Last week I shared the ‘54 Beauty Products That I Actually Use Every Day’. Of course there’s a bit of exaggeration thrown in there, but I managed to tap away on my laptop and produce a 3,000-word post on the subject, and I didn’t even scratch the surface of what was in my makeup bag. That’s mad! So that’s what we’re tackling today.
In that last post, I uncovered my ‘Vivianna Does Makeup’ lore. I got my start in the beauty blogging world way back in 2010, and I’ve loved makeup and beauty since I managed to locate my Mum’s makeup bag. To date, one of the best presents I’ve ever received was a vanity table with plastic makeup when I was four. Back in my university days, I’d squirrel away my student loan to visit MAC on the first Thursday of every month to get a first look at the new collection drops. I still remember my first ever Space NK purchase (NARS Cream Eyeshadow in Mykonos - RIP!). And my debut trip to a U.S Sephora felt like a religious experience. I. Love. Makeup. Always have, always will.
Over the years, naturally, my tastes have changed, and right now, whilst I like to wear makeup, I don’t love to look like I’m wearing it. Less is more. Glow over matte. Tints rather than coverage - you get the gist. This is a pretty comprehensive list, but what I use daily fits into this handy-to-travel-with Space NK Makeup Bag* and the rest sits in my bathroom cabinet, and I switch products as and when my skin and/or preferences change.
A quick sidenote: Because I’m prone to comedonal acne, I try to opt for clog-free formulas on my complexion where possible. Whenever I make a new purchase, I run it through this online checker*. Not everything on this list passes the test, but most things I’m currently using do. I’ll put a PCA - pore-checker-approved - note next to each one that does. I apply an 80:20 rule to complexion products - 80% PCA, 20% not - and since I’ve implemented that, I’ve found a big reduction in texture in my problem areas.
FOUNDATION: Dior Forever Foundation Stick in 2N* (PCA). I can’t say I’m much of a foundation gal, but I picked this up recently after seeing 1781 rave reviews for it, and I have to say, I can see what all the fuss is about. Like, how can a stick formula be so creamy?! The key is to apply it just after you’ve finished your skincare, so you’re still nice and juicy, and I like to blend it in with a damp BeautyBlender* to remove any excess and fully melt it into my skin (application video for you here if you’re interested).
Notable mentions: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk* (PCA - I tend to use a blend of the shades 4 and 6). I wore this on my wedding day, so it will always have a special place in my heart. For a base that looks a little lit from within, but never shiny, this is it. It sits more in the ‘event makeup’ category for me.
TINTED MOISTURISER: Sculpted by Aimee Hydra Tint in 4* (PCA). Tinted moisturisers are realistically what I’m reaching for daily. Usually applied with my fingers in approximately 20 seconds straight just to even things out a little and give some extra glow. This one does exactly that, and there’s still a little left on my face come the end of the day. Whenever I use it, I feel sunkissed and fresh, which is exactly what I want.
Notable mentions: In recent years I’ve also enjoyed the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Alaska*, Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint in T8* and MERIT The Uniform in 24*. To be honest, there isn’t much that differentiates them. They all leave my skin looking and feeling hydrated, whilst providing just a smidge of coverage.
CONCEALER: Lisa Eldridge Pinpoint Concealer Micro Correcting Pencil* (PCA) & Glossier Stretch Concealer in Light 4*. I operate a two-concealer policy in my makeup bag. The Lisa Eldridge Pencil is a stiffer formula that works best in small doses drawn over pimples or dark spots and then softly blended at the edges with your fingers. Then I’ve used the Glossier concealer since it launched 10 YEARS AGO (!!!). It’s got a peachy tone that brightens under my eyes that I’ve never been able to replicate with another product. I apply it with my fingers, focusing it nearer the inner corners, and it never ever looks dry under my eyes. It doesn’t set - some people might not like that - but my dry-ass undereyes appreciate the extra hydration.
Notable mentions: If I’m after a creamy formula with a doe-foot applicator, KOSAS Revealer Concealer in 4* is my favourite. It looks lush under the eyes and works well all over the face too. If I’ve got a lot of acne that I want to cover, nobody does it better than the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24 Hour Concealer in 2N*.
POWDER: This category is a little lacking because powder just isn’t something that I reach for daily. I’d rather look like you could fry an egg on my face, to be honest. If I ever need to lock my look down for longevity, I’ll dust a little of the KOSAS Cloud Set in Breezy* down the centre of my face. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light* is another option I use to softly set (I’d recommend picking up one of their limited edition Christmas sets as they come in handy for travel).
BRONZER: Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt Skin Enhancer in Light/Medium* (PCA). If you’re going to take one recommendation from this post, make it this. I have zero complaints with this product. It’s a cream compact that bronzes, but it sort of contours and highlights at the same time. Most days it’s my one-and-done cheek product. It just makes me look ‘healthy’ - I’ve just reordered my third one.
Notable mentions: On really oily days, I’ll set all over with the DIOR Forever Nude Bronzer in 20* (I think it sometimes comes up as 02 light matte) on a big fluffy brush. I rarely ever contour, only really if I’m filming or shooting something, and for that I’d use the Victoria Beckham Contour Stylus in Travertine* - it’s the only contour I’ve ever used down to the nub. Then because the skincare I use leaves me pretty glowy, I don’t tend to need an additional highlighter, but if I am having a particularly dry day, I’ll grab the CHANEL Baume Essentiel in Sculpting* (PCA) and rub it across the tops of my cheekbones.
BLUSHER: Rhode Pocket Blush in Tan Lines & Freckle* (PCA) or MERIT Flush Balm in Fox or Beverly Hills*. Back in the day, I never wore blush. My complexion is naturally pretty ruddy, but over the years I’ve got that more under control, and now I see the true power that a blush brings to your routine. It lifts! It glows! It makes you look alive, you know? I like my blush formulas creamy and preferably in a stick so I can just scribble on, blend and go if I fancy it. Zero faff, zero fuss. Try as I might, I can’t pick a favourite between these four even though I’m sure my husband would say they all look the same. The only difference is the Rhode is a little more pigmented than the MERIT, but sometimes I’m craving that more watercolour, tinted finish.
EYESHADOW: Armani Eye Tint in 22M*. I think I first used this product back in 2019 and I have barely used another eyeshadow since. It’s a liquid tint, which sounds like such an annoying product to use, but I touch my brush lightly onto the doe-foot and then just swipe it all over my lids. The whole process, both eyes, takes around 30 seconds. Because it’s a liquid, it’s like using paint, and once it dries, it’s locked in.
Notable mentions: MERIT’s Solo Shadow in Midcentury* is a similar mid-tone, matte brown if you’d rather a cream formulation. I always have the Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Palette* on hand in case I do fancy doing more of a dimensional look to the eye (lol - like twice a year). And I have to give a special shout to the Victoria Beckham Kajal Eyeliners* because they truly are the best - so silky and smooth and once they are set they aren’t budging - but I never use them.
MASCARA: MERIT Clean Volume Mascara*. This is probably one of the newer additions here, but I was lucky to get my hands on a pre-launch sample a few months ago, and I haven’t reached for another mascara since. My lashes are painfully straight, but as this is a tubing formula, I can get the benefits of a waterproof mascara - a.k.a lift and curl - but without it feeling like tarmac to take off (it comes off with just warm water and cleanser). Sometimes I build the volume, sometimes I rake through my lashes afterwards with a spoolie to give a more natural finish - it just depends where the day is taking me.
BROW GEL: KJH Beauty Nano Brow Set*. Of course Katie Jane Hughes made the brow gel we’ve all been waiting for. She is the QUEEN of the fluffy brow! Her formula sets without feeling too crispy, and the brush is nice and tiny so you can really go through your hairs and cover each one. It never leaves those weird white fibres in your brows like other products. My brows are huge (Dad’s genes) and this pins them down.
LIP PRODUCTS: I’m pretty loyal to my lip products. Most of the time I’m just using the Summer Fridays Lip Butter in Pink Sugar*, although I’ve recently converted to the EADEM Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm in Shaved Sakura Ice*, which feels rich on the lips, but never sticky. If I can be arsed, I’m lining my lips with the MERIT Signature Lip Liner in Beverly Hills*, which is a gel-formula so feels soft and pliable on the lips. It matches my lip colour really well, so makes my lips look just a smidge fuller.
Notable mentions: I’ve got a pretty long list of notable mentions here because even though I typically only have two lip products in my makeup bag at any given time, it’s the category that I switch up most often:
Glossier Lip Liner in Graze* - before the MERIT Lip Liner came along, this was my favourite. It’s a bit peachy pink, so more suited to summertime, but it enhances my natural lip line without looking obvious.
Westman Atelier lip products are bloomin’ expensive, but (sadly!) bloomin’ wonderful. The Liquid Lip Balm in Nou Nou* feels like the U.K-available version of the EADEM Balm, and their HydroBalm Tinted Lipsticks* are like tinted moisturisers for your lips - like a ‘no lipstick, lipstick’. Ballerine is my favourite neutral (shown in the video above), Juice if I want something more coral.
If I want a more classic lipstick formula, I’m reaching for MERIT Signature Lipsticks*; Ginger for a browny-toned peach or Vermillion for a red (watch this video for the technique of how I get a more natural ‘blotted’ finish).
I don’t really own that many brushes because, quite honestly, I hate to wash them. So the less I have, the easier brush hygiene becomes (this soap is all you need for cleaning*). Here’s what I use:
FOR THE FACE: The BeautyBlender* but only with the DIOR Foundation that I mentioned above and always, always damp. The Westman Atelier Blender Brush* is ridiculously priced but I’ve used it consistently for the past seven years, and it still looks brand new. To go with the Makeup By Mario Bronzer, I use an old discontinued Beauty Pie Angled Brush; they do a similar one here* or this looks like a good dupe*. For setting powder, I like a light touch, so I use the Haikuhudo Brush* (again, this looks similar*), or if I’m using a powder bronzer and want a more all-over approach, I load up the Hourglass Powder Brush*, which washes up really well.
FOR THE EYES: I literally own one eye makeup brush. I never do eye ‘looks’ these days and just want something that lightly diffuses a sheer wash of colour, and the Makeup By Mario EF2 Brush* does exactly that. I always make sure I have the Surratt Eyelash Curler* tucked in my bag (it’s GREAT for pin-straight lashes) and I keep a pack of cheap spoolies on hand to work mascara through my lashes for a more feathery look.
FIN!!! Regularly scheduled fashion programming will resume shortly, but thanks for appeasing me during my short beauty hiatus. I always love to go back to my VDM roots (and yes, I’m aware that the French translation is FML - ha!).
Thanks for being part of The Wardrobe Edit. If you like what you read, I’d truly appreciate it if you liked, shared, or left a comment - it makes all the difference.
Want more?
If you’re a brand interested in partnering on a future post, please email na@insanity.com.
The 54 Beauty Products I Actually Use Every Day
·
Jul 21
If this post is the first of mine that you’ve read, then it’s going to give the wrong impression. It gives high maintenance. It gives vain. It gives, ‘Kim, there are people who are dying’! I have to say, writing out this extremely long list of beauty products I use daily really does make it look like I have the entire Sephora in my bathroom and spend my…
The 13 Low-Effort Beauty Tips I Swear By
·
May 13, 2025
Given the title of this publication, you might be under the illusion that fashion was my first love, when in fact, it was beauty. It was my Mum’s makeup bag that I’d riffle through, not her wardrobe, Spectacular nail polishes would populate my birthday list, and I’d read the
35 Very Stylish Substack Writers On What They Wear When It's Too Hot To Think
·
Jul 15
I sent this writing prompt to my favourite Substack writers on the cusp of what felt like a global heatwave, so the answers given here are tried and tested, baby. My exact question was ‘It’s sticky, it’s humid, and you don’t want to wear clothes full stop (ha!) - so what are you *actually* wearing?’
This newsletter features affiliate links, denoted by a ‘*’ and occasionally gifted items, denoted by ‘ad - gifted’. Find out more here.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.