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When was the last time you looked in your makeup bag and took inventory of all of the makeup products inside? If you haven’t taken stock of the essentials in your collection in a while, now is the perfect time to do just that. In fact, there are quite a few items that you might not have in your possession but probably should. Ready to upgrade your makeup bag with the latest and greatest products, including foundation, mascara, lipstick, and more? Consult our guide to find out all about the 20 makeup essentials needed to make your collection complete. Once you’ve read through and marked down everything you desperately need, it’s time to go shopping!
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MAKEUP ESSENTIAL #1: MAKEUP PRIMER
After spending time creating a stunning makeup look, you surely want all of your hard work to last, which means investing in a makeup primer is a must. A primer will even out your skin, prep it for makeup application, and keep your other makeup products looking fresh throughout the day.
Product pick: Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Lock Makeup Primer. This primer hydrates skin for better makeup application while leaving you with a healthy, radiant glow.
How to use it: Simply apply the primer all over your face before reaching for any other face makeup.
MAKEUP ESSENTIAL #2: STICK FOUNDATION
Regular ol’ foundation just not doing it for you anymore? It’s time to get your hands on stick foundation! Stick foundations feature a creamy, glide-on formula housed in compact packaging. For this reason, stick foundations are way more travel-friendly than bulky bottles, as you can easily toss one in your purse for midday touch-ups, your suitcase if you’re traveling, or your work bag if you plan to do your makeup during your commute. You can also use them to easily contour your face by using varying shades!
Product pick: Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Foundation Shaping Sticks. Their buildable, creamy formula provides medium to full coverage that lasts all day long.
How to use it: Using a shade that's one to two shades lighter than your skin tone, apply the shaping stick in an upside-down triangle below each eye, down the bridge of your nose, on the center of your chin, and on the center of your forehead. Then, use a shade that's one to two shades darker than your skin tone and apply it to the hollows of your cheeks, jawline, and temples. Use a makeup blender to buff out the product and create a perfectly sculpted face.
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MAKEUP ESSENTIAL #3: BB CREAM
Full coverage foundation may be your go-to for a night out, but a BB cream is a great daytime alternative. Not only will it smooth imperfections, but BB creams also have skin care benefits to offer.
Product pick: Try the L’Oréal Paris Magic BB Anti-Fatigue (For All Skin Types). This BB cream has color-transforming pigments to counteract signs of fatigue. The ultra-light lotion will leave you with a flawless, bare skin finish.
How to use it: Blend and buff this BB cream onto your face using a makeup blender for even application
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MAKEUP ESSENTIAL #4: COLOR CORRECTING CONCEALER
You know those pastel-colored concealers you’ve been seeing everywhere lately? Well, if you have any complexion imperfections you want to hide, they’re what you need! Seriously, pick up a color-correcting concealer palette or crayon pronto. Color correction relies on the basic principle that colors can be canceled out by their opposites—and that idea can be applied to your makeup! You can use a peach concealer to hide bluish dark circles, yellow to hide purple discolorations, green to hide redness, and purple to hide dull, yellowish skin.
Product pick: Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Color Correcting Kit. Containing the four most popular color-correcting shades (peach, yellow, green, and purple), this palette can be used to disguise almost any imperfection.
How to use it: Apply your color corrector sparingly to targeted areas (such as underneath your eyes to mask dark circles) and build coverage as needed. Use your color-correcting concealer before regular concealer and foundation.