About 20,000 new make-up products are launched each year, but which ones find their way into beauty expert Nadine Baggott’s make-up bag? Here are her foolproof, fail-safe essentials for a look that delivers maximum impact with minimal effort.
1. The flattering failproof base
Erborian BB Cream
I know that BB and CC creams are confusing categories, but this is simply a medium-coverage base with skincare ingredients so that it hydrates, plumps and doesn’t dry to an unflattering chalky finish on older skin. I just wish it came in more shades so everyone could use it. Truly brilliant. From £19; uk.erborian.com
2. The suits-all blush
Sweed Air Blush in Lucky
Very few shades genuinely suit all, but this timeless peachy blush hits the nail on the head. I tend to avoid high shine and shimmer as it does tend to highlight the signs of ageing, but this is the perfect touch of light without looking too teen or TikTok. It’s a bestseller for a good reason. £28; cultbeauty.co.uk
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3. The no-nonsense lip
Nars Afterglow lipstick in Dolce Vita
The perfect fuss-free nude lip. It’s a stick, yes, but with a weightless feel, a soft shine that doesn’t smoosh off and the right hit of pigment. Choose from 15 shades — all of them are perfect — and the angled bullet makes application idiot-proof. £29.50; boots.com
4. The high-impact, low-spend mascara
Collection Lash High mascara
I have a sneaky feeling this may be phased out next year so buy, buy, buy, because it is the best value, easy to layer and build for volume, colour, length and curl mascara I have ever used. Yes, it really is that good, and I can’t quite believe it is so cheap. £6.99; collectioncosmetics.com
5. The timeless mini-palette
Natasha Denona Mini Eye Sculpt eyeshadow palette
A selection of classic matt shades to shape, shade and line eyes — genuinely all you need whatever the eye shape. I use the mid shade in the crease to create a wider-eyed look, the two darkest shades as eyeliners and the lightest ones on inner corners and under brows. £24; sephora.co.uk
6. The ageless liner
MAC Eye Kohl Pencil
Soft enough to wear in the base of lashes, yet intense enough to apply as a sweeping flick. You can also smudge it in the waterline on upper and lower lashes and yet it’s precise enough not to be overly messy. Brands come and go but MAC rarely gets the staples wrong. £20; boots.com
7. The lip definer
Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in 15 shades
My make-up artist at This Morning reintroduced me to this liner in Ballet Pink, because sometimes we are so caught up in what’s new that we forget what’s really good. Match the shade to your natural lip colour and then line and forget about it. This way it keeps all lip colour in place, no matter how much you talk, eat or worry about lipstick bleeding into smile lines. £27; bobbibrown.co.uk
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8. The brow booster
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows
I ran out of this recently and tried three or four other brow gels, but they just aren’t as good. This has the right amount of pigment and mini fibres to colour and build brows, enough staying power to hold them and last all day, and a small enough spoolie for precise application if, like me, you’re not blessed with fuller brows. £26; charlottetilbury.com
9. The flattering powder
Beauty Pie One-Powder Wonder
I know, I know, most powders are chalky, matt and cake into an unflattering finish, but not this one. That’s because a) it isn’t matt, and b) it’s so finely milled and then compressed you almost feel as if you’re not applying anything. It has a soft-focus finish that takes away just enough shine to finish skin without making it look flat. £25; beautypie.com
Find @nadinebaggott on Instagram where she genuinely answers all beauty questions
