Beauty on the Go: 10 Things You Should Never Leave the House Without

By Gina Jet

We’ve all been there. You go out with co-workers for a quick drink after work and end up staying out later than planned. You run into a friend while doing errands and decide to meet for dinner. You go on a date having low expectations and end up hitting it off and winding up at his place for a nightcap. All of these things can catch you off-guard when you’re still wearing this morning’s makeup. Believe me, it’s much easier to prepare for these unexpected moments than it is to scramble for a quick fix at the last minute. Having a small, simple makeup pouch with you containing these ten little items can save you from disaster and keep the good times rolling.

1. Stick foundation: Nothing is worse than spotty foundation after a long day. Even long wear foundation will begin to break down after ten hours, especially if you go out dancing at the end of the day. You might be able to freshen it back up with a quick application of setting powder, but it’s always best to be safe. Stick foundation is portable and neat and will substitute for beard cover in a pinch. If you dare to eat something greasy like a burger or salad dressing, God forbid, you’ll be able to repair the missing beard cover quickly and easily. If you apply it with your fingers, make sure to wash your hands well before you touch your bag or clothing.
2. Setting Powder: Keep a compact of setting powder in your bag at all times. Not only will you need it to control shine and excess oil, but you’ll need the mirror for occasional checkups. Just remember that powder is not designed to absorb sweat. It is designed to absorb and mattify excess oil, so if you’re out dancing or sweating profusely, use a napkin or tissue to gently blot the sweat before powdering. If you use the little puff to apply powder to a wet face and then return it to the powder, the moisture will ruin the powder. Keep it dry! I’ve been using the “no color” type (it looks white but goes on clear) and I just love it because it won’t dull or alter the colors of any of my makeup products.
3. Q-Tips: An absolute must for any makeup pouch! They’re great for fixing uneven lipliner, lipstick, eyeliner, and removing those little mascara blobs that are inevitable after application. Moisten it with a little bit of your saliva and sweep it under your bottom lashes if you start to see smudging. They’re also perfect for cleaning up nail glue if you find yourself having to do an emergency nail replacement. The pointy-tipped ones are a game-changer! Put 5-10 of them into a small “craft” Ziploc to keep them clean.
4. Lip Pencil: Even the best long-wear types of lip liners will come off completely when you eat, especially if you eat something with any kind of oil or grease (fries, salad, or even sandwiches). You must be prepared to go into the ladies’ room immediately after eating and replace your lip liner and lip color!
5. Lip Color: Just like your lip liner pencils, even the longest-wearing lip colors will come off when exposed to oil. Although the advertisements always claim that these lip colors are transfer-proof and kiss-proof, which the good ones absolutely are, they don’t dare to claim that they are food-proof! Always remember that all makeup is best removed with oil, and that includes oils and fats from food. Protect yourself from the embarrassment of naked lips and bring your lip color with you!
6. Eyebrow Pencil: Brow pencils can double for eyeliner pencils, but not the other way around! If I could only have one pencil with me, it would be a brow pencil. If I am sweating, I tend to wipe my forehead with the back of my hand, and in doing so, I smear my brows! Although my brow pencils claim to be waterproof, they are not smear-proof. I have been caught with smeared eyebrows before without a pencil handy to fix them, and it’s the kind of thing that will send me back to my car and speeding home in shame. Don’t let that happen to you! Even if you use eyeshadow and a brush to shape your brows at home, you should always carry an emergency pencil with you.
7. Lash glue: To state the obvious, it’s always smart to carry some lash glue with you to re-apply a “loose” lash strip. But did you know that lash glue has other uses?  You can use it to re-apply a false fingernail in a pinch (no, it won’t hold for long), and prevent a run in your stocking or pantyhose (a small hole becomes a big tear very quickly). You simply apply the glue to the edges of the hole or tear before it can “run.” Do you have a clip-on earring that always slips off? You can use a dot of lash glue to secure it to your earlobe (let it dry a bit first).
8. Nail Glue: Another obvious one is nail glue for replacing a missing nail, but it’s still glue that can be used to glue all kinds of other things. It can also be used to repair jewelry, shoe-strap buckles, ornamental things from your clothing, and of course, preventing a small hole in your stocking from becoming a big one.
9. Hydrating Facial Mist: This is one you probably never thought of because they are relatively new to the market. The most commonly-known brand is Evian but it’s quite overpriced ($35) considering it’s just a fancy can of mineral water. Much better for hair and skin are the new hydrating mists that are packed with skin-loving ingredients like antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and vitamins. Yes, vitamins! They’re great for your skin and hair (they’re wig-safe, BTW) and they will freshen you up like new in a jiffy! The price point for these yummy mists are around $10-$15 and can be placed into a smaller spray bottle for easy portability. Did I mention they can be used in place of makeup setting spray? Once you start using these you will be addicted! Some great brands are ELF Hydrating Coconut Facial Mist, La Roche Posay, Garnier, Clinique, Neutrogena, etc. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
10. Breath mints and/or gum: This one goes without saying but it always surprises me when any of my students or clients have less-than-pleasant breath. How are people not conscious of this? We get close enough to people to smell their breath all the time; in a car, talking closely in a loud environment, and of course with a lover, but what are some other scenarios that allow others to smell our breath? You guessed it, a makeup chair! Your hairstylists, nail techs, and co-workers can all smell your breath, especially after alcohol or coffee, so FOR THE LOVE OF GOD be mindful and use breath mints!

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Tags: crossdressing, featured, makeup, Transgender

Category: Makeup, Transgender How To