VIP’s Beauty Editor Ciara Sammon shares her top three picks of the week!
The amount of foundations I currently own is worryingly high. Even when I’m happy with a base, the grass always seems greener, and I feel that I can find something better.
Experience has taught me, however, that there are two bases that I will always come back to: Laura Mercier’s Silk Crème and Nars Sheer Glow. I’m currently back using the reliable Nars Sheer Glow, €41. This is a great base for those who love a glow but aren’t particularly enamoured with a dewy finish. The lightweight texture, which can be built to medium coverage, provides a satin yet soft matte finish. I prefer to apply this with my fingers, and a little goes a long way. There’s no SPF in this base, which is great for flash photography, but not so great for my skin, so make sure to apply some before you go out. This is tailored to normal to dry skin, but I find it works perfectly with my combination skin, when paired with a good primer.
I’m currently back using the reliable Nars Sheer Glow, €41. This is a great base for those who love a glow but aren’t particularly enamoured with a dewy finish.
My pet peeve when it comes to undereye concealers is the way they bury into my fine lines, almost immediately, no matter how much I prep, prime or powder. And, it kills me! I have yet to find any concealer that won’t do that, but I adore Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealers. Yes, the creamy concealer does eventually settle into my fine lines, but nowhere near as much as others do, both high end and budget. I wouldn’t recommend this for people who have very dark circles, but it works wonder on my grey hollows, and definitely makes me look more awake and bright.
When it comes to a smokey eye, I’ve always preferred using a dark brown kohl eye pencil, as opposed to black. Dark brown kohls provide the same sultry, deep effect that black pencils do, but I think the lighter shade looks a lot less harsh and overwhelming – especially on pale complexions.
Here are my top three brown kohls:
MAC’s Eye Kohl in Teddy, €18: A rich bronzey brown – so creamy, so blendable; it’s my HG eyeliner.
Maybelline’s Master Drama Khol Liner in Smoky Chocolate, €9.29
Charlotte Tilbury’s Rock’ N’ Kohl in Barbarella Brown, €25