How can I lighten my cosmetics pouch?

So you are out all day, but need to touch up after lunch and transform your look from day to night for cocktails. That may mean a make-up pouch that feels like a brick in your bag.

To pack an economical make-up bag that still has everything you need, the trick is to pick up multi-purpose products. Besides the usual lip-and-cheek balms, and day-to-night eyeshadow palettes, here are some useful products to look out for.

No bigger than a pen or lipstick, these make-up items are compact enough to be slipped into a clutch too.

Peter Thomas Roth CC Eye Correcting Concealer (Photo 1)
$89, from Sephora stores

Made to hide dark circles, this double-ended product contains matte liquid concealer (for the under-eye area) on one side, and a liquid pearlescent highlighter (for the lids and inner corners of the eyes) on the other.

Think of this as a sunscreen for the eye area too; both formulas come with SPF15.

The product is also infused with the extract of the camu camu fruit, which is said to contain 30 times the amount of Vitamin C in an orange, to boost collagen production.

Too Faced Bulletproof 24 Hour Shadow Liner (Photo 2)
$32, from Sephora stores

This crayon is both an eyeliner and an eyeshadow. Draw a thicker line on the areas you want to emphasise and blend with the sponge tip on the other end for a smoky effect. Pull out the base of the sponge tip and you get a sharpener for the crayon. Available in eight shades.

RMK Matte Shiny Eyepencil (Photo 3)
$65, from RMK counters

This eye make-up product comes with a matte crayon on one side for lining the eyes, and a complementary glitter shadow with a sponge-tipped applicator on the other.

Available in six shades.

Kate 3D Eye Create (Photo 4)
$23.50, from selected personal care stores

Made for highlighting and contouring the eye area (to give it more depth) and nose bridge (to make it look sharper), one side of the product contains light highlighting powder, while the other contains a darker contouring powder.

Each end comes with a sponge tip which makes application fuss-free. You can also use the highlighting powder on the cheekbones.

Etude House Moistfull Super Collagen Multi-Stick (Photo 5)
$19, from Etude House stores

There is no need to lug around a bottle of moisturiser with this hydrating balm stick that contains collagen and baobab tree extract. Glide it onto the areas that need moisture (such as the delicate eye area) and pat into skin with fingertips.

This article was first published on Sept 19, 2014.
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