To help determine what to keep inside, we’ve created a capsule kit that accounts for every makeup item you need and nothing you don’t. You can toss this streamlined bag into your purse for on-the-go touch-ups, pack it easily for a weekend getaway, use it every morning as part of your daily makeup routine. Splurge: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz ($23, ulta.com) is a cult favorite for a reason. It features a small tip that makes filling in your brows practically foolproof and a spoolie on the other end to comb and fluff. Draw on tiny, hair-like strokes, then brush through. Steal: Morphe’s Micro Brow Pencil ($6, ulta.com) has an ultra-tiny tip that allows for easy filling, defining, and shaping. Afterward, brush through your brows with the spoolie on the other end. Splurge: Fenty Beauty’s Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette in True Neutrals ($25, sephora.com) offers a six-piece mix of matte and shimmer neutrals ranging from light to dark. That means you can create both a daytime and nighttime look without having to reach for another product. The color payoff is impressive, and the shadows blend seamlessly. Steal: Maybelline City Mini Eyeshadow Palettes in Brooklyn Nudes ($7.99, target.com) also features a mix of six neutral shades with both matte and shimmer finishes, which allows you to go from work to happy hour without worrying about packing a second palette. Splurge: Hourglass’ Vanish Airbrush Concealer ($34, sephora.com) delivers impressive coverage within a lightweight formulation. It’s infused with microspherical powders that blur and brighten and is available in 22 shades. Steal: ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Creamy Concealer ($9, ulta.com) is the more hydrating sister to the brand’s existing cult-favorite concealer. The two power ingredients are hyaluronic acid and coconut water, which noticeably plump and moisturize skin. Splurge: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation ($43, sephora.com) creates a matte finish that lasts for a full 24 hours. It’s a medium coverage foundation, but it’s easily buildable to your desired coverage. Steal: For lightweight coverage and a natural finish, try Covergirl’s Clean Fresh Skin Milk Light Shades Foundation ($11.99, ulta.com). It lightly hydrates skin with coconut and aloe and creates an even tone without weighing skin down. Splurge: Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++ ($26, missha.com) offers an incredibly lightweight formulation while still packing an SPF of 50. In addition to protecting skin from UV damage, it doubles down on hydration. Steal: Bare Republic Mineral Face Lotion SPF 30 ($28, amazon.com) is a physical sunscreen that won’t leave a white cast. It dries down to a powdery finish and nourishes skin with algae extract, baobab seed oil, and kukui seed oil. Splurge: From pale pink to ruby red, you’ll have no problem finding your favorite shade from Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Lipstick collection ($34, amazon). The unique square shape makes it easier to apply, and the formulation features 3D glow pigments that create the illusion of fuller lips. If you’re unsure about the shade, go with cult-favorite and bestseller, Pillow Talk. Steal: Almay Lip Vibes ($5.99, amazon.com) delivers a rich and creamy formulation thanks to the inclusion of shea butter, vitamin E, and vitamin C. It’s available in 19 shades, and the packaging is adorable. Splurge: It Cosmetics collaborated with Drybar to deliver the Lash Blowout Volumizing Mascara ($25, ulta.com), so it makes sense that the wand was inspired by barrel hair brushes. The formula is infused with biotin and it doesn’t hold back on volume. Steal: For that doe-eyed, wispy look, swipe on L’Oreal Paris’ Bambi Eye Washable Mascara ($9.99, target.com). The brush features both long and short bristles to separate and define with zero clumping. Splurge: Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek ($25, amazon.com) comes in five shades ranging from bright pink to a rich berry. Each color is buildable and easy to blend out for a natural, flushed finish. Steal: Maybelline’s Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush ($7.99, cvs.com) is a water-based gel formulation that glides on seamlessly for a dewy and natural flush.
