WHEN IT COMES TO BEAUTY PRODUCTS, I’M SOMETHING OF A CREATURE OF HABIT.
Don’t get me wrong, I love trying new products, but as someone with pale skin and red hair, my requirements are quite specific, and not always catered to by the masses, so when I find a product I love, I tend to keep on buying it forever, basically. (Or until it’s discontinued, which happens so often I sometimes wonder if the beauty companies are just doing it to annoy me. But anyway!)
HERE ARE 6 BEAUTY PRODUCTS I SWEAR BY:
01. RIMMEL MATCH PERFECTION FOUNDATION
This is my go-to foundation: partly because it’s the palest drugstore foundation I’ve found (I use the palest shade, ‘Light Porcelain’), but also because it’s so easy to apply, with a smooth, flawless finish which makes you feel like you’re not wearing any makeup. The fact that it’s affordable helps, too. [Read my review here.]
02. ELF LIP LOCK PENCIL
I mentioned this product a few weeks ago, but it’s basically a clear lip liner which you use to outline your lips before applying lipstick. I love wearing red lipstick, but find it really difficult to apply because I have a top lip which basically blends into my face, meaning that I have to invent my own lipline every morning. This stops my lipstick from bleeding, and gives it a nice, sharp edge, without that heavily-lined look you can get from regular lip liners.
03. MAYBELLINE ILLEGAL LENGTH WATERPROOF MASCARA
I used to hate Maybelline mascaras until I discovered this one, which just shows, you shouldn’t discount a brand just because one of their products doesn’t work for you! This mascara adds length, and the waterproof formula locks in the curl, which is awesome. Until I discovered it, I was using Lancome’s Hypnose Drama, which does more or less the same thing, but for twice the price. In fairness, I’d say the Lancome product does have the edge here, but for the price, I can’t go past Maybelline. [Reviewed here.]
04. URBAN DECAY EYESHADOW IN ‘SIN’
This is the only eyeshadow I’ve ever had to re-purchase, which says a lot about how much I love it! I originally came across the shade as part of the Urban Decay Naked Palette: it’s a very neutral kind of shade, which basically adds a sheen to the eyelid, and just a touch of colour. I’m not a fan of heavy eyeshadow, which just doesn’t suit me, so when I used up every last drop of the colour in the palette, I was forced to spring for a new shadow!
05. BOBBI BROWN CREAMY CONCEALER
Quite simply one of the best concealers I’ve found, with thick coverage which doesn’t look too caked on. It’s expensive, but worth it. [Reviewed here.]
06. BEAUTY BLENDER MAKEUP SPONGE
Until I tried the beauty blender, I’d normally apply my foundation with either a brush, or even my fingers. Both seemed to work just fine, so whenever I heard people raving about the Beauty Blender, I instantly discounted it, because to be completely honest, it just seemed like a complete waste of money to me. How wrong I was, though: this little sponge makes a huge difference to the way my foundation looks, and is now the only thing I ever use. How things change, huh?