The Holy Grail Edit

Having worked as a makeup artist for close to a decade, I have accumulated more favourites and go-to products than I could ever list! I am constantly trying new ranges, brands and products to keep up-to-date with the rapid advancements in our cosmetic industry. Some of my favourites are golden oldies (Clarins Beauty Flash Balm has not changed it's formula for over 20 years!) and some are brand new from product houses that use very modern and advanced technology, such as Hourglass and Chantecaille. Here I have listed a few of the products that I would feel lost without. Have you tried any of them? What products could you not live without?

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

An oil-free, light-weight foundation that does not feel or look like you are wearing makeup. The coverage is buildable and it blends seamlessly, allowing your makeup to look natural from application until bedtime! The silicone and water based formulation makes it very versatile for use with a range of liquids, powders, creams and other mediums. Click here for link

Hourglass Veil Primer

Although expensive (now £96 for 60ml!) this multi-tasking primer is unbeatable in performance. It literally repels water, keeping your makeup waterproof and in place all day long. It reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines, as well as calming redness. Using this primer gives me total confidence that my client's makeup will have staying power. Click here to buy

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector

This liquid highlighter photographs beautifully. Ultra-fine, light reflecting mica particles create a very subtle shimmer, highlighting facial contours and making the skin look healthy, radiant and "expensive". Click here to buy

Kevyn Aucoin - The Essential Mascara

A game-changing product for those with short, barely-there lashes. As well as giving volume and curl, this innovative formula contains fibres that cling to the ends of your lashes, giving a false lash effect. The consistency is a little dry and thick which make it harder to apply, but when used properly the effect is dramatic. Click here to buy

Tom Ford Lip Colour

You know a lipstick is good quality when it smells good. It even tastes good! Sumptuously rich in texture with a luxuriously plump appearance on the lips, this highly pigmented buttery formula photographs well and is a firm favourite. Click here to buy

Clinique Airbrush Concealer

This concealer has the perfect balance of light-reflection and colour pigment. The appearance on the skin is weightless and soft whilst managing to cover dark shadows. Click here to buy

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat

Charlotte Tilbury's velvety Lip Cheat pencil has quickly become a rival to my long-standing favourite Bobbi Brown lip pencil. The smooth texture glides on effortlessly and can make the pout look fuller whilst stopping lipstick from feathering. Pillowtalk is the perfect shade for use with my favourite Tom Ford Lip Colour shades. Click here to buy

Laura Mercier - Secret Brightening Powder

This not-so-secret brightening powder is perfect for wedding makeup or any event that will be photographed. It sets even the creamiest of under eye concealers, reflects light, blurs imperfections and never looks cakey on the delicate skin around the eye area. Click here to buy

Urban Decay Naked2 Basics

All of the palettes by Naked Decay are superb quality but recently I have found that I am using this particular one from the new Basics range more and more. The universally flattering matte shades work well in combination with the shimmering shadows from the other palettes. Click here to buy

Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Edit

Absolute magic! I have previously found that after using a setting powder at the end of makeup application, even when using the best quality setting powders, the makeup can often lose a bit of it's sparkle and appear to have been dulled. Using these high-tech ambient lighting powders by Hourglass after the setting powder injects radiance and life back into the complexion. Designed to contour, highlight, blush, brighten and set all in one palette, the combination of these powders is the ultimate way to give clients what I like to call "expensive" looking skin. Unfortunately, the palette appears to have just sold out in the UK, but 5 out of the 6 powders are sold individually. Retailers include Net-a-Porter, SpaceNK and John Lewis