I don’t know about you, but my friends’ makeup bags are my go-to place for beauty recommendations. They’re such a treasure trove of useful information! I love having a nose to see which products have made the cut from their sprawling beauty collections. From the lipsticks they’ve worn down to a nub, to seeing whether that foundation that they bought last month is actually up to scratch – the makeup bag never lies.

Seeing as I pick up so many many tips from others, I thought it was about time I give up the goods, too. So today I’m spilling my makeup bag onto the table for inspection in the hope that you’ll find some hidden gems for your own collection. My well-edited inner circle is made up of products that meet three key criteria: they’re extremely useful, versatile, and dependable. Basically, they’re everything you want from your makeup!

Let’s explore…

White Magic

Diorshow Maximizer 3D Lash Primer
Of all of the many makeup items in my Mary Poppins-esque makeup bag, the Diorshow Maximizer 3D Lash Primer is my favourite.

Now, I’m not a particularly high maintenance makeup user. The simpler my AM ritual is, the happier I am (it takes me a long time to get going in the morning). Despite this, I never skip the lash priming step in my makeup routine. Sure, it seems like a finicky step, and sure, it takes longer than a quick swipe of mascara. But the payoff greatly outweighs the effort here.

If you’ve got unimpressive natural lashes, the Diorshow 3D Lash Primer will actually give you something to work with. It effortlessly makes my sparse and stubby lashes look so much prettier, working to lengthen, volumise and separate them out for a beautiful wide-eyed effect. I put this on as the very first step in my routine, then finish everything else as it dries. By the time I get to my final step, a rich black mascara, my lashes are perfectly prepped.

The Lash Cheat

Shiseido Full Lash Volume Mascara
The other half of my power lash dream team is the Shiseido Full Lash Volume Mascara. If you’re not naturally blessed in the lash department I urge you to give this a try. This mascara was created for those whose lashes are stubborn at best (Japanese women tend to have sparser, straighter lashes), and it loads them up with thickness and curl without the clumpiness.

The Full Lash Volume Mascara has a really special brush. Flat on three sides, and curved on the fourth, it gives lashes great texture as you wiggle the brush through them. It works wonders for my sorry lash line, grabbing every lash and pulling the hairs up and out and basically making them everything they’re not. I’ve never used a mascara quite as instantly effective as this one.

The Ultra-Reliable Base

Vichy Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation
Oh, Dermablend. It doesn’t matter how many foundations I get lured away by, you’re the one I come back to when I’m having an off day. The reason? Vichy’s iconic Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation offers serious coverage. As in, covers-tattoos-and-birthmarks sort of coverage. Whatever you want to conceal, Dermablend’ll camouflage it quickly and easily, and that’s just the sort of SOS product you need in your makeup bag.

Now that my skin is faring a little better than it once was I mostly use Dermablend as a concealer. Sometimes I’ll mix it with a little bit of moisturiser or oil to turn it into a medium coverage foundation. Its super-thin consistency, comfortable feel and long wear make this one of the most reliable foundations around. It’s most definitely the hardest working item in my makeup bag, and I’ll never be without it.

Instant Definition

Givenchy Les Saisons Healthy Glow Powder
If you are looking for a low-key glow, stop your search. This is totally it. Les Saisons Healthy Glow Powder is a bonne mine powder, which you use in the same way as you would a bronzer, only it’s not quite as intense. Think of it as a few days of sun rather than a few weeks.

The reason I love Les Saisons so much is its finish. Its powder is so fine and non-dusty that it almost feels creamy, which gives a really seamless finish on the skin. I dust 03 Ambre Saison all over for a little kiss of sun, and then use it to lightly contour my cheekbones for a defined look. Even if you don’t have time for blusher, this powder will add plenty of dimension to your face.

The Ultimate Finishing Touch

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator
There’s a glow, and then there’s a Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator glow. The delicious sheen that this highlighter gives to cheekbones is almost the stuff of Instagram legend.

I’ll admit it. I was seduced by the hype train on this one. But after hearing so many people were raving about it for a sustained period, it got to the point where I couldn’t not give it a whirl (in the interest of beauty research, of course). And I’m so glad I did. Gilded Honey gives your cheekbones an expensive-looking sheen that looks perfect in photos. Even if you dial your makeup back in other areas, the golden gleam will give your look some incandescent polish. It’s just the thing to boost your look if you’re stuck in a makeup rut.

Over to you!

What’s in your makeup bag? Let me know below or talk to the beauty team on Twitter @Escentual!