What’s In My (Makeup) Bag
The products Libby and I reach for every single day
Growing up in the 90s, I had a very different introduction to makeup than my 25 year old daughter who was a teenager in the era of YouTube tutorials.
Eyebrows were only a thing for me if it meant plucking them within an inch of their life. Clarins Tinted Moisturiser ‘Blond’ was my shade all year round and No7 Shell Lipstick was my go-to because having my lips disappear into my face was clearly the look.
Throw in some Hoola bronzer haphazardly on top and I think that paints a fairly good picture of where I started. Libby has known the importance of a bushy brow, how to contour and the impact a good lipliner can have since she first started wearing makeup in her teens. She’s always had a natural interest in it and been genuinely good at it. And she’s always my first port of call when I need a good product recommendation.
She knows how to expertly blend and apply, and having her do my makeup is always a treat. I’ve never had the patience for it and need my products to work hard and go on quickly and easily. Brands like Merit, Victoria Beckham Beauty, Ilia and Westman Atelier are what I turn to again and again.
No sparkle, no gloss, no heavy coverage. A natural finish is always the aim. Here’s what’s earned a place in our makeup bags.
Emma’s makeup bag
The base: Victoria Beckham’s The Foundation Drops are a splurge but I am addicted. Infused with Augustinus Bader skincare, it feels like a serum with buildable coverage and improves skin after each use (I wear shade 4 Light)
The bronzer: The Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Drops are the easiest way to get a sun-kissed glow, either over foundation or on bare skin. I wear the lightest shade Soleil Parfait 1. I also recently tried and loved the Rare Beauty Bronzer Stick.
The concealer: The Saie Slip Tint Radiant Concealer is my favourite no-makeup makeup product. The creamy formula covers dark circles and blemishes without getting cakey throughout the day (I wear shade 5)
The blush: A new addition to my makeup bag, the Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick gives the perfect rosy finish. I wear shade Rosy Glow. I also always have Merit’s Flush Balm (Beverly Hills) on me for lips and cheek touch-ups on the go – impossible to mess up.
The brows: Having been a staple in my makeup bag for years, the Merit Volumizing Brow Pomade holds brows all day long.
The eyes: I’m alternating between Victoria Beckham’s Vast Lash Mascara and Merit’s Clean Volume Tubing Mascara right now. Both give volume and length without clumping or smudging.
The lips: The Westman Atelier Hydrobalm Tinted Lipstick gives the perfect matte finish (I wear shade English Rose) whilst keeping lips hydrated. I also always have an Ilia Lip Crayon in my handbag (usually in shade Pampas)
The brush: I use my trusty Saie The Base Brush to blend everything from my base to my bronzer and blusher.
The case: Perfect for travelling and the gym, and for keeping my everyday products organised day-to-day, my Saie Vanity Case.
Libby’s makeup bag
The base: VIEVE’s Skin Nova is my go-to for a glowy primer, and I love to put their Skin Dew on my cheekbones for an extra glow.
The tint: The Lisa Eldridge Skin Tint is my go-to for an everyday flawless base (I wear shade T3) I also use the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray between every step of my routine.
The concealer: The Ilia Skin Blur Serum Concealer is the best I have found. It blends in easily and lasts all day with a blurred finish, which is essential for me (I use shade 5N Satin)
The bronzer: I love the Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Creme as it comes with two shades (I use Soleil Parfait 1) to give a more contoured look for the evenings, as well as an everyday glow.
The blush: I usually go for a liquid blush for a blended seamless finish, and the Saie Dew Blush in Spicy provides just that in the perfect sun kissed shade.
The eyes: An eyelash curler is an essential step for me in my makeup routine, finished with the Refy Lash Sculpt in shade Brown to suit my colouring.
The brows: I have used the Refy Brow Sculpt for as long as I can remember; they really do not budge.
The lips: The Victoria Beckham Posh Lipstick (in shade Twist) has been the only lippy I have reached for in the past few months. The colour is perfect for both day and night and long-lasting.
The case: I also love my Saie Vanity Case to keep organised, and this mini size is great for everyday.