My Holy Grail Products

This post is going to be my definitive Makeup Holy Grail! They aren't 100% without their faults but they're GOOD...

Face Primer: Benefit's The Porefessional (£24.50)

I have quite large visible pores and this one is The One in terms of making them look 1000x better! I put off buying this for so long as I thought it was too expensive for the size but trust me, it's worth it. I also feel it provides a generally smooth base for my foundation as well as prolonging my base makeup.

Foundation: MAC Studio Fix Fluid (£21.50)

This was (I think) my first 'proper' foundation. I was having no luck finding anything right on the high street so my mum wisely took me to MAC and the rest of our love affair is history...I think I subconsciously compare every foundation I try to this one and nothing ever quite does it for me like this does. The colour match is spot on (their range is extensive) and it creates such a flawless coverage. It holds back my shine but it's not matte as such. The only thing I can think of as a negative is the fact that it isn't so much of a build-able coverage (it's kind of medium/full right off the bat), which means I tend to reserve it for nights out. Also the fact you have to buy a pump separately...

Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22)

Blemishes? Check. Dark Circles? Check? Good Coverage? Check. Non-Cakey? Check. Long-Lasting? Check. A Perfect Colour Match? Check. You get the picture!

Powder: Bourjois Healthy Balance Compact Powder (£8.99)

This is pretty much the one and only powder for me. It holds back my shine but allows a bit of radiance through; it's not too flat or matte.

Blusher: Nars Orgasm Blush (£23)

Yes, it's cliche but this is Nars' most popular shade for a reason! I think it's pretty much universally flattering, you can wear it any time of year and for any occasion. It's a gorgeous peach with a slight gold shimmer running through. It's so easy to apply and it's one I get a LOT of use out of (well, if you're going to spend £20-something on a blusher...)

Contour and Highlight: Sleek Face Form Kit in Medium (£9.99)

I have one or two other separate highlighter and contour products that I really like. However, this is the product that does it all for me. It's available in 4 different shades so everyone's catered for, my only problem with this is that I'm not really a bronzer kind of gal so that pretty much goes unused. Personally I'd have preferred the Rose Gold blusher that comes with the lighter shades (then it would've been my ultimate face product that does everything!) However the contour shade has the perfect amount of pigmentation and can be blended out really easily and the golden-champagne highlight is stunning for day or night.

Brows: Sleek Brow Kit in Dark (£8.49) & e.l.f. Essential Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara (£1.95) 

These are two budget gems! I think the Sleek Brow Kit is basically the same as Benefit's Brow Zings, but I included this due to the fact it's soooo much cheaper. You get the wax on an angled brush and get shaping and filling in your tails, then dust the powder through the parts you don't need so much coverage. Then you set it with the brow end of the e.l.f. product, which leaves your brows tamed and in place all day (but not stiff!) I don't tend to use the clear mascara end but it hardly matters at that price.

Eye Primer: e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer in Sheer (£1.95)

Another unbelievably cheap Elf product I use every day! I've tried Urban Decay's offerings but I always gravitate back to this to show the eyeshadow's colour to it's full potential as well as to make the formula last all day long.

Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked Palette (£38) & KIKO Long-Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 38 Golden Taupe (£7.90)

I've picked one single cream shadow and one powder palette. My palette is of course the Urban Decay Naked; the quality of the formula is second to none. I think you have every matte and shimmer shade you need for a neutral eye for day or night. If I could only have one palette; this is the one that has it all. Naked through to Dark House are my most-loved shades with Half Baked (a bright gold shimmer) being my absolute favourite. I love the entire KIKO cream shadow stick line but I've picked one to represent the lot and that is 38 Golden Taupe. It's a shimmery taupe shade perfect for any cool-toned neutral eye look. The formula is what I really want to rave about: they're so unbelievably creamy! You get plenty of time to blend it out before it sets and doesn't budge, crease or transfer all day. You can sheer it out across the lid, use it as an eyeliner or as a base. The KIKO range is absolutely vast too.

Mascara: Benefit's They're Real (£19.50)

Mascara is a really individual thing so I'm not going to tell you you'll definitely love it. However for me personally it's the One; it lengthens, it separates, it adds volume. It just does everything! I love the 'wow' factor it adds to my eye look and this is one I'll forever re-purchase.

Eyeliner: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper ($19)

I only recently got my hands on this from the US but my goodness, this just does all of the things for me. I thought my other eyeliners were pigmented but this makes them look grey and wishy-washy! The precise and extremely flexible tip means you can get the perfect feline flick.

Lipstick: MAC Satin Lipstick in Twig (£15.50)

Again this is more a case of me choosing my most-worn shade to represent and entire range. MAC has the most amazing range of colours and finishes I feel like I'll never get bored! Twig is just a gorgeous semi-matte mauve/dusky pink that I cannot stop wearing. I know everyone loves Velvet Teddy but for me this shade is even better.

What do you think of my picks and what are your Holy Grail products?

 

Don't forget to follow me on:

Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram

Share:

beauty, holy grail products, makeup