Your On-the-Go Makeup Kit

     What does every girl need to keep in her bag to always look her best? Despite what you might think, you don't need to bring your entire makeup kit just to look as sensational as you did when you stepped out this morning (or afternoon!). Here's a simple list of the basics you need to keep on you to freshen up on the go and a few bonus items for those of you who just can't cut back.

• Blotting Paper - These little things work wonders! They soak up the oil that builds up on your face during the day without taking off or moving your makeup. And with warm weather on the way they're a must. My favorite's are e.l.f.'s Shine Eraser's,

• Q-Tips - Not very glamorous, I know, but Q-tips are perfect for cleaning up smudged eye makeup and blending away those areas where your makeup has creased (around the nose, mouth and outer eye area). Plus, if you're planning on taking your eye makeup up a notch for night, they can double as eye shadow applicators so you don't have to tote around your makeup brushes.

• Concealer - Concealer is pretty standard issue in a girls touch-up kit. Use it to up any blemishes or to cover those under-eye circles that are showing up because you're running on 4 hours of sleep. And, you can also use it as a highlighter to brighten up your face after a long day. Just apply it to the top of your cheekbones, under your brows and on the bridge of your nose for an uplifting affect.            Check out L'Oreal's True Match Concealer                 

The Extended List

• Your Go-To Lip Color - This could be a lipstick, a gloss or even a tinted balm. Choose a color that is similar to your natural lip color, something that could be dressed up or down. I like to keep a translucent gloss with me that has a hint of pink to it. It adds a healthy shine and a flush of color that isn't overbearing even when I'm in tennies and a ponytail, but gives a sweet rosiness to my pucker if I'm in a dress and an updo.

• Brow Pencil - Not all brows were created equal. If you are one of the many women out there who has to touch up your brows, either with powder, pencil or both, then you'll want to keep a brow pencil on hand for insurance purposes. It doesn't often happen that one of your brows goes MIA but if it does you'll want to be prepared. This can also double as eyeliner in a pinch.

• Mascara - I suggest you purchase your favorite brand in a smaller sample size if it's available. Adding a little length to your lashes is an easy way to glam up a look for evening.

• Cream Blush - If you look a bit pallid, then having a cream blush on hand is the answer! You'd be extremely surprised at the wonders a touch of color can do. If all you do is add some glow to your cheeks you're face will look lively and youthful without any other products at all. A cream blush is best because you can apply it with just your fingertips. No need for brushes! Maybelline's Dream Mousse Blush in Soft Plum will add a lit from within glow because of it's mauve tones.

Makeup Artist Trick #2: Lovely Eyes

     A great way to give your eyes a subtle warmth is to brush a soft pink shadow across your brow bone. Almost any pink will work so experiment with everything from pale pinks with mauve undertones to brighter pinks with hints of shimmer in them. Use a small fluffy eye brush to pick up some of the pink shadow and then lightly sweep it onto your brow bone (not above, but on). You can wear the pink color alone with just a coat of mascara and call it a day or you can use a pretty pink to tie your crease color and brow highlight color together. This simple little hint of pink brings a warmth to your face and helps give you a fresh glow just like blush. You can even use your favorite blush as a shadow!

How-To: Bold Lips

     A brightly painted lip is an accessory in and of itself. It can compliment an outfit, shift a look from day to night and can also improve one's confidence! To wear a look-at-me lip color you do not have to be a celebrity but you do have to know a few of the celeb tricks to making a bold lip really look finished and flawless.
     Before you apply any lip color you should always moisturize your lips, but this is especially true of a standout lip color such as red or hot pink because a bolder color means more pigment and this can be more drying. Next, cancel out the natural color of your lips and the color around your lips too. A lot of us have a bit of a reddish-pink shading around the outside of our lip line. To cover this put your concealer (the same one that you use for your face) onto and then around your lips, and blend. Also, to help ensure that the color you put on stay's put, set all this with a touch of powder on a large blending brush.
      Now it's time to line your lips. Lining the lips keeps color from feathering and gives the lipstick something to grip to. Choose a color that's close to your desired lip color and then create your lip line (make sure the pencil is nice and sharp). If you want to alter the shape and size of your lips this is the time. To make lips larger, apply the liner just outside of your natural lip line; thinner, apply slightly inside your lip line. You can reshape your cupids bow at this point too. If you really mean business and don't want that beautiful color to run then I suggest Benefit's She' Laq Makeup Sealer. A thin line applied on your lip line will insure your shade won't feather and a thin layer over your lip stick makes sure it won't fade.
     Time to do some coloring! When you want to achieve a precision color application a lip brush is the way to go. They come in various shapes and sizes, just choose the one that's right for you. Neatly lay down the first layer of lip color making sure to get the edges, corners of the mouth and the inside of the lip where bits of your natural lip color can peek out when talking and such. Then, blot with a piece of tissue. Repeat these two steps as needed until you get the color as sheer or as opaque as you'd like. If you mess up and go outside the lines then just take some of your concealer on a small, pointed brush or a clean lip brush and reverse line by covering the spot where the color bled out of your lip line.
     Top with a sealer or use a fluffy blending brush to pat on a little powder to set it all. Last, if you choose, you can add a dot of gloss to the center of your pucker for shine. But beware, this can cause your color to wear off faster. If you are planning on a long day (or night!) then I recommend you bring your lip color and lip brush with you. A cutesy little pencil case (think girly flowers or Hello Kitty) works great and is easy to find in your purse! Just throw in your favorite shades and a lip brush and you'll always look fresh and flawless...