A Peek Inside a Teenager's Make Up Bag

It doesn't feel like it was all that long ago since I was a teen; a misguided teen who enjoyed nothing more than orange toned foundation and as much mascara as my poor eyelashes could handle. Fast forward a few years and I like to think I've got a better grip on my cosmetic needs, well not nearly as well as the younger generation - I'm in my twenties, I just have have an old soul m'kay? Thanks to a legion of beauty blogs and Youtube channels, teens can now skip the dreaded beauty mistakes, that I and so many other committed (concealer lips, I say no more!).

It's not just their technique but I can't help be a little in awe of my younger sister's make up bag contents: an array of well selected products and not a Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in sight (ah those were the days). After a little gentle persuasion here are the contents of my teenage sister's daily cosmetic case and in her own words too...


"Unlike my sister Adrienne, I have a drier skin type which means we don't share the same views on every product, we do however agree that Max Factor Face Finity Primer is the one to beat. The silken and somewhat hydrating texture, not only prolong's make-up wear but prevents any base products from caking. It also doesn't hurt that this has an added SPF benefit of 20. "

"Stumbling across Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation was a happy accident, it provides medium to full coverage and can withstand the heat of a kitchen (she's training to be a chef). More importantly it is well suited to dry skin. Unlike a lot of budget base options this does not cling to dehydrated areas and is extremely comfortable - I repurchase this constantly."

"Last year while in Sephora, I purchased NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and as much as I liked the formula, I wished for a lighter and easier to blend out texture. I found my ideal alternative in Barry M Flawless Concealer, not only is Shade 2 a great, natural match for my skin tone but the thinner consistency is far easier to apply. I pretty much use this all over my face - blemishes, uneven skin tone and dark circles, you name it, it does it all."

"As a student I do tend to stick to high street brands with the odd exception here and there, which is more often than not is a gift. One of the priciest additions to my daily routine is YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighting Pen, a quick and easy way to disguise dark circles - ideal come exam season. I like that it blends beautifully and brightens like no other. Yes it is a little on the expensive side but it wear beautifully and a little goes a long way too!"

A Peek Inside a Teenager's Make Up Bag

"Training in a warm kitchen, all day does mean I need to apply primer, eyeshadow based or otherwise daily. I have yet to find a better combination for keeping my eye make up in place, than Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion and MAC Paint Pot in Painterly. It doesn't matter what look I am going for this is my scaffolding so to speak. At the moment I am favouring a neutral, eye brightening look which I find in Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow in Bella Ivory. The shimmery shade gives the appearance of larger, wide awake eyes even when I've had next to no sleep."

"I'm not really fussy when it comes to mascara, I'll try pretty much anything - at the moment I am using and enjoying Kiko Extra Sculpt Volume Mascara. I like that it helps my lashes hold a curl, isn't prone to smudging and adds a little volume. I normally team this with Revolution Line and Flick Eye Liner Duo to quickly create feline flicks. It is a complete bargain for a liquid and pencil liner, not to mention it is one of the blackest liquids I have ever used."

"Like most of the women in my family, I favour a natural brow approach - a quick slick of Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Deep and I'm good to go. It shapes, fills and holds the brows in place, you really can not ask for much more."

A Peek Inside a Teenager's Make Up Bag

"Lipstick is my favourite beauty product by far, I favour a strong and bold, matte lip almost daily. My favourite lipstick is L'Oreal Infallible 24H Lip Colour in Infallible Red, nothing and I mean nothing wears nearly as long as this does - eating, drinking and talking, it has your back all day long. For a little added definition I do like to pair it with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Liner in Bang.

As much as I enjoy red lip products, every now and then I have been known to slick on Sephora Matte Lip Luster in Nude Pink Luster; ideal for pairing with a smoky eye, or of course if you just enjoy a long wearing, matte lip."

"I never leave home without a tube of lip balm, over time matte lip products do take their toll on the lips. My current favourite is Burt's Bees Ultra Moisturising Lip Treatment, I like the squeeze tube design and the quick dose of hydration it delivers. It also lasts forever and a day both on the lips and in a more broad sense too."


"I'm not a huge fan of blush, rather I prefer muted and shimmery bronze tinged blushes. I drift between Milani Luminoso Blush and Sleek Blush in Suede. Both are fairly understated but I do feel they help to bring a make up look together. If I am honest I could live without blush and do only dust it on occasionally rather than daily. I have the same attitude towards highlighter too, I reserve it for special occasions. I've yet to find anything that comes close to rivalling The Balm Mary Manizer - bold yet subtle at the same time, it isn't overloaded with shimmer and does seem to suit all."

"Much like my lipstick I like my fragrance choices to be fairly bold, at the moment I am a little wrapped up in Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge Eau de Parfum. It is a beautiful, albeit strong floral fragrance that is long wearing yet never overpowering. I really hope this is a permanent!"

So there we have it, a peek into the world of a modern teen; it sure puts my teenage selection of mousse based products and Britney Spears fragrances to shame. Saying that I wouldn't change a thing, the throwback photos are hilarious. I say hilarious, when I mean tragic. Oh to be a teen again!