Perhaps it was to quiet a rambunctious little boy, but one of my dearest memories is when Mama would open up a stick of Juicy Fruit gum and hand it to me — along with her purse. Bobbie Jean sang “Looking for a City,” and while all heads were bowed, I rummaged through that black purse with great amusement: rose-colored lipsticks, blotting tissues, peppermints. Mama was always prepared, and she also knew how to keep me quiet in church.
When it comes to our handbags and purses, it’s important to have all the essentials within reach, and that’s why I called in a few of my friends for their must-haves. “A foundation alternative like CC Cream by Chanel — sunscreen, skincare and tint all in one — a powder to retouch your makeup in the summer heat and humidity such as Chanel Les Beiges, and one great mascara, perhaps Le Volume De Chanel is what every woman must have at all times,” says John Fussell, Dallas-based global makeup artist for Chanel, adding, “One must always carry an impressive mascara!”
Ricardo Costales, Miami-based national makeup artist for Lancome, tells me: “At red carpet events, I’m never without Lancome Star Bronzer to refresh the face and Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara. My classic Lancome Progres eye creme hydrates and illuminates the skin without traveling all over the face.” Another of Ricardo’s tricks is to toss a tube of Lancome Gloss In Love into your bag for a sexy lip without breaking the bank.
Los Angeles-based makeup artist to stars such as Cindy Crawford and Olivia Munn, Samuel Paul gladly shares his three must-haves with me beginning with Shu Uemera eyelash curler, L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black, and finally, Stila In The Know eye shadow palette. If it’s good enough for Cameron Diaz, it’s good enough for me.
One of my great friends, Stephanie Terrell, an Estee Lauder executive, says, “My ‘now’ favorites in my makeup bag are Pure Color Envy Lipstick in Insatiable Ivory, Pure Color Lip Lacquer in Rose, Renutriv Firming hand cream, and Sumptuous Infinite Daring Black mascara, all from Estee Lauder, of course.” Stephanie adds, “New Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum mixed with Double Wear Concealer is my 3 o’clock afternoon pick-me-up!”
Well, that’s probably much more than Mama had in her purse, but she was a lady who could appreciate a few beauty tips from the creme de le creme of makeup gurus. In fact, she’s probably spritzing on some Estee Lauder Beautiful eau de parfum, powdering her nose, and taking notes as we speak.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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