WINTER 2025 UPDATES - BEST MAKEUP PRODUCTS
This is a continuation of my Best Products List, where all the makeup products I love most are featured. Here’s how they work and what I like most about each one!
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Makeup and skincare is so personalized to each person - even more so than haircare - so I’ve kept this list pretty short, and general. A lot of these products I use on clients and find they work for most people.
Best Moisturizer AND Primer for Sensitive Skin - Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré’s rich, nourishing formula hydrates deeply while providing a smooth base for makeup, making it ideal for prepping the skin. It’s a staple in my kit that I use on many of my clients, thanks to its ability to calm and hydrate without irritation.
Best Setting Powders:
Huda Beauty’s finely milled powder provides a matte finish with a subtle sheen, effectively controlling shine throughout the day. Its lightweight texture blends seamlessly into the skin, giving it a luminous finish that doesn’t feel heavy. It comes in a variety of shades, catering to different skin tones, and corrective colours.
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starr Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder is designed to deliver a soft matte finish, 24-hour shine control and is suitable for all skin tones. Its finely milled formula blurs imperfections, providing a smooth, airbrushed appearance.
Best Mascaras:
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect (Teal) is a Refinery29 Award Winner for 2023, and for good reason too! It delivers dramatic volume, sculpted length and definition without clumping - resulting in a fluttery false-lash effect. Its separates and defines lashes beautifully, often leaving people wondering if your lashes are real. Bonus? It’s cruelty-free!
Essence Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara (Purple) features a tapered, curved brush that effortlessly creates both volume and perfectly separated lashes. Its black formula sculpts each lash for a fanned out finish, making it versatile for both dramatic and subtle lash looks.
Maybelline Lash Sensational features a curved brush with silicone bristles that define and separate lashes for a lifted fanned-out effect. Its formula adds volume and length for a natural, everyday look with long-lasting wear.
Best Waterproof Mascara - L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Waterproof Lift provides intense length and lit with it’s unique brush, while the waterproof formula ensures it stays in play all day without smudging or flaking. Its perfect for long-lasting, dramatic lashes that withstand sweat, rain or tears - and endures epic jet ski sessions as well!
Best High End Mascaras:
YSL Lash Clash Mascara delivers bold volume and intense black pigment, perfect for creating dramatic, clump-free lashes. Its ultra-flexible brush allows for precise application, building up to the desired intensity while ensuring lashes stay separated. (best for volume)
Benefit BADgal Bang Mascara is known for its gravity-defying formula that delivers extreme volume and length. This lightweight, aerated formula ensures lashes are fully coated without weighing them down, while the slim brush allows for easy access to every lash. (best for lengthening, and lift)
Best Affordable Foundation and Dupe Brand - e.l.f. has become a go-to for high-quality dupes at a fraction of the cost. Their Halo Glow Filter is the perfect dupe for Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter, providing a dewy, radiant finish with buildable coverage. The Power Grip Primer is a budget-friendly alternative to Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip, ensuring your makeup stays put all day. Additionally, their Camo Concealer and Soft Glam Foundation are perfect for full coverage and a flawless finish, making e.l.f. my top recommendation for an everyday makeup routine that gives you luxury at a budget-friendly price.
Best Makeup Brush Cleaner - Cinema Secrets is a professional-grade, quick-drying solution that quickly and effectively removes makeup, including waterproof formulas, without the need for rinsing. It has antimicrobial properties that eliminate 99.99% of bacteria, keeping brushes hygienic while leaving a subtle vanilla scent. This cleanser is popular among makeup artists for its efficiency and convenience, allowing brushes to used almost immediately after cleaning.