My Beauty World: @TheAnnaEdit

I spend a lot of time browsing the new-in pages on Space NK and Cult Beauty. I have to admit, I probably check those pages every single day. They just have such a good range of niche, prestige brands, as well as newer, fun things. A brand I’ve discovered recently is Tower28. It does some lovely cream blushers and its lip glosses are great too – super juicy, but non-sticky. There’s a tinted SPF product out in the US that I can’t wait to get my hands on.

My auntie works as a beautician and when I was young, she gave me a nail file, a nail bath and some orange sticks that she no longer needed. For me, it was the best day ever. I soaked my hands until they became prunes. But I loved the whole ritual of it and the experience of taking care of myself.

Trust me, curling your lashes really does make a world of difference – so invest in a good tool. Likewise, if you can find a place near you that does good LVL then keep it close and never let it go. If you have good lashes and brows, nothing else matters. Another rule I follow is oiling up my cuticles as often as I can. It really helps to keep the condition of your hands and fingers tip-top, plus it prolongs the life of a manicure. My final advice – and I should practise what I preach here – is that when you add skincare items into your routine, do so one at a time. It allows you to see how your skin barrier reacts before you start layering on too much in one go. 

Glossier’s FutureDew is one of my favourite beauty products of all time. The brand bills it as the last step of your skincare routine, but I use it as the first step of my make-up routine. I take one pump all over my face to create a glowing, primed base, or I’ll mix a little with my foundation, using a flat-top brush to buff everything in for extra luminosity. Another repeat buy for me is MAC’s Face & Body Foundation. You can build it up for more medium coverage, or use just a small amount to have a sheer layer of something. It’s the definition of ‘your skin, but better’. Patrick Ta’s Major Brow Lamination Gel is the only brow product I use – I recommend just one swipe for each brow, then making sure you don’t touch them until the end of the day as it has a tendency to ball up a bit. If you’re after a natural, fluffy effect, you’ll love this. For mascara, it has to be Giorgio Armani’s Eyes To Kill Wet Mascara. My lashes are extremely straight, so they need a waterproof formula like this to hold curl and give a fluttery effect. Finally, I’m never without the Augustinus Bader Lip Balm. It’s one of the best I’ve ever used, with a velvety, butter texture I can’t get enough of. I like my lip products to have a soft effect and not be too shiny on the lips. This fulfils that brief perfectly.

I’ve used Bumble & Bumble’s Sunday Shampoo for years. My hair gets greasy within a matter of hours, but this helps to clarify my lengths without stripping my scalp – I get a whole two days out of my hair before having to wash it again with this. I love Beauty Pie’s Detox Shampoo, too. It’s similar, but cheaper than Bumble & Bumble if you’re a member. Finally, I know it’s a cliché, but I really do rate Oribe’s Dry Texturising Spray – it’s as good as everyone says it is.