If these lockdown months (years? decades? centuries?) have done one thing for us, it’s the ability to truly appreciate a minimal make-up look. Whilst our statement lippies and smokey eye palettes have been gathering dust to the long-forgotten realms of the back of our beauty drawer, there’s been some new superhero make-up products getting our faces through the day.
Whilst there’s no escaping the fact that these days we’re lucky if our skin gets a slick of moisturiser, there’s just no beating the burst of feel-good that’s come from finding the time (and the energy) to put on just a teeny bit of mascara/concealer/lip balm. So we thought we’d share some of our most used and most loved minimal products from our make-up bags. The fellas that we’ve been reaching for over and over again in 2020 and into 2021.
We hope you love them as much as we do!
1. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue
Hannah says: “I’ve worn this base – it’s basically a sexy tinted moisturiser – on and off for years. It’s incredibly hydrating, sinks into the skin wonderfully, feels super light and well, makes it look like a better version of itself. Lockdown or breastfeeding (I’m not sure which) has done wonders for my skin, so I’ve felt able to ditch the heavier foundations and rely solely on bareMinerals Complexion Rescue to perk up my skin on the days where I want it to look a little brighter, smoother and glowier.”
2. Benefit Gimme Brow
Gemma says: “Like most 30-something women, I lost a lot of my eyebrows to the “skills” of an overzealous friend trying to perfect that 90s/00s slimline look. Benefit Gimme Brow is my go-to for instant, fluffy brows that belie the absence of actual hair beneath.”
3. Glossier Stretch Concealer
Hannah says: “I ordered this on a bit of a whim last year after seeing The Anna Edit rave about it and well, what can I say, I am seriously impressed. I just love the way it melts so well into the skin and feels so much lighter than any other concealer on the market. If you’ve got a beast of a spot then Glossier’s Stretch Concealer probably won’t make it completely disappear, but if you’ve got some sleep-deprivation circles under your eyes or just want something to boost your tinted moisturiser, this is the one!”
4. IT Cosmetics CC Cream
Gemma says: “While I’m lucky not to really have any skin complaints, I couldn’t be without a base for its instant evening and brightening powers. It was actually Hannah who got me on to IT Cosmestics Your Skin But Better CC cream. Previously, I was devoted to tinted moisturiser but just never felt that is lasted. Foundation always felt a bit on the heavy side for my needs, but IT is like a magical, skin-transforming blend of the two. Like the Goldilocks’ porridge of the beauty world, it’s not too heavy, not too light, just right.”
5. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge
Hannah says: “I used to like dabbling in contouring trends and different bronzers and blushers, but for the past 18 months I have been a creature of habit when it comes to my cheeks – opting for a rosy sweep of cream blusher for that ‘perky and fresh’ kinda look. My go-to is Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge in Fresh Melon, applied with a blusher brush. It blends so wonderfully!”
6. Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara
Gemma says: “While my 2-year-old son has the kind of long, fluttery lashes people would pay good money for, mine are more on the stubby side, so a slick of mascara just makes me feel more awake. I’m currently rotating between Beauty Pie’s Uber Volume Boost (great) and Benefit’s They’re Real that I got a miniature of for Christmas (even better!)
7. Glossier Balm Dot Com
We both say: “Spending so much time outside means our lips are dryer than the Sahara unless we’ve got a lip balm constantly on hand. Glossier’s Balm Dot Com is butter soft and delightful smelling, and we’re yet to try a flavour we haven’t loved. Hannah’s currently got the Rose one in her handbag and Gemma is desperate to try out the Coconut one next”.
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links.
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