Vanity kit on hand for a quick makeover

Having a pretty face is one thing, but looking polished all the time... well, that takes some effort. It’s a lot of hard work and it has to do with being well organised. I

magine this: it’s mid-afternoon and you’ve just battled the traffic after a sales call, when your boss summons you to make an impromptu presentation to a potential client. You have just a few minutes to gloss over your notes and a few seconds to powder your nose.

What can you do to avoid looking like you’ve just braved a sandstorm? Keep a vanity kit on hand for a quick makeover.

This little bag was made to store your cosmetics for situations like these. If clothes make the man, as the saying goes, then the vanity bag makes the woman. A touch of lipstick, mascara and blush, plus a whiff of perfume and a woman is ready to take on the world. That said, what is crucial is what kind of products you pack in your vanity bag.

The right kind of vanity bag  for the right occasion can make a  huge difference to your day, says Natasha Khalid, a Dubai-based freelance make-up artist. “It can  really make your daily beauty regime stress-free and fabulous.’’

Khalid suggests four kinds of vanity bag combinations for women to use in different scenarios: for the office, for a trip to the mall, for a party and when going away on vacation.

The 9-to-5 vanity bag

This ensures you stay fresh all day long. Since you have little time to spend in front of the mirror in the morning, this bag should contain all the make-up essentials you would need to take you through the day.

Prime face spray This is mandatory. It’s usually a two-in-one product that not only moisturises but also acts as a great make-up base. Since it comes as a spray, you just have to spritz it on your face and not worry about getting things out of a jar or bottle.

Foundation For day wear, avoid heavy products. If you do not like foundation, go for a tinted moisturiser as it is sheer and light. You can touch up the make-up by applying a small amount of the foundation on the darker areas of the face.

Stick concealer Do you have dark circles under your eyes? Pat this under your eyes and blend it in with your fingers. Avoid the liquid versions. They take more time to blend in.

Eyelash curler This is vital. It is a great way to open up the eyes and prep them for mascara.

Blush The right colour of blush can brighten your entire face. For Caucasian and yellow-toned skin, buy a blush in shades of pink and taupe. For women with a wheatish complexion, a light orange blush is best. For women with olive skin tones, use a mocha-coloured blush. For darker African skin tones, a raspberry shine blush is ideal. Always keep a small, round brush on hand to blend it in.

Mascara Use a transparent mascara instead of black or brown colours. You will not have to worry about getting a smudge under your eyes.

Eyeliner A black or brown pencil eyeliner is essential. Remember, a pencil is more forgiving than a liquid eyeliner. All you have to do is draw a line to give your eyes their finishing touch. Go for a pencil that has a liner on one side and a small blending pad on the other. When you outline your eyes, you can blend as well and get an instant and professional look to your make-up.

Extras Blotting tissues, a compact mirror, hairbands, a small hair brush and banana hair clip for bad hair days.

Lipstick For a corporate environment, matte lipstick is the best option. It is long-lasting and does not require frequent retouching. For Caucasian skin tones, light pink matte lipsticks work well; for wheatish and yellow skin, beige or taupe shades are great;
a light orange shade for olive skin tones and for dark skin tones, a berry-toned matte lipstick is just perfect. Pick a lipliner to match the lipstick. Line
the lips and apply the lipstick for a pretty pout.

The after-hours vanity bag

Prime face spray You know about this one already! It’s an essential.

Light-reflecting cream Comes in tubes and can give an instant glow to the face.

Two-in-one stick foundation or concealer Party make-up requires more coverage. Layer it depending on the coverage required. A sheer layer all over the face will give a flawless base to make-up. Layer and blend more of it in areas such as under the eyes or on blemishes. A round blending brush with very soft bristles is necessary when applying any kind of foundation or powder, or to restore consistency when your make-up streaks halfway through a party.

Kohl pencil For intense-looking eyes, especially for a night out. Kohl instantly lends intensity and definition. For a smoky look, use crayon pencils. These are great because, unlike eyeshadows that require a more precise application, the pencil can be used on the eyelid and then blended with the fingers. Blend it towards the brow bone for an intense look. These are creamy so they are very easy to work with.

Black mascara To add the wow factor.

Glitter To complete the party look. Choose glitter pens and eyeliners.

Shine spray For the body. Use it on shoulders, legs and arms to give your skin a healthy glow.

Hairspray Party hair is generally best left loose. Choose a spray that moisturises and gives your hair some shine. Spray it on your hair, scrunch and leave it loose. Or, you can spray it on tied hair and make a sleek bun. Add sparkling bobby pins to your hair.

Lip gloss Shiny gloss without a lipliner will give you a sensuous pout. Women with Caucasian and yellow skin tones should go for golden, nude lip glosses; those with olive skin tones should go for orange-based, nude glosses and darker skin tones should go for dark, berry coloured glosses. You can dab gold gloss in the centre of your lip to complement intense eyes.

Dark bronzer To help sculpt your face. Use the blending brush and swipe under the jaw, at the temples and under your cheekbones to define the contours of your face. For Caucasian and yellow skin tones, a light orange bronzer works best. For olive-toned skins, a deeper shade of bronzer is ideal. For darker skin tones, using a dark brown bronzer under the cheekbones and a gold shimmer powder on top of the cheekbones are best.

Tissue To dab those beads of perspiration that could mess up  your make-up. Remember: ‘dab’ is the keyword.

On-the-move vanity bag

Sunscreen Sunscreen with at least  SPF30 is a must-have.

A day moisturiser One with a high SPF.  It also acts as a base for your make-up and keeps your skin nourished on a long flight.

Night and under-eye creams Vital when those eyebags and dark circles begin to appear due to jet lag or night travel.

Mist spray An instant pick-me-up, especially during and after a long flight.

Eye pack Essential to keep puffy eyes at bay. Remember to chill them before use.

Petroleum-based jelly From healing dry, cracked heels to moisturising your  lips, this multi-purpose product is absolutely vital.

Foundation One that matches your skin tone and is a shade darker if you plan to get a tan. (You don’t want your face looking a shade different from the rest of your body.) Pack a self-tanning lotion for the face and body as well.

Hairspray A good-quality product will give your hair bounce and shine.

Funky colours Have fun. Experiment with lip colours and nail polish – deep reds, pinks or orange. For cool-toned skins go for red, pink and oranges with more blue in them. For wheatish and olive skin tones, use red, pink and oranges (which are deeper and with more pigment). For darker skins, use dark maroon, reds and deep berry colours.

Extras Cotton pads, eye make-up remover pads and ear buds to help you freshen up after a long day; nail polish remover pads for a quick-fix or change of polish while waiting at the airport or on the last leg of your journey. A tweezer and a small scissor to keep your eyebrows in shape.

Other essentials to include are elastic bands for your hair, grips, clips and a retractable hair brush. The next time you take a holiday, remember to keep that little fold-up one that they give you in the complimentary toiletries pack on the aeroplane.

Toiletries A small travel-size face wash, toothpaste and toothbrush.

The outdoors vanity bag

Sunscreen For the body, use SPF30 and for the face SPF50. Keep reapplying if you are perspiring a lot or if you go swimming at any point.

A UV hairspray Along with your skin, your hair also needs protection from sun damage. Find yourself a hairspray that comes with UV protection – try asking for it at your local hair salon.

Optional Using a foundation when you’re on the beach is not a very good idea – for starters, it’ll probably melt off in a matter of seconds. Secondly, the combination of foundation and perspiration will lead to clogged pores and spots. If you must have coverage, opt for a tinted moisturiser with SPF20 or SPF30 – the higher the protection, the better for your skin.

Waterproof mascara One in a light colour such as brown. A great way to brighten your eyes without using too much product on them.

A tinted lipbalm (with SPF) It will give your lips a hint of colour without making you look made up.

Cheek stains Just like tinted lip balms, these add a glow to your face. Use light pinks and oranges for olive, wheatish and Caucasian skin and berry tones for darker skin.

Extras Pack a detangling comb to run through your locks when you come out of the seas. A fruity body spray is also a good idea – it’ll keep you smelling fresh!
 
Natasha Khalid a Dubai-based freelance  make-up artist can be reached on natashakhalid83@gmail.com