Must-Have Makeup that I Just Can't Live Without

I just love when people ask me this question: If you were stranded on a desert island, what one beauty product could you not live without? Well, I don't really plan on going to any deserted islands any time soon. And I could never pick just one can't-live-without beauty product. I'd have to choose least ten beauty products that I can't live without. Most of them live in my makeup bag, so they're never very far out of reach. Here's what they are - and why you need them, too.

Eye makeup remover. The skin around your eyes is very delicate, and over time, repeated tugging, pulling, and scrubbing will increase the breakdown of elasticity in the skin, causing more fine lines and wrinkles to form. So always use eye makeup remover to take off the makeup around your eyes. Soak a cotton pad in eye makeup remover, hold it against your eye to soften the makeup, and gently wipe away. It's also a great makeup eraser, whether you've smudged your eye liner, dribbled powered shadow on your cheeks, or leaked your lipstick. Just dip a cotton swab in your eye makeup remover and erase away!

Moisturizer. It soothes dry skin, for sure. But it can also come with SPF, anti-aging properties, and anti-acne properties. Tinted moisturizer is great for those hurried days when you don't have time for everything on your makeup to do list. Moisturizer can also be used to remove makeup smudges. Put a little on a cotton swab and rub it around your lips where your lipstick bled to clean up fast.

Pressed powder foundation. This fabulous product reduces shine and provides medium to light coverage. If you have a shade that matches your skin, a shade that's a little bit lighter than your skin, and a shade that's a little darker than your skin, you can contour with your powder foundation. Just sweep the lightest shade over any shadowy or receding areas of the face (such as deep set eyes), and sweep the dark foundation over any broad or prominent areas of the face. Use the matching shade for all over your face to blend and smooth.

Acne gel. An acne gel with salicylic acid works small miracles. Of course it fights pimples. It can also help to minimize pores and it helps skin stay matte. Surprisingly, this stuff is anti-aging, too!

Bronzer. Bronzer can give you a soft glow, a light suntan, and it can contour your face. It can be matte or it can shimmer. It can act as a blush. It can add a little oomph to your cleavage, too. You can't go wrong with a color that's just a tad darker and warmer than your natural skin tone.

Mascara. Nothing wakes up tired eyes better than two coats of a volumizing, lengthening mascara. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. Just remember to replace it every three months to avoid an overgrowth of bacteria in the tube. Oh, that might be tough to do on a deserted island, but I'm sure you'll find a way. Maybe at the gift shop!

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