Now that you have organized your makeup like the pros, there are a few other essentials that every pro never goes anywhere without.

SHU UEMURA Eyelash Curler
This one is simply the best!

$19 - Shu Uemura www.shuuemura-usa.com

TWEEZERMAN Manicure Kit
They call it a manicure kit, but it is so much more! The scissors are great for trimming lashes, the tweezers can be used to pluck a stray hair or apply strip lashes.  Don't be afraid to add two or three different types of tweezers - my favorite is the slant-tip!

$20-$50 - Tweezerman www.tweezerman.com

PENCIL SHARPENER
Any brand will do, and it only takes once without one to realize how essential they are - make sure you pick up the dual sharpener to handle all types of makeup pencils!

$7 - Drugstores Nationwide

Shopping for makeup brushes can be quite a daunting tasks with so many different brands, shapes, and styles to choose from, and with prices ranging from practically nothing to barely affordable.  In time, your brush collection will start to tell a story about your journey through the cosmetics world, but if you are buying brushes for the first time, you can get away with five good brushes.  With brushes, you get what you pay for, so don't be afraid to fork up that extra dough for quality, otherwise you will end up with stray bristles on your face or worse!

My basic rule of thumb when it comes to brushes is this: natural fiber for powder, and synthetic for cream or liquid.  Brushes should be cleaned with SD Alcohol for quick changes  - don't fall into the gimmick of expensive brush shampoos, they are a marketing ploy.  For a deeper cleaning (I recommend once a week, unless you are using them on people besides yourself, and then clean before each use) to keep your brushes sanitary use any conditioning hair shampoo.  Alcohol from the quick change dries out fibers and can lead to breakage so using a conditioning shampoo is crucial to extending the life of your brushes! Synthetic fiber brushes are best cleaned with DAWN dish soap - it works the best to remove the oils contained in cream and liquid makeups.  For best results, allow brushes to dry thoroughly overnight before using.

THE 5 ESSENTIALS

MEDIUM ROUND POWDER BRUSH
These can be used to apply powder foundations, blush, bronzer, and powder highlighter.  Dip the brush into the powder and tap off excess before applying to your face in a circular motion.  For cheek contours, use your fingers to squeeze the brush into an oblong shape.

Every makeup artist knows that there are an array of non-cosmetic products that are absolutely essential in the flawless application of makeup, many of which can be purchased at your local drugstore!

COTTON SWABS
Great for fixing a mistake, especially around the eyes and lips.  There are all different sizes and shapes, but my personal favorite are the ones on the long wooden sticks.

If you buy one makeup applicator this year, buy the Makeup Blender "Brush" by ELIZABETH ARDEN.  Its pointy foam tip allows for flawless blending of foundation, concealer, and cream blushes/highlighters, especially in those small crevices around the eye.

$15 - Department Stores Natiomwide

TIP: Wet the sponge tip before use for the smoothest application possible!  Clean with soap and warm water.

Whether you girls want to admit it, you don't really need chocolate (it goes right to the hips); flowers are nice, but short-lived; and unless we are talking diamonds, you would rather pick out your own jewelry.  What's left for your man to purchase to show his love for you? I think a little pampering is just what you need.  Though these gifts may not seem glamorous or desirable at first, really think about what you are giving...a relaxing day at the spa? The ultimate beauty package? In the dead of winter snow and ice, I think that these are just the thing to warm you up until spring!

DESIGNER MAKEUP CASE
Let's face it: every girl loves designer handbags, well you can really surprise that special someone with a designer makeup case, whether its one to match their existing handbag or something new and fresh, try these fabulous finds:

COLE HAAN Cosmetics Case
Comes in 3 bright colors!

$35 - Cole Haan www.colehaan.com

DECADENT BATH & BODY COLLECTIONS
Even if you don't know it, your girl most likely loves taking baths (or maybe you two take them together), but either way, there is nothing more luxurious than a very well made set of spa-quality bath products

LAURA MERCIER Creme Brulee Bath & Body Collection

$192 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

MASSAGE FOR TWO
There is nothing more romantic and relaxing than a massage that both of you can enjoy together.

SPA FINDER Gift Certificate
Valid at more than 5,000 spas worldwide, you are sure to find one in your area!

$200 - SpaFinder www.spafinder.com

FACIAL
I haven't meant one person who didn't love a good facial.  Not only are there anti-aging and skincare benefits, but they are extremely relaxing.

BLISS Custom Facial
Locations all over make it easy to redeem this gift!

$120-$280 Bliss Spas www.blissworld.com

REMEBER, Ladies like to be pampered, so ANY and ALL gifts in this range are sure to be a hit...include a MANI/PEDI or CUT/COLOR at their favorite salon for a full day of luxury and you are sure to be thanked GENEROUSLY, if you know what I mean!

So I know that all of your bathrooms don't look like a page out of Martha Stewart Living, so here are a few essentials that will make your beauty routine (and your bathroom) much more orderly.

If you have enough makeup to fill an aisle at your local drugstore, you should invest in a good quality train case, which will keep all of your product organized and at your fingertips. You will find trendy ones from brands like Caboodle, but I find that investing in a good one the first time saves money in the long run - you will have this SEPHORA Midnight Train Case for the rest of your life, with enough storage for your ever expanding makeup collection!

$92 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

Ok, now that you have your fabulous case, and all of your makeup is organized, you can start to get the proper tools together.

1. Everyone knows the value of Q-Tips in their beauty routine, but what most people don't know is that there are specialty cotton swabs specifically designed for makeup application and touch -up.  EYE TEES can be purchased at any drugstore and have one pointed and one rounded tip for precision of use.  I find that not only are they great for makeup touch-ups (using with makeup remover), but they are also good for cleaning up excess nail polish!

$3 - Drugstores Nationwide

Cotton Balls are a standard in almost everyone's bathroom, but I personally think that COTTON ROUNDS are a far superior beauty tool.  Cotton Rounds can be used to remove makeup, apply toner and lotion, remove nail polish, and much, much more.

$3.50 Drugstores Nationwide

Cosmetic Wedges - an antiquated tool which no longer needs any relevance in your standard beauty kit (this does not apply to makeup artists, and I will explain why in a minute).  The newest trend and eco-friendly solution is reusable cosmetic sponges.  BEAUTY BLENDER makes a fabulous reusable sponge which comes with cleaning fluid which allows you to use these over and over for foundation and other liquid makeup application.  NOTE: While these are perfect for personal use, re-use of sponges by makeup artists is not sanitary and they should continue to use the disposable ones.

$40 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

BRUSHES, brushes, brushes.  I cannot stress enough how important it is to have good quality makeup brushes (the ones that come with your shadow ARE NOT brushes!).  A good quality brush can take your everyday makeup application from blase to brilliant, trust me!  Now, I understand that not everyone can afford to spend $400 on brushes so here are a few options for you.

The MOST IMPORTANT good brush to have is a POWDER BRUSH.  This will make the difference between a flawless finish and a flawed flop.  I love the brushes from JAPONESQUE, as they are soft, pick up a lot of color, and provide a smooth finish.  TIP: Tap off excess powder before applying to the face, and apply in a circular motion.

$37 - Japonesque www.japonesque.com

As far as the rest of your brushes, the Touch Up Tube, also from JAPONESQUE, is a great affordable option for your general blush, eye, and lip needs.

$19 - Japonesque www.japonesque.com

My last essential......the SHU UEMURA Eyelash Curler is a cult classic and a favorite among makeup artists worldwide.  Lasts almost forever and gives that perfect curl every time with no pinching or pulling!

$19 - Shu Uemura www.shuuemura-usa.com

This is your ESSENTIAL list only! If you have other tricks or tools that you can't live without, please send them to me! matthew@stetsondesigngroup.com

A line of professional makeup brushes from Japan, and simply the best brushes I have EVER seen! If you can afford to splurge on just one or all of these brushes, do so immediately (I am also told that the more you use them, the better they get!)