I’ve talked before about Victoria Beckham mascaras as I was previously a huge fan of Future Lash – a barely-there tubing mascara that gives you a slick of fluffy coverage that’s natural-looking and perfect for everyday. Then I tried Vast Lash and I’ve been hooked ever since. It has all the benefits of Future Lash – easy removal, no smudging and soft, fluttery lashes – with more of the va-va-voom of a traditional volumising mascara. Two coats and you’re good to go. 

Shop Victoria Beckham Vast Lash Mascara, £32

I’d love to count how many times I’ve recommended this foundation because I’m probably in the hundreds now. I’ve used it consistently ever since it launched back in 2017 and it never leaves my make-up bag. With its buildable coverage and natural-looking glow, it’s the perfect foundation for giving your skin a really fresh-faced finish. While I do use other foundations in my routine, this is a formula that I repurchase again and again. 

Shop IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream at Lookfantastic, £38

Talking of other foundations, this new launch has made its way into my everyday make-up bag and I’m really enjoying it. More of a skin tint than full coverage foundation, it’s more lightweight than the It Cosmetics formula, but it still gives you enough coverage to blur any blemishes or diffuse redness. 

Shop Dolce&Gabbana Blueberry Nutri-Tint Hydra-Glow and Fresh Skin Tint in 11W at Lookfantastic, £43

I’ve had a brow ombre treatment in the past (a form of microblading) so my brows really require very little upkeep – I usually just brush through some brow gel and I’m good to go. But if I do want to add some extra oomph to my arches, this is the pencil I reach for. It’s soft and creamy to apply but doesn’t budge once it’s in place. 

Shop Refy Brow Pencil in Medium, £14

These handy little hair clips are great for clipping back your hair while you do your make-up, without leaving a kink or dent in your blow-dry. I’m never without them. 

Shop Hershesons Great Hair Clips, £8

For glowing skin in an instant – this is the product you need. I wear it under foundation for an all over glow, but you can also wear it in place of highlighter if you want a pop of pearlescent sheen. It gives your skin a really radiant finish without adding glitter or shimmer and leaves your skin looking like you’ve just had a facial. 10/10 product. 

Shop Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter in 4.5 Medium at Cult Beauty, £39

Soft, creamy and buildable – I’m obsessed with this bronzer. It gives you a healthy-glow that’s perfect for everyday but can also be built up for a holiday-esque tan if and when needed. There’s no worrying about it smashing and crumbling all over your make-up bag, plus the mirror is huge which comes in very handy. 

Shop Reeson Bronzing Balm, £38

I’m embarrassed to admit how long this concealer has been in my make-up bag for. I actually bought it while on a trip to Japan and it continues to be my go-to for concealing stubborn blemishes and brightening my under-eye area. Yes it’s expensive, but trust me – I’m probably on a net minus cost per wear for how long I’ve had it. 

Shop Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer at Harrods, £59

YSL do really great mascaras. As a long-term lover of Volume Effet Faux Cils, I recently discovered this newer mascara and fell instantly in love with it. It’s perfect for when you want to add major volume to your lashes for a stand-out fluttery effect. 

Shop YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara at Boots, £29

While this is technically a skincare product, I keep it in my make-up bag as it’s always the first step to my routine. With a weightless, mineral formula, it’s great for sensitive skin types or when you’re suffering from breakouts. Thanks to full-spectrum SPF 50, it really is your skin’s first line of defence. 

Shop Dr Sam’s Flawless Gossamer SPF 50, £35

Make-up artist founded brands are often brilliant and Lisa Eldridge products are no different. The skin tint is gorgeous and the lip liners are great – but this creamy eye pencil is my OG love. It’s so soft and perfect for creating a smoky eye. I just scribble it along my lash line and blend out with my fingers or a brush. 

Shop Lisa Eldridge Seamless Glide Eye Pencil in Ground Coffee, £24

My make-up bag is never without an eyelash curler and this UkLash curler is one of the comfiest I’ve tried. 

Shop UkLash Eyelash Curler, £11

This would absolutely be one of my desert island beauty products and I’ve lost count of how many I’ve gone through. The perfect non-sticky balm, it doubles as a cuticle soother and eyebrow gel if you’re ever in a pinch. It is hands down the best, most nourishing lip balm I’ve ever used and I won’t hear a bad word said about it. 

Shop Lanolips 101 Ointment at Boots, £10.99

I’m not particularly loyal to any brow gels – I like the new Anastasia Beverly Hills formula and Glossier Boy Brow is always a winner – but this Morphe mousse is the current winner in my rotation. It gives just enough colour and hold, without looking overly ‘done’

Shop Morphe Brow Tease Fiber-Infused Volumising Mousse at Boots, £11

This cult eyeliner is an industry favourite and I must be on my 5th or 6th pencil by now. It’s the perfect bronze brown shade that really does make blue eyes pop. Perfect for adding everyday definition or as the base for a smoky eye look, it never leaves my make-up bag. 

Shop Mac Eye Kohl in Teddy at John Lewis, £20

While I love a good eyeshadow palette, when it comes to day-to-day, I’m fairly lazy with my make-up and like hardworking products that I can apply with ease. This eyeshadow cream is brilliant and I’m forever getting compliments when I wear it. Simply use your fingertips to apply a teeny amount over your eyelid and it instantly gives you an ‘eyeshadow look’ that lasts all day and especially compliments blue eyes. Finish with a scribble of Mac Teddy and a slick of VB mascara and you’re done.

Shop RMS Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow in Flare at Naturisimo, £29

I love a cream blusher and this liquid formula from Saie is my current favourite. It’s SO pigmented you really only need the tiniest amount (I don’t know how I’ll ever finish a whole tube) and it blends out beautifully to give your skin a pinched-cheeks finish. 

Shop Saie Dew Blush Liquid Cheek Flush in Poppy at Cult Beauty, £20

For a natural-looking lip, this is my go-to lip liner. It’s the perfect ‘your-lips-but-better’ shade and is ultra-soft and creamy to apply. I line my lips and use my fingers to blend it along my lip line for a really natural finish. 

Shop Lisa Eldridge Sculpt and Shade Lip Pencil in 1C, £20

If you’re someone who’s often on the go, this little foundation-concealer hybrid pot is a game-changer. It can be applied with your fingers or a brush and gives your skin a really flawless and glowy finish. 

Shop Monika Blunder Beauty Blunder Cover in 4 Vier at Space NK, £45

This handy complexion pencil is perfect for on-the-go touch ups. Whether it’s for adding coverage around your nose or brightening your under-eyes, a quick scribble and blend and you’re good to go. 

Shop Jones Road The Face Pencil in Shade 09, £24

Another blusher I’m loving at the moment – this little jelly formula is instantly cooling on the skin and leaves your complexion with a sheer and dewy finish that looks really glowing and fresh. The only downside is that the cooling sensation is really quite addictive, meaning it’s easy to go overboard and apply way too much. 

Shop Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint in Chill at Space NK, £22

I’m not really a lipstick wearer but if I do want a lip look, this is what I’m currently reaching for. The perfect pinky-toned nude, it adds a little something more to your everyday lip look and pairs perfectly with the Lisa Eldridge lip liner. 

Shop Vieve Satin Slip Lipstick in Nightie at Cult Beauty, £21

Another brilliant SPF that’s always in my make-up bag (I’m pretty sure I  have ones in my car and gym bag too), La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios is a cult classic. It ticks all the boxes of SPF: lightweight, wears well under make-up, gives broad spectrum protection and won’t break you out. Big tick. 

Shop La Roche-Posay UVMUNE Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50 at Lookfantastic, £20

While it’s not technically make-up, I found this travel size fragrance in my make-up bag too and thought it was worth mentioning. Jo Malone’s miniature travel sizes are not only fantastic for when you’re heading abroad – but their dinky size makes them perfect for popping in your bag every day. Wood Sage & Sea Salt is my favourite subtle fragrance that’s fresh, earthy and moreish – it suits all occasions. 

Shop Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Travel Size Cologne, £18