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What you carry in your make up bags is a personal choice, but having the right essentials on hand makes touch ups easier and fuss-free. Depending on the size of your purse, you want a make up bag that fits in easily but is roomy enough to carry everything you need. Don’t let yourself be caught off guard with smeared lipstick and faded blush, listen to the pros. Carrying all the must-have essentials when you are out and about will ensure you always look your best, no matter where you are day or night.

Everyday Essentials

Heading out for a quick pop in the pub or an afternoon shopping trip usually only requires a few basic essentials. Make sure your make up bags have these five essentials for small emergencies and touch ups:

• Powder with makeup pad and mirror
• Lipstick or lip gloss
• Eyeliner
• Nail file
• Hair ties for hair emergencies

Ted Baker’s Heavenly Cosmetic Purse at Boots.com for £6.38 is the perfect way to carry your basics. Plus, it is so pretty and chic it won’t be obvious you are heading off to the loo to freshen up.

Workday Essentials

Nothing is more stressful at work than needing to touch up your lipstick or blush and discover you forgot it. Make your workday much easier with these seven cosmetic bag essentials:

• Powder with makeup pad and mirror
• Lipstick
• Blush
• Eyeliner
• Nail file
• Hair ties
• Breath mints (because you never know)

Put all those essentials in a sleek Harrods Boutique Cosmetics Bag available now at Harrods.com for £18. This perfect black and white cosmetic purse has a classy vintage look and is the perfect size for your handbag.

Evening Out Essentials

Evenings out call for all the necessary tools to make sure everything goes perfectly, including your makeup. You’ll want to load up your make up bags with these essentials to cover all emergencies:

• Foundation (in case you have to start over after you sweat it all off dancing)
• Concealer
• Powder with makeup pad and mirror
• Eyeliner
• Blush
• Lipstick or lip gloss
• Lip balm
• Nail file
• Hair ties
• Tweezers
• Breath mints

And don’t forget to find the right bag to put them in, like the Lace Stripe Make Up Case from Cath Kidston, £10 at Cathkidston.co.uk. This ultra feminine makeup bag comes with its own mirror so you are never without.