What's in our makeup bags? Team Marie Claire reveal their beauty must-haves

Top picks from inside our handbags.

By Rebecca Fearn.

Inspired by Into The Gloss' foray into its own staff's daily makeup bags, we asked Marie Claire digital staffers to bring in their everyday makeup bags (the ones they carry with them in their handbags) to take a peek inside.

Prepare for a beauty shopping list as long as your forearm...

Holly Rains, Digital Editor

'I would like to say my makeup bag is full of essentials that can get me from DESK TO DANCE FLOOR, but that would be a lie. I would need a bigger bag. A way bigger bag. Instead, this is a compilation of things I think might come in useful for my face at some point and more importantly, look shiny when I take them out to use on the tube. Such as the new Hourglass Extreme Lash Mascara that is great for fluttery lashes and my YSL powder foundation which is is in fact a necessity because I’m shiny as hell all year round.

'Other hero products that lie within are… my Maybelline Brow Satin Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown that if discontinued, will make me weep from my eyebrow-less eyes, my Byredo Elevator Music Perfume Pour Cheveux (hair perfume), my Mavala Nailactan Cream that is legit THE best product for getting your nails to grow. Not in shot, a rogue piece of chewing gum that will definitely get an outing before the year is out.'

Follow Holly on Instagram for celebrity pals & general lols.

Jenny Proudfoot, Digital Junior News Editor

'I don’t usually have time to do my make-up before work as the news needs to be up first thing, so I tend to carry my essential beauty products around with me in case I get a spare couple of minutes to beautify. Foundation, blusher, bronzer, mascara, lip balm and a brow powder are my necessities, although I misplaced a couple of them before the photo was taken! The out of shot staples that I always carry are a MAC eyeshadow in Brown Down, a Chanel Kabuki brush and a Pawpaw balm, and for perfume, I’ve been carrying around the Jo Malone Basil and Neroli mini cologne spray for the past few weeks - I’m obsessed with it. Maybe more golden than them all though, is my can of Caudalie grape water spray - from those hungover commutes to needing a pre-meeting wake up, it’s a dream.

'But as a secret curly girl, my Jenny Proudfoot hero product has to be hair cream, with my invisible day and night cream by Windle & Moodie saving my life every day - especially given the recent humidity! It is the only thing that has stopped me from looking like Monica from Friends in the episode when they go to Barbados.'

Follow Jenny on Instagram for curly hair tips & great dresses.

Katie Thomas, Digital Beauty Editor

'I don’t wear much make-up, at least I always say I don’t wear a lot of make-up, as I prefer the natural look. But when looking at what I use every day - maybe I actually do wear a lot. Huh. Once I’ve done my skincare, I’ll cover my skin in Vita Liberata Beauty Blur Skin Tone Optimiser – not only does it give my usually pale skin a boost of colour, but it has a slight sheen to it, which makes me look glowy. I am so aware of the dark circles under my eyes – no amount of eye cream or sleep will change them, they’re hereditary – so using my ring finger I tap in Vichy Dermablend Hello Colour Corrector to take down the blueness. I then apply my Clarins Instant Concealer with the iT Cosmetics Airbrush Concealer Brush. Fun fact: in all my years in the beauty industry I am yet to find a concealer better than this one. I challenge a brand to try and come between me and this little bottle of joy.

'If I’m feeling up to it, I’ll use these nudey-pink Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks on my eyes, but that’s really only if I can be arsed. Otherwise it’s lashings of Givenchy Base Mascara Perfecto, followed by Max Factor MasterpieceMax Mascara – the best I’ve tried in a long time. I fill my brows in slightly with Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Brow Pencil, then top it off with Givenchy’s Mister Brow Groom in Transparent. Once that’s done, I’ll take down any shine under my eyes, around my nose and on my forehead with Glossier Wowder. I recently discovered Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Copper and it has changed my life. Using my fingertips, I apply it to the tops of my cheekbones. It melts into my dry skin. I finish off with a dusting of Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Multi–Colour Powder on my temples and jawline. It takes a lot to look this natural.'

Follow Katie on Instagram for all things beauty & chic interiors.

Rebecca Fearn, Freelance Contributor

'Do I have too much stuff in my daily beauty bag? Absolutely, it contributes to my bad back and weird angled shoulders most. But I would always rather be overstocked than short of something in time of need – plus, I work in the beauty industry, so I just can’t help myself.

'I always make sure I have practical things like my Slip Silk Hair Bands which are great for a last minute Psycle class or if I decide to stay at my boyfriend’s and want to keep my hair looking OK the next morning. I love a mist (hence why I have two from Tatcha and La Mer) and have a penchant for mini brushes, as you can probably tell. My three in this shot are by Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury and Chanel. My Aesop hand cream and Omorovicza lip balm (the best in the world) come with me everywhere, and I always try to have a nude and red lipstick handy. I know that sounds boujee, but I never know what I’ll be wearing/how I’ll be feeling. The two here are Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk and Tom Ford’s Wild Ginger. Other noteworthy inclusions: my Trinny London stack, Tilbury palette, Jillian Dempsey tint, Malin + Goetz Neroli oil (my favourite neroli of all time) and Ouai hair companions. Phew.'

Follow Rebecca on Instagram for beauty inspo & the occasional sausage dog.

Lucy Abbersteen, Digital Beauty Writer

'Although I rarely re-apply, I do my make-up in about 10 minutes on the train to work, so the Glossier pink pouch is pretty much always in my bag. (I have tried getting up earlier to apply it, but girl loves as much time in bed as possible in the mornings). The contents chop and change as I’m always testing new things for work, but there are some products that are a constant for me. Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara is my ride or die – I like to have a lot of length and volume, but I can’t stand when a mascara clumps all my lashes together. This separates out each one and makes them really black and noticeable, so it’s an every day use for me as my lashes are so fair. Then for a long-lasting liner I’ll often use a SUQQU gel or Elizabeth Arden Smoky pencil.

'I hate the expression, but NARS Powermatte Pigments were a game-changer for me. I can’t keep lipstick on but even these stay put for most of the day without any fade so I almost always have one in my bag. I love a Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution for rich colour pay off, too. Need I say anything about Glossier Boy Brow? It just doesn’t make my brows look “over done” and full of product, but it does hold them in place and make them look fuller (which I need as I’m still recovering from the over-plucking era).

'In terms of base, Bobbi Brown Corrector is another everyday use (I wrote about how much I love it here). It gets rid of my dark dark circles and instantly makes me look more awake to the point that I don’t really need foundation. If I do, I’m obsessed with Armani Luminous Silk. I’m also loving Tom Ford’s Sheer Cheek duo for that subtle wash of colour, while RMS Magic Luminizer is one of the best highlighters I’ve ever come across. And lastly Benefit’s Hoola Light is great at adding warmth to fair skin tones like mine.'

Follow Lucy on Instagram for more beauty, makeup ideas & book recommendations.

Penny Goldstone, Digital Fashion Editor

"I probably don’t have that much in my make-up bag compared to most people, but that’s because I’ve really whittled it down to the absolute basics. I’ve tried many beauty trends but in the end I always go back to my tried-and-tested formula. From start to finish, it takes me about two minutes in total to apply (and I leave my bag at home, I hate carrying make-up with me!). There is the foundation, YSL Touche Eclat which transforms my skin in what I’d like it to be naturally: dewy and glowing. It’s very lightweight but easily buildable on those days you need more coverage.

At the moment I’m using Laura Mercier bronzer as I’ma bit more tanned, then a touch of NARS Orgasm blush – I’ve used this for years and it really is the most flattering shade. Bobbi Brown’s eyebrow gel is the only one I’ve found that doesn’t cake your brows WAG style. Then the two final essentials, a fine eyeliner (I use Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire) and black mascara, though I’m not precious about the last one, I usually use whatever I have in the cupboard".

Follow Penny on Instagram for polished outfit pics & style tips.

Sunil Makan, Associate Editor

'A make-up free zone: my Muji neoprene pouch contains an arsenal of products that are all about skincare, good smells and good vibes.

'I’m seriously into my fragrance (if you didn’t know already) so this pouch sees a lot of action in the smells department and I often carry several in there at once. Although, at the moment, I just can’t seem to part with Frederic Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur, Tom Ford Fucking Fabulous and my little Byredo Gypsy Water kabuki brush.

'Good skin is high up on my priority list and you can often find me waxing lyrical about Sisley Black Rose express mask – it’s a GOD SEND. It instantly plumps, smoothes, soothes and leaves skin feeling super fresh and glow-y. Yes, you’re meant to use it in the evening as a treatment but I just LOVE the way it makes my skin feel so sometimes around that 3pm slump you’ll find me slathering this on. Similarly, Lumene Valo Glow Boost essence with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid (more on that shortly) quite literally delivers what it promises and TRANSFORMS your skin. Speaking of Hyaluronic, this magic serum Swisscode Pure Hyaluron is pretty special.

'Not pictured, but something that plays an equally important part in my routine (a few drops every night without fail), is my Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic, a high potency antioxidant treatment. You’ll never catch me without SPF and I alternate between Aesop Protective Facial Lotion (SPF50) and Susanne Kaufmann Face Broad Spectrum Protection Sunscreen (SPF 30). For eyes Tropics Eye Refresh Cooling Gell Roll-on and Immunocologie Intense eye cream hide a night of knocking back a few martini’s.

'Not 100% sure what my growing collection of essential oils says about me but Aromatherapy Associates Instant Inner Strength and these pretty special oils from Anatome NEVER LEAVE MY SIDE.'

Follow Sunil on Instagram for fragrance & fashion.

Consider your make-up inspo fix, fixed.

Want to get in on the make-up bag fun? Tweet us your pics at @marieclaireuk