Essentials, we all have them, we all swear by them. ALL of us have a mini pouch or a major pouch with all the things that we absolutely need or think we need. Me? I have 2 pouches, one that has a bevy of different lip colours that I can change according to my mood, and the second pouch is actually my entire bag that has lip balms in every crevice. Enough about that, we decided to stalk a few make-up artists (and by stalk we mean hound them until they answered), until they told us what their absolute no-can-do without beauty essentials were.
Here we have make-up artist extraordinaire Ayesha Seth, Make-up consultant and artist Pooja Mathur, Professional makeup and hair artist and designer Swarangi Chaudhari, Founder and Director of Beyond The Fringe Salons in Hong Kong & Mumbai, Asha Hariharan of Asha Hariharan Academy in Mumbai, taking us through the contents of their essentials pouch.
1. The Body Shop Born Lippy Pot Lip Balm – Strawberry
Pooja just cannot do without this lip balm. From its heavy duty moisturising properties to its glossy sheen, I am not surprised that this is one of her essentials!
Price: ₹ 275. Buy it here.
2. L’Oreal Paris Brow Artist Genius Kit Medium To Dark
Asha got right to the brows and why not, brows on fleek is still a thing! This brow kit is a must-have for the most defined brows ever, she refuses to use anything but this!
Price: ₹ 900. Buy it here.
3. Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm
Ayesha insists that this is the best balm for dry lips. She uses it to soften and plump the lips before applying lipstick. It’s the only balm that really hydrates and nourishes the most dry lips in minutes.
Price: ₹ 651. Buy it here.
4. Ponds White Beauty Blemish Balm Fairness Cream
Swarangi is a big fan of this product for all the right reasons. It is a moisturizer and tint that gives almost full coverage while looking natural. The finish is dewy and it can be used as a primer as well.
Price: ₹ 350. Buy it here.
5. M.A.C Prep + Prime Lip
This underrated product is another one of Asha’s faves! Just like our skin, our lips too should be primed before we apply lipstick. This primer gives you a smooth canvas and makes sure your lip colour doesn’t budge.
Price: ₹ 1,600. Buy it here.
6. L’Oreal Paris Tint Caresse – B03 Peach Blossom
Pooja also loves to have a tint on her at all times. From adding colour to your lip to giving your cheeks a natural flush, a tint is that one product that is a favourite for lazy girls and others alike.
Price: ₹ 1,050. Buy it here.
7. M.A.C Next To Nothing Powder / Pressed
Another must-have, as per Ayesha, is some version of a compact or pressed powder. She’s a little biased towards this one because one pat with this powder and your skin is matte and fresh once again. It’s great for oily skin and an oily T-zone, especially in humid weather.
Price: ₹ 2,500. Buy it here.
8. Clinique Pop Lacquer Lip Colour + Primer – Cocoa Pop
Lippes are our weakness, and Swarangi is also a part of the ‘lip colours change the mood’ tribe. She says you should always have a gloss on you. She likes this one in particular because it adds a glam touch to her face in a jiffy while keeping her lips moisturized.
Price: ₹ 1,650. Buy it here.
9. M.A.C Powder Blush – Pinch Me
This blush is Ayesha’s perfect fix to add a little colour on the go when you’re feeling washed out and want a quick pick-me-up for a meeting or a lunch. You can layer it on a bit extra for an evening out, especially if you’re headed there straight from work.
Price: ₹ 1,950. Buy it here.
10. Lakme Absolute Kohl Ultimate Kajal – Black
Pooja says her beauty kit is incomplete without kohl. It’s like an instant eye lift with minimal effort. She likes this one in particular because of its smudger tip makes this a versatile product. You can give yourself a smouldering smokey eye look on the go when you have a last event thing to attend.
Price: ₹ 725. Buy it here.
Well, I know what’s going into my cart next, do you?