The perfect capsule makeup bag for if you're heading home for Christmas

This week, homes across Ireland will welcome prodigal children, demanding tea by the bucket load and expecting their laundry to magically reappear cleaned, ironed and folded, just like the good old days.

I will be heading 'home' on Thursday to spend an entire week in the West spent catching up with family and friends, stuffing myself full of food and prosecco and prosecco food (if you haven't tasted M&S's prosecco crisps yet, get on it) and generally being merry. The only problem with my plan is that I will be bussing it, and travelling on public transport requires strategic packing.

I have an enormous backpack that makes me look like the fifth teenage mutant ninja turtle when I wear it, but I don't care. It fits four pairs of shoes and all my party clothes, and that's all that matters. But, I'm going to have to stuff some Christmas presents in there too, which doesn't leave an awful lot of room for makeup - and that's a scary thought.

Luckily, because I have been making this bus journey for the past four years or so (and countless other bus journies in between) I have perfected the art of the capsule makeup bag. Now, because it's Christmas, you simply can't scrimp on foundation or expect to lose the highlighter, but you don't have to bring your entire makeup collection. Just leave that massive eyeshadow palette firmly behind.

These items are all you need for your Christmas capsule makeup bag.

• Primer

Benefit the Porefessional €34

• Two foundations

A light one for day, and a heavier one for night.

Revlon PhotoReady Makeup €19

Estee Lauder Double Wear €38

• A good concealer

I currently love this kit from LOV that has a pink tone for dark circles.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser €11.99

• Highlighter

My favourite one this year was by BareMinerals. It has a bronzer pal, too that you should stuff in if you've any room left.

BareMinerals Invisible Glow Powder Highlighter €30

BareMinerals Invisible Glow Powder Bronzer €30

A brow kit

You can't beat this one from Wet n Wild.

Wet n Wild Brow Kit €3.99

A small eyeshadow palette

The Limited Edition Catrice Kaviar Gauche is SO nice and the packaging is lovely.

Eyeshadow Palette €6.75

• Eyeliner

We recommend going Kohl for Christmas. You can easily do your cat eye flick, and you can use it for that smokey look we all end up doing for nights out at Christmas. I use this old favourite from Rimmel.

Rimmel Soft Khol Kajal Eye Pencil €7.49

• Mascara

Goes without saying, really. Take your favourite.

• Blush

For that rosy, winter glow.

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush €12.99

• Two lipsticks: a nude and a red.

PS...Lip Kit in Obsessed €4

NARS Velvet Lip Glide No 54 €26.95 (my current favourite)

• Lip gloss

To change up your look

ARTDECO Hot Chili Lip Booster €5.48 (was € 18.29!) in Debenhams

• Setting spray

For making sure your makeup will stay on, and for refreshing your face if it has been a long day. Read about our three favourites here.