Sophia Panych, Allure magazine
An Interview With Jeanine Lobell, a makeup artist and the founder of Stila Cosmetics.
Foundation inevitably leaks, shadows crumble, and powder explodes-I've learned how to minimize the mess.
Look inside. A bag with nylon lining is easier to clean than a leather or cotton one. Keep makeup-remover wipes in there so if anything does spill, you can clean it up quickly.
See more: The 10 Commandments of Mascara
Double-check. It sounds simple, but the crucial step in preventing disaster is tightening all the caps. Any compacts with iffy hinges should go in a ziplock. Eyeliner caps always pop off, so I prefer twist-up pencils.
Sort brushes. Stash brushes by type in long, narrow, snack-size ziplock bags, so dark shadow brushes don't contaminate your blush brush.
Start over. About once a month, I empty my bag, flip it inside out, and give it a good wipe-down with a brush cleaner and a paper towel. And four times a year, I do an overhaul: I keep my concealer, bronzer, and cheek color, but to update things, I slip in a new lipstick or shadow that's hot for the season.
Pack It In
Lobell gave us a peek at the products she keeps in her everyday makeup bag.
See more: Top 21 Drugstore Beauty Bargains
Moisturizer samples
"You want a cream you can pat on when your skin or makeup is dry. You can also use it as a makeup remover." Eye cream works, too; Lobell's favorite is La Mer.
Concealer
"You don't want to take off your makeup and start over. I use Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat under my eyes and Cinema Secrets concealer on spots."
Mascara
"I pack a lightweight formula to layer over what I'm already wearing. I like Chanel Inimitable because it revives lashes without turning them into stiff little spikes."
Cream blush
"Powder blush is not going to go on evenly at the end of the day. Cream will sort of reblend the makeup you already have on and smooth everything together."
See more: The 6 Most Flattering Haircuts for Round Faces
Lip gloss and lipstick
"I pack one light-colored lip gloss-Clark's Botanicals tinted balms aren't disco-ball glossy-a classic red lipstick, and something fun, like fuchsia."
Cotton swabs
These clean up smeared makeup under your eyes or blend eyeliner for a smoky effect; Lobell stockpiles hotel travel packs.
See more from Allure:
The 12 Best Eye Creams
10 Hairstyles That Make You Look 10 Years Younger
Best of Beauty 2012
The 10 Most Gorgeous Hair-Color Ideas for Brunettes
