nourishing lipstick in their collection and we love this one from Burts Bees. These satin lipsticks are formulated with moringa and raspberry seed oils to nourish your lips, leaving them feeling moist and hydrated throughout the day, but also giving you a good amount of pigment in the process. Also love the honeycomb-esk packaging which consists of 60% recycled materials.

Antonia Burrell Bright + Light Eye Cream

This eye cream is 100% natural. It reduces puffiness and maintains moisture levels by entrapping moisture then stimulating the skin cells to produce collagen – you see instant results from it. You just need to gently glide a small amount using the cooling roller ball to reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.

L’Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara

Take your lashes to the next level with this gorgeous mascara. It gives you volume and length without looking clumpy or flaking throughout the day and has become a favourite here. It is also enriched with castor oil to nourish and strengthen your lashes, meaning that with continuous use your lashes will actually become longer over time!

Black Chicken Balm of Ages

A balm is a must-have in a makeup bag. It’s such a multi-use product… it can be used on dry skin, on the lips and even as a highlight on the face! This one from Black Chicken contains 19 deeply penetrative and regenerative ingredients, which is ideal for soothing dry or irritated skin, reliving sunburn, healing scrapes and even melting make up.

Alpha H Liquid Gold Rose Hand Cream

We all need a good hand cream in our arsenal and wow, this hand cream from Alpha H is something special! It enriched with 10% glycolic acid, soy protein, avocado oil and vitamin E to smooth and soften your skin whilst hydrating and protecting your hands. It has a gorgeous silky texture and your hands feel like they’re glowing after every application.

Buy the Fenty Beauty Primer for £24 from Harvey Nichols
Buy the Hylamide Hydra Density Mist for £15 from Hylamide
Buy the Burts Bees Satin Lipstick for £9.99 from Feel Unique
Buy the Antonia Burrell Bright + Light Eye Cream for £44 from Antonia Burrell Skincare
Buy the L’Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara for £11.99 from Superdrug
Buy the Black Chicken Remedies Balm of Ages for £38.50 from Cult Beauty
Buy the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Rose Hand Cream duo for £28.50 from QVC

* (PR gift/sample)