What's In My Makeup Bag? Spring 2025

Oh look at this! I’ve only gone and recorded my first audio version of a post. Think of it like a mini podcast episode, really, because I reckon 60% of it is me talking about Aldi Beef Wellingtons and the fact that I’ve never been able to burp. I sort of want you all to listen to it, but at the same time I really want you to read the post too. And also watch the Youtube video that goes alongside it. It’s an absolute orgy of content, going on here, and I want you to fully immerse yourselves.

Anyway, What’s In My Makeup Bag. This is the quarterly look at the bits and pieces that I’m regularly wearing upon my face. Nothing at all to do with spring: if you came here for daffodil-inspired eye looks and nail art in Mini Egg colours then you’re in the wrong place. There’s nothing seasonal about this post whatsoever. As I’ve said before, I just use the seasons to mark the time passing and make it all sound vaguely interesting.

But by God it is interesting, people! It is! These are the things that should be grabbing your attention if you’re looking to update your own makeup bag or find a capsule edit of things that truly work. Don’t forget that I try hundreds and hundreds of new makeup products every single year and so if they manage to make it into my actual, daily collection then there must be something extra-special about them.

And if you see a makeup product again and again (looking at you, Telescopic Mascara and Lancome Teint Idole foundation) then you know that these are utterly unbeatable, top drawer, high class gems of the maquillage world.

It’s all totally subjective, of course. Take the mascara as an example: I love Telescopic Mascara because it has a narrow, rubbery wand that gets to the base of my shitty fine lashes without covering my entire eyelid in black tar. Maybe you don’t have shitty fine lashes, or have better dexterity than me (ie you have better dexterity than a sloth wearing mittens) - in that case, there will be plenty of lengthening mascaras that might float your boat more than Telescopic. (Although I do have to say that in my opinion it is one of the most perfect eye makeup products in existence: separates lashes quickly and fully, makes mine look twice the length, costs less than a tenner - find it here*.)

We’re always going to have our own favourites, aren’t we? And I love finding out other people’s. Hopefully you’ll enjoy finding out about mine, because that’s what you’re about to get!

Watch the video to see every product applied to my own fair face with an explanation of why I love it - there’s a handy reference list below.

[AD info: no paid or sponsored content. Contains affiliate links marked * and press samples.]

Vieve Skin Nova Primer*

Brilliant glow-giving primer that’s great for all skin types, including oilier ones. It really gives quite a superb glow, even through heavy coverage foundation. Not glittery, just ethereal illumination as though lit from within. Also looks great on its own with just a bit of concealer over the top if you are that way inclined…

Super Skin Nova (above)*

The previous primer, but with way more richness and plumpiness and a long-lasting moisturising effect. This feels more luxurious because it’s in a pot and also smells as though it was formulated in actual heaven but I’d say that the glow is about the same.

Lancome Teint Idole Care & Glow*

(I wear 220) - 20% off at time of writing. I think if I had to choose only one foundation for the rest of time then this would be it. It instantly makes me look five times better at the very least. And look, I love my barely-there tints and skin bare what have yous, but sometimes I just want to not look like a tudor era farmer’s wife who is dying of the Bubonic Plague.

Rare Beauty Liquid Contour*

(I wear Mellow). Rare have hit the mark again with this face product - their liquid blushers and highlighters are supremely good and they also have a contour crayon that is up there with all of the best contour products available. (I’ve mentioned that loads.) But there’s something just utterly sublime about the refined gentleness of this liquid contour, it feels incredibly chic and expensive and blends in like a dream. I use a brush to blend the dots into a line and then a fluffier one to buff the line into a subtle shadow. Easier than it sounds - watch the video to see it in action.

I use contour just to add a bit of shape and polish to my face. I actually think that as my face gets older I want less of the chisel, but I still like the added glam that it seems to impart….

Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light*

…but then I do also think that the soft bronze that you get from an all-over powder is such a quick way to make yourself look non-Bubonic-Plague-esque. This one from Hourglass is sick-makingly dear, but I would say that if I was ever going to make a serious makeup bag investment, or had points to use up, then I’d grab an Hourglass powder any day of the week. Nobody - nobody - has quite managed to mimic the effect of their lighting powders. Even the bronzers manage to illuminate the skin with absolutely no sparkle. They’re just so grown up.

The one I use in the video is from a seasonal palette, but you can buy it as a standalone product - it’s the Luminous Bronze Light*.

Becca Palette Ombre Nudes

Discontinued and if there was one thing I could bring back to life from the depths of the makeup world catacombs then it would be this. A small palette of cool beige and mink tones that sculpts the eye area with minimal effort. It is my quest to find a copy of this - I think I’ll have to resort to going into Mac and getting it all colour-matched and creating my own bespoke palette. I’ll let you know how I get on!

Anastasia Brow Freeze Gel*

Full disclosure: this has gone gummy. It’s very annoying and I’m glad I didn’t buy the large version! Still, it is amazing at creating that feathered brow look and it stays in place all day. The built-in wand is convenient (the jar of Brow Freeze requires a separate brush) and it’s lightweight for travel. Again, watch the video to see this in action. (Just watch the video already!)

Beauty Pie Lip Liner in Rummy Pink*

Long-lasting, great colour. Nuff said.

Lisa Eldridge Lipstick in 189 Audrey*

I only patted a small amount of this on - it’s one of Lisa Eldridge’s new refillable lipsticks, which look and feel seriously luxurious - I will report back properly when I’ve given it a good go. It’s not a colour I’d normally pick out, this was a press sample, but I actually think it’ll suit me rather well!

KOSAS Lip Oil in Unbuttoned*

I plastered this on top. I do like a lip oil. My lips appear to be rapidly shrinking, which is great, shrivelling in on themselves, and a lip oil seems to instantly plump them out a bit. I’ll take whatever I can get at this point.

L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara*

As mentioned before. And about sixty times in the past year. This is my all-time favourite mascara. I don’t love applying mascaras, it’s the least favourite part of my makeup routine - too much opportunity for error/serious eye injury - but this one brings me joy as it glides through my pathetic lashes and turns them into Disneyfied versions of their former selves. If I could only choose one mascara, this would be it.

Armani Power Fabric Concealer shade 3.5*

Seeing as though we’re playing the “if I could only choose one” game: this is the concealer I’d go for. It’s smooth, lightweight and applies like silk. It’s not the highest coverage in the world, but I don’t tend to wear heavy foundation either, so this blends right in. What a formula! No doubt they’ll discontinue it, because I’ve cursed it by loving it too hard…

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 2C*

For those wanting more coverage and huge longevity: I’ve been wearing this for over twenty years. It has recently been improved, in my opinion - it’s more refined and I’m pretty sure there are loads more shades - and if you need something robust to sit well with your longwear makeup then this is the one.

Right, questions may be asked in the comments and I’d love any suggestions for more specific makeup videos and posts if you have any? I’m finally trying to put together a content plan. Never mind the fact I still have posts from 2017 in my drafts folder… What did you think of the voiceover? Is it a keeper?

Edit: balls! I totally forgot to put in about the St Tropez Sunlit Skin drops! They are gradual tanning drops that you can apply over your skincare with a brush. I’ve had great success with them. You can find them online here*.