New York Fashion Week: The Essentials

Okay, so by now, everyone knows that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicks off tomorrow in New York!  If you’ve never attended the shows, it’s hard to explain how crazed these seven days will be for the buyers, industry types and editors in attendance. Over the years, I’ve learned to pare down my makeup bag to a handful of products that keep my look fresh through the day – here are the essentials:

1: Even the mightiest makeup warriors among us must battle shine at times.  The best weapon in my arsenal for this issue are Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets.  These are cheap and as far as I’m concerned, they perform better than all of the high end versions. Snag them at drugstores or via drugstore.com.

2: Brows are important on any given day but during Fashion Week, they’re essential to a polished look.  While I do leave my unruly Italian brows to the professionals (I heart Ramy and Damone Roberts), I also feel more secure with a trusty pair of tweezers in my bag.  A stylish option are the new special edition Tweezerman, featuring Agatha Ruiz De La Prada designs. They’re whimsical and fun but most importantly, they get the job done (hey, that rhymes!)

3: Pucker up, New York Fashion Week involves lots of kisses – hello and of course, goodbye.  A gorgeous colored balm will keep your lips happy AND pretty.  Try tucking a wee tub of Korres Lip Butter in your Balenciaga.  These lippies deliver a nice dose of shine, color and moisture, with no mirror necessary for application!

4: Horror of horrors, Fashion Week involves many of these unusual gatherings called PARTIES.  They frequently end in the wee hours and yes, champagne is served.  For those early morning backstage appointments (call times are frequently at 7:00 am for 9:00 am shows!), snag a bottle of Rohto Eye Drops. These cooling drops alleviate redness and soothe eyes, a worthy expense.

5: Last but not least, concealer is always an essential. My recent love is tarte’s Dark Circle Defense. It blends easily and provides fab coverage.

I hope it goes without saying that regardless of whether you’ll be joining me in the Tents, the picks above are great choices to keep in your car, your desk or your purse for quick touch ups.

Tell me, what are your makeup bag essentials?