In my makeup bag...

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... are way too many unused products. But there are some staples in there I simply cannot live without. Like to the point that I pack these products in clear plastic baggies (a la liquid regulations) in my carry-on when I fly.

I would rather lose a Fendi in lost luggage than my face.

Fendis can be forgotten but a mirror is a constant reminder that I look sullen and scary without my skincare supplies.

So what are these [miracle] products that protect my ego?

1. I start my regime with this marula oil cleanser by Clarins (Pure Melt Cleansing Gel), which does not dry out my combination acne-prone skin. If you have oily acne-prone skin, I recommend Proactiv; and for normal skin Shiseido.

2. I skip a toner (over-drying) and go straight to moisurizing with Clarins HydraQuench Cooling Gel, a hugely popular product used by people of all skin types. It's non-greasy yet takes care of all those dry patches.

3. Armani's Luminous Silk foundation and Fluid Sheer are the absolute best bases money can buy. And I say that, because they aren't cheap. But, girl, are they worth it. If you are looking for sheer-er coverage, then I recommend Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer, or MAC StudioFix for maximum coverage.

4/5. They say NARS Orgasm is the most universally flattering blush, and I can't disagree - but when I want a natural flush, I use SmashBox's O-Glow, which has some sort of Goji berry complex to match your skin pigment. I can't pretend to understand it, but the clear gel transforms before your eyes once it's applied to the skin.

6/7/8. The best colours and textures of lipsticks and glosses are by MAC and Armani, in my humble opinion. For casual days I use MAC Lipglass; and on dress-up days I alternate between MAC Russian Red, MAC fuschias (various shades), and Givenchy's Black Plum (a burgundy a la Givenchy's fall/winter '08 runway).

9/10/11. Again, MAC takes the cake with its highly-pigmented eye- paints, shadows and loose powders. It's almost laughable to try and build up drugstore brands to the same pigment as one swipe of MAC.

12. NARS gets an honourable mention in the shadow department as well.

13. If you can afford to splurge on two products, make it your foundation and DiorShow mascara. They make the most enhancing transformation to the face.

And if you are in no need of enhancement, good for you. Lucky bitch.