It never fails, I always find myself needing something beauty-related when I’m in the car going somewhere, so over the last year, I’ve put together a small kit that I keep with me in the front seat, so I’m never without ... anything. Here are 6 of my must-haves in the car. 

1. Nail Clippers, Nail File - REVLON Deluxe Nail Clippers ($2.49 @ bedbathandbeyond.com) – these clippers have been my favorite brand for years. The cutters are always sharp and it never falls apart. Of course things don’t last forever, so glad these are inexpensive. And for a nail file … I have my favorite that I keep in the house, so for the car, I just use the cardboard ones like these Beauty 360 Emery Boards from CVS ($1.99/10 pack @ cvs.com).

2. Tweezers – there’s always a stray brow hair that needs-a-pluckin’ and I’m in a serious relationship with ones from TWEEZERMAN. They’re strong, always there for me and I’m really attracted to their Pink Perfection Mini Slant Tweezers. $14 @ sephora.com.

3. Nail Polish Remover – L.A. COLORS Nail Polish Remover ($1.59/32 pads @ lacolors.com) these handy removers come in 6 different fruity scents and the grape-scented ones I have are actually able to mask the strong scent of the acetone.

4. Floss – I keep floss picks everywhere! In my purse, my car, my desk, hidden in a box on my coffee table. I’m not married to any particular brand but these Complete Clean Floss Ultra Strong Shred Proof Floss in Fresh Mint ($4.29/125 flossers @ target.com, amazon.com) by DENTEK work well.

5. Face Wipes - wipes are soooo handy to have in the car and they’re great for so many other things! After using one, I find myself using it afterward to clean parts of my car interior when I’m stuck in traffic. In my car now is BURT’S BEES Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract ($2.99/30 wipes @ walgreens.com).

6. Clear Nail Polish – great for touching up a run in a stocking, a loose thread on a shirt button and I don’t have a favorite brand. I just use whichever one I’m using on my nails that’s starting to run out. One I like is MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Show Nail Lacquer in Clear ($4.29 @ target.com).

Now when it comes to makeup, yes, a makeup palette will do but remember, we are talking about a very small stash of items for an e-m-e-r-g-e-n-c-y. I found a really cool 2 ½” x 1” x 3” tall kit that houses 4 swippers of eye shadow, a small eye liner, lip liner, mascara and lipgloss. White the products are not your Lancome kind of quality, it will get you by and I so feel like this kit was made just for this story!

It’s called the Majic Kit and is put out by MAJIC BEAUTY. Choose from Golden Peach and Healthy Nude for $19.99 @ amazon.com.

Do you have anything else to add to the Car Emergency Kit?

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

After running this feature on Smashbox’s new eye liners and seeing all the makeup sharpeners I owned, it got me thinking. What makes for a good one? As in, what makes for a good makeup pencil sharpener or what makes for a good anything really? After trying and playing with products for the past 12+ years, I think I have a bit of expertise when it comes to specific topics and what makes for a good something.

So I decided to start a new on-going feature called …

and in these features I will discuss what I think makes for a good product or way of doing something beauty-related.

This first one will investigate what I think makes for a good makeup sharpener, so let’s get to it!!

What Makes for a Good Makeup Sharpener?

Like the ones shown in this picture I took of the ones I own, they all fill a purpose. Since there is no set size for any pencil for lips or eyes, you will probably find yourself having to own quite a few different ones.

If you are just going to invest in one or two of them, here is what you should look for in a good one. I like a duo sharpener like this one from Pixi Beauty I recently featured. Also, since I don’t have a trashcan next to my makeup table, a case that surrounds the sharpener to catch the shavings is also convenient. And with all the ones I’ve tried, that small pokey thing to poke color and shavings away from the blade is totally underrated. Believe it or not, only some include this pokey thing.

Here are some good ones that can get you by.

Clockwise:

• URBAN DECAY Grindhouse Double Barrel Sharpener ($10 @ ulta.com)
• JAPONESQUE Dual Sharpener ($10.99 @ amazon.com)
• SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Dual Antibacterial Sharpener ($4 @ sephora.com)
• ULTA Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener ($2.50 @ ulta.com) 

But if you really want the best of the best, I’ve tried a bunch and these ones below are the best as they meet the key criteria:

1. Should be able to sharpen two different sizes; so make it a duo, please.
2. Should have a blade-cleaning pick with it. This is so useful!
3. Should be encased to catch the pencil shavings.

Clockwise:

• KEVYN AUCOIN The Precision Pencil Sharpener ($8 @ barneys.com)
• TWEEZERMAN Deluxe Cosmetic Pencil Sharpener ($4 @ amazon.com)
• MALLY BEAUTY Dual Sharpener ($12.50 @ ulta.com)
• ELF Dual Pencil Sharpener ($1 @ eyeslipsface.com)
• DuWOP Beauty Blade, Antibacterial Dual Eye and Lip Pencil Sharpener ($11 @ dermstore.com)

So do you have a favorite makeup pencil sharpener? Let me know in the comments!

There are some beauty products that are just everyone’s favorite but none more coveted than Shu Uemura’s Eyelash Curler. I mean, think about it, have you ever seen a beauty list that doesn’t include this one or lists a different brand? I was partial to the one from Shiseido for a while but I always seem to come back to this Shu one, until recently. TWEEZERMAN just put out ProCurl Eyelash Curler ($20 only @ sephora.com) and not only is it more comfortable around my fingers but it seems to curl just as well. See, the Shu one has a single piece of metal that goes around the finger and around the thumb. This Tweezerman one is doubled, they call it the doubled body design, and just feels like I have better control of it.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

This sunscreen feature got me thinking - with the upcoming warm temps, you need to make sure you have up-to-date versions to look your best. I mean, technology is moving right along and every year we see improvements on standard products. Here are some we take them for granted and are oft overlooked so give your medicine cabinet a scan today and see what could use updating!

TWEEZERMAN Animal Print Slant Tweezers ($25 @ bloomingdales.com) – a good sharp pair of tweezers go a long way and surpass all seasons! And these come with a free sharpening and lifetime guarantee.

SKINTIMATE Moisturizing Cream Shave ($3.99 @ walgreens.com) – this non-lathering formula contains exfoliating pearls, olive butter, soy and antioxidant white tea. I thought the pearls might get caught in the blazes of the razor but they don’t!

LADY SPEED STICK Stainguard in Daringly Fresh ($3.49/2.3oz @ walgreens.com) – hate those yellow stains on white t-shirts? This one contains stain defense technology and prevents white marks on clothes.

COLGATE ProClinical Daily Renewal Toothpaste ($4.99/4oz @ walgreens.com) – they just came out with this ProClinical collection. Choose from Daily Whitening, Daily Cleansing and Daily Renewal. Each uses the latest in dental technology.

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes. Some I bought.

Here’s a pretty straight forward take-with-you manicure/pedicure kit that contains three solid pieces of nail fabulousness. TWEEZERMAN Mini Nail Rescue Kit ($20 @ ulta.com) contains a Pushy Cuticle Pusher, Metal Nail File (use this one sparingly as this one can be a little too harsh on those with thin nails, like me) and a one-of-a-kind Snipper, which is my favorite of the trio. It’s ergonomically designed clipper  that really seems to retain its sharpness and just so perfect at getting around the nails to clean them up. This tool alone is worth the $20 price tag.

My brows used to be a no-tweeze zone imparted by my brow stylist but in the last two months, that has changed for a two reasons - $ and my girl moved. So as much as I can’t take the pain, I have been tweezing. The ones I had were old and did not grip well enough so I was in the market for some new ones and of course turned to the Godfathers, TWEEZERMAN. Fancy some of the new styles below!

Floral Print Slant Tweezers ($25)

Polka Dot Mini Slant Tweezers ($15)

Animal Print Slant Tweezers ($25)

I would recommend their Polka Dot Swarovski Crystal Slant Tweezers because I LOVE their crystals but not for something like this that needs to sit snug in my hand.

And if you are like me and hate the ouch of plucking, applythis afterward. All @ walgreens.com.

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