Who else like us here is a makeup junkie? We love makeup because it empowers women and helps us embrace our natural features. Makeup plays such an important role on a daily basis for the majority of us and this week, we have asked the Emma Wallace team what their ‘Holy Grail’ makeup items are - ones that they cannot live without. We have included one of each category from a normal makeup routine - whether you are a minimalist natural beauty or a glamourous beauty guru, we’ve got you covered. Let’s see if any of the below are on your list!
1. Base - By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Primer Micro Resurfacing Multi Zones Base
Many people would skip this step but it is actually the most important step in your routine, to ensure your foundation stays on all-day looking flawless. The one we chose is the Hyaluronic Hydra Primer Micro Resurfacing Multi Zones Base from By Terry. This primer has a weightless mousse texture which instantly mattifies your complexion, blurs your blemishes and minimizes your pores. It also comes with skincare benefits, being infused with hyaluronic acid which helps to boost and maintain optimum moisture levels, making sure your skin looks firm and plump.
2. Foundation - Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation & Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser
Next step: Foundation. Needless to say, choosing the right foundation for your complexion is extremely important. We’re not just talking about colour-matching your skin tone, but also about choosing the right finish. If you have oily skin, try avoiding a foundation with a dewy finish - instead use something with a matte finish, it will help with mattifying your skin and controlling your shine. Here we recommend the Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation from Fenty Beauty. It has a matte finish and not only do they have 50 shades, they have included every skin tone - warm, neutral, cool, olive, pink, you name it! Alternatively, if you have dry skin, try using a foundation with a hydrating formula and a dewy finish - sure to maintain your skin looking radiant and fresh. You will definitely love the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser by Nars. Being a tinted moisturiser, it will keep your skin looking silky smooth and hydrated all day (and night) long!
3. Concealer - Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer
This concealer took the internet by storm. Not only for its quality, but its amazingly affordable price as well. It retails for just £4 but what it does is worth far beyond that. It comes in 22 shades and has a matte finish, without settling into your fine lines or looking cakey. If you are looking for a full coverage yet lightweight concealer, look no further - try this ‘Conceal & Define’ Concealer by British brand Makeup Revolution.
4. Powder - Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder
This one is an oldie but goodie - the Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder by Chanel Beauty has been around the beauty industry for a long time and is here to stay. It contains silica microbeads for a mattifying effect and keeps your foundation from slipping and sliding. If you have naturally gorgeous skin, just put on a thin veil of it - your skin will instantly look more healthy and awake.
5. Brow - Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel
Some say your eyes are the window to your soul, but your brows frame your eyes, so a strong, sharp set of brows are equally essential. Anastasia Beverly Hills is notorious for their brow products and we highly recommend their Tinted Brow Gel! Available in 7 shades, this lightweight eyebrow gel sets brows with a flexible hold and a tinted finish. Unlike another ABH cult favourite - the Dipbrow Pomade, this product contains light-reflecting pearls which help add dimension and natural-looking fullness to your brows.
6. Eyeshadow Primer - Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Eyeshadow primers are not a must, but if you want your eyeshadow to perform at its best, eyeshadow primers are your best friend. It works just like a face primer, but instead for the eyes. Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion has been another fan favourite for years now. Not only does it bring out the pigment of your eyeshadows, but it also prevents your shadows from smudging due to eyelid oil.
7. Eyeshadow - Tartelette In Bloom Amazonian Clay Palette by Tarte
Whether you are a beginner or an expert when it comes to eyeshadows, you will love this versatile palette! The Tartelette In Bloom Amazonian Clay Palette is your everyday go-to palette that contains 12 shades - 9 mattes and 3 shimmers, just the right balance from everyday chic to dramatic smokey eye looks. The packaging of this palette is flowery and romantic. The colour choice of this palette has a warm neutral colour scheme with a slight rosy hue; the formula of the shadows is creamy and easy to blend. All products from Tarte are vegan and cruelty-free, so you don’t have to worry about any animals being harmed during production.
8. Eyeliner - Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
For some eyeliner is an option, but for some it is a must. There are many different types of eyeliner but we particularly love a good liquid liner because it creates a sharp waterproof line. We absolutely adore Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner. The formula allows it to glide on your lids without skipping or smudging. Its fine marker-like tip provides precision for easy application - from a thin doll-eye to a thick dramatic wing.
9. Mascara - Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Almost every woman has owned a mascara at some point in their lives. It gives your lashes an instant lift and brightens up your eyes. Imagine your eyes as flowers: the bigger the petals are, the larger the flower looks - so do your eyes! The longer the lashes, the bigger your eyes look. The ‘Better Than Sex’ Mascara by Too Faced provides you with feather-like lashes, with just a few swipes your lashes will look fuller, longer and curlier. It comes in two versions: original and waterproof. We know that waterproof mascaras are sometimes difficult to remove but not only does this one prevents you from having racoon eyes, it is also easy to remove at the end of your day.
10. Bronzer - Benefit Hoola
The bronzer is a cheeky product as it subtly contours your face and gives you a sun-kissed look. Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer was a game-changer back in the day and now they have returned with a bigger shade range, catering to a more diverse audience. It now comes in 4 shades and also in travel-friendly minis. The in-built mirror and complimentary brush is perfect for building chiseled cheekbones!
11. Blush - NARS Orgasm Blush
The blush is a lot of women’s go-to item. It comes in all finishes - matte, shimmer and cream. Before the Nars Orgasm Blush was introduced, there was no such thing as a one-shade-fits-all blush. But this blush is a universal colour which means anyone can use it. This blush gives a youthful and fresh look when applied to the apples of your cheeks, but when applied along your cheekbones it gives a more sculpted look - the choice is all yours.
12. Highlighter - MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish Strobe Powders
Highlighters have become so popular in the beauty industry in the last few years and it’s not difficult to see why. These glowing little creatures come back-to-back with bronzers, highlighting the highest points of your face, giving you a more defined bone structure. M.A.C.’s Extra Dimension Skinfinish Strobe Powders are not like your regular highlights - they have a prismatic finish which means the highlighter shifts to different colours under different lighting. As you can see in the swatches, these babies are blinding!
13. Lipstick - ColourPop Lux Lipstick
Who else is a lipstick-fanatic like us? Lipsticks have evolved into so many different forms in recent years but today we will be focusing on the traditional bullet lipsticks. Our top pick, hands down, would be ColourPop’s Lux Lipsticks. They come in endless shades ranging from classic pinks to funky blues. These rich creamy lipsticks are infused with Acai, Jojoba and Pomegranate Seed butters that hydrate and keep your lips looking fresh and plump. Besides, their price point is extremely affordable and the packaging looks so cute.
14. Setting spray - MAC Prep+Prime Fix+
A finishing touch often neglected by many, one that also dramatically increases the longevity of your look throughout the day: every girl needs a bottle of setting spray! If you are not familiar with this item, think of it this way - it’s like hairspray for your makeup. Different setting sprays provide different functions - from hydrating to long-lasting ones, some are even vitamin-infused for healthy-looking skin. Once again, M.A.C. has made it to our list. Its Prep+Prime Fix Plus Setting Spray has won the hearts of many - now being expanded into multiple sizes and scents, this product sure is a well-deserved cult favourite.
There, now you have a full face worth of makeup recommended, go have fun exploring the power of makeup and share with us which products are your ‘holy grail’ go-to items that you cannot live without - we would love to hear from you!
