What's in the bag?

The world of beauty can be intimidating sometimes. With constant new brands popping up, thousands of YouTube videos being uploaded weekly and countless new products being released, it’s sometimes hard to know where to look. Trust us- we know.

Let’s hear from our beauty editors Madeleine Gill and Michelle Almeida to see which products in their makeup bag they currently can’t seem to get enough of and what they recommend.

Madeleine

My makeup bag is currently overflowing- I need to stop buying new products! But I’m a sucker for supporting small businesses and finding deals and, if there’s a steal deal on, I just can’t help myself.

Here are my five favourite products that are currently in my makeup bag and that I use constantly.

1. Max Factor ‘False Lash Effect’ Mascara (£11.99)

I cannot recommend this product enough. It is the best mascara I have ever tried; it lifts and curls my lashes and gives them an insane amount of volume and drama. I don’t need to wear any falsies with this look (and I love my falsies!) as the mascara makes it look like I’m wearing them anyway. Bonus- it’s just £11.99!

2. L’Oreal ‘Skinny Definer Brow Artist’ Brow Pencil (£7.99)

This little eyebrow pencil I’ve used for a while now and I think it’s one of the best I’ve tried. It’s tiny pencil allows you to mimic strokes of hair whilst still adding plenty of colour. The little spoolie at the end also allows you to brush through your eyebrows and soften the look if you’ve gone a little heavy-handed- which is ironic coming from me, considering the size of my brows.

3. Charlotte Tilbury ‘Filmstar Bronze and Glow’ Face Sculpt and Highlighter Palette (£49)

I promise you, the hefty price-tag is definitely worth it. The palette comes with a bronzer and a highlighter and both products are just as good as the other; the bronzer is soft and pigmented whereas the highlighter packs a subtle but also powerful punch of colour. I’ve used this palette for at least a year now and I still haven’t touched pan.

4. Milk ‘Hydro Grip’ Primer (£13 for 10ml)

I love this primer and cannot recommend it enough . I opted to go for the 10ml size, to try and save some money, but there is so much product in that tube that you really don’t need to go for the 45ml. The product does have a strange texture- it feels almost jelly-like and very sticky when you’re applying and rubbing it in- but it really does hold your foundation and face makeup. Seriously; whenever I’m using this primer my makeup does not budge.

5. Hourglass ‘Vanish Seamless Finish’ Foundation Brush (£45)

Again, this pricy brush is worth its weight in gold. It’s angled brush head means that the brush can adjust itself to the contours of your face and the brush really helps to blend your foundation to a seamless finish, just as the title promises.

Michelle

Choosing the best from amongst my makeup and skincare collection is a pretty tricky task. However, these are the five things I swear by and can never leave home without.

1. Clarins ‘PORE-LESS Blur and Matte Stick (£15)

Having oily skin is quite annoying, especially when wearing makeup and rushing around to classes as I end up looking like a mess whose just ran a marathon. Ever since I discovered the product last year, not a day goes by when I don’t carry it around.

The mattifying stick comes in a compact container that can fit into your pocket, making it convenient to travel around with. All you need to do is dab the product over your face, and it blurs out any shine without making you look cakey- so there’s no need to carry your foundation!

2. Chanel ‘Coco Mademoiselle’ Perfume (£56.50 for 35ml)

I can never walk out of the door without spritzing this perfume and packing it with me wherever I go. After years of experimenting with different fragrances, I finally have my signature scent. I love how the scent is bold, feminine, and has a long-lasting essence.

3. Urban Decay ‘Perversion’ Mascara (£16.80)

I’m not a big fan of false lashes, but I’ve always wanted the lengthening and curling effect that they give. This mascara does exactly that. I used to apply a minimum of two different mascaras to provide me with dramatic lashes but, ever since I’ve tried this out, it’s been one of my favourite products.

4. Makeup Forever ‘Artist Liquid Matte 110' (£15.30)

I’m a sucker for mattifying bold lip colours, especially for night outs and social events. However, for daily wear, this is the one shade I swear by! It is the perfect warm, pink tone and the best part is the matte finish.

5. Sheet Masks/ Eye Patches (Prices Vary)

If there is one thing I splurge on every week, it’s sheet masks and eye patches. Whether I’m on a flight or even pulling an all-nighter at the library, my makeup bag always has sheet masks and eye patches to pop on. This gives my skin a chance to recover.

There you have it- those are our beauty editor’s top picks from their beauty bags. What are your favourite products that you just cannot live without?

Written with Michelle Almeida