Who said that being a busy bee nowadays means that our fav makeup routine should be the first thing that goes out of the window? Well, no. We just have to turn it around and find new ways of doing it a.k.a do it in the car.
Since becoming a mother, I can proudly say that I’ve mastered the “get ready in less than 5 minutes” face, something that a few years back I couldn’t even believe it was possible. But it is. The key is to be prepared and have your magic tools ready whenever, wherever.
Today I’m showing you -after many trial and errors- the essential makeup bag for the car; a bag that has everything that I need to create a minimal look quickly and feel ready to seize the day.
I always make sure I have these categories with me:
- Base products
- Definition products
- Eye products
- Lip products
- Brow products
Base Products
La Roche-Posay / Effaclar Duo Unifiant
Let’s start with the star of the show, the Effaclar Duo Unifiant in the light shade. It works like a tinted moisturizer but with a twist; it has Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid that work like-a-dream on my oily/acne prone skin, keeping it clear all year long.
It is super lightweight, feels great on the skin without a hint of stickiness -which I can’t stand in products- has enough coverage yet looks very natural once it’s on. It is extremely easy to apply whether you apply it quickly with your fingers, a sponge or a brush. I love applying it with my beautyblender.
A big plus is that you can build it up easily in the areas you need to without looking cake-y. The perfect on-the-go base for sure. If you have problematic skin you need it!
P.S It has a slight scent to it that fades away once it’s on.
Nars / Radiant Creamy Concealer
The glorious Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade Vanilla is my go-to in the last few years, so I always keep a mini version in my makeup bag for the car.
It never fails to deliver coverage, moisture and smoothness on the under eye area. It is so fresh and easy to apply that makes the whole process last less than a minute. A concealer that blends in no time, covers enough without separating and looks like it isn’t there at all? It’s a YES from me.
Mac / Studio Finish Concealer
I’ve said it before here on the blog and I will say it again; a makeup bag without the Studio Finish Concealer from Mac isn’t complete for me.
It is the only concealer that lasts all day and covers effectively acne, spots and discolorations. I have the shade NC15 and apply it with a small brush, tap it with my finger and boom! Imperfections gone. I finish with a small amount of Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder on top and I’m ready for the next steps.
Definition Products
Benefit / Hoola Lite Matte Bronzing Powder
When it comes to quick makeup, bronzer, is one of the most transformational products you can use when you’re in a hurry. It gives a healthy, fresh look to the skin and you can stop there if you want to.
Most days I only use bronzer without blush or any other cheek product. I also use it as an eyeshadow to define the eyes in the most minimal way and add some warmth to my pale complexion.
The Benefit Hoola Lite is one of the greatest shades for very pale to pale skin tones. It blends effortlessly, never looks orange and it’s the perfect neutral shade that gives the skin exactly what it needs to look alive. It gives definition around the forehead, cheeks and jawline areas which is of course very welcomed.
Plus points for the yummy beachy smell that makes you dream of Summer.
Hourglass / Vanish Blush Stick
Do you ever feel that a certain step in your makeup routine really excites you? Well, Hourglass’s Vanish Blush Stick is exactly this step for me.
I used to stay away from liquid and cream blushes as my oily skin looked even worse with them. Nothing seemed to spark my interest besides my good old powder blushes. But no. Hourglass did it again and created the blush of all blushes. It’s velvety, easy to apply, has amazing pigmentation, doesn’t feel sticky and doesn’t remove the product that’s underneath it. What else do you need?
The shade Devoted is perfect for some added freshness -you know you need it when you’ve had 5 hours of sleep, right?- not too pink nor too coral but the perfect mix of both and lasts all day looking like your skin but better.
It’s definitely expensive for a blush, but I’d rather have a fantastic product that I adore and use it, than many cheaper choices that stay in a drawer. Are you with me?
Rare Beauty / Positive Light Liquid Highlighter
Time to add a bit of glow with the most beautiful product to look at. The Positive Light highlighter from Rare Beauty is definitely my best friend when it comes to doing my makeup in the car.
It has a big sponge applicator that makes the process a dream, has the most natural yet juicy sheen without clogging the pores or looking fake and the shade Enlighten is beautiful for pale complexions. It’s a pearly white shade that can be applied high on the cheekbones, upper lip, nose and as a minimal eyeshadow. I use it with just my fingers and only need a couple of seconds.
Eye Products
Nars / Longwear Eyeliner
There’s nothing better than tight-lighting if you are in a hurry. Drawing a line in your upper lash line defines the eyes in an instant, makes the lashes look fuller and isn’t detectable at all.
The best eyeliner for this is the Nars Longwear Eyeliner in the black shade Via Veneto. It stays put and doesn’t smudge as long as you wear your makeup. Perfect if you don’t have time to freshen up during the day.
This, a bit of bronzer on the eyelids, mascara and that’s all I need for a chic outcome.
L’Oréal Paris / Paradise Extatic Waterproof Mascara
If you have straight lashes that naturally look down, waterproof mascara is the answer.
I’m using the Paradise Extatic Waterproof mascara 1-2 years in a row and I’m never without it. It holds the curl amazingly and has amazing volume too. I curl my lashes with my one and only Kevyn Aucoin curler -the best in my opinion- apply one coat of this gem and I’m done.
A little tip to keep in mind is that this mascara performs better as the time goes by and gets a bit dried up.
Lip Products
Lisa Eldridge / True Velvet Lipstick
Now to the fun part: lips! Give me all the nudes and I’ll be happy. Beige, beige- pinks, pinky-browns and the list goes on. What can I say I love nude barely there lipsticks and I know I’m not the only one, right?
Lisa Eldridge created the nude of all nudes without a doubt. True Velvet Lipstick in the shade Fawn is pure heaven. The most flattering and well balanced color in the whole world that looks amazing even if you wear it bare faced. It features my all time favorite velvety texture, stays put and feels like nothing. Just a small dub on the lips is enough.
The beautiful heavy gold tube closes with a snazzy magnetic clap that feels super luxurious. Absolute perfection.
Make Up For Ever / Artist Color Pencil
If you don’t have time you’ll love a multitasker like the Artist Color Pencil in the shade Endless Cacao. Creamy, smooth & blendable.
I use it as a lipliner -I’ve talked about it in more detail here, by itself on the lips smudged with my finger and as an eyeliner drawing a speedy tiny flick in the outer corner for a bit of emphasis. You can’t go wrong with it. No time, no problem.
Brow Products
Anastasia Beverly Hills / Brow Definer
The most effective, natural and quick brow product for me is the ABH Brow Definer. I just can’t get enough.
The large triangular tip along with the brush on the other side make your brow game strong as if you’ve spend 30 minutes perfecting it, but in reality you just spent a minute or less.
Anastasia Beverly Hills / Clear Brow Gel
A clear brow gel on top of my brow pencil is what I need to keep my -naughty- brows in their place.
Anastasia’s Clear Brow Gel is a good choice, leaving a nice -not too weak not too crunchy- feel to the brows, but I’m dying to try the Patrick Ta one and it will be my next purchase for sure. If your brows stay in place you’re too lucky and can skip this step. I wish I could too!
Seriously, this makeup takes like 6-8 minutes and makes me feel like I can do anything. Do you keep anything else in your on-the-go makeup bag?
Comment below and let me know or find me on Instagram for a chat @tzinamak_
