As much as I love a full face of make-up and thoroughly enjoy the process of applying a “full beat”, as the young ones say – layering base, cream eyeshadows followed by powder eyeshadows, maybe a little liner, blush, bronzer, and more – day to day, I use just a handful of products to make me look and feel good, and really, to feel like myself.
With so many products on the market, so many claims, and with our ever-changing skin, the make-up category – as fun as it is – can overwhelm. So, this week, I am focusing on a tightly curated but very basic edit of the make-up you actually need.
These are the products to use if you don’t know where to start, if you don’t consider yourself very skilled when it comes to application, or if you find yourself time-starved on a daily basis. They’re quick and easy to use, and will help you look and feel like a more polished, put-together version of yourself.
I’ve written about them all before, but I mention them again for good reason: these are the products I buy time and time again; they form the core of my make-up bag. And most are from Irish brands.
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First things first: a base product. Poco Beauty Universal Glow Treatment (€32 for 40ml from pocobeauty.com) is one of my favourite products released by an Irish brand in recent years. Exceptionally lightweight, this is your everyday best friend. It brightens and evens, reduces redness, adds a beautiful sheen to the skin and protects with SPF30 (on the basis that you are applying it generously – a quick pump or two will not give you the coverage stated on the label so you should layer it with another SPF for full protection).
This is a product I wear often on its own, under foundation as a primer, or sometimes mixed with foundation to make it more glowy and lighter. It can also be used on the neck, chest, and anywhere on the body.
Then, for coverage, evenness, and the pretence that we’ve had a full night’s sleep, my preference is always a good tinted moisturiser. In my opinion, there is none better than Sculpted by Aimee HydraTint Tinted Moisturising Serum (€28 from Sculpted by Aimee). Available in an array of shades, it’s heavy on both the serum and the tint. By that, I mean it’s loaded with skincare ingredients that make your skin look and feel good. It’s very moisturising, very balancing, but it also packs a punch when it comes to coverage. We’re talking a solid medium base, and it’s buildable.
To correct and conceal under the eyes and elsewhere on the face (and for generally adding extra coverage as and when), I’m a big fan of Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick (€42 from meritbeauty.com). The sleek pen-like design means it’s perfect for flinging in your bag, too.
Next, we’re on to bronzer, blush, and a little cream eyeshadow, and Trinny London Trinity Stick (€44 from trinnylondon.com) does it all with one product. There are various shades, but my favourite – and the one I think is the most universally appealing – is Mustique.
On one end is a cool-toned pink, which works beautifully as both lipstick and blush, and on the other, a cool-toned brown that doubles up as bronzer, contour and a cream eyeshadow. It’s incredibly easy to use – swipe on with your fingers, blend, and away you go.
A hardworking mascara is essential. The one I’ve talked about for years is L’Oréal Lash Paradise (€16.99 from Boots), which is intensely pigmented, volumising and lifting.
A great brow pen is also a must, and one of the best is Brow Aid Masterstroke Brow Trio (€32 from browaid.com). Three products in one, it allows you to shape, define, and tame in seconds.
And that’s it – six hardworking, multitasking products that help you get ready in five minutes or less.
Of course, there are always extras. If you have time for a little eyeliner, Hildun Beauty Silk-To-Set Kajal Liner (€18 from hildunbeauty.com) in the shade chocolate is a beautiful brown that flatters every eye colour.
And if you prefer lip liner with your lipstick, look no further than Sculpted by Aimee Lip Duo (€21 from Sculpted by Aimee) – liner and lipstick in one and available in several shades.
This week I’m loving ... Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Available in five shades, and altogether different from the brand’s other bestselling powders, Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder (€36 from lookfantastic.com) is designed for under the eye. Featherlight and almost undetectable on the skin – and housed in a palm-sized pot – it smooths, brightens and sets, while the colour versions correct and balance discolouration.
