Jeanette Nkwate describes herself as a trend hunter, curious editor, producer, and curator. Her day job is senior editor/ chief content officer at All Things Hair, a hair website which she helped to launch. She took time out to show us the products in her makeup bag.

Describe the items in your makeup bag.
I like to think that I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I do carry a lot of duplicate products. My makeup bag carries my ‘essentials.’ Powder from Clinique, Eye Shadow and Mascara from by a brand called Mally Beauty, multiple Lipsticks by Sleek and Burt’s Bees, Blush by Sleek, Highlighter by Glossier and two Eye Liners by L’Oreal (because I irrationally fear that one might run out while I’m on the go).

Clinique will always have a special place in my heart because it’s what I always remember my Mum and Aunt using, so it’s sort of a brand that I’ve inherited. While Sleek is great value and works fabulously on Black skin. I’ve been a fan of the brand for years - back when you could only buy it Black hair shops.

Which is your favourite item in your makeup bag?

My eyeliner! I’ve spent years trying to find the right one and now I have I feel happy. I can create my cat eye flicks without fear of it going all over the shop. It was a recommendation by a Singaporean friend a few years ago, when I was complaining that eyeliners weren’t developed with almond-shaped eyes in mind. My mum is Filipina and I inherited her eyes, which also meant that most eyeliners ended up smeared all over my lid. She suggested the eyeliner she used and I’ve never looked back.

Once it dries, I’m good for a full working day, which is great because I’m too lazy to faff with makeup mid day. However, I did have a traumatic eyeliner experience when I accidentally bought the waterproof formula because I thought it would be better. It was the worst mistake of my life, it smudged everywhere but was also impossible to clean up. Such a waste of money - so avoid it like the plague.

Where did you get your makeup bag?

Many years. One of my oldest friends gave me a Dermalogica gift set as a birthday present and I kept the bag the travel products came in and reuse it as my makeup bag. I like that you can quickly see the products you want to use. I often use it when travelling because it’s roughly the same size as the plastic bags they give you to put liquids in at airports, so I don’t have to waste a plastic bag and also, it save me time. 

You can follow Jeanette on Twitter and Instagram.

Picture taken by Verity Jane Smith.