Hold onto your plastic ladies, I’m about to reveal the most luxe items currently in my make-up bag.
If you don’t want to be tempted to part with your hard earned cash on frivolous cosmetics then I suggest you look away from the blog. NOW.
Anastasia Beverley Hills Tweezers £22
Spendy for tweezers isn’t it? I originally bought them to style a shoot as you know, pink. But then I actually used them and haven’t looked back. SO precise. They keep going missing and then I find them in my husband’s collection of toiletries – it appears he likes them too. A lot.
I’ve used Tweezerman for years, these are better. I can’t find the pink online but they have chic black at Cult Beauty.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush £38
I am very very particular with my blush. I want subtle luminosity not obvious glitter (whatever “glow” enhancing fibs you are told by brands, as soon as they shove sparkles in a make-up product your pores will be emphasised. Fact). I definitely want a natural sheen – nothing worse than a flat dry powdery finish on the apples of your cheeks. I also want good pigmentation and a blush that lasts for hours and hours without touchups.
I have the Hourglass Ambient Lightening Blush in Radiant Magenta which is a just-flushed pink that is buildable and pretty without any obvious shimmer. The compact is gorgeous too.
I get a decent 6/7 hours wear without having to reapply.
Hourglass Ambient Powder Brush £35
On the subject of Hourglass I’ve had an issue with travel-sized brushes of late and this luxe number is AMAZING. Comes with it’s own velvet pouch (so decadent but actually, so hygienic – and it means your powder doesn’t go all over the inside of your make-up bag) and gives a professional smooth finish. I really like the dimensions – the head feels “full size” yet the clever short handle means it’s perfect for taking anywhere and everywhere.
Estee Lauder Pure Colour Envy Lipstick £26
I’ve mentioned this formulation before, it almost competes with my beloved Charlotte Tilbury but it’s the colour “Potent” that is an absolute winner for me. A dreamy wake-up-your-face peachy pink coral that would suit many skin tones. It’s creamy and easy to apply with an opaque coverage. I also like that even after the main product has worn off, you are left with a satisfying stained lip.
Tom Ford Ultimate Bronzing Powder £72
Thought I would leave the most eye-watering until last. Not least because this summer I seem to have become somewhat obsessed with bronzers (this is possibly the third I have recommended this year). Now then, this is EXCELLENT. A talc free and oil free powder than promises 10 hours of wear. I have it in “Terra” which is a cool toned absolutely NO orange “velvet” matt. Meaning it’s not in the least bit disco ball, but has a very realistic no-make-up “healthy” finish. £72 is ridiculous but it is bloody huge – you get 15g (a normal compact is usually about 8/9g) so price per application is not as spendy as you might initially perceive.
Out of all the bronzers I own this is the easiest to apply, I feel I could do it in the dark and it would still look good, it’s practically mistake proof.
Also I’m pretty sure the reason I bought this in the first place is because a few of you recommended it in the comments section, so don’t blame me blame yourselves – dirty dirty enablers.
Do let me know what is your most blow-the-budget make-up item is in the comments box below. I’ll try really hard not to purchase one for myself.
