in the bag

I have a complicated relationship with my makeup bag. I am a natural skeptic of all product claims, yet my heart beats faster at any glimpse of the newest! hottest! latest! in the world of beauty. I try everything. My artistic side loves playing with color and my temperamental skin requires a seriously scientific approach. Over the years I have found a few things that are so good they have become my "hg" items (holy grail, in online beauty speak). Here, a few products that are never missing from my beauty regimen:

• DiorShow Mascara in Noir--My natural lashes are sparse and pale at the ends. DiorShow lets me pretend they are full, dark, and bat-worthy.
• Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream--Better than my former love La Mer at a fraction of the price. This little orange and white tube is packed with natural emollients and soothing ingredients like rose wax and marshmallow root (althaea officianalis to you Latin geeks). Like any cream, it is important to warm a pea-sized amount between the fingers and pat on, rather than rubbing. This allows rich creams to moisturize and protect without causing breakouts. Strange but true.
• NARS Lip Glosses in Dolce Vita & Orgasm--Perfect for a pale girl who doesn't always find time to do her makeup before the school run. Just a swipe makes me look polished and gives my face a little color and sophistication.
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum Eclat Anti-Taches--The only thing that does battle with those ever creeping dark spots and melasma without irritating my skin. It is soothing and moisturizing, in fact.
• NARS Eye Shadow in Cyprus--A rich golden shadow that adds a little something without looking like you are wearing anything. I have recommended this to sisters and friends with a variety of skin tones, and I have yet to see anyone on whom it doesn't look fabulous.
• Cle de Peau Concealer (I use Ivory)--I will never use another concealer.  Stays on all day, blends perfectly, covers the circles under my eyes, the pink around my nose, and those always inconvenient blemishes. It's ridiculously expensive but a little goes a long way, so it literally lasts years. Pat on with the tip of a ring finger or a tiny brush.
• Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo--Like everything else about me (my skin, my wit), my hair tends to be dry. Too frequent washing and styling only make it worse. This little trick has turned things around: Before bedtime, brush hair with a boar bristle brush (I like Frederic Fekkai's) to massage scalp and distribute oil to ends, where it will absorb and condition as you sleep. In the morning, tap a little of this dry shampoo onto roots (it distributes most evenly when applied with a loose powder makeup brush or the aforementioned hairbrush) and off you go!
• Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50--You can read my rave about it here. I have since found that mixing this with a drop (literally) of long-wearing foundation before I apply it in the morning gives me all day coverage that evens my skintone while still looking natural.

What's in your beauty bag? Come on, spill!