The 10 Makeup Products I’d Rebuy If I Had to Start My Collection from Zero

Before we get into what’s inside the makeup bag, I have to introduce the bag itself, because it’s my all-time favorite. It has a structured exterior, zippered closure, carrying handle, and a removable interior organizer that makes packing (or unpacking) effortless. It also looks way more expensive than its $48 price tag.

It’s the perfect size for everyday use—whether I’m running around the city for back-to-back events or hopping on a flight for a weekend getaway. And yes, it’s as cute as it is functional.

They say the best makeup starts with great skincare, and Saie’s Glowy Super Gel proves the point. It’s a cult favorite for a reason: The lightweight, non-comedogenic formula gives that effortless, lit-from-within glow without glitter or shimmer.

It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like plant-derived glycerin and squalane to hydrate and brighten, so it never sits on top of your skin; it blends right in. I use 1–2 pumps under makeup for a natural glow that makes everything on top look smoother and fresher.

4 shades available
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I tried Sweed Beauty for the first time earlier this year and have been hooked on their mascara ever since. It’s a clean, award-winning formula that lengthens, lifts, and separates the lashes so they look full and natural—never clumpy or overdone.

It’s the kind of mascara that gives you definition and impact without looking like you tried too hard, and I love that it holds all day without flaking. Once I tried it, I never wanted to reach for anything else.

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I’m extremely particular about brow products. I have thin, sparse brows, so anything too heavy, crunchy, or drying is a hard no. Kosas’s Brow Treatment Gel has been the only one I’ve trusted for years, and I have zero plans to switch.

It actually benefits hair growth instead of working against it, thanks to ingredients like castor oil and Provitamin B5. The formula never feels stiff or sticky, and it’s the only brow gel I’ve found that can create a fluffy, lifted effect while still looking natural.

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Naturally, I stick to Kosas for brow pencils too. The BrowPop nano pencil creates natural, hair-like strokes that fill in the patchy areas without ever looking drawn on. The micro-triangle tip makes it almost foolproof—use the thicker edge to add fullness and the thinner point to shape, define, and detail.

The color stays put all day, never fades to a weird undertone, and looks soft rather than harsh. Plus, it’s infused with the same beneficial ingredients as the Brow Treatment Gel, so you’re not just faking fuller brows—you’re actually supporting them.

10 shades available
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Out of all the cream-based blushes I’ve tried, Rhode’s Pocket Blush is by far the creamiest and easiest to blend. I wear the shade Sleepy Girl, a warm year-round tone that gives the perfect “soft flush” without veering too pink or too peach.

The satiny finish melts seamlessly into skin, leaving it hydrated but never greasy (a rare feat for cream blush). And because packaging absolutely matters, this one passes every test: compact, cute, clean, and never messy. It’s the kind of blush you can apply in the car, in your bathroom, or on the train—and it always looks good.

10+ shades available
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I try to stick to a tinted moisturizer or sunscreen for daytime—it’s easier on my skin and easier to work with. Tower28’s SunnyDays Tinted SPF has been my go-to for years, and I restock it religiously every time I run out.

It hydrates my skin, quickly corrects any redness, and gives that even, natural finish that looks like skin, not base makeup. And unlike most sunscreen-foundation hybrids, this one has never broken me out. It’s truly a holy-grail formula I trust every single day.

10+ shades available
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This is the product I don’t leave home without. At this point, I need one in my makeup bag and one in my purse because I truly don’t go anywhere without it. It’s the perfect hybrid of lipstick and lip balm—giving just enough color while actually softening your lips instead of drying them out.

The shade Casual looks like you’re wearing almost nothing, but in that effortless, “cool girl” way. The formula is infused with shea butter and camellia oil to nourish and hydrate, and it feels so good to reapply that I genuinely look forward to it. And at just $10, calling it a must is an understatement.

5 shades available

I wear lip liner nearly every day—even on lighter makeup days—and this one has become my holy grail. It’s unbelievably easy to use and comes with a silicone smudger on the opposite end that softens and perfects the edges (arguably the most underrated feature in lip liner).

The formula is packed with skincare ingredients and actually provides volume, which means your lips look fuller without ever feeling dry or tight. I wear the shade Lunge, and it’s the perfect “barely there” tone that blends seamlessly into a natural look—especially when topped with Versed’s Cashmere Lip Blush.

10+ shades available
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I’ve struggled with dark under-eyes for as long as I can remember. For years, I layered on concealer hoping it would disguise the shadows, but nothing ever fully neutralized them—until Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Vanish entered the chat.

This isn’t a concealer; it’s a color corrector, which means it cancels out darkness before you add anything on top. I use a light layer beneath concealer for extra brightness, or on no-makeup days as a stand-alone step, and it genuinely makes me look more rested. The texture is smooth and creamy and blends seamlessly without creasing.

2 shades available
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I’ve been using pressed powder since my Covergirl days, but this one just hits different. Unlike traditional pressed powders, Saie’s is baked—which means the formula starts as a cream and is slowly heated to create a lighter, silkier texture. The result: zero chalkiness, zero caking, and a natural skin-like finish that doesn’t settle into fine lines.

It’s talc-free, blurs, brightens, smooths, and keeps shine at bay all day long. Think soft-focus filter IRL. The kind of powder you can touch up with and still look like you’re wearing nothing.

5 shades available
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