GTKM 1: 5 Products I Never Leave Home Without

Seeing as I've just started this blog, I didn't think it was proper to start reviewing products or talking about trends (like the Spring collections of different companies - so excited to get me some of the Vera collection from MAC) without a proper string of introductory entries. Thus, the GTKM (Get to know Meg) Series was conceived and born.

As a makeup junkie, there are certain products that I simply refuse to leave the house without. So think of this as a sort of "What's in my bag?" post only its "What's in my makeup bag?". Actually, in hindsight, they - the beauty gurus - do those on youtube too, don't they? Herm. Anyway, what you'll find below are the cosmetics I cannot live without and perhaps an anecdote or two that explains why.

5. Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NW25

Because I have combination-oily skin, I find that putting foundation on everyday just makes my face suitable for the proper searing of a ribeye steak before half the day has gone by. Yes, this is the case even if I have put on an oil controlling primer or use specialized foundations. Since my skin abhors foundation so much, for reasons I will never fully understand, the only real "base" make up that I carry around regularly is my MAC concealer. I get really bad dark circles because of my insomnia, so I honestly cannot leave home without it. Typically, I'll apply the concealer with my ring finger or if I've extra room in my bag I'll bring a crease brush and use that to sweep the product under my eyes. 

4. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey (06)

I don't find it necessary to be wearing lipstick out every day either, especially because no matter how much water I drink, my lips still have it in them to get dry and chapped every so often. So, I avoid the chapped and colorless lips with my Clinique Almost Lipstick. I find it to be quite moisturizing, which is heavenly, and it's got just enough pigmentation to give my lips a nice dark red tint (somewhere in between wine and rosewood, I would say). This is one of the products that I use on a daily basis like when I'm going to work or meeting up with some friends for a quick chat and coffee. BTW, thank you Melo Robato for bringing this product home for me from Guam. Clinique in Manila is ridiculously overpriced.

3. The Faceshop Brow Powder Duo (01)

In my personal opinion, I have some funky-ass eyebrows. They're quite full at the arch and then outwards but at the bit closest to the nose, they actually kind of thin out. I'm not sure if anyone else has the same dilemma. Typically I'll see people with thick-Brooke-Shields-esque brows or people with rather thin brows, but not a combination of both. To make sure my brows are even at all times, I carry the Faceshop Brow Powder Duo around. I used to use the brown powder a lot because I had red hair and then brown hair, but now that the mop on my head is back to black, I use the oak brown powder. Honestly, I'm not a fan of the brush that comes with the duo but when I'm not carrying brushes with me, it gets the job done. 

2. Estee Lauder More Than Mascara in Rich Black (01)

I absolutely adore mascara. Now that I think about, whenever I walk into a shop, I'll always check out their mascaras first. Recently though, I've been quite satisfied with my mascara from Estee Lauder. I like the simplicity of the wand, I like the way doesn't clump up (unless I force it to clump when the look I'm doing calls for it), and I absolutely am in love with the fact that it doesn't leave me with dry-kind-of-like-I've-stuck-twigs-on-my-lashes lashes. I used to carry a mascara from Maybelline  around but I hated the wand so when I got the Estee Lauder mascara, I chucked my old one out the window (so to speak). I've got the small 2.8ml one with me all the time to save space.

1. Hengfang Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

As much as I love eyeshadow, I just don't have the time and patience to be applying and blending every morning before I venture out into the world. Because of that, a nice, reasonably thick cat-eye is my staple look. Since I'm not that big of a fan of cream/gel liners and my oily lids normally cause transfer from lash line to crease when I use pencil liners, I stick to liquid. Hengfang is a relatively unknown brand in the Philippines (and I think everywhere else except China, actually), but they make some of the most amazing liquid eyeliners that I have ever tried. It dries crazy fast and the felt tip applicator really lets you get a fine or thick line with undeniable precision. You can steal my concealer and you can steal my mascara, but try to take my Hengfang eyeliner and I'll cut you with a spoon.