The Holy-Grail beauty round-up…
It’s been a while since I’ve done a beauty update of sorts around these parts, so I thought I would do a mega one today and a good one to bookmark for later incase you’re ever in the market for my top, top, top beauty recommendations. I don’t wear makeup every single day, but I have bizarrely found that since having a baby I’ve worn it more. Maybe it’s the lack of sleep, or perhaps it’s the fact that just a little bit of makeup ‘icing‘ makes me feel a little more put-together for my umpteen pushchair outings a day to the swings, but I weirdly get more done – both personally and professionally – when I’ve properly got ready in the mornings. Here’s what I reach for the most…
*Glossier Futuredew – This stuff. This stuff!! It’s a hard one to describe, but it’s just the ultimate primer/mix in with your foundation formula, if you’re someone like me who really doesn’t mind a bit of grease. For the oilier skinned among us this will be way too heavy, but if you’re combination or dry then this will be your new best friend. Go easy with it! One pump is all your need applied all over on SPF-ed skin, or mixed in with your chosen base. The other day I felt dry so I applied a tiny bit on my face as a highlighter with my hands and BAM, then there was glow.
*NARS Light Reflecting Foundation in Salzburg (ad – gifted) – I know I tend to flit around with foundations a bit and I have a few in my stash that I cycle between, but at the moment I am just LOVING this foundation. It’s creamy and dewy and long-lasting and just exactly what I need right now. It’s a little more covering that what I usually use, but because of that I can use just one tiny little pump for all-over applied with fingers for a natural look, or built up with a brush when I need a bit more. Love the versatility.
*Glossier Stretch Concealer in G10 – There’s just something about a potted cream concealer. Something really creamy and high-shine that just glides under the eyes and might not necessarily be the most covering, but is certainly up there when it comes to brightening properties. For me, the Glossier is just the blueprint when it comes to this. There were a few months there when I definitely needed something with more coverage, but I’m back to being able to just press this under my eyes and around my nose to even things out a little on no makeup, makeup days.
*DIOR Forever Skin Correct in 2N – Yep, a second concealer. During the newborn days I really, truly understood the need for actual proper coverage, and this has just that. I keep this on hand for times when the Glossier just doesn’t cut it, plus I like using it too on it’s own taken under the eyes, around the nose, across the cheeks and a little and on my chin. It’s a great medium coverage formula, that isn’t drying or heavy at all. Perfect for when I’m in a bit of a rush.
*CHANEL Les Beiges Oversized Healthy Glow Sun-Kissed Powder in Sunshine Light (ad – gifted) – Although this very large, gigantic bronzer is very wonderful, to be fair most bronzers I own could be swapped into this category. I’m not too fussed as long as the tone is right and the formula is either creamy or a powder that isn’t overly powdery. I have to say at the moment I’m enjoying the speed and longevity of a powder and one that has the tiniest amount of ‘glow’ to it to work as a bit of a blurrer/finishing powder gets my vote – hence why this is winning right now. The *KOSAS The Sun Show Baked Bronzer in Light Soft Bronze is a good dupe actually.
*Patrick Ta Major Brow Lamination Gel – It’s just the best. It really is. I don’t do anything to my brows these days, except for see the brilliant Clare from Perfect Brows Brighton every month and let her work her magic. I never fill them in or touch them aside from to put a slick of this on every morning. It’s the only product for me that actually holds my brows in an upright position from AM to PM, although to be warned that you can’t go anywhere near them for the duration of the day as any contact results in little white annoying pieces of product sitting in your brows. Aside from that, it’s perfect.
*Armani Beauty Eye Tint in 24 (ad – gifted) – When I was writing this post I panicked that I was just about to run out and didn’t have a back-up so I just bought another two tubes online because I just can’t be without this stuff. For my skin tone it’s the perfect ‘barely there/I’m not really wearing eyeshadow‘ eyeshadow. I love that I can apply it in about 10 seconds flat for each eye – I tend to wipe it on from the applicator and then do a quick blend with a fluffy brush – and it doesn’t crease horrendously if I don’t bother to use a primer. I just love the colour and wouldn’t want to be without it.
*Armani Beauty Eyes To Kill WET Waterproof Mascara – I was first introduced to this formula a few years back when I did a piece of work with Armani and it’s just the mascara that I always go back too. Although there might be others in my collection that give more volume and length, this one holds a curl which is my ultimate mascara MUST-DO and gives a more fluttery, natural look to my lashes. But it can be built up too if I have the time or inclination. Basically it’s a good multitasker that I like to have in my makeup bag at all times.
*Augustinus Bader The Lip Balm (ad – gifted) – I toy around with lip products, balms, glosses and colours, but really at heart I’m just a lip balm kinda gal. I might like to play around with colour if I’m in London for the day, or out with friends, but on days where I’m at my desk or just trying to kiss Ralph as he tries to escape then I just need some good ol’ fashioned moisture on my lips. It’s a very boujee choice, but it’s Mark’s favourite too! A little treat twice a year that makes us feel oh so fancy whenever we apply it.
I’m going to cheat a little bit here and say that for my tenth pick, I’d pick ‘TOOLS’. I use the same makeup brushes and tools day in day out. First I apply my base with my fingers, a Beauty Pie Sponge*, or most likely the Westman Atelier Blender Brush*. This brush was a huge investment for me a few years back when it was first launched, but it still looks brand new, washes up so well and just the right size and density for me to apply foundation or concealer (the Beauty Pie Seamless Foundation Buffing Brush* is a good dupe too!). Then I use the ZOEVA Luxe Grand Powder 90 Brush* for my bronzer, I curl my lashes with the Surratt Eyelash Curler*, and use a ZOEVA 223 Luxe Crease Brush* for any eyeshadows. Three brushes, one tool, one sponge just incase – sorted.
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Photos by Mark Newton
