Makeup Marvels

Spring clean your makeup bag with the best new beauty buys (and some old favourites) says Lucia Ferrari

Surviving lockdown definitely deserves celebrating and what better way than investing in some new makeup to create the illusion that we may have been in the Alps or enjoyed some Winter sun. In reality most of us were tied to the kitchen sink or clearing up after our children! Here’s my pick of some truly great makeup to look polished, refreshed and rested (even if we don’t feel it!).

Guerlain L’Essentiel High Perfection 24 Hour Foundation, £44 – I’m not normally a fan of matt finish foundations but this one has changed my mind. It’s extremely lightweight yet creates a lovely velvety, peachy looking skin and more or less stays put all day. A winner.

Nars Matte Bronzing Powder, £31 – lovely lightweight new formula which is very buildable, so just use the tiniest amount for a subtle glow. I like using along the hairline and jawline for a sunkissed look. There’s no hint of orange in any of the colours – key for a good bronzer.

Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer and Eraser, £23 – an excellent new concealer particularly good for hiding dark circles. It’s lightweight but gives full coverage and contains Vitamin C and hydrating hyaluronic acid. The colour stays true and doesn’t change once it’s on the skin.

Sensai Mascara 38 degree Volumising, £26 – with the focus very much on the eyes when we’re wearing our masks, a good mascara is key for an instant uplift even for a supermarket trip! I love this mascara as it really makes lashes look elegant and glamorous but not over done.

Surrat Lid Lacquer, £35 (in Kogecha) – a high gloss eyeshadow for day sounds like something I’d never have gone for but it’s SO easy to apply and is so flattering. You just use a finger to dab it on; no brushes required. It literally takes 30 seconds and looks polished and groomed with minimum effort.

Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Health Glow Hydrating Tinted Moisturiser, £35 – great for a fresh, natural glow to your skin; bringing tired skin to life. It comes out of the tube almost white but once blended releases natural tan pigments (and moisturisers) and leaves skin looking radiant with a hint of a tan.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette, £61 – this is the perfect finishing powder to transform good skin into incredible skin. It captures the effects of the most flattering light forms (from morning light to candle light) in this lovely buttery powder. Whenever I wear it, people always ask me what makeup I’m wearing.

Biossance Squalane Rose Vegan Lip Balm, £16 – this is one of the most beautifully textured and effective lipbalms I’ve tried, melting into the lips leaving them with a pretty glow whilst moisturised and protected. It can also be used on cheekbones as a highlighter.

BBBLondon Tinted Brow Gel, £21 – this newly formulated brow styling gel (with a better brush than before) is the next best thing to a professional eyebrow tint. It’s available in three colours with no hint of red and is flattering to all skintones.

With over 25 years’ experience as a beauty journalist working for titles including the Daily Mail, Harpers Bazaar and London’s ES magazine, Lucia is the go-to beauty guru. Passionate about skincare, makeup and the latest tweakments, her many Insta followers love her honest, knowledgeable and of the moment beauty posts and videos. @luciaferraribeauty