Credit: Courtesy of brands; Charlotte Bitmead
Make-up
“I’m a senior beauty writer and these are the make-up brands I reach for constantly”
30 days ago
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6 min read
My social media feed is inundated with new brands and viral make-up products, which can often make it overwhelming to know what’s really worth the hype. However, these are the brands that have cut through the noise and remain a staple in my make-up bag.
As I test beauty products for a living, one of the most common questions I get asked is: “What are the make-up brands you actually use?” And while I’m diligent in trying (almost) everything that lands on my desk (I only have one face, after all), the products might be one-hit wonders from a brand or I may never return to them or top them up once they’ve run out.
If you then add social media recommendations into the mix alongside new beauty brands entering the scene, it can be overwhelming to keep up with the make-up products that are worth investing in. I’m here to give you an inside look into my make-up bag to help cut through the noise.
Here, I give you a rundown of the make-up from the brands I use daily and have stood the test of time despite my constant beauty testing.
From the cult products to the brands that don’t get enough attention, here are the make-up brands I always come back to.
Beauty writer recommended make-up brands
Fenty Beauty
There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t use Fenty Beauty. When it launched back in 2017, it was one of the first brands that had a foundation pale enough for my skin tone, which meant I didn’t have to mix it with lightening drops on the back of my hand.
I’ve gone through bottles of the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation – it’s my most-used foundation of all time – and there’s never not a Gloss Bomb in my handbag. Its Stunna Lip Pain Longwear Fluid Lip Colour is my go-to for weddings and concerts as the formula stays put through anything. Thank you, Riri.
Other stand-out products: Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara, Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer and Fenty Beauty We’re Even Hydrating Longwear Concealer.
Shop Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color at Sephora UK, £22
Refy
I’ll admit that when Refy first launched on the scene, it was completely off my radar, but after trying launch after launch, it’s slowly but surely won me over – even its latest move into skincare.
From the newly reformulated Lip Sculpts that last from morning until dusk to the Gloss Highlighter that’s become my signature for adding warmth and glow to my skin, the signature concrete grey packaging can always be found in my make-up bag.
Other stand-out products: Refy Brow Tint, Refy Cream Blush, Refy Lip Blush, Refy Blur Liner.
Merit
While you can find my full review breaking down each product I love from the minimalist celeb-approved beauty brand here, I’ll give you the CliffsNotes version. I was hooked on Merit Beauty as soon as I tried its creamy, hydrating and buildable formulas and have not put them down since. The Minimalist Complexion Stick was my most-used foundation of last year, while I reach for the Flush Balms daily for giving me cherub cheeks in just a few haphazard swipes.
It’s hard to pick a favourite, but the Signature Lightweight Lipstick in matte finishes have got me more compliments than any other lipsticks in my stash. The velvety, blurred effect they give lips provides you with a chic but bold look.
Other stand-out products: Merit Beauty Day Glow Highlighting Balm, Merit Beauty Bronze Balm and Merit Beauty Solo Shadow Matte Eye Colour.
L’Oréal Paris
I’m very picky when it comes to mascara (flaking, transfer and eye irritation are a no-go in my books), which is why I believe L’Oréal Paris trumps them all. Its Panorama Mascara has lasted me through weddings, festivals and holidays without a smudge in sight, and my lashes have never looked so defined.
The L’Oréal Paris Lumi Les Glass Stick is one of the newest additions to my make-up bag and it’s ace at delivering glass-like skin in one swipe, while the Paradise Le Shadow Stick Eyeshadow is just as simple to use and provides a crease-free eye look.
Other stand-out products: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Brow Lamination Clear, L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion and L’Oréal Paris False Lash Telescopic Mascara.
Shop L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara Black at Boots, £12.99
Lisa Eldridge Beauty
When the legendary make-up artist first launched her namesake brand, trying to order products was like attempting to get Glastonbury tickets – that’s how quickly they sold out. Thankfully, it’s a bit easier to get hold of these days, and my make-up bag is thankful.
For me, Lisa Eldridge Beauty stands out because of its complexion products and, specifically, the perfect undertones. The Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint is like glass skin in an egg-shaped package, while the iconic True Velvet Lip Colour is my favourite lipstick formula to date for the velvet effect it delivers.
I pick up the Seamless Glide Eye Pencil whenever I’m after a smoked-out winged liner because it’s easy to blend but doesn’t budge once dry.
Other stand-out products: Lisa Eldridge Pinpoint Concealer Micro Correcting Pencil and Lisa Eldridge Baume Embrace Melting Lip Colour.
Vieve
My make-up routine doesn’t begin without Vieve’s Skin Nova as the first step. The glow-giving primer had me ditching foundation for weeks over the summer – yes, it’s that good.
I haven’t put down the Nova Glow Liquid Light in the newest ‘Ballerina’ shade since it launched, and I’ve got so many friends hooked on the Modern Radiance Cream Bronzer for its bronzed dewy finish without any unwanted orange undertones.
Other stand-out products: Vieve Sunset Blush Balm, Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm and Vieve Satin Slip Lipstick.
Victoria Beckham Beauty
While I was more Sporty Spice growing up, Victoria Beckham’s namesake line has got me fangirling all over again. I’ve never gone through an eyeliner quite so quickly as I have done with the brand’s Satin Kajal Liner. It creates VB’s signature smoky eye look in just a sketch, with no tugging or eye irritation.
In true 90s fashion, I’m a huge fan of the Posh Lipstick and Lip Definer for their cool-toned shades and hydrating formulas. Plus, the packaging is the definition of luxe.
Other stand-out products: Victoria Beckham Beauty BabyBlade and Victoria Beckham Beauty Cheeky Posh.
Shop Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner at Victoria Beckham Beauty, £32
EspressOh
No, this isn’t Sabrina Carpenter’s secret beauty brand. This got its name from its caffeine-infused line that’s designed to give your make-up bag a pick-me-up. You may have seen the powder peach packaging on social media, and I’m pleased to report it’s worth the hype.
The Hey Broh clear brow gel gives my arches the fullness and plumped effect of a brow lamination whilst being conditioning and flake-free. The hi_liner is my favourite liquid eyeliner of all time. I’ve even worn it in thunderstorms, and it does not run or transfer. Meanwhile, the Aroma Light coffee-scented lippie provides the perfect blurred ‘your lips but better’ effect without skimping on hydration.
Other stand-out products: Oh.Sole Mio Blush and Glassy Blush.
Images: courtesy of brands
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