The beauty products Billie swears by.
You just can’t beat a good beauty recommendation.
With a million and one products on the market it can be difficult to sort the good from the great and the influencer sponcon from the ACTUAL genuine recommendations.
Well Billie friends, this is a story of pure genuine love for beauty products we just can’t get enough of.
These are just things we have tried, loved and continued to buy time and time again.
There are no ad placements or sponsored content mentions here, promise.
Read on if you are keen to learn what products, Editor Fleur, Assistant Editor Ruby and Contributor Lauren, swear by.
Ruby.
Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream.
As a lover of all things low-maintenance, I became fed up with layering heavy foundation on my face for work each day. Then I was introduced to Bare Minerals’ Complexion Rescue and haven’t looked back since. With just the right amount of coverage, hydrating ingredients, and SPF 30+, I find it perfect for everyday wear.
Napoleon Perdis Rebirth Venus Cleanser.
I’m a lady of routine and this cleanser has earned its place in my daily habits. This silky smooth oil washes away the most stubborn of mascara whilst feeling luxurious on the skin. If you’re looking for an entry into the world of oil cleansers - this is the ideal introduction.
Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow.
Despite my sister being a makeup artist (shout out @stell.makeup), I have always been useless at doing my own eyeshadow. My life hack for glittery eyes on nights out has always been this liquid eyeshadow by Stila. No blending or powder explosions necessary, you simply stroke the brush across your eyelids and voilà!
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen.
SPF is a non-negotiable in my beauty kit. Protecting your skin from the sun’s harm is the best thing you can do for ‘future you’. A peach-brown cream with a pleasant scent and smooth glide, this bad boy by Mecca is no ordinary sunscreen.
Hands down, this is my go-to lip gloss. It’s sparkly, smooth, and lives in my handbag rent-free. Admittedly, in my eyes a product of Rihanna’s can do no wrong.
I’m always drawn to out-of-the-box products and like to have something fun in my bathroom lineup to remind me not to take beauty too seriously. This shower jelly - yes jelly not gel - makes showers extra entertaining. The lingering scent is also a serious pick-me-up thanks to grapefruit, lemon and lime.
Lauren.
Batiste Dry Shampoo in Brunette.
As a dark-haired girlie some Dry Shampoos can leave white residue after application, but Batiste’s Brunette Dry Shampoo has always had my back. Spray a little at the roots and massage in, and you’ll have voluminous and clean-looking hair in no time– you’ve just scored yourself an extra day in between washes, you busy thing you!
KVD Beauty Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Outlaw.
Anyone who knows me knows I love a red lip. I’ve written about my love for KVD Beauty’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick previously, this has been my go-to blue-based red lipstick for years. Paired with a lip liner underneath, this liquid lipstick has survived on stage, out and about and throughout my wedding day– she’s smooch-proof too, quietly! ;)
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation.
I’m a pale girlie, and back in my youth it was difficult to find a shade of foundation pale enough to avoid looking like and orange Donald Trump on picture day. Double Wear in Alabaster and Bone has never failed me, and when paired with a good primer and buffed out with a damp beauty blender it produces the most beautiful long-wearing foundation that I go back to time and time again.
I’d recommend heading into a department store (Farmers, MECCA etc…) to get colour matched to find the best shade for your skin. This should also allow you to take a small sample pot away to try at home with the rest of your favourite makeup, which is a great way to try before you buy with what’s likely to be a little more expensive of a foundation than you’re used to. (Top tip: Mix Double Wear with your favourite illuminating primer such as MAC’s Strobe Cream for a beautiful glowy skin that lasts the day!)
This has been my go-to for applying makeup for years, because applying foundation with your fingers isn’t going to give you the best result. Wet the sponge, squeeze out excess water and tappity tap across your face to beautifully blend out your foundation and concealer. This helps to push the makeup into your skin for an even and smooth finish. I love Real Techniques’ sponge because it has three different surfaces, its rounded sides for your overall face, precision tip for under your eyes/blemishes and the flat edge for contours around your nose and eyes. 3-in-1 baby!
When I was 14/15, I really struggled with my acne and sought professional help from a dermatologist. It was here I was recommended Cetaphil, and I’ve been using their gentle cleanser to remove my makeup every day since. You can find this at most supermarkets, pharmacies and department stores, and goes to show that you don’t need the most fancy and on trend brand for a product to become an absolute staple in your day-to-day routine. Lauren and Cetaphil up a tree, c-l-e-a-n-s-i-n-g. <3
Not all eyelashes are created equal, unless they’re from Ardell’s range and they’re all equally bussin. If you’re new to false lashes, make sure you follow our tutorial on how to apply them easily– they can be tricky if you don’t use a good glue or trim them to the size of your eyelid, but there’s nothing that instantly glams up your look than a pair of falsies! My favourite ranges from Ardell are the Wispies, Faux Mink and Extension FX.
Fleur.
My love, my life, the one thing on this list I don’t think I could survive without. Go-To Face Hero has hit cult status for a reason and in my humble opinion it’s the best boost your skin can get. I have now been using this almost everyday for over two years and I feel like my skin has never looked happier, healthier, glowier and hydrated. While Face Hero Oil is suitable for all skin types, it’s been particularly helpful for nourishing my VERY dry skin without irritating it. 12/10 would recommend.
I don’t often get on my Soap Box about beauty products but this recent discovery has had a lot of air time since I started using it. JVN Hair is the haircare range baby from the most fabulous Jonathan Van Ness, of Queer Eye fame.
I’ve never been one to bother with hair products other than a good shampoo and an occasional conditioner but the JVN Complete Air Dry Cream has found its way into my everyday life. Simply apply to wet hair, leave to air dry (as the name suggests) and that’s it. Done. No styling, blowdrying etc needed as the cream helps to keep your hair’s natural texture all while ditching the frizz that often comes with air drying your hair. It’s a lazy gal’s dream.
Benefit They're Real! Lengthening Mascara.
I personally think you just can’t beat a Benefit mascara. I don’t know what they put in them but they are some of the most consistently great products i’ve used. Although I’ve tried a few different kinds of Benefit Mascara, the one I always come back to is They’re Real!. It’s simply an all-rounder, with good lash definition, no clumping, a strong-but not-fake-looking black colour and it even adds a little bit of length too. While I may pick a more volumising option for special occasions, this is my favourite for day-to-day.
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer.
I love me a good concealer. Most of the time I forgo a full face of makeup for a little bit of tinted moisturiser and concealer. Like many females, I think I get a little self-conscious when I have a bit of discolouration or an angry pimple so it’s great to cover it with a bit of concealer. I’ve found Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer to be one of the best in the business - long-wearing, lightweight and comes in 30 shades so you can find your perfect fit. I’d recommend going into your local Mecca and getting them to help you find your shade!
Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+ Face Lotion.
As Ruby said, SPF is a non-negotiable in our beauty routines (and it should be a non-negotiable for every human IMHO). Protecting your face from the sun is one of the best things you can ever do for your skin health and trust us you’ll be thanking yourself when you hit 50 and you still look 40. I have tried MANY different facial SPF’s but my favourite by a mile is the Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+ Face Lotion. It’s super lightweight, doesn’t irritate my skin, fragrance free, a little goes a long way and it’s wallet-friendly!
Sadly I’ve never found blending sponges work very well for me and i’m not sure why. However the Shiseido Daiya Fude Face Duo is all I could ever want for all my blending needs. This brush is on the pricier side but I'd by it time and time again if I had to. It feels like an absolute dream to use and buffs in foundation, concealer, blush and highlighter perfectly. It even has a little gel end which is supposed to just like dabbing with your finger tips, making it perfect for around your eyes.