Jul 21, 2012 at 4:12pm

A cosmetic bag or a makeup kit is an essential part of any woman who pays much attention to her looks or appearance. Although not found in the bags of all women, most women carry it in their purses or bags. Cosmetics or make up is a broad word used to describe substances use to enhance appearance of the human body.

It should however be noted that a cosmetic bag should not contain all the makeup you own in your dresser. Only your frequently used makeup should fit into it. If you always find yourself digging too deep to find an item in your cosmetic bag, then this piece is to help you reorganize your cosmetic bag for your everyday use.

The basic most essential items to include in a cosmetic bag is a small mirror, your favourite shade of lip balm, lip gloss or lipstick, hand sanitizer or hand lotion, a small comb or brush, facial powder or what is commonly known as “ponds”, lip liner, mascara, hair band or hair clip, and finally, an eye shadow pallet with a brush.

The first step is to select a cosmetic bag or purse which has enough space to contain your make up and also grant you easy access when looking for an item. Another point to take into consideration when selecting a cosmetic bag is to pick one which has a secured sealing or zip to prevent any leakages and breakages.
With this selection made, the first most indispensable item to be placed in the cosmetic bag is a sizeable mirror. This is so because, it helps you to accurately apply or fix your makeup without messing up your face or hair. It also makes you self reliant as it prevents you from assuming you have fixed things right.

Your favourite shade of lip balm, lip gloss or lipstick is the next cosmetic product to consider. Aside keeping your lips from cracking, it is also needed to add a little shine and colour to your lips. Do a little touch up before leaving home to work or after having lunch with a lip gloss or lip stick to keep you looking fresh all day.

We can’t go on without mentioning hand sanitizers and or hand lotions. Throughout our day to day activities, we come into contact with germs and unhygienic substance or objects which could be harmful to our health. The regular application of hand sanitizers helps keep you from any infections. It is not hard to come by and there is a wide variety out there on the market. Look out for the well known brands and fit it nicely into your cosmetic bag.
Hand lotions should also be a necessary part of the list of items to be included in your cosmetic bag. Many a time after lunch or after visiting the washroom, you find people going round asking for hand creams. This should therefore tell you how vital it is. The hand lotion helps to keep your hand and nails moisturized. It also helps prevents your nails from breaking.

A small comb or brush which can fit perfectly into the size of your cosmetic bag should be selected. Either of these two items is to help straighten your hair and to keep its edges in place. Commuting from one place to another in town or on a long journey, the wind is bound to mess up your hair. You definitely will not want to get to your destination with your hair messed up. If you can’t quickly fix it in the vehicle when you are about getting to your destination, quickly dash into the washroom in the office to fix it before going about your daily activities.

You may not think of including these items in your cosmetic bag but they are items which are very much needed when you least expect it. Hair bands or hair clips. You may leave your hair down when leaving home but the weather temperature or an onset of an unannounced rain will make it necessary for you to hold your hair up. That it when these items come in handy. So make it a point to have either one of them in you cosmetic bag.

These are basic necessities for every woman to have in her bag whether you are a big fan or user of make-up or not.
The following items may not be used by all women but those who patronize and use them should do well to include them when packing your cosmetic bag.

Facial powder or what is widely known as ‘ponds’. Despite the fact that you made up before stepping out, it is necessary to keep yourself looking fresh throughout your day. Concealers or foundations are applied before the facial powder. Personally, I believe all you need is a facial powder to help keep the conceler in place and also to add a touch of perfect finishing. Therefore, always keep your ponds in your cosmetic bag to perform this important function. The concealer or foundation should only be included when you have other plans such as an outing later in the day or in the evening after work.

An eye shadow pallet and a brush for application is yet another cosmetic product to consider. Preferably, your selection of eye shadow pallet should have more than three colour shades. This gives you options to blend colours and choose right to compliment your outfit.

Lip liner is a cosmetic product which prevents your lip gloss from exceeding your lip line. It is therefore essential that it is added to your cosmetic bag.

And finally, mascara. This is cosmetic product helps straighten and lengthen your eye lashes. As stated earlier you can do with or without it.

These are the most essential cosmetic products which should be included in your cosmetic bag depending on your personality and how far you want to go to enhance your beauty.


By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana