Beauty columnist Kerry Harvey lists the top handbag essentials you need on hand for any occasion.

Whether you’re a bride-to-be, a wedding guest or an entrant at the lovely girls’ competition 2017 (I do love a bit of Fr Ted), we all like to get the best out of our makeup look. After spending all that time sponging, stippling, caking and baking (no you haven’t walked into a cookery class) you want your look to stay put.  Not even the best makeup artist can ensure your makeup will stay put 100%.

It’s a given as your day goes on, even if you slept in a sleeping beauty pose without moving, your makeup will move somewhat! Here are my top tips on what to keep on hand for quick touch-ups or SOS emergency for any special occasion you attend!

Lipgloss | Lipstick | Lip Pencil

This one’s a no-brainer – whether you use all or one of the above lip products, having a lip top up in your bag is a no brainer.  Eating, drinking and even simply talking, will wear away your luscious lips, so keep your lippy on hand for topped up moisturised lips all day long!

Translucent Powder | Blot Sheets | Setting Spray

If you’re of an oilier skin content then keep a compact translucent or transparent powder on hand with a travel sized fluffy powder brush!   Simply add the product to your brush, tap off the excess, and stipple or push the powder into the shinier areas to reset. Do not brush over and back, up and down, or around and around! Why?  Your foundation is now sitting on top of that layer of shine/oil, so you’re simply brushing the foundation around your face which will leave that washed out streaky look the more your do this.  Remember, simply press the foundation back in, like pressing a

Do not brush over and back, up and down, or around and around! Why?  Your foundation is now sitting on top of that layer of shine/oil, so you’re simply brushing the foundation around your face which will leave that washed out streaky look the more your do this.  Remember, simply press the foundation back in, like pressing a

Remember, simply press the foundation back in, like pressing a shirt for that seemless perfect surface.  Blot sheets also are great to soak up shine without adding a set powder look, or if you’re a dry/dehydrated skin type, a setting spray will add hydration, minimising caking and will totally leave your look refreshed!

Concealer & Cotton Buds!

It’s always good to have a cotton bud or two in your bag for makeup that gets stuck in crevasses such as the corners of your eyes, and will also efficiently left any small bits of shadow or mascara that may fall onto your cheeks with all that dancing you’re doing! Also great to smudge out or fix up your liner! Keeping your concealer on hand will ensure you can top up under-eyes to add a retouch of brightness.  Even a small sample of your foundation is handy to have if you find you may need to cover up some pesky blemishes later in the day!

Keeping your concealer on hand will ensure you can top up under-eyes to add a retouch of brightness.  Even a small sample of your foundation is handy to have if you find you may need to cover up some pesky blemishes later in the day!

Band Aids – or if you’re from the country, PLASTERS!

For me, hands down, I always end up with a sore wee toe, big toe, heel, balls of my feet…oh, need I go on ladies! Wearing heels is fine for the first 20 minutes, then it’s a game of ‘give me your arm’, ‘I need a stool’, ‘is it too early to kick these babies off under the table’.  ‘Wearing new shoes in’ before a big occasion is great if you’re super organised, but if you’re like me and only purchase the day before or god knows, that morning, an hour of leaving your brothers football socks shoved into your snug fitting new

‘Wearing new shoes in’ before a big occasion is great if you’re super organised, but if you’re like me and only purchase the day before or god knows, that morning, an hour of leaving your brothers football socks shoved into your snug fitting new heels isn’t going to cut the mustard to give that wee bit of stretch you need come 6pm!  Nips and tucks are going to happen, so it’s always good to have a little stash of plasters in your purse! I’m

Nips and tucks are going to happen, so it’s always good to have a little stash of plasters in your purse! I’m partial to the big brown fabric plasters as they don’t rub off with warm feet and another staple is a packet of party feet – an absolute godsend for those of you who’s shoe’s maybe slightly big or slipping to minus blistering!

Eyedrops | Rescue Remedy | Anti-Histamine | Painkiller

I always recommend my bridal clients keep a small SOS chemist stash for their big day.  I, myself, find that occasionally the likes of an anti-histamine (hay fever) and some eye drops, very helpful and see many people look for such products on the morning of a big occasion!

Anyone who’s ever had an allergy will tell you how awful it is when you get running eyes, and nose, with a full face of makeup to contend with.  Trying to dab away with a tissue and not smudge your eye-makeup etc, once the water works go off is near impossible!

Headaches may also come, so it’s good to have some painkillers on hand too (perhaps more so for the day after ; D)  If you’re of a nervous disposition, perhaps you’re a reader at a wedding, making a speech at an event or indeed part of a bridal party, having a natural alternative which is used by millions to help subdue that flutter, such as Rescue Remedy is a must!

 

Keeping a small batch of these items in your bathroom, regardless, ensures you can pop one or two into your clutch for special occasions, and they won’t take up much space!  Trust me, you’ll be grateful for it some night!  You may even become some poor girls hero – you know – the one in the perfect peep-toes that no longer can walk without a limp come 11pm whilst powdering your noses in the lavatory!

To all you party girls, shoe lovers and ladies in general, having your SOS bits and bobs is a must and may indeed by of great use this coming Easter weekend! Feel free to drop me an email if you’ve any questions to info@kerryharvey.ie and in the meantime, enjoy the long weekend K x