Who remembers a time when makeup collections in the online beauty community were go big? Or go home? When it came to beauty blogs and Youtube beauty gurus, circa 2010, it was all about Ikea Alex drawers filled to the brim with makeup legends such as MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Eyeko Cream and Boots 17 lipstick in ‘Beehive’ to name but a few.
Back then, I too got sucked into harvesting a large makeup collection, however, these days my makeup stash is much more pared-back (and practical) and includes a mix of easily portable products and multi-purpose products as well as tried and tested favourites.
My Top 5 Makeup Essentials…
Today I’m talking about my current beauty bag favourites as well as introducing you to some of the new makeup in my collection. I’m also skimming over a variety of price points ranging from budget to more high-end products.
The Body Shop | Vitamin E Day Lotion | SPF 30 | £15 | Cruelty-Free
I had been using the same Olay SPF moisturiser for years, however, it soon became apparent to me that the low factor SPF15 was probably fine for Autumn/Winter but was indeed far too low for the summertime. I wanted an SPF moisturiser with higher coverage that could still act as a decent base for underneath my foundation.
I decided to head into The Body Shop to see what SPF moisturises they had available having previously been interested in The Skin Defence SPF 50 Moisturiser, which is sadly no longer available. (Though I did see on a Fleur De Force Youtube video that this is being brought back and reformulated).
By way of an alternative, I chose The Body Shop Vitamin E Day Lotion SPF 30 which happens to be very, very good! I can’t speak for its sun defence results as it’s almost winter time as I write this, however, it is formulated to protect against broad-spectrum UVA and UVB damage.
The lightweight formula is really milky when deployed from the pump packaging and applies smoothly to the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Working as a great under foundation base, this moisturiser is hydrating all thanks to the magic ingredient… Biofermented Hyaluronic Acid which leaves your skin looking plump and radiant.
It has to be said, Primark’s PS Beauty range is pretty darn good. I recently headed instore to give some of it a try and was particularly taken by one of their cheek and eye combo palettes.
The PS ‘Double Take’ palette is filled with coral, rose and berry-toned shades for both your eyes and cheeks. I have been using mine continuously over the last few weeks, creating loads of different eyeshadow combos. My favourite shades are ‘Dream On’ and ‘Wink’.
The shadows and blushes are well pigmented and long-wearing, something you don’t usually get with cheaper palettes. In terms of price point, I do think £10 is quite pricey for Primark makeup, positioning it above the likes of Makeup Revolution, however, the product is quality and the packaging is also really nice too, the cardboard palette closing with a seriously satisfying magnetic click.
Burts Bees | 100% Natural All Aglow Lip + Cheek Stick | ‘Peony Pool’ | £12.99 | Cruelty-Free
Possibly the most versatile cream blush I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. The Burts Bees All Aglow Lip And Cheek Stick is so creamy and lightweight to apply over the top of your foundation and blends seamlessly, without making any other products on your face bobble.
I have the shade ‘Peony Pool’ which is a gorgeous pop of pink and helps enhance a healthy glow, even in the coldest winter months. I talked about it further in this blog on achieving a natural English rose makeup look. Head over there if you also love rose, pink-toned makeup looks!
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick | ‘Stoned Rose’ | £25 | Cruelty-Free
I’ll admit, it took me a while to get onto the Charlotte Tilbury bandwagon and although I don’t have loads of products from CT, what I do have, I really love and enjoy.
My current favourite lipstick is ‘Stoned Rose’ by Charlotte Tilbury. Part of the insanely creamy K.I.S.S.I.N.G range, Stoned Rose is seriously comfortable to wear and lasts a long time on the lips. The perfect shade of peachy nude, this is a really versatile everyday lipstick that looks great with a subtle smokey eye.
Okay, so not strictly makeup and more beauty, but we have here a nail polish. Typically a red nail polish kind of girl, I have recently enjoyed wearing more pink tones on my nails.
My current favourite is a gorgeous dusty rose shade from Max Factor. ’50 Candy Rose’ is ultra-wearable and long-lasting. It also offers a lovely high gloss finish which can make even an at-home mani look professional and polished.
And there we have it, my current top 5 makeup essentials, new to my beauty bag that I am really enjoying using. So if you’re looking for some new makeup recommendations, I hope this was helpful!
