Our Favourite Make-Up Brands For Sensitive Skin
@IliaBeauty
Ilia
Sasha Plasvic founded Ilia back in 2011, right when the ‘clean beauty’ movement started gaining momentum. Driven by a desire to strip everything back and lean into the concept of skincare-powered make-up, the brand excels in hybrid formulas. Guaranteed to make you appear well rested, the Sunshift Cream Bronzer is like golden hour in a compact, and its silky cream-powder texture melts into skin like a dream. Then, as hay fever season ramps up, Limitless Lash is a great mid-price option – the formula is ophthalmologist-tested and suitable for contact-lens wearers. It really opens up the eyes, and the newly launched brown shade feels pretty and understated for everyday.
Visit ILIABEAUTY.COM
@ByAmiCole
Ami Colé
With a wealth of experience under her belt, including roles at L’Oréal and Glossier, Senegalese-American Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye set about building her own make-up brand. Having struggled to find beauty products that suited her, she wanted to create a line that would enhance melanin-rich skin and so, in 2020, Ami Colé was born. Everything is formulated without endocrine disruptors – as soon as it hits the UK, we have our eye on the bestselling Skin Tint.
Visit AMICOLE.COM
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@Merit
Merit
One of the most successful newcomers in recent years, it’s hard to believe Merit’s only been around since 2021. But actually, the idea of a minimalist beauty brand started brewing in the mind of serial entrepreneur Katherine Power – founder of Who What Wear and skincare label Versed – as early as 2017. Free from parabens, sulphates, artificial fragrances and a whole host of other potential irritants, Merit’s formulas are designed with sensitive skin in mind. There are too many gems to mention, but right now we’re hooked on the new lip liners – perfect for achieving that blurred effect.
Visit MERITBEAUTY.COM
Saie
Created by former Estée Lauder executive Laney Crowell in 2019, Saie is another ‘clean’ beauty brand that has drawn a devoted following. Focusing on high-performance, skin-friendly formulas, the brand’s ‘no list’ of ingredients is pretty extensive, hitting more than 2,000. In keeping with the less-is-more approach, the quintessential Saie look has a fresh, youthful quality to it. If you’re not sure where to start, it does some brilliant glow-boosters that you can either mix in with your chosen base or press over the top of your cheekbones as the final touch.
Visit SAIEHELLO.COM
@SaieBeauty
Tower 28
Having worked in the industry for 15 years, Tower 28 founder Amy Liu struggled with eczema and frequent flare-ups until she set about formulating products free from irritants that could still nourish the skin. The line-up is concise, and each product earns its keep. Tower 28’s bestselling SOS Rescue Spray rightly gets the biggest fanfare – it’s brilliant but the make-up is not to be overlooked. BeachPlease breathes life back into the face and SunnyDays feels light and breathable, but the coverage is more robust than other tinted SPFs.
Visit TOWER28BEAUTY.COM
@Tower28Beauty
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@RMSBeauty
RMS Beauty
Celebrity make-up artist Rose-Marie Swift felt inspired to create RMS Beauty in 2009 after dealing with various health issues. Celebrated for its commitment to using raw, food-grade and organic ingredients without compromising on colour pay-off or staying power, the brand has received the supermodel seal of approval, counting the likes of Hailey Bieber and Gisele Bündchen among its fans. If you buy one thing, try Eyelights – an easy one-and-done cream shadow. Simply smooth it over the entire lid using your ring finger to brighten your natural eye colour with the light-reflective pigment. If you prefer something a little more low-key for day-to-day wear, it now comes in a cashmere-matte finish.
Visit RMSBEAUTY.COM
@BareMinerals
bareMinerals
Back in 1995, Leslie Blodgett pioneered the idea of mineral make-up when she launched bareMinerals. Three decades later, the brand is still recommended by dermatologists to patients dealing with sensitive skin. Gentle and hypoallergenic, the formulas are effective and not overcomplicated – in fact, the much-lauded Original Loose Powder Foundation contains just five ingredients. Also, the brushes are great quality.
Visit BAREMINERALS.CO.UK
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