The Products Make-Up Artists Think You Should Own
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer, £25
Recommended By: Make-up artist, Ruby Hammer MBE
“Everyone should own a great concealer. My favourite is Laura Mercier’s, which is excellent for covering pigmentation and is heavy duty enough for a no-budge finish. Try using it with a tiny brush, applying it only where it’s needed, for best results.”
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
NARS The Multiple, £30
Recommended By: Make-up artist, Kenneth Soh
“If you only stockpile one product, it’s got to be NARS The Multiple. You can use it as a blush, bronzer or eyeshadow, and its creamy texture is easy to layer and build. It brings instant colour and warmth to any complexion, and brightens the eyes, while plumping and defining the lips, too. You can’t go wrong.”
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF50+, £41
Recommended By: Make-up artist, Dana Vaughan
“It’s truly back-to-basics, but everyone should own a solid sunscreen. It’s the number one product to prevent premature ageing, and since that’s the main thing we all want, it’s key to use one daily to delay wrinkles. SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense is expensive, but so worth it for the sheer texture that sinks in fast and gives skin a subtle glow. It works well with other formulas, too, and doesn’t hurt or sting the eyes.”
Available LookFantastic.co.uk
Esse Sensitive Protect Oil, £55
Recommended By: A-List make-up artist, Caroline Barnes
“This is a product I was introduced to a few months back and now I’m never without it. It’s so rich, but somehow light in texture, so you get the best of both worlds. It gives skin a glossy sheen, while feeding it with intense moisture. You can use it anywhere, too – lips, elbows, the face or any area that needs a bit of extra moisture. Tap a small amount on top of your make-up for extra luminosity.”
Available PfefferSal.co.uk
Sensai Mascara 38°C, £24
Recommended By: Celebrity make-up artist, Mary Greenwell
“I’ve said it before, but this is the best mascara on the market. It works for all lash types to enhance, lengthen and thicken, while keeping everything separated and clump-free. The formula lasts for months, too.”
Available SkinCity.co.uk
Tweezerman Classic Lash Curler, £16
Recommended By: Celebrity Make-up Artist & Former Artistry Manager for Bobbi Brown, Hannah Martin
“Everyone should own a good pair of lash curlers – they’re an overlooked hero. Tweezerman’s classic curlers are the best and fit snugly into every lash line. Just a few seconds spent using them to curl and lift can be a total game-changer. You’ll find your eyes look better, with a curl that makes everything look bigger and brighter – whether you choose to add mascara or not.”
Available LookFantastic.co.uk
Tinker Taylor Lip Kit, £20
Recommended By: SheerLuxe Beauty Contributor & make-up artist, Zoë Taylor
“A lip scrub is an essential. My Tinker Taylor kit is my go-to as it’s a natural way to buff off all of the dry skin and increase blood flow to the area. Not only does this help naturally plump the lips, but the regular massaging movement will increase circulation and lymph flow to remove toxins, puffiness and some fine lines. This allows the skin and lips to look healthier and more youthful.”
Available TinkerTaylorBeauty.com
Vita Liberata Beauty Blur, £29.95
Recommended By: Make-up artist, Mira Parmar
“One product every woman should own is Vita Liberata’s Beauty Blur. It’s so effective and suits everyone. It comes in a range of beautiful shades that give skin a gorgeous and visible glow, while still looking natural and believable. The sheer tint covers, corrects and adds luminosity for a healthy-looking complexion, too. Wear it on its own, or with foundation – either way, you’ll find it’s both versatile and flattering.”
Available Boots.com
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £28
Recommended By: Pro make-up artist & beauty expert, Joy Adenuga
“Multi-tasking products will save you money and time. Top of my list is Elizabeth Arden’s cult Eight Hour Cream. Use it to moisturise the face, illuminate the cheekbones, soothe lips and create glossy eyelids. You can even use a pinch to tame unruly brows and frizz. It’s a true staple that lives up to the hype.”
Available at LookFantastic.com
Weleda Skin Food, £12.95
Recommended By: Make-up artist & beauty author, Lisa Potter-Dixon
“Weleda’s Skin Food is a must-try. It’s an intensive moisturiser, full of skin-enhancing ingredients. Use it to hydrate dry areas, but also to prime the skin before make-up for a dewy, glossy base. Alternatively, you can tap a little on top of make-up as a sheer highlighter. Use it on your cheekbones to add a beautiful, glossy effect that catches the light perfectly.”
Available LookFantastic.com
INIKA Organic Cream Illuminisor In Rose, £23
Recommended By: Celebrity & vegan make-up artist, Em-J
"My one product that I think every women should own is the INIKA cream illuminator. The rose is good for light-olive skin tones and the gold for darker skin. It is like a 3-second facial in a bottle. Just use a little blended into the cheeks and within seconds your cheeks will look more glowing and plump. It can be layered on top of cheek tints and cream colours and adds an incredible glow like no other."
Available at AnikaOrganic.com
Kevyn Aucoin Contouring Powder, £35
Recommended By: Make-up artist & beauty writer, Sophie Tilley
“This iconic powder imparts the perfect amount of ‘shadow’ to your face. Just the right shade combination of brown and griege, it carves out your features by playing with the light. Use it to chisel your cheekbones, sharpen your jawline, straighten your nose and sculpt your eyes – the choice is yours. Subtle, yet seriously effective.”
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Highlighter + Fetish Balm Duo In Bronze, £45
Recommended By: SheerLuxe Beauty Contributor & make-up artist, Adeola Gboyega
“A highlighter is a must-have as it’s the quickest way to perk up a tired and dull-looking complexion. A good one will also add dimension and natural radiance to the skin. My favourite is Pat McGrath’s Labs Skin Fetish: Highlighter + Fetish Balm Duo in Bronze. It comes in two others shades as well, so it suits a variety of complexions. Crafted with both a highlighter (to reflect the light) and a transparent balm, this dual-ended stick is packed with aloe vera, argan oils and hyaluronic acid, so you’ll find it softens skin too, while providing serious glow.”
Available Selfridges.com
YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof Mascara, £28
Recommended By: Make-up artist, Valeria Ferreira
“One product everyone should try is this incredible mascara by YSL. The formula is great as it extends and curls, while the brush is so well designed, it separates every lash to avoid any clumping. Plus, it lives up to its ‘waterproof’ claim. Having swum and done intense workouts while wearing this, it’s always stayed put.”
Available at LookFantastic.com
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.