I hadn’t really thought about how much it would cost to replace my make-up bag until I heard my name over the tannoy in the baggage reclaim hall at JFK airport. A very friendly member of the Virgin team seemed to delight in telling me my luggage hadn’t made it from Heathrow. As I stood facing the carousel waiting to collect James’ bag I mentally started totting up the amount I was going to have to fork out to give me a half decent face, and don’t even get me started on the wardrobe.

We had been travelling since 11.30am that morning, the time was now midnight in the UK and 7pm local time. All I had in my hand luggage was a powder, a concealer and a lip crayon and we had dinner reservations in two hours.
Virgin were going to pay for the replacements and at least we were in the city that never sleeps so it would be easy to get hold of all the necessary items. However I wanted to murder someone. Very irrational I know but I was tired, hungry and wanted to look somewhat well turned out when I sat down for dinner on our first night in New York.
My very lovely husband murmured to his now seething wife. “I’m so sorry, I wish it was my bag. It would be so much easier”. And bingo just like that my fairy godmother granted the wish and out came my suitcase. Turns out it was actually James’ bag that hadn’t made it to NYC.

In those very long five minutes between finding out about the potential loss and being reunited with my suitcase. I had deduced the below were my absolute make-up essentials and must be replaced immediately. Then there was also underwear, clothes and other toiletries but this is a beauty post so we won’t dwell on those necessities.

Foundation

As much as I’d love to go fresh-faced, my skin is full of imperfections. The acne may have gone but the scars and blemishes remain so I need a full coverage foundation. For my base I love Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink (£31.50) on my combination skin as the thin formulation makes it very easy to blend over dry patches. It also has strong staying power and stays put for most of the day.

Eye Liner

I can do without eyeshadow but eyeliner is my absolute must for defining my peepers. I used to use a gel eyeliner with brush but Charlotte introduced me to the Shu Uemura Calligraphy Pen (£25 – with cartridge) last year and it’s the best thing since sliced bread. The thin nib offers ultimate precision for lining and flicking plus it’s still in place when I come to remove my make-up at night. You just have to remember as it’s refillable you need the cartridge too!

Mascara

After the eyeliner my absolute must-have has to be mascara. I am a huge fan of L’Oreal’s Telescopic Mascara (around £9) as the ultra thin brush makes it easy to coat all the lashes. I have smallish eyes so in the past I’ve struggled with a larger brush. I find this formulation lengthens my lashes and doesn’t clump. Winner.

Blusher

Now as I had a concealer in my hand luggage, a blusher takes its place as my number four essential. As I’m pale I need a bit of help to get a healthy glow. Bobbi Brown’s Blush in Coral Sugar (£19.50) is ideal for me. Despite its seemingly luminous appearance it’s actually fairly subtle though a little does go a mighty long way. The matte finish feels light on the skin and lasts the majority of the day.

Lipstick

If I had to whittle this list down to one absolute essential I think it would have to be a lippie. I’m quite natural with the rest of my look so amp it up a bit with a bolder lip. I am currently coveting Guerlain’s Rouge Automatic in 120. (Around £26). A corally-red with the slightest hint of shimmer. As a semi-opaque formulation it helps get the red lip effect without being too drying. The creamy formulation seems to last around four or five hours before it needs reapplying. My mum has more of an olive skin tone than mine and she wears the same shade too.

Virgin would have been reimbursing me for just over a hundred quid which seems crazy for five little products but I can imagine a lot of you aren’t far off. What are your absolute can’t-live-without products? How much would it cost to replace them? Any other luggage stories you’d like to share?

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