BASIC COSMETIC PRODUCTS FOUND IN WOMAN'S PURSE...

Most women would just as soon leave home without makeup as they would walk out the door without wearing pants. Makeup is an essential, which is why one of a woman's most important accessories is her cosmetics bag -- the little pouch that holds every tool she needs to look fresh-faced throughout the day and night.

So, what are the true essentials? It's slightly different for everyone, of course, but there are some old standbys you can always use to touch up your look. They're the basics you don't want to be without -- and the products you can justifiably spend some cash on, since they can make or break any look.

Moisturizer/Lotion:

Applying a layer of makeup over dry, parched skin is like trying to paint the surface of a cracked desert floor. To keep your skin hydrated, and provide a smooth palette on which to create your makeup magic, you need to have a good moisturizer handy and use it every day.

After you wash your face in the morning, smooth on a thin layer of moisturizer while your face is still damp. Let the lotion dry fully before applying your makeup. Moisturize again before you go to bed and you'll wake up with radiant looking skin.

Concealer:

Unless you're uniquely blessed by nature, your face has blemishes and imperfections, like dark spots, scars or dark circles under your eyes. Concealer can make those blemishes fade, if not disappear entirely.

Concealer comes in liquids (good for dry skin), creams and sticks. Liquids are the lightest form of concealer, while sticks are the most solid and opaque.

Eyeshadow:

Eye color can be dramatic for evening or understated for daytime. Eyeshadow comes in pencil, cream and powder forms, making it very versatile. You can wear it just on your lids, or make it do double duty by applying a thin line of dark brown, gray or black eyeshadow just above and below your eyelashes in place of eyeliner.

Before applying eyeshadow, start with a thin layer of concealer, followed by a powder to smooth out your eyelids. Use a separate brush for each color of eyeshadow you're applying, so the colors don't run into one another.

Blush:

It can give you that rosy-cheeked, healthy look--but only if you pick the right shade and apply it correctly. It's isn't that hard; simply match your blush color to your skin tone. The lighter your skin, the paler your blush should be. Women with fair complexions usually look best in pink or coral hues. Wine or burgundy accentuates darker skin well.

On top of your blusher, add a brush of shimmery bronzer to give your face a sun-kissed glow. Don't just bronze your cheeks -- make sure you also get the sides of your nose, your forehead and your chin to give yourself an all-over, natural-looking tan.

 Mascara:

Thick, long eyelashes are a beauty must. Some women wear fake eyelashes to achieve a sultry, dramatic look. Most women go with the lower-maintenance approach: a layer of mascara.

Mascara can lengthen, thicken and separate lashes, depending on which one you use and how you apply it. Thinner mascaras with finer brushes create more natural looking lashes, and thicker versions with fat brushes make thin lashes look broader and bolder.

 Lipstick/Lip Gloss:

No matter your skin tone or style, chances are you wear something on your lips. Polished lips can complete an overall makeup look or stand on their own as attention-grabbers.

Both glosses and sticks come in a huge array of colors. Your lipstick color should match your skin tone, not the bright blue shirt you're wearing. Brownish pinks, soft pinks, light red and beige lipsticks are the best accents for lighter skin, while darker reds, burgundies and browns play better off dark skin.

Eyeliner:

Eyeliner defines and accentuates the shape of your eyes. It can add a touch of glamour to an everyday makeup palette.Neutral eyeliner shades -- browns, grays, and blacks -- are best for everyday. If you're going out for the evening and really want to make an impact, you can add a touch of color.

When you apply eyeliner, don't go for the Cleopatra look. Start at the inner corner of your eye and work your way only to the outer corner -- no further. Trace a thin line to start. You can always retrace it for a darker, more impactful look.

Being Ultimate Casual

If you're anything like me then you find casual dressing harder than corporate or cocktail. I spend my weekends in over-sized jumpers, jeans or workout gear. Fine and comfortable on a normal day of either college or at work. I found the answer flipping through a tabloid magazine at the doctors office.

 The story was "Celebrities at Airports" and full of pictures of Jennifer Ansiton all lugging suitcases through exotic ports. I realised that all the women featured were wearing a version of the same six pieces and looked pulled-together despite multi-hours in the air.

It is the ultimate casual uniform. Simple, classic, doesn't wrinkle ... here's what you need.

1. BLAZER:

Blazers pull all and any outfit together. Instantly. Even tracksuit pants (don't knock it until you've tried it). The sharp lines that work so well at work can also take the scruffy out of casual. 

Every woman should own three blazers - basic black, neutral camel or cream and navy blue. Invest in quality and cut and then put them on high rotation in your wardrobe. On the weekends, start thinking of them the same way you think about an overcoat, throw one over the top of whatever you're wearing as you walk out the door. Just try it. You’ll be amazed by how much better you feel running into your boss/ex/old school friend at the supermarket wearing a blazer over your yoga pants.

2. BALLET FLATS:

It took me years to start wearing ballet flats and I regret the decades without them. Not only are they comfortable and practical but they’re perennially stylishly fashionable.

 They are the perfect in-between shoe – dressier than a sneaker but not in any way over-dressed. The trick with ballet flats is keeping them tonal. Dark denim with navy, grey or black. Cream with tan, camel etc. Not rocket science but a game changer.



3. DRESS JEANS:

We all have a favourite pair of jeans and they usually have holes in the knee or run two sizes too big. These are fine for home but you need some dress jeans. Denim that looks as good as trousers.

 Add a blazer to dressy denim and a T-shirt and you can go anywhere and look appropriate. Opt for good quality denim in dark blue, classic pale wash or clean grey. Choose a style that can be worn with both flats and a heel. No cuff rolling please – the line on this type of jean should be absolutely classic.

4. SCARF:

If you haven't hopped on this movement yet then I'm not sure where you've been? 

The style, size and colour is completely personal but the message is this: wear them all the time and with everything. Just like sunglasses, they will dress a weekend outfit up, make a T-shirt more interesting and, on a practical level, they're snug and warm.




5.  BAG:

Think about a bag in the same way you think about sunglasses. This is the icing on a classic cake. 

The shape is less important than the quality and the size. On the weekend you don't want little - go big or stay home. Colour looks great against neutrals and black but my favourite weekend look is cream against dark denim. It's like wearing a white T-shirt - instant polish.

6.SUNGLASSES:

Think of every stylishly fashionable woman you know and you'll notice one thing:

 They always wear sunglasses. Always. Black sunglasses are a casual wear must-have because they dress everything up. You need an over-sized, glossy, slick style that suits your face shape - no tortoise shell, no colours and   then you need to wear them everywhere - even when it’s overcast.