10 essential makeup must-haves

Like food, air and water, makeup is a basic necessity, although knowing exactly what to buy out of the hundreds of products on offer can make shopping more of a pain than pleasure. Make things a little easier with this list of essential beauty must-haves and a few of my favourite products.

BB cream

Also known as a multi-tasking miracle in a tube, BB cream is a foundation, moisturiser, primer and toner in one. Offering buildable coverage that not only hides blemishes but also treats them, this double-duty dream cream is the ultimate beauty-bag staple.

Try: Garnier Skin Perfector All-In-One BB Cream - £9.99

Red lipstick

Just one swipe of a classic red lippy can transform a look from boardroom to bar creating the ultimate confidence boost. With a shade to match every skin tone and a colour to suit every taste – just like a signature scent, every girl should own one.

Try: L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Collection Pure Reds - £6.99

Bronzer

A good bronzer can contour, define and instantly warm up your face. Use it to add definition by brushing into the hollows of cheeks or add a touch of shimmer by applying to the nose, cheekbones and forehead for that just-back-from-holiday glow.

Try:  Barry M After Glow Bronzer - £5.69

Lengthening mascara

Long, luscious lashes are the desire of every lady therefore investing in a good-quality mascara is key. Just a few coats can make a huge impact and emphasise eyes making them look big, bright and beautiful – just like the person behind them.

Try: Benefit They're Real Mascara - £19.50

Eyebrow kit

Eyebrows frame the face, balance features and define your eyes, so it’s important to get them right. The secret to achieving great brows is to highlight the bone directly underneath before filling in hairs with a pencil or powder which is slightly darker than your natural hair colour.

Try: Sleek Makeup Brow Kit - £8.49

Micellar water

Once a well-kept secret of the French, this cleanser, toner and make-up-remover in-one is the ultimate solution to gorgeous, glowing skin. Using tiny particles to melt away dirt and impurities, micellar water is a much gentler alternative to harsh face wipes and makeup removers.

Try: Garnier Cleansing Micellar Water - £4.99

Moisturiser

Beauty starts at the base and there’s no product more effective than a good face cream. For optimal results use both a day and night cream and choose products that are best suited to your skin-type. For day choose a cream with added SPF which provides that all-important UV protection and at night an ultra-hydrating lotion will see you waking with super-nourished skin each morning.

Try: Vitamin C Daily Moisturiser SPF30 - £14.00

Dry shampoo

For days when you’re short on time this light-weight powder formula is a hair-care saviour. Effectively absorbing excess oil, dirt and odor, dry shampoo is a quick and easy way to clean hair and leave it looking fresh without even getting wet.

Try: Batiste Floral & Flirty Dry Shampoo - £2.99

Concealer
Whether you're looking to hide under-eye circles, small blemishes or that annoying red pimple, concealer is the answer. A true beauty hero when it comes to disguising imperfections and signs of a late night, this little gem is a makeup-bag must.
Try: Seventeen Phwoarr Paint - £4.99

Eyeliner

A simple flick of liner in the corner of each eye can completely transform a look and make you feel 100 times sexier in seconds. Invest in an easy-to-use liquid liner pen to create the perfect cat-eye in seconds.

Try: L'Oréal Paris Super Liner - £6.49

Garnier skincare

I recently decided to step up my skincare routine after having a consultation with a skincare expert and realising that makeup removal wipes just won't cut it anymore.

I've always been a fan of Garnier skincare as it's affordable and seems to work well with my skin.

Here's a few of the key products in my routine...

Garnier Moisture Match Illuminating Lotion Protect & Glow

Although my foundation already contains SPF 15 I like to apply a protective moisturiser to provide as much coverage as possible and keep those pesky dark spots and signs of sun damage at bay.

I find the Moisture Match lotion works as a great base and absorbs quickly so you can apply foundation straight away without having to wait around.

It does seem to brighten a dull complexion and provide moisture without being too greasy which is perfect for normal/dry skin like mine.

Garnier Clean & Soft Complete Cleansing Milk & Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water

My previous makeup removal routine consisting of face wipes has been replaced by a much skin-friendlier micellar water and cleanser. 

After having my consultation I realised how bad face wipes are for skin and while you may not see the damages now they will definitely become more noticeable in the future.

Micellar water is a much gentler way of removing makeup and doesn't damage the sensitive skin around the eye area like wipes do.

Together with the softening cleansing milk they remove even the most stubborn dirt and makeup and leave skin feeling fresh, clean and super soft. 

I have definitely noticed a difference in my complexion and skin's appearance since switching and despite my makeup removal taking slightly longer, there's definitely no going back.

Garnier Skin Naturals Moisture + Restore Night & Garnier Clean & Soft Cream Pot

I have always used separate day and night creams and no matter how tired I am I moisturise first thing in the morning and last thing at night without fail.

 Every now and again I like to switch up creams as I find when my skin becomes too familiar with one product it stops working so well.

I decided to switch from L'Oreal Paris to Garnier and noticed a difference straight away.

While I love L'Oreal products I found that my skin immediately became softer and blemishes appeared reduced within days of using the Garnier Soft Cream Pot and Moisture Restore Night Cream.

The creams are extremely lightweight and absorb quickly to leave skin soft, dewy  and sporting a healthy glow. They also smell delicious too which is a bonus.

Garnier Summer Body Moisturising Lotion

As someone who likes to sport a healthy glow all year round the Garnier Summer Body Moisturising Lotion is the perfect solution to all-over, subtly sun kissed skin.

The lotion dries quickly meaning you don't have to hang about to get changed and although it can be a little patchy and leave streaks if your'e not careful, 9 times out of 10 it creates a nice even tan and leaves skin moisturised and looking a little less pasty during the colder months.

Have you tried any Garnier products? Which do you recommend?

Holly xx

*Post has not been sponsored by Garnier, all views and opinions are my own.

Inecto Naturals Coconut

Inecto are a British beauty brand who focus on 100% natural beauty using only sustainably sourced ingredients and organic oils. 

All of their products are vegetarian and vegan friendly, and are never tested on animals.

Having already tried several products from the Inecto Naturals Coconut range I was extremely excited to try the new Deliciously Rich Coconut Bath and Shower Cream and Super Scrub Coconut Body Scrub.

Both products smell equally delicious and automatically transport you to an exotic destination with their sweet tropical scent.

The Super body scrub is the perfect combination of small exfoliating beads and nourishing organic coconut oil which boosts circulation and buffs away dead cells leaving skin feeling silky smooth and sporting a healthy glow.

The bath and shower cream is exactly what it says on the bottle - thick, creamy and deliciously rich. The cream forms a luxurious lather that you can feel moisturising your skin as you wash leaving it clean, soft and smelling good enough to eat.

Both products have become an essential part of my summer skincare routine and are a definite must for getting beach body ready and preparing to slip into those sexy summer shorts.

Have you tried any products from the Inecto range? Which ones are your favourite?

Holly xx


*PR Samples

How to master natural makeup

Sometimes it’s nice to keep makeup minimal and opt for a more natural look.

Not only does it save you time in the morning, wearing less makeup also benefits your skin by allowing it to breathe and giving it a much needed rest from heavy layers of product which clog pores and cause breakouts.

Here’s how you can master a beautifully natural look in a matter of minutes.

Base

Opt for a tinted moisturiser over foundation which moisturises while still providing coverage.

BB and CC creams are also excellent for creating a natural look and provide antioxidants and SPF protection while still covering redness and blemishes.

Try…

Nivea Visage Tinted Moisturising Crème - £3.65

The Body Shop Vitamin E Cool BB Cream - £11

L'Oréal Paris Nude Magique CC Cream SPF 12 - £9.99

Eyes

Hide under-eye bags and dark circles by applying concealer from the inner corners working outwards. Follow with a nude eye pencil applied to the inner rim which will create brightness. Finish the look by curling lashes to enhance your eye shape and give a wide-eyed look.

Try...

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint - £5.49

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Nude Kohl Liner - £3.99

Models Own Eyelash Curler - £7.00

Cheeks
Create a soft flush with a swipe of blush on the apples of your cheeks. Peachy pinks enhance a pale complexion while darker shades work better on tanned skin.

Try...
Bourjois Blush Exclusif - £8
Rimmel Long Lasting Finish - £3.99
NARS Gaiety - £22.50

Lips

Avoid chapped lips by exfoliating regularly. Most lipsticks can be drying so use a balm to keep lips smooth while also adding a hint of colour. Some lip balms also have the added bonus of SPF protection which is essential for summer time.

Try…

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub - £5.50

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in Cherry Me - £2.99

Carmex Lip Balm SPF 15 in Pomegranate - £3.50

Benefit Lolli Balm - £14.50

What are your favourite products for a natural look? Any good tips?

Holly xx

Garnier Moisture Match Illuminating Light Lotion

Despite the never ending advice about the importance of wearing sun protection, it's only been recently that I've paid full attention and decided to invest in an SPF moisturiser in an attempt to protect my skin from the sun.

As I've gotten older, I've started to notice changes to my skin such as colour pigmentation and the formation of brown spots - both of which are caused by sun damage, so now I try to do all I can to prevent aging and keep my skin looking its best.

Garnier Moisture Match Illuminating Light Lotion claims to offer 24 hour hydration and SPF20 while also brightening and illuminating the skin. 

I found that it works as a fantastic base under foundation. The cream is fairly light and absorbs straight away, and has a delicious smell that reminds me of holiday - I can't quite place my finger on what it is but it smells goood. 

It lives up to its claims of 'brightening' and 'illuminating' and I notice an instant glow after using it, my skin definitely feels softer and looks more radiant.

I will definitely be stocking up on this for the summer months to give my skin that little extra protection and hopefully prevent the first signs of aging!

Do you use an SPF moisturiser? Which brands would you recommend?

Holly xx

Current skincare favourites

Looking after your skin is extremely important, so along with drinking plenty of water and trying to eat as healthily as possible, I love discovering new products that help care for my skin on the outside and enhance its natural glow.

I have been a L'Oreal fan for as long as I can remember and I simply cannot fault any of their products. From haircare to skincare to makeup - I love it all - and the fact that it's reasonably priced and usually on offer somewhere is a bonus.

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Exfoliator

I remember using this exfoliator when it was first released and found that it did as it said on the tin. The formula is gentle and leaves skin smooth and refreshed without causing redness. The only improvement I can suggest is the orangey smell - which isn't unpleasant, however I prefer sweeter, less citrusy smelling products.

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Gel-Cream Wash

My morning skincare routine involves washing my face with this soothing, creamy gel wash before applying my moisturiser. This is my favourite product and is the perfect way to wake up my skin in the morning. The smell is delicious and my skin feels peachy soft, refreshed and has a healthy glow after using it. 

L'Oreal Triple Active Day and Night Moisturiser

I simply love this duo. The smell alone reminds me of lavish beauty counters in high-end department stores where you are surrounded by amazing products and beautiful women - I feel like they add a touch of luxury to my routine. 

Both creams are extremely gentle so I imagine they would be suitable for all skin types. Since using them my skin feels so soft - even first thing in the morning. The cream absorbs almost straight away and isn't greasy in the slightest.

I started using them over two weeks ago and although the pots are quite small, I still have around half a pot of each left, so a little goes a long way. 

The only improvement I can suggest is adding SPF to the day cream as sun protection is important, although I usually apply a foundation with SPF over the top when I go out so I am still protected.

Maybelline Babylips Dr Rescue Lipbalm 

My final skincare favourite is the new Dr Rescue balm from Maybelline. I have spoken before about my love of the Babylips range and seem to have built up a healthy collection of the balms. 

I love how they care for my lips while adding a touch of colour to enhance my daytime 'no-makeup, makeup' look. My dry and chapped lips are instantly rescued with one slick and it leaves a peachy pink tint with a hint of minty freshness. 

A current staple in my handbag wherever I go!

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?

Holly xx