Here's How to Downsize Your Makeup Bag to JUST 5 Products

My name's Victoria, and I'm a makeup hoarder. After all, who needs a stamp collection, when you have lipsticks? Right? 

My addiction runs pretty deep, so when a friend challenged me to cut my beauty stash down to a capsule collection, I freaked out. 

After hours of swiping and swatching, I managed to narrow my everyday makeup bag down to just FIVE products. Yes, really. 

Here's what made the cut...

1. Creamy Concealer 

Ok, so I know what you're thinking, no foundation, what the? But stay with me. A concealer is much more versatile as you can dial down the coverage by mixing it with a little day cream. I mixed Smashbox's high definition concealer with MAC's studio moisture cream, for a DIY tinted moisturiser. I then went back to the concealer and piled it on under my eyes to hide those pesky dark circles. 

2. Bronze Illuminator

Bronzer, highlighter AND eyeshadow = G.E.N.I.U.S. 

3. Double-ended mascara + 4. A brush 

A double ended mascara means you get two products in one - and before you say anything, I know, I'm cheating here, shhh. One brush volumises, the other defines and lifts, so I can switch up my lash look depending on the day. 

Throw an angled brush into the mix, and suddenly you've got a cream gel eyeliner. Use it to paint on a bold feline flick, or smudge into the lower lashline for a grungy finish. 

​5. A killer lipstick 

Here's where things get tough. Picking ONE shade of lipstick is no mean feat, but if you're smart about it, you can get a cheek tint out of the formula too.

Give cheeks a shot of colour by swiping a little lippie on the back of your hand, then dab your fingers in and pat the excess onto your cheeks. Remember to start small, it's easier to build up the blush then to take it off.