We’ve all been pondering on the right makeup kit and often ask “what is the right product for me?” Although makeup is about personal style and preference, there are products out there to make life easier and efficient, so we can focus on the more important things in life, like having stronger faith, and more shoes…hahaha.Moving on…here are seven essentials that will make it easier to function well in society.

1. The holy grail of all makeup products: Mascara…”if eyes are the windows to the soul, then the lashes are the window dressing.” –James Vincent. Forget what you heard, mascara is a go to item. One of the more recent trends is false eyelashes! But the need for that can be minimized by adding mascara, instead of applying fake lashes every day, two (or ten!) coats of mascara will easily do the trick. Quickly transforming the face from flat to fabulous. The eyes are always the main focus of the face, and usually what captures the most attention. Choosing the right mascara depends on lifestyle, personal preference, and environment. If you know you’re a crier, then opt for waterproof, triathlon resistant mascara, but those don’t always give the best volume or can flake easily…my personal trick is to apply Voluminous Masacaras on the top eyelashes, and use the waterproof formulas for bottom lashes, it’s the best of both worlds, and genius (if I may say so myself).

2. Foundation Powder: This is a good way to keep oiliness minimal and still maintain a well-toned skin. Apply with a powder puff and wisp away with a large brush. You can also do touch ups around the T-Zone area where the face is more likely to shine during the day.

3. Eyebrow Pencil: I always keep at least two shades of brow pencils in my kit. It’s imperative for you to have at least one. If your brows are blonde you may use a pencil shade darker than your hair colour. If it is dark brown or black, a shade or two lighter would suffice. WARNING: do not ever use BLACK eye pencils on your eyebrows!

4. Black and Always Black Eyeliner: The only acceptable place black eyeliner is allowed is on the rim of the eye and the creases of the eye to contour or exaggerate the shape of the eyes. Black eyeliner when used correctly can lift the shape of the eyes without the need of plastic surgery. For a smokey natural look you can smudge the eyeliner at the base of the lids and fade it outwards. Black eyeliners work for any skin tone; it has the power to make even the most tired eyes into bombshell beauties.

5. Tinted Moisturizer: this product is perfect and I believe is better than the new trend of BB and CC creams. It’s not a primer mixed with moisturiser, it’s a light sheer toning lotion for the face. Most Tinted Moisturizers are well equipped with SPF, which helps to provide an extra layer of sun protection and an prevent premature ageing. It’s best applied in the morning before heading to work. It’s every professional woman’s must-have product.

6. Shimmer Highlighting Powder: to make sure the face looks less matted out and more uplifting, luminous and youthful, have a shimmer highlighting powder. This product is best applied on the nose bridge and cheek bones. For darker brown skin, a peach toned highlighter works; for Ivory skin stay away from red pinkish colours and opt for a more tanned copper tone to give the illusion of sun kissed skin. There is nothing more dreary than dull flat powdered skin – it screams “a mortician did my makeup!” Stay away from dry skin, and embrace shimmer.

7. Tinted Lip Balm or Lip Stain: This is the absolute best alternative for a natural, elegant look, without the overpowering brilliance of a highly pigmented lipstick. It’s sophisticated, it’s fine, and when you sip Champagne it won’t stain the flute! A tinted lip balm or lip stain is every foodies delight. No more reapplying your lipstick, matter of fact, you might have a hard time removing your lip stain. It’s an endurance product, and the p erecting companion, if you don’t have one, get it!