We all look to the beauty experts for the latest products to buy and trends to try out.
With a myriad of luxury and high-street brands to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start when you want to try a new lipstick or test run a brand new cleanser. But aside from the mega-expensive beauty treatments many writers and buyers seem to recommend, what are they really using every day?
We sat down with Katie and Honor, our beauty buyers at BrandAlley, to talk all things skincare, hair, and makeup.
Here are their favourite everyday beauty essentials they can’t (or won’t) live without…
Katie, Assistant Buyer & Honor, Buyer’s Admin – Beauty
Ladies, let’s talk skincare?
Katie: “For me, two ingredients I rely on every day are collagen and retinol. I’m in my thirties now so I take that extra bit of time to make sure I’m looking after my skin. I also take collagen supplements for an extra boost.
My skincare heroes are Elizabeth Arden‘s Retinol Ceramide Capsules, Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, and the Murad Eye Recovery Cream.
I have to see visible results with any skincare I use, there’s nothing better than seeing something work and make a real difference.
In the morning I start off by cleansing with a basic micellar water, which is great for getting rid of dead skin and brightening up the face. This is followed with retinol.
SPF is also super important to wear every single day. I love Beaute Mediterranea Solar SPF 30+ as it’s fairly lightweight but still very protective.”
Honor: “Same as Katie, I also love the Beaute Mediterranea SPF. It’s essential! SPF is all about preservation so when I’m 40 I want to look 30. 90% of skin ageing comes from sun damage so prevention is definitely better than cure!
My other beauty essentials for the face include the May Coop Raw Sauce – a Korean skincare essence. I’m obsessed with this product, it sinks into the skin, adding luminosity and a warm glow.
I also love hyaluronic acid which is very hydrating and The Ordinary EUK 134 Anti-Pollution Serum, which is packed with protective antioxidants. For me, this is really important as a Londoner tackling the underground every day.
I also use skinChemists Rose Quartz Mineral Day Moisturiser, standard micellar water, and the Milky Jelly Cleanser by Glossier.”
And in the evening?
Katie: “At night I use Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Intensive Cleansing Oil which I love as it’s gentle enough for taking off eye makeup with a muslin cloth.
For me, exfoliation is key so I like to exfoliate and use a face mask a couple of times a week too.”
Honor: “I use Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil. It takes off all my makeup and removes dirt without stripping the skin. I place a super hot flannel over my face, take some deep breaths and… relax.
Much like Katie I also love Kiehl’s. The Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a must which I follow with skinChemists Rose Quartz Nightime Moisturizer. Mixed with three drops of Tan-Luxe The Face, I wake up and my skin is practically post-facial.”
What are your haircare essentials?
Both: “Philip Kingsley Elasctizser! Haha!”
Katie: “The Elasctizser is one of those wonder products that you can’t believe you ever lived without! It’s a pre-conditioning treatment so you apply it to damp hair and then shampoo and condition as normal”.
Honor: “It’s totally transformed my hair!”
Katie: “I also use the Philip Kingsley bodybuilding range and the Tricho Pro Volumising Protein Spray.
In terms of hair tools, I swear by the BaByliss PRO Ceramic Dial-a-Heat Tong which creates a range of gorgeous curls – perfect for a night out.”
Fabulous! Now tell me about your favourite makeup?
Katie: “For an everyday look I’ll start with the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation and also apply Burberry’s Cat Lash Mascara and the legendary Benefit Hula Bronzer.
When it comes to everyday makeup and skincare it has to be time effective, quick to apply, easy, and no-fuss.
“For a night out I’ll always wear fake lashes but I use my own glue which is much better than the ones in the packs. The Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick is my favourite, as is the Urban Decay Setting Spray which holds everything in place.“
Honor: “I tend to spend extra time on my skincare and opt for natural makeup during the day.
My go-to favourites are the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Base, Nars Laguna Bronzer Drops and the Wunder2 Eyebrow Pencil.
I also love Glossier’s lip products which are amazing – just the right amount of colour.”
Any other beauty essentials we should know about?
Honor: “I’m a big fan of beauty tools. As a special treat, I’ll give myself a mini facial with a jade roller while watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.”
Katie “Me too! I also use a micro-needling tool once a week to help plump, exfoliate and rejuvenate my skin!”
