Here are your 10 beauty essentials...
Primer
Make-up primer is one item you should never ever go without, trust us, once you start using it, you will never go without it. A primer basically creates a layer over your skin, a smoother velvety layer, which allows makeup to look flawless and stay on for longer. And if you don't know which primer to choose here is a list of our fave five that will have you primed to perfection.
Chanel's Le Blanc De Chanel Multi-Use Illuminating Base, Makeup Alley | Bourjois Paris Happy Light Matte Serum Primer, Boots |NARS Multi-Protect Primer SPF15, John Lewis | Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Smashbox | Benefit The POREfessional, Benefit |
Foundation
Picking the perfect foundation is probably one of lives more difficult decisions, (first world problems, we know). So many things to consider, you skin tone, your skin type , liquid or loose powder, it can be too much to deal with. The only way to find the foundation for you, is to trial and test. Most stores will give you samples you can try at home. So take some time out, visit a store and get advise from the MUA's. Here are a few brands that definitely know what they are doing when it comes to foundation.
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation, Bobbi Brown | Clinique Even Better Foundation, Clinique | | MAC Matchmaster Foundation, MAC | Revlon Colourstay Foundation, Superdrug | Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick, House of Fraser |
Concealer
Concealer works wonders, and unlike foundation you don't get concealer that is your perfect match. You need to go for a concealer that's a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. It's best to go for a yellow based concealer as it suits most skin tones. Have a look at our favourites to help you sort through the brands.
Clarins Instant Concealer, Clarins | Benefit Erase Paste, Benefit | MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, MAC | Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, NARS| Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch, Debenhams
Lip Balm
Dry lips are never attractive, so banish chapped lips and make sure you have a good lip balm in your make-up bag. Having moisturised lips is key for a good base when applying lipstick. Here are a few you should try.
Bee Good Vanilla & Honey Lip Balm, Bee Good | Born Lippy Pot Lip Balm, The Body Shop | Blistex Happy Lips Mango, Tesco | Shea Vanilla Bouquet Lip Balm, Loccitane | Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa, Superdrug
Eyebrow Kit
Never underestimate the need to have your eyebrows on FLEEK! Beautiful brows shape the face and it can either make or break your make-up look. It's important to pick the right brow shape for your face, for square shapes go for thicker brows, and round face shapes go for arched eye brows. For a longer face shape trying going for flat straight eye brow shape, and for those with heart shaped faces go for a round arch. Here are some kits to help you keep your brows groomed.
Barry M's Brow Kit, Barry M | Collection Work the Colour Eyebrow Kit, Boots | HD Brows Eye and Brow Palette, Lookfantastic | Rimmel London Brow This Way Eyebrow Kit, Superdrug|Sleek Makeup Brow, Superdrug
Eyeliner
From gel, to pencil, eyeliner is a makeup bag essential. Great for achieving the feline flick, a la Alexa Chung. Adding eyeliner to your look is also a great way to change your eye shape, just a line over the eyes makes the eyes look bigger and brighter. Here are a few that we love using.
Benefit They're Real! Push-up Liner, Benefit | Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, Bobbi Brown | Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N' kohl, Charlotte Tilbury | Lancome Liner Plume, Lancome | Rimmel Soft Khol Kajal Eye Pencil, Boots
Mascara
Finding the perfect mascara is worth the time and the money. Mascaras is to beauty what Anna Wintour is to fashion, a necessity. It's great for lengthening the lashes, and a little length can go a long way. But when it comes to mascaras, we are spoilt for choice, so here are our favourites here.
Burberry Effortless Mascara, Burberry | Givency Phenomen'Eyes Mascara, Debenhams | Max Factor Clump Defy Volumising Mascara, Boots | Mascara Resurrection, Urban Decay | Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effect Faux Babydoll, Feelunique
Blusher
Finding the perfect blusher is never easy, looking like a clown is never a good look. And with a few choices to pick from, you need to know what you are looking for. Just like foundation and concealer, you need to know what's best for your skin tone. The right blusher will leave you with a rosy glow on your cheeks. Here are a few of our faves..
Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher, Boots | Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm, Clinique | Estée Lauder Pure Color Blush, Estée Lauder | NARS Blush, NARS | Origins Pinch Your Cheeks Blush, Origins
Eyeshadow Palette
This is where make-up is most fun. Eyeshadows allow you to create and change up your makeup look. But if you are scared about using eyeshadows, the best way to start is to get a natural eyeshadow palette and start adding gold and bronze tones to your makeup look. Its easier than you think and it's all about having a play around. A night spent in, brushing up your makeup skills is always a good idea. Why not try one of these palettes?
Barry M Palette Natural, Superdrug | Urban Decay Naked Basics, Urban Decay | Rimmel Glam'Eyes Quad Eyeshadow Smokey Brown 2, Superdrug | Sleek I Divine In Original, Sleek | theBalm shadyLady Palette, Feelunique
Make-Up Brushes
Make-up brushes are a worth well investment. Although you might thinkyour hands do a good enough job, a good makeup brush means you use less products and leave your makeup looking flawless, and professional. To get you started invest in a makeup brush kit, which gives you all the tools you need. Here are five make-up kits that will have you all tooled up.
AERIN Spring Essentials Brushes Set, John Lewis | EcoTools Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set, Boots | Sigma Essential Kit - Mr Bunny, Feelunique || Real Techniques Core Collection 1403, Boots | The Vintage Cosmetic Company Essential Brush Set, Feelunique |
What are you make-up essentials? Tweet us @SofeminineUK
This article was written by Tolani Shoneye. Tweet her @tolly_t
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