As much as I wish I could be one of those chic individuals with a hyper-curated makeup routine of five or so stalwarts, my own cosmetic bag is quite literally overflowing with tubes, compacts, and pots of pigment. (I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve broken a few zippers trying to forcefully close the jam-packed pouches.) I’ll cut myself some slack given it’s my job to test the latest and greatest makeup formulas, but still—I’m clearly no minimalist.
But let’s say, hypothetically, that my overstuffed makeup bag were stolen, lost in transit, or just somehow got up and walked away (as cluttered possessions so often do). After spending around three business days mourning my long-standing archive—which includes some limited-edition treasures I’d be genuinely heartbroken to misplace—I’d proceed by restocking my absolute ride-or-die products. What are those essentials? So glad you asked: Scroll ahead to discover my 12 immediate repurchases. No, I’m still not a minimalist, but these are the foundational items I seriously can’t fathom sacrificing.
Victoria Beckham Beauty
The Foundation Drops
Expensive? Yes. But worth it? Absolutely. When it comes to base products, I need a thin, breathable product that effectively covers areas of discoloration without appearing too cakey, and this serum-like formula ticks every single box. To me, it’s Goldilocks—super sheer yet somehow actually provides enough coverage, which is basically unheard of in the skin tint world. With suspended pigments that create a mesh-like veil over your features, the formula is my secret weapon for “butter” skin. I use it for everyday looks but can easily apply more layers for full-glam moments. I even wore it to an outdoor summer wedding, and it looked immaculate all night.
Hourglass
Vanish Airbrush Concealer
My ride-or-die concealer, forever and always. I’ve tried more formulas than I can count over the years, yet I keep coming back to this full-coverage number. (I use the shade Cotton, if you’re curious.) It’s wonderful for both under-eye circles and blemishes given its creamy consistency and microspherical powders that blur and brighten, meaning, it’s hydrating enough to keep my under-eyes plump and bright (never cakey) yet doesn’t lean so oily that it slides off pimples and makes them look patchy.
True story: I’ve never been complimented on my brows until I started using this pencil. It’s actually a cross between a pencil and a pomade, as it features a precise end for wispy, hairlike strokes and a flat edge to help shadow in sparse areas. I get a brow tint every six weeks since my arches are rather sparse and light, but this formula helps me extend those appointments by weeks, if not months. I use the shade Cool Dark Brown with a gray brow gel (trust me on this), and I swear my brows look freshly groomed.
Tom Ford
Shade and Illuminate Cream Contour Duo
I’ve gotten multiple friends, coworkers, and my mom hooked on this award-winning Tom Ford palette. I was admittedly a little late to the game myself, as I decided to give it a whirl last year when Rita Ora named it a makeup-bag staple, and oh my god, am I thrilled I finally got my hands on it. Not a day goes by that I don’t apply the creamy contour underneath my cheekbones and on my lids, sometimes without any other base product. It’s truly all I need to look put together.
Refy
Dual Ended Complexion Brush
My makeup bag isn’t complete without a good, high-quality brush, and if I had to choose just one to re-buy, it’d be this dual-ended pick from Refy. The smaller rounded end is top notch for buffing concealer under the eyes—it disperses the pigment perfectly—while the larger fluffy brush seamlessly blends foundation and blush with a soft-focus effect. When I’m short on time or just feeling lazy, I’ll use this one brush for my entire face: skin tint, concealer, contour, blush, and even eye shadow.
If you know me, then you know how obsessed I am with Tower 28’s Oneliner, specifically the shade Work of Art. No other liner has nailed the same rosy-brown hue—and I’ve tried my fair share! I even wore it on my wedding day, and when my makeup artist saw how natural it looked on my slightly over-lined lips, she immediately ordered it for her own kit.
Violette_FR
Bisou Balm Sheer Matte Lipstick
Of course, I need to follow up with lip color, don’t I? Lippies are like blushes (you can never have enough, IMO), but if I’m restocking my collection one by one, I’ll start with this versatile lipstick-slash-balm. The sheer-matte formula gives my lips the perfect “just-kissed” blur, and it’s super forgiving. You could apply it in the back of a cab without a mirror (which I’ve done), and it’ll look intentionally lived-in. I wouldn’t expect anything less from one of the best French makeup brands!
Kosas
Soulgazer Intensifying Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
I don’t always wear eyeliner, but when I do, it’s always a soft, smudgy brown. This gel number from Kosas has the smoothest glide that never irritates my sensitive tear ducts, yet it doesn’t slide off if I do happen to well up or get caught in the rain.
Tower 28
Makewaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara
No surprise, I’m also a brown mascara girl. Although, many formulas lean warm-toned which can look a bit red in the light. This Tower 28 tube (another product I wore on my wedding day!) is perfectly rich, and it helps my stubbornly straight lashes hold a curl thanks to its special “memory foam” technology. I’ve met multiple artists who also keep it in their kits, which is how you know it’s a really good get.
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush –
I’m such a blush girl, so the thought of choosing just one to hypothetically restock is nearly impossible. Twist my arm, though, and I’d snag this serum blush from Glow Recipe, mainly because of its versatility. See, it does give your cheeks a soft flush, but it also contains clinically backed doses of skincare ingredients to hydrate, fade dark spots, and smooth texture. I’ll wear it on no-makeup days when I’m craving just a hint of color (especially during winter when my complexion could use a bit of warmth), but it also fits seamlessly into my full-glam routine. I’ll sometimes pop it on my lips and lids too, so it’s really a smart investment if I’m building my makeup bag from scratch.
Dior
Rosy Glow Powder Blush
Like I said, it’s impossible for me to choose just one blush! I’ll often layer a powder formula over a cream or liquid to give the pigment extra long-wear, and Dior’s Rosy Glow is the one I frequently reach for. A little goes such a long way (just a gentle tap into the pan and then directly on my cheekbones is all I need), and the formula features pH-activating technology that ensures the pigment appears natural and buildable.
Saie
Cityset Ultra-Fine Mist Setting Spray
As this is a list of my all-time hero products, you won’t see a bunch of new launches here—with the exception of this Saie setting spray. It’s officially available on December 26 (mark your cals!), but I’ve been testing it since September and am fully obsessed with the ultrafine formula. It provides a fresh, dewy finish and 16 hours of wear, a combination that’s pretty rare for an alcohol-free mist. The best part? It’s so hydrating that you could use it as a refreshing, midday pick-me-up.