Your makeup bag is your trusty companion. Whether you adapt it for a travel version, it’s all over your bedside table or you’re seriously organised and have it colour co-ordinated blogger style – we all have one. If you’re anything like me, you take it everywhere, you re-stock it constantly and there’s always some hidden treasure at the bottom of it.
But have you ever wondered what everyone else’s looks like? We’ll be delving into our beauty writer’s bags and sharing all their trusty makeup secrets. – Renate O’Connor, Beauty Editor.
Images: Katie Braithwaite
Everyone has their own collection of wonderful and mysterious products hidden away in their makeup bags. I’m going to share with you my absolute favourites – some I can’t leave the flat without!
Primer
I always have to prime my face to make sure that my makeup will last as long as possible. At the moment, I’ve been using No7’s Brilliantly Bare Beauty Enhancer. It works to prep the skin for your foundation, reducing any lines or pores and feels extra soft. Available from Boots for £12.50, this primer is a constant in my makeup bag. I always tend to use a lot of No7 products as I find they’re great for all combinations of skin because they feel so light!
Contour
Everyone is contour crazy at the moment, but don’t fall into the trap of buying expensive kits when you’ve probably got everything you need already. I’ve simply been using a basic bronzer by Rimmel London. Their Natural Bronzer doesn’t have that shimmery tint I’ve found some bronzers to have, which is great for anyone who likes a matte-look finish with their makeup. Available from Superdrug at just £5.99, this is a must-have.
When it comes to highlighting, I’ve scrapped Estee Lauder, Clinique and all the other fancy brands and settled for Primark’s very own Highlighting Chubb Stick. For only £1 you cannot go wrong. It does just the job and my friends are always asking me to highlight their faces for them. There are two shades available, bronzed or natural. I always carry the natural shade around with me as it goes with every look.
Foundation
Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation, is my holy grail! This foundation is a high-end product, so it is a little pricey compared to high street brands, but for the quality £30 is totally worth it. It stays on all day and doesn’t fade away or disappear as soon as I’m a little sweaty like many other foundations I’ve tried.
Needless to say, if you are on a budget then it may not be in your price range. Instead, why not try Maybelline’s Dream Satin Liquid Foundation. At £7.99 it’s a great choice, especially when I’m running out of foundation but don’t want to break the bank. It goes on well with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, which is also available from Boots at £5.99 and works effortlessly to cover blemishes. The only difference is, it doesn’t stay on as long as the Estee Lauder.
Powder
Powder is of course, the perfect way to set your makeup. It adds that finishing touch to any contour and foundation and eliminates signs of moisture on your skin during a busy day. In my makeup bag you’ll always find some MAC Pressed Powder, shade NC2 beige.
MAC is a great brand for a number of reasons, but particularly for the wide variety of shades they make available. If you pop in to your local store or counter and book a free consultation, they’ll find the right colour for your skin and also be able to advise you on the best ways to apply your makeup to suit your skin specifically. I personally wear the shade NC2 beige even when I’m more tanned in the summer months. I never leave for work or lectures without this beauty saviour!
Brows
Finally for the brow lovers out there, The NO7’s Beautiful Eyebrow Kit is amazing. I have heard so many people rave about Benefit’s eyebrow cosmetic range, but I can’t bring myself to pay more when this brow kit does just the job at just £12.95.
Get yours at your local Boots, where all cosmetics, including No7, are currently 3 for 2 – cheapest first.
What’s in your makeup bag? To have your favourite products featured in a future article email us at beauty@kettlemag.co.uk.
