Bored of your makeup bag? Here’s the fix...

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There’s a very specific kind of person this make up list is for.

It’s not for the person who loves make-up and has spent hours perfecting their eyeliner wing. It’s not for the person who hates make-up and doesn’t want to wear it (just don’t wear it, job done.)

This list is for the person who wants make up to be easier. It’s for the person who has stuck with the same look they used in their teens and twenties. It’s for the person feeling intimidated by the endless technique advice on social media. And it’s for the person who at some point, just quietly decided that, as they got older and life changed, make-up wasn’t for them anymore.

The make-up industry and internet, in its current form, can feel like a lot. It’s become an endless maze of steps and seems to require a huge amount of effort just for something that’s meant to read as effortless. I’ve heard that from women in their twenties and upwards; everyone just seems to be super overwhelmed by it all. And at the heart of it - everyone wants to know how to look good, like an elevated version of themselves, quickly.

I’ve always loved doing my make-up, so much so I trained in it at London College of Fashion back in the 2010s. But recently, I’ve felt exhausted by the sight of my own make-up bag. It’s become a neverending chore; using three products on my brows, perfect that Nina Park lip that’s currently trending, and then to create my face using a million base products. I’m fed up with blending eyeshadows and trying to make my eyeliner last. I just want it to be simple, expressive and effective.

So, this is a handful of products that I go back to when I want a quick make-up look without requiring much effort (and very few brushes.) You don’t have to ‘trust the process’ or anything here; these are products that you can apply half-distracted, in bad lighting, possibly running late - and still feel like they’ve done their job.

So, if easy, effective, make up is what you’ve been looking for, this is what I’d recommend…

1. Essential Prep

If you don’t prep your skin, your makeup will look patchy and dry. Honestly this is half the issue. Do your usual: cleanse, a serum, moisturiser, and SPF. Then - and this is the bit everyone ignores - give it 10-20 minutes to sink in so your SPF doesn’t pill. Then use a primer. I know it seems like an extra step, but it makes a huge difference.

If your skin feels dry, tight, slightly uncomfortable, like no amount of skincare ever quite hits. Then use Charlotte Tilbury New Magic Cream. I liked the original, but this update feels lighter, sinks in faster and grips makeup without feeling heavy. It’s annoyingly good.

If your skin is oily and makeup slides, disappears, or just refuses to stay put
then L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip 24H Primer has that slightly tacky “grip” texture that holds everything in place without making your face feel like it’s been laminated.

If your skin is dehydrated or normal - and just looks a bit flat or like you’ve not had enough water, then try Mixsoon Bean Essence. Technically a serum, but makes a brilliant primer. It just makes your skin look a bit more alive.

2. Eyes (do these first - trust me)

I know this feels counterintuitive, but do your eyes first. It saves so much time on clean-up later. No fallout ruining your base, no trying to fix things with a cotton bud - nobody has time for that. Also: keep it simple. One colour and no eyeshadow brushes.

For an easy, wearable, slightly cool brown
Try: NARS Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stick in Strip Down
This shade is that perfect tea-stained brown that somehow makes you look like you know what you’re doing, even if you absolutely don’t. Just scribble it on and blend quickly with your finger. If your skin tone is deeper, go for Mambo - that’s a bit richer and darker. It has a build in shadow primer, and lasts all day. This works for all lids too, so if yours is a little crepey, or yours are hooded, a matte easy shade like this is super easy to wear.

For a soft, smoky, slightly goth/alt vibe
Try: Violette_FR New Plume Eyeshadow
These have literally just launched. They’re sheer, slightly undone and look best applied with fingers. Tap onto the lid, blend up and out into the socket. I like the dark brown and smokey grey matte shades best.

For easy definition
You don’t need eyeliner, but for more definition then ditch the liquid liner and go for a pigmented pencil. Pencil is faster, softer, and far more forgiving IMHO.

Try Estée Lauder Double Wear 24H Waterproof Gel Eye Pencil
These are the best I’ve tried. The dark brown shade Espresso is perfect for subtle definition - run it along the lash line and smudge in. The black shade Onyx actually stays in the waterline (rare) and works for more alt-leaning looks. They set quickly though, so don’t hang about.

3. Mascara (that does it all)

You want one that just does everything without you having to think about it. I use an eyelash curler first - Suqqu are good for all eyes, especially wide or deep set eyes and Koji, a japanese brand, has a great one for hooded eyes. Then pick a mascara you like that does everything you need. Here are my daytime mascara picks:

Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara
Length, lift, definition without clumps or spidery lashes. This is my go-to daytime mascara.

Urban Decay Tube Job Mascara
Tubing mascaras coat each lash in little “tubes”, so they come off easily with warm water. This one is the most dramatic/impactful tube mascara I’ve tried. If you have shorter lashes that are hard to reach then Kulfi has one with a wand that actually gets to those tiny corner lashes to add impact.

Note: You don’t have to have more than one mascara, I just like saving my favourite Fenty Hella Thicc mascara for evenings because it’s so dramatic.

4. Brows (done quickly)

If you’ve got naturally full brows, honestly, you can get away with anything (or a bit of Glossier Boy Brow). If you don’t, you want something that gives colour, hold and a bit of volume all in one step. These are the best products I’ve tried.

Kosas Air Brow Tinted Volumizing Treatment Gel
Adds hold, colour and a bit of fullness in one swipe - brows look lifted and lightly filled and natural.

MERIT Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade
Soft, natural definition with just enough hold to shape - gives that “put together” effect without looking like you’ve done anything. I try to get a bit on my skin to fill in the gaps.

EXTRA! If you feel like you want added definition I’d recommend the Gucci brow pencil - it has a powdery finish that blends in easily - and great colours too. It’s the best brow pencil I’ve tried.

5. Base (keep it minimal)

The biggest lie we’ve been sold is that foundation goes all over your face. I get it, covering your whole face in foundation feels easier and intuitive, but I promise you’ll never see a (good) make-up artist ever do this. Just dab a little foundation onto your face where you want the coverage and then blend that into your real skin. It looks way better and saves product. Here’s what to use:

MERIT The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
Genuinely brilliant. It forces restraint because you’re applying it exactly where you need it. Dab onto redness, under eyes, around the nose - then blend out. If your skin is on the dry side Dior Forever Skin perfect Foundation stick is excellent and a little more hydrating.

If you do want extra concealer - apply it now. I love these three - go a shade slightly lighter under the eyes if you want that “awake” effect.

Makeup by Mario Surreal Skin Awakening Concealer - great for dry skin.
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer - lovely on oily skin.
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer - great on everyone.

Colour correcting (optional, but useful)
If you want to colour correct, then mix a tiny bit of the corrector into your concealer rather than applying it onto the skin directly or before concealer - you’ll use less product and it’ll look less cakey. I’m a big fan of Morphe Wakeup Artist Under Eye Correcting Concealer.

Powder (use strategically only)
All skin types can use Laura Mercier Translucent Ultra Blur Loose Setting Powder - it is the best out there. Oily skin? Try MAC Blot Powder Pressed
Removes shine without adding heaviness - makeup artists love it because it doesn’t leave a layer of powder on the skin. If you’re on the go and want a compact, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder is great. I love the mini version

6. Lips (for everyday vibes)

Start with a lip liner. The new gen of Lip stain liners are excellent for this. I use Huda Lip Contour Stain in Rich Brown and Sephora Lip Tint Felt Liner’s are great too. Pick a shade one darker than your lips that isn’t too red/bright. Pinks and browns work best for a chilled neutral vibe.

Then add something easy in the middle - mid-tone pinks and browns = easiest, most wearable, hardest to mess up. Here are some options with different textures that I rate for colours, texture and staying power.

Glossy lipstick: Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Plumping Clicks - Feelin’ Spicy
Gloss: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
Matte balm: Violette Bisou Balm in Betise.
Lipstick: MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick in Stay Curious.

7. Cheeks (to balance it out)

This is the one step that makes you look instantly alive. I always do blush lash because it’s what ties your look together - if the lips and eyes are looking a bold, you know the blush has to be more subtle etc. Let me troubleshoot a few common blush issues and give you my best recs:

If your blush doesn’t last:
Use Milk Cooling Jelly Water Tint Blush - it’s the most long-lasting blush I’ve tried. You can also top it with powder blush for extra staying power.

If your blush looks flat/doll-like/dry:
Saie Dew Blush Liquid Cream Blush is slightly dewy, slightly sheer, but highly pigmented.

If you just like powder blush
Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush has ridiculously good colour payoff and the best shades. I love Cherry and Pink.

8. Highlighter (the only one you need)

Chanel Baume Essential Multi-Use Glow Stick
I’m only recommending a single product because this is the one I’ve used for years and nothing else quite does the same thing. It’s a translucent balm, so it makes skin look fresh rather than sparkly. Powder highlighters can emphasise dryness - this doesn’t. Apply to your cheekbones and brow bones and you’re done. I get a lot of compliments on my skin - this is usually why. All the colours are lovely but the shade Scintillement has a loveliest iridescent sheen to it.

9. Set it (and go)

Finish with setting spray. There’s a lot out there but for everyday make up Laura Mercier Translucent Pure Setting Spray 16HR has a slightly blurring effect, is not too alcohol-heavy (ie drying) and doesn’t feel like you’re laminating your face. If you do want that sort of hold though the best two are by One Size and Loreal.

Ok we are done. Want to know anything else or share your faves? Let me know below…

Shop the whole collection here x

Much love and a happy make-up bag…