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Welcome back for the second part of the Best of Beauty 2024 and in this post, I’m sharing my superstar products in the Makeup, Hair and Fragrance categories. CLICK HERE for the Skincare and Bodycare edition. I should be clear that I am not a makeup guru and not trying to hold myself out to be one either. I tend to stick to pretty basic clean girl looks partly by preference but mostly because anything beyond that is beyond my ability. As I said in the last post, I may have tried a lot of products, but the products I’m sharing here are the ones I will repurchase and/or have repurchased because they are now staples for me. Ok, let’s dive in!
MAKEUP
Foundation | My foundation is from Aunty Pat herself – Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation in Shade 26 – and the name is correct. This foundation really is sublime perfection. Every SINGLE time I wear this foundation, someone comments on my SKIN. They think it’s me. I mean it is me, I bought the foundation so it’s my glow but really really if you want to feel pumped up one day and then low the next, wear the foundation one day and then the next day don’t wear it and watch everyone play silent sam. This foundation really is it. Light but the coverage is crazy, and it gives PERFECT SKIN vibes. If I had to have any beef, it would be the fact it’s so runny, so application can be a bit messy until you get the hang of it. For the warmer months, I go the translucent powder route and MAC Minerallize Skinfinish in Dark Deep is my go-to.
Concealer | You may not believe that it was only during the 2020 panoramic that I discovered concealer. Yep. Same year that I discovered blusher too. And I can’t do my face without either now. Yes, shame. Anyhoo, my go-to concealer is Nars Creamy Concealer in Amande – covers a multitude of sins and I love it for that.
Blusher | Rose Inc Cream Blusher in Azalea has been ever faithful and lasted absolutely forever. A rosy dream! (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself)
Brows | ABH Brow Wiz has had me in a chokehold but a recent new fave is Maybelline Express Brow – simple, effective and affordable.
Eyeliner | One day I will master the art of the cat-eye but until then at least NYX Professional Epic Ink Liquid Eyeliner keeps me looking somewhat decent. Love it.
Mascara | My mascara baes are Maybelline Sky High and L’Oréal Telescopic Lift. TooFaced Better Than Sex was my “going out” mascara go-to for ages but don’t sleep on the L’Oréal Lash Paradise (especially the Lash Primer) – combined, they go crazy for evening time.
Lips | For lip balm, it HAS TO BE the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (Gummy Bear and Berry are my faves), what other option is there? My other lip balm go to during the day is Clarins Hydra-Essentials Lip Balm. For everyday lipsticks, it’s Pat McGrath Lip Fetish in Temptress, Wild Cherry and Ultra Vixen and when I want to go for a sexy red lip, it’s Fenty Beauty Stunna in Uncensored.
HAIR
It’s been a while since I have done a Grace (my hair) update and for the few of you that have asked, I promise that an update is coming early next year. I’ve been going through hair challenges and don’t feel confident enough sharing all the products I’ve been using here yet so I will keep this section quite brief. I love the MoroccanOil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. Fantastic stuff. My other conditioner boo is L’Oréal Elvive Hyaluronic Conditioner which makes my hair soooooooo soft, it’s crazy. It’s so good. For deep conditioner, Camille Rose Algae Renew DC has been my mainstay bae for a few years and we continue to go together real bad.
FRAGRANCE
For my everyday fragrance, that depends on the time of year. During the colder months (and for me that means October to April), my go-to every day fragrance for the past two years has been L’Extase by Nina Ricci. I say last two years because it has been discontinued (whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?!) and I’m now down to my last two bottles. I seriously don’t know what I will do once they are through. I am even questioning myself on why I am telling you guys about it, in case one of you scoops up the last bottle. It’s a gorgeous, subtle and elegant scent. Perfect for the office but also for brunch with the ladies.
In the warmer months (May to September), my go-to fragrance for the last year has been La Vie Est Belle Rose Extraordinaire. Without fail, anytime I wear it, people compliment me, ask me what I’m wearing, the works. The votes are in – it’s a hit. A more addition to my “warmer climes” fragrance wardrobe is Parfums de Marly’s Cassili. Ayayayayay! Sheesh this is soooo good. Another compliment getter and will have people wondering just what it is you have on that has them in a tizzy.
Evenings, regardless of the time of year, it’s the same old thing for me. Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum is my go to fragrance for evenings. The way I loooooove this fragrance! I don’t care if it’s played out, I don’t care if everyone and their mum has it, I love it. It is SEXY! Guaranteed compliment getter. Word of warning though – IMHO it is absolutely inappropriate for the office. Allow people to focus, don’t be a distraction!
