If you could only keep five items from your makeup collection, what are the first five that come to mind?

First five that came to mind (and upon a more careful examination, it might not be the real list, but the fun is in what you first think of!) — Marc Jacobs Flesh & Fantasy Air Blush (huge go-to cheek color for me, feels like it goes with everything!), Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation, Urban Decay Rebel Lipstick (LOVE this color, so sad it was limited!), Pat McGrath Decadence Eyeshadow Palette, MAC Fairly Precious Extra Dimension Skinfinish (works beautifully as a highlighting blush for me).

— Christine

73 Comments

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Seraphine Avatar

I’m a very practical person, so what came to mind first are what I would need to create a basic everyday look. Clinique Brow Shaper in Charcoaled, Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup, Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara, NARS Orgasm blush, MAC Twig lipstick. (Though if I thought about it harder, I might switch out the lipstick.)

I love these kinds of questions. This one reminded me of a game I played to amuse myself while stuck in bad traffic on my drive to work one morning in which I tried to think of the five lipsticks from my collection that I would keep if I had to get rid of everything else.

Ally Avatar

MAC Pro Longwear nourishing foundation, Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara, Kevyn Aucoin Countour Book 2, MAC Spirit Lipstick and CoverFX Illuminating powder. I’d keep these 5 products because I could pull off work appropriate, very casual boy beat and night time looks. It would be very neutral but all the tones work for my skin.

Sam Avatar

Definitely Clinique blush in Peach Pop, NARS lipstick in Falbala, NARS soft matte concealer, and Marc Jacobs peridot highliner. My 5th would probably be Bobbi Brown crushed lipstick in Cabana, which I also love! Most of the time I wear makeup lately, I’m wearing a combination of these products 🙂 I adore them all!

GUSnail Avatar

This is a fun question!
-KVD Shade and Light (powder version)
-BB Foundation stick
-Nars Dloce Vita blush
-Bite Chai lipstick
-Nyx Eyebrow Cake Powder

Liesbeth Avatar

* MAC Waterweight foundation
* MAC Fluidline Blacktrack
* Urban Decay Naked Basics 2
* Benefit Rockateur
* Benefit Roller lash

These are the first five that came to mind, I do miss a lip colour and a highlight though! Fun question indeed 🙂

Kat Avatar

Tough question! The first five that come to mind are staples of my look: Milani eye shadow primer because my kids are so oily, Benefit They’re Real Tinted Lash Primer, ABH Brow Wiz, Tarte Shape Tape, and Becca X Chrissy Teigen face palette. All products I live and use regularly.

Silvia Avatar

Lol! I hate my auto correct with a passion. . Glad I’m not the only one I think each time this phones do an update it gets worst?
I noticed on Kat’s answer above, my kids are oily instead of my lids. Omg! One day I’ll smatch my auto correct with a hammer in the kitchen but then won’t be able to see all the makeup heavens and goodies on line!!

jel888 Avatar

Ha! You made me laugh, and I so agree! I have no brows and I didn’t put my brow product, primer or a highlighter!!!

Ginny Avatar

MAC Kohl Pencils in Costa Riche and Teddy.
Nars RCC concealer.
Clinique Nude Pop blush.
MAC Brave Red lipstick.

Choosing the lipstick was the hardest part! Can’t go wrong with a comfy red I figure.

jel888 Avatar

No 6th products!! LOL! Of course, I’m joking. Like stated earlier, thankfully we don’t have to think about this, but you know, now I’m thinking, if I have to leave my apartment in a hurry, would I grab a makeup bag as I run out???!!!

ElKay Avatar

This is a tough one. But today I’d go with Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, Loreal Lash Paradise Mascara, ABH Dip Brow Pomade, PF Butter Bronzer, and ABH Soft Glam eye shadow palette. I have really been loving the PF Butter Bronzer except I hate the smell.

Chelsea Avatar

1. NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation.
2. Benefit Hervana (I’m not fussy with blush really, but this one is very subtle and wearable and I need a blush or I look like death).
3. L’Oreal Paradise Mascara
4. Benefit Gimme Brow
5. Guerlain Meteorites Pressed

Ouch… Can’t I keep 10?!

Kat Avatar

I’m assuming this means I can keep brushes! MUFE Ultra HD liquid foundation, ABH Tinted Brow Gel, NARS Madly blush, Fenty Gloss Bomb, and Make-up Atelier Natural Chestnut eyeshadow palette. I would probably end up using the brow gel as a brown mascara, although it’s probably not recommended to do that.

jel888 Avatar

I gosh, I forgot all about my brushes!!!!!! You are so right, we have to be able to keep the brushes…I can’t even imagine!

Z. Avatar

1) Foundation (marc jacobs remarcable)
2) Powder (RCMA no color)
3) Brow product (nyx micro brow)
4) Mascara (tarte tarteist lash paint)
5) Face palette (becca x chrissy teigen)

This was hard for me! I went back and forth between wanting a concealer and wanting a face palette. But, if I kept the MJ foundation then my need for a concealer is minimal. The RCMA no color powder is a must for me because my skin is so oily, and brows and mascara are every day staples. The becca x chrissy has me covered for blush, bronzer, and highlight, and would also be able to give me some simple eye looks. The blush and bronzer in this palette aren’t my favourite, but are definitely workable and I would make them work if they were my only cheek products in my collection.

AB Avatar

1) Guerlain Lingerie Peau de Soie foundation
2) Urban Decay Riff eyeshadow
3) Viseart Nuance Theory palette
4) UD Lovelight vice lipstick
5) Marc Jacobs highliner in Jazzberry

Whew, that was tough. These are the specific must-haves; I can fill in blanks like mascara, brow pencil, blush, highlighters, etc., from wherever brands or sources like drugstore.

cherie Avatar

Hmmmmmm
1. Nars creamy concealer
2. Chanel Le volume de Chanel mascara
3. Tom Ford nude dip eyeshadow
4. Clinique blush in Heather pop
5. Lancome Poeme lipstick

LindaP Avatar

1) Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
2) Viseart Grande Pro palette (not really one item, but more like 30 shades 🙂 )
3) Tom Ford Blush in Ravish
4) Lancome Monseuir Big Mascara
5) Givenchy Lipstick in Brun Createur

The eye palette is hard. Toss up between the Grand Pro, Persona Palette, and Empriente du Desert. It would be tough to pick for sure.

Anna Avatar

Armani Crema Nuda
Tom Ford Platinum cream eyeshadow
Diorshow Mascara
Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow
Nars Indecent Proposal lipstick, or Aufacious Anna

kjh Avatar

Well, if i’m allowed to leave off Fab eye duty triple remedy and Paula tm, and can stick to color cosmetics, probably Zoeva En Taupe palette, Nars summer DI blush palette, most likely Heroine Make for mascara, Zoeva Mute e/l, and a blind grab from VLGs and Audacious lips. Just hope I don’t grab an orange one, but one of the brown or dark reds. (Funny, though,’cause would prob use a greige l/s with the that palette, and grayish purple taupe draped blush.). OMG, what will I do? All the products don’t go, or I would be unlikely to use together! OMG, grew up in the FIFTIES….. Just can’t do this!

Emilie Avatar

My Urban Decay Vice 2 palette, Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix, Kat Von D Metal Matte palette, and my Too Faced Glamour To Go II (it was my first ‘real’ eyeshadow palette, way too old to use though). I’d also keep my Marc Jacobs Air Blush in Kink and Kisses because it was a gift from my mom. I definitely went the sentimental/irreplacable route.

Emilie Avatar

For a more practical answer (if I could only keep 5 and never repurchase anything), probably Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette, Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, and Marc Jacobs No Angel lipstick. I’m missing blush, but I figure I could use concealer for primer and eyeshadow for highlight….

Alice Avatar

Practical list:
1. BareMinerals prime time BB primer.
2. Urban Decay Vice3 eye shadow palette.
3. Urban Decay double ended eye pencil in Darkside/Blackheart OR perversion mascara (can’t pick)
4. Thebalm Cindy Lou-Manizer
5. Urban Decay Rio lip palette.

Fun List:
1. BareMinerals prime time BB primer.
2. Smashbox Punked covershot palette.
3. Tarina Tarantino Spark of Envy liner.
4. Kat von D Alchemist palette.
5. ColourPop Feminist lippie stix.

Kelsey Avatar

I would pick
1) Natasha Denona Lila Palette
2) Glossier Cloud Paint in Beam
3)Lash Paradise mascara
4)Bite Beauty liquid lip in Chutney
5) Kat Von D liquid lip in Bow n’ Arrow or Lolita(I couldn’t choose which shade)

Lea Avatar

Hmmmm….

1. Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation
2. Cle de Peau Mascara (my Tom Ford Extreme mascara is a close contender)
3. Armani Rouge D’Armani 501
4. Tom Ford Nude Dip quad (though ND Lila was a contender)
5. Cle de Peau Cream Blush in Perfectly Peach

Nell Avatar

MAC Brick-o-La lipstick
It Cosmetics Radient in Rose Vitality Cheek Stain
MAC Radient Rose Prep + Prime Highlighter (covers dark circles)
Chanel Empreinte du Desert Eyeshadow Palette
Tarte Lights, Cameras, Splashes mascara

joy Avatar

hourglass ambient light blush palette, hourglass metallic strobe lighting palette, charlotte tilbury instant eye palette, viseart tryst palette, and pat mcgrath’s decadence palette.

Rachel R. Avatar

This question is so hard! I’m not counting it as a “makeup item,” but I MUST have eyeshadow primer, due to my oily, hooded lids. My love of palettes will really come in handy in this scenario, though.

1. Everyday Minerals Semi-Matte Base in Fair 0N — I don’t need primer or setting powder with it.
2. LunatiCK Cosmetics Lab Pro Contour Palette Vol. 1, which has blush shades, and a matte highlighting shade. It can also be used on the eyes, which would cover my neutral eyeshadow needs.
3. UD Vice Lipstick Palette in Junkie, because it has a good variety of shades, plus I can custom mix colors with it.
4. UD Urban Spectrum Palette. It’s my favorite eyeshadow palette of all time, and it would cover my needs for shimmers and jewel tones.
5. UD Electric Palette. My HG brights palette.

Tini Avatar

– Estee Lauder Double Wear
– Mac Pro Longweaer Concealer
– Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
– Mac Whisper of Gilt EDSF
– Mac Modesty Lipstick

Erica Avatar

This is an evil question but great too!

1.MAC Margin
2.Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless Matte Bronzer (it can be discontinued and LE products right?)
3. MAC Spirit lipstick
4.Fenty Killawatt Highlighter in Lighting Dust & Fire Crystal
5.ABH Modern Renaissance

Mags Avatar

1. Urban Decay Bust eye shadow (why is it discontinued?!! ahhh)
2. MAC Velvet Teddy
3. Marc Jacobs Sally nail polish (again, discontinued…)
4. MAC Great Brows Sculpt in Brun
5. Kat Von D Alchemist palette

Bonnie Avatar

Great question! Here are those I thought of first:
1. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye concealer
2. Dr Jart Black Label BB cream
3. Nars blush – LE Sex Fantasy
4. IT Cosmetics Tightline mascara
5. Dior Addict Lip Glow

uris r Avatar

1- concealer/ tarte shape tape
2- mascara/ lash paradise
3- black liner/ UD perversion
4- bronzer/ colourpop private party or PF butter bronzer
6- lippie/ fenty glossbomb

ShariP Avatar

Surprisingly, this wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be….

1. Lancome Teint Idiole foundation
2. Urban Decay Naked 2 palette
3. Clinique Cheek Pop in Heather Pop
4. Urban Decay Naked palette
5. Urban Decay Perversion mascara

Katie Avatar

This question took me from lurking in the comments to my first post! 1. L’Oréal Pro Glow foundation 2. Benefit Hervana or NARS Impassioned blush 3. Maybelline The Rocket mascara 4. Anastasia Brow Wiz 5. L’Oréal Infalliable Gel Lacquer Liner in Expresso.

Tammy Avatar

I’m going to try to do this without analyzing my response: Guerlain pressed meteorites, Anastasia’s Saint & Sinner Palette, Anastasia’s Sweets highlighting palette, Pat McGrath Subversive Palette, and Pat McGrath’s La Vie En Rose palette.

Deborah S. Avatar

I answered this question earlier today and don’t see it here so must have forgotten to post the comment! Oh well, better late than never. I wish I had a fun answer but since I travel a fair amount I have a set of products that I take with me that jump into my mind whenever I have to limit what I can choose.
1. Chosungah 22 Luminous Light Blended foundation.
2. Guerlain Meteorites
3. Elizabeth Arden Red Door Red Lipstick
4. Ciate Glow to Illuminate blush likely in Summer Love
5. Nars Stud eye shadow (sort of a one and done shade for me)

Swimmingpool Avatar

Eyebrow pencil with built in brush
Clinique nude eyes palette
Tarte Mascara
Multifunctioning lip/cheek color
IT antiredness Concealer

P.A. Avatar

Covergirl trublend foundation, BM original powder foundation, TF Snow Bunny bronzer, the mr bubble lip balm and the UD Basics palette.

DVa Avatar

This is a great packing lesson for me…
It’s also a stretch, because I would want more contour, highlighter, eyebrow and blushes + I didn’t realize how much I rely upon TARTE, even though I own more of other makeup line’s products.:
1. Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation OR Shape Tape Hydrating Foundation (I have both and like both).
2. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer OR Aquacealer (I use both).
3. Tarte Clay Play Eye & Cheek Palette (not because it’s my most used, but it is the most useful overall for brows, cheeks.highlight, contour, eyes, maybe even unde-reye setting powder…?)
4. Colourpop Midi Matte Liquid Lip
5. Tarte Maneater Mascara (this is arguable–but it’s the one I currently use, and like).

Silvia Avatar

Spf! If I’m going to be dropped at a dessert if not I would skip it. Hate it! Instead would be Cera Vé moisturizer and cleanser.
Maybelline Fit Me! In the day time and Loreal Lumi for evenings if I’m allowed to pack both?
Princess mascara
WetnWild or Milani blush in pink? But I like peach, berry, mauve, coral and bronzer also? Too hard a choice!
Tinted lipgloss perhaps Soap & Glory one’s or plain good old chapstick.
Physians Formula mineral talc powder in light?
No room for a highliters? ?

Natalia Avatar

What a cool question!

1. NARS SheerGlow foundation (cause if only 5, I’d have to make do with one coverage type and this one can provide some range)
2. NARS Orgasm blush (cause it is not that pink and I will not need any contouring of bronzer)
3. Lancome Effacernes Long Tenue corrector (for my dark undereye circles
4. UD Naked 3 palette (eyeshadows)
5. MAC Midnight Snack fluidline eyeliner

Honorable mentions to MAC 24-hour eye base and Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil and MAC MSFN in Light Plus. Would give those up only if I absolutely had to.

jel888 Avatar

Okay, a rapid fire list:

1.) Narsissist Unflitered II for my blushes
2.) Natasha Denona Star Palette (I’d be biting my nails while taking it as I’d really also want my Too Faced Boss Lady palette and ND Sunset palette, hmmmm let me think???) for my eyes
3.) Only for the cost and beauty of the object, my Guerlain Rouge G n°6 that I just bought for the lips
4.) Either my Revlon Colorstay Concealer 05 Medium Deep concealer or the L’Oreal Age Perfect Radiant Concealer 03 Dark, which ever one I find first (a must!)
5.) Kevyn Aucoin’s Sensual Skin SX10 for foundation, etc., because it’s compact, multifunctional and you use so little. (This is a hard choice too, because my YSL Touche d’Eclat Foundation, oldie but goodie and one of my first favorites, T. Leclerc Anti-Aging Fluid Foundation and my new Black Opal Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15 in G37 Cashew are all great!)

Nyxx Avatar

Lancome Teint Idole foundation
Nars wanted 2 cheek palette
Urban Decay blackmail lipstick palette
Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara
ABH self made palette

This may have been cheating but I need variety!

Yara Avatar

1. ABH Modern Renaissance palette
2. YSL Wood On Fire lipstick
3. NARS Radiant Cream Concealer in Vanilla
4. MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
5. NARS blush in Orgasm

Not counting my Urban Decay setting spray, Mac Fix+, and Beauty Blender, of course – I think of those as tools.

MacKenzie G. Avatar

Glossier Cloud Paint in Puff, CP Lunch Money SS Highlighter, WnW Photofocus concealer, TF Sugar Daddy La’Creme lipstick, and if I can cheat a little, my palette of matte singles. If not, Fenty Matchstix in Amber. Thank goodness this is only hypothetical!

Vanessa Avatar

1. Maybelline fit me concealer
2. MAC MSF Natural
3. Any mascara
4. Becca x Chrissy Teigen palette
5. Tarte Rainforest of the sea color splash lipstick in Set Sail

Joanna Avatar

Fun post!
1. Black mascara. Don’t know which because Paula’s has not just discontinued my third choice of theirs, but all mascaras.
2. Alba Botanica Very Emollient Sunscreen, Facial. Triple duty: sunscreen, light coverage, moisture. I’m pale and pink enough that mineral sunscreen gets closer to a shade match than nearly every foundation after oxidization.
3. Marc Jacobs About Last Night palette.
4. Clinique Rosey Pop blush.
5. Bite Beauty A.B. lipstick in the Rouge exclusive shade.

Jolanda Avatar

With 5 items I can do my easy routine….

– Garnier extra light bb-cream (so sad this colour is discontinued as it is the perfect shade voor me)
– L’ORÉAL Lash Paradise mascara
– Benefit Cheekparade for blush Rockateur and bronzer Hoola Light (or is a palette cheating)
– MAC eyebrow pencil in Accentuated
– NYX matte lipcream in Cannes

Caroline Avatar

Okay, here goes ….

1) Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look In A Palette in Natural Beauty

2) Clinique Cheek Pop in Ginger Pop

3) Face Stockholm Single Eye Shadow in Nastan Svart

4) The first black eyeliner pencil I can grab hold of!

5) Whichever NYX Butter Lipstick happens to be my go-to shade at the time.

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