Elly Rewcastle, Author at mamabella

Spotlight on Carbon Theory: The absolute must-have skincare brand if you have spots

Elly Rewcastle — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:12:34 +0000

UPDATE: Carbon Theory recently launched two new products at Boots in its fight against acne.

Both are highly affordable, as is Carbon Theory’s M.O, and they’re both designed to help clear the skin. The first is called the Breakout Control Exfoliating Body Bar (£7.50) and it uses Vitamin E, charcoal, and tea tree oil to detoxify the skin, calm and get rid of blemishes, and reduce inflammation.

The second is the Overnight Detox Serum (£14). It contains cranberry beads to hydrate and rejuvenate the skin as you sleep. If overnight treatments are something you’re keen on, check out our Sleeping beauty: The best overnight hair masks, face creams and foot treatments guide.

Buy now from Boots

The original spotlight on Carbon Theory continues below

Breakouts? Acne? Clogged pores? Bored of your cleansing routine and want to switch things up? Look no further than Carbon Theory.

Founded in Islington in 2017, the simple skincare brand offers products that are holy grails for acne-prone skin. It’s one of our absolute favourite beauty brands and, as a result, is the latest brand to feature in our Brand Spotlight series.

READ NEXT: The truth about the acids in your skincare

Over the coming weeks and months, we’re going to be shining a light on brands that represent and align with what we stand for at mamabella – brands that offer great products at low prices; brands which champion inclusivity and diversity; clean, sustainable and ethical beauty brands, and brands that are challenging the beauty industry hierarchy.

We’ve previously profiled The Ordinary, another fantastic and affordable brand doing amazing work in the science of skincare, and have separately outlined what we consider to be the best cheap makeup brands on the market.

Carbon Theory: a brief history

Carbon Theory

Carbon Theory was founded by former The Apprentice candidate Philip Taylor as an affordable range of skincare designed for people with acne-prone skin.

All of Carbon Theory’s products work in harmony with each other, so they’re regularly available as box sets to get you started whether you’re after a simple skincare regime or something targeted towards preventing breakouts or fighting pre-existing spots.

READ NEXT: What causes acne and how to get rid of it

And although it was set up to be targeted towards those of us who suffer breakouts, it’s also kind and gentle on all skin types using cruelty-free, natural ingredients so even if your skin is blemish-free, Carbon Theory is a great, science-led brand that does what it promises.

Why we love Carbon Theory

Carbon Theory products actually work, they perform as promised and the entire range is highly affordable. It’s as simple as that. The brand’s fantastic products regularly crop up in our Best Buys lists, including our best cleanser, best toner, and best moisturiser.

It’s not as cheap as, say, The Ordinary but it’s significantly cheaper than *many* other skincare brands, including ones that don’t perform anywhere near as well.

READ NEXT: The science of moisturiser

The best Carbon Theory products

If you’re yet to try Carbon Theory products, or are looking for something new, we’ve handpicked five of the best Carbon Theory products from across the company’s range. We’ve also explained who these Carbon Theory products are best for and how they can be used most effectively. Plus, Beauty Bay is selling a bundle of these skincare essentials for £55.

Cleanser: Cleansing Bar – £6
Toner: Facial Purifying Tonic – £14
Moisturiser: Facial Moisturiser – £13
Exfoliator: Charcoal & Tea Tree Oil Exfoliating Scrub – £14
Face mask: Tea Tree Oil & Mineral Mud Wet Face Mask – £11
Serum: Overnight Detox Serum – £14
Cleansing Pads: Tree Tree Oil & Glycolic Acid Breakout Control Cleansing Pads – £16
Cleansing wash: Breakout Control Facial Cleansing Wash – £8

︎ Carbon Theory Cleansing Bar

£6 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Carbon Theory

Who’s it for? Anyone looking to curb breakouts and help clear spots.

Why we love it: Thanks to its hard-working triple act of tea tree oil, charcoal and shea butter, this cleansing bar eliminates spots, curbs breakouts and helps to unclog pores. Your skin is left feeling so soft and clean and calm.

How to use it: Work the bar up into a lather and wash with warm water. Use twice a day.

Buy now from Beauty Bay

︎ Carbon Theory: Facial Moisturiser

£13 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Carbon Theory

Who’s it for? Anyone looking to rehydrate skin while protecting against breakouts.

Why we love it: This moisturiser smells amazing. Using cranberry extracts alongside tea tree oil and shea butter, it leaves skin feeling plump and nourished. It soaks in gently, giving a shine-free, matte finish. It also works wonderfully as a primer underneath makeup.

How to use it: After cleansing and toning, use a pea-sized drop and tap and blend into the skin. Use twice daily, morning and night.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? The science of moisturiser

Buy now from Beauty Bay

︎ Carbon Theory: Facial Purifying Tonic

£14 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Carbon Theory

Who’s it for? Anyone looking to minimise shine, reduce pores and promote cell regeneration.

Why we love it: This toner isn’t just gentle on the skin, it lasts for ages. One bottle of this stuff will last you for months because the smallest amount goes a long way and, thanks to the use of pink grapefruit extract, it helps to eradicate dead skin cells, promote cell turnover and control oily skin.

How to use it: After cleansing, add a few drops to a cotton pad and sweep over the face. Follow with moisturiser.

Buy now from Beauty Bay

︎ Carbon Theory: Facial Exfoliating Scrub

£11 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Carbon Theory

Who’s it for? Anyone looking to get into the nitty-gritty, hard-to-reach corners of the face and get rid of oil, dirt and impurities.

Why we love it: Its combination of oil-busting ingredients leave your face feeling brand new. Natural pumicite particles cleanse and exfoliate the skin clearing clogged pores and preventing breakouts while activated charcoal acts like a sponge, drawing out bacteria and toxins.

How to use it: After cleansing, apply all over the face and work into the skin using circular motions. Massage for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water. Use twice a week and follow with toner and moisturiser.

Buy now from Beauty Bay

︎ Carbon Theory: Tea Tree Oil & Mineral Mud Wet Face Mask

£11 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Carbon Theory

Who’s it for? Anyone looking to pamper, rehydrate, repair, and detoxify their skin.

Why we love it: Like all Carbon Theory products, this mask is vegan and cruelty-free and uses all-natural ingredients. The mud mask uses charcoal and tea tree oil at its base and is combined with mineral mud for a luxurious face mask. The mud is high in magnesium, which helps to boost your skin’s function as a protective barrier, and can help to rebalance your skin’s pH levels.

READ NEXT: What’s the fuss about clean beauty?

How to use it: After cleansing, apply a thin layer all over your face, making sure to avoid lips and eyes. Leave on for 10-15 minutes then wash off with warm water. Follow with the rest of your skincare.

Buy now from Beauty Bay

︎ Overnight Detox Serum

£14 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Carbon Theory

Who’s it for? Anyone that has breakout prone skin.

Why we love it: That this is an overnight detox serum delivers intense hydrating treatment all the while clearing and preventing breakouts. Inside the 30ml bottle there is speckles of cranberry beads. Cranberry is believed to have high levels of antioxidants and can helps smooth fine lines and while keeping the skin hydrated. With the help of tea tree Oil and Vitamin E this is the full work of keeping breakout prone skin at bay, to keep the skin feeling fresh and energized there is vitamin C in this little bottle of goodness.

The serum is black and this is due to having charcoal inside and this helps draw out bacteria, toxins and any excess oil deep within the skin.

How to use it: After cleansing, apply a small amount of serum to the back of the hand and apply to forehead, chin, cheeks and spread evenly before bed.

Buy now from Beauty Bay

︎ Tree Tree Oil & Glycolic Acid Breakout Control Cleansing Pads

£16 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Carbon Theory

Who’s it for? Acne prone skin.

Why we love it: Having something covenant is great and what’s more easier than just having a simple pad that does all this for you? Each pad is infused with tea tree oil and glycolic acid to help gently exfoliate and resurface the skin. This can reveal a brighter and smoother complexion. Glycolic acid does remove dead skin cells and it balances the skin’s pH level.

READ NEXT: What does Glycolic acid do to the skin?

How to use it: After cleansing, use one of the pads to sweep over the face and avoid the eye area. Then follow with moisturiser, this can be used morning and evening. We recommend to ease this into your skincare routine and start using the pad once a week and slow build so that you can use it every day.

Buy now from Beauty Bay

︎ Breakout Control Facial Cleansing Wash

£8 | Buy now from Boots

Carbon Theory

Who’s it for? Anyone looking to curb breakouts and help clear spots.

Why we love it: If you love the soap but it may seem fiddly to use and also carry on travels. Carbon Theory has now created it in a face wash, yes the same product but liquid form. This is charcoal and tree tree oil facial wash, all these natural active ingredients can help wash away and detoxify the skin. It is proven to prevent breakouts and keep skin clear, balanced and hydrated. Also we love the tube is made from Sugarcane so that it is eco friendly.

How to use it: Wet your hands, squeeze the wash into your hands and massage into a lather. Apply to face and avoid the eye area, leave to penetrate the skin for 30 seconds and rinse thoroughly.

Buy now from Boots

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Elly Rewcastle

Elly is a production journalist and sub-editor for a number of national newspapers and magazines including The Daily and Sunday Telegraph, and Woman and Woman’s Own magazine. A beauty-enthusiast, she loves travelling – especially to the States – reading and calligraphy

The post Spotlight on Carbon Theory: The absolute must-have skincare brand if you have spots appeared first on mamabella.

Best foundation brush for liquid and powder foundations, concealers and more

Elly Rewcastle — Wed, 19 May 2021 13:30:03 +0000

Foundation, or a tinted moisturiser at the very least are most people’s bread and butter when it comes to their makeup routine. This means finding the best foundation brush is more complex than it may appear.

There are hundreds of makeup brushes and applicators out there, from sponges and little silicone or latex eggs made famous by Beauty Blender to flat, rounded, and stipple brushes. There are even top-price electronics designed to make getting a flawless base quick and easy.

To help you navigate the twists and turns of foundation brush shopping, we’ve sifted through the racks to handpick some of the best foundation brushes –no matter your skin type or coverage preferences.

You can get even more options in our best makeup brushes guide, and get expert tips in our How to apply foundation like a pro article.

FURTHER READING: We’ve reviewed and ranked the best Charlotte Tilbury foundations, the best MAC foundations, and the best No7 foundations

Best foundation brush

Editor’s Pick/Best dual-ended foundation brush: It Cosmetics: Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush – £36
Bargain Buy: Real Techniques Expert Face Brush – £7.99
Luxury Buy/Best on-the-go foundation brush: Hourglass Seamless Finish – £42
Best foundation brush for blending: So Eco Stippling Brush – £7.50
Best brush for powders: bareMinerals Beautiful Finish brush – £26
Best vegan-friendly foundation brush: Zoeva 104 buffer brush – £17
Best for controlled coverage: YSL Y Foundation Brush – £35
Best duo-fibre foundation brush: Sigma F50 – £21
Best multipurpose foundation brush: Fenty Full-Body Foundation Brush – £24
Best all-rounder: Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear – £25

1. Editor’s Pick: It Cosmetics’ Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush

£36 | Buy now from Cult Beauty

IT Cosmetics

Why we love it: We’re big fans of a double-ended brush because they do more than just one thing. Not only do you not have to chop and change tool, but you save time and money, as well as space in your makeup bag. One of the softest and most gentle foundation brushes on the market that falls into this category is the Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection brush from IT Cosmetics.

READ NEXT: How to apply foundation like a pro

Because it’s dual-ended, it can be used for both foundation and concealer, and it’s also great for getting into those hard-to-reach corners of your face and blending out liquid and cream foundations.

It’s a dense brush so you can be sure of even coverage, and this also makes it perfect for applying setting or finishing powders. You can also use it to blend out contour or sweep blusher over your cheeks. However, because of this, it will absorb the product if you use too much (if this happens, read our How to clean your makeup brushes guide).

Elsewhere, this foundation brush is cruelty-free, 100% vegan, and uses synthetic bristles to make sure your application is worry-free.

FURTHER READING: Why we love IT Cosmetics so much

Buy now from Cult Beauty

2. Bargain Buy: Real Techniques Expert Face foundation brush

£7.99 | Buy now from Boots

Real Techniques

Why we love it: An OG in the brush world, the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush was one of the brand’s original line up and it’s still one of its best foundation brushes we’ve ever used.

It’s a small, densely packed foundation brush, meaning it’s ideal for packing on a full-coverage liquid or cream foundation. Thanks to its broad shape and firm hold, it also makes application quick and seamless.

We’ve also been known to use this brush for applying bronzer, making it a much cheaper alternative to Charlotte Tilbury’s Air-brush – the Kabuki-style brush released with the makeup artist’s Airbrush Bronzer in May. Plus, this multi-purpose Real Techniques brush comes in at less than a tenner, what more could we ask for?!

The one downside is that the larger brush means it’s not suited for those hard-to-reach areas, in the same way other smaller or dual-ended brushes in this best foundation brush list are.

FURTHER READING: Makeup brushes 101: The ultimate guide to which makeup brushes do what

Buy now from Boots

3. Luxury Buy: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish

£42 | Buy now from SpaceNK

Hourglass

Why we love it: Small and mighty, Hourglass’ Seamless Finish brush packs a punch. With a small, angled brush head, it’s easy to combine this beauty with your other liquid products, such as concealer or even your contour. It’s so versatile, it also features in our best makeup brush list. It fits in neatly against your nose and into your eye contours while providing a larger space to work with when on your cheeks or forehead.

READ NEXT: Find your perfect foundation match

The handle – which is short but not travel-sized short – means that you can get a really comfortable grip and solid control of where the product goes. Plus, it fits perfectly inside your makeup bag or even your handbag for a night out.

Buy now from Space NK

4. So Eco Stippling Brush

£7.50 | Buy now from Amazon

So Eco

Why we love it: Having never used a stippling brush before, and having picked up this one from So Eco in one of last year’s best beauty advent calendars, we’re now borderline obsessed with it. If you prefer a more dewy finish to your foundation, or your go-to foundation is a little more on the runny than the thick side, this is the best foundation brush we’ve used.

Not only does it apply foundation effortlessly, giving you an almost flawless base from the get-go, but it also helps you blend and build foundation with ease. It softens the edges and carries the foundation around your face with minimal effort.

This makes it ideal if you end up diluting your foundation with a moisturiser or SPF, but you can also use it for buffing out the edges of thicker, creamier foundations as well as cream blushers and contour.

Plus, all brushes from the So Eco range are beautifully built, using sustainably sourced materials housed in biodegradable packaging. All while being cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

Buy now from Amazon

5. bareMinerals Beautiful Finish Brush

£26 | Buy now from Amazon

bareMinerals

Why we love it: If you’re a powder foundation kind of person, the Beautiful Finish brush from bareMinerals is the ultimate must-have. It’s designed to fit into the brand’s original and matte powder foundation pots, but the skirted silhouette means that the brush picks up enough powder to cover your face and blend out a gorgeous, flawless coverage.

The synthetic bristles are super soft, which means that your skin is left feeling soft and subtle instead of scratched and irritated as other goat-hair brushes can. You can rest assured that with this brush, your powder foundation is going on your face and isn’t being absorbed.

Buy now from Amazon

6. Zoeva 104 buffer brush

£17 | Buy now from Cult Beauty

Zoeva

Why we love it: Used by some of the top names in the industry, Zoeva is among the most trustworthy and reliable brands of makeup brushes – and particularly foundation brushes – available.

With a solid wood handle and vegan-friendly bristles, the Zoeva buffer brush is dense enough to pick up and evenly distribute your foundation without it streaking or caking. You can also use this brush to stipple your foundation before blending it with a damp beauty blender.

Plus, this foundation brush comes in two finishes – black and rose gold – so you can be sure that it’s going to look great on any dressing table.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

7. YSL Y foundation brush

£35 | Buy now from Feelunique

YSL

Why we love it: If you’re the type of person who accidentally uses too much foundation and you have to work harder to use up all the ‘waste’ – on even worse the excess goes straight in the bin – this is the best foundation brush for you!

Within the bristles of the brush, you’ll see Yves Saint Laurent has created what it calls a ‘‘Y reservoir’. This is designed to give you customised coverage for a mess-free flawless application as follows:

For sheer coverage: Put two drops of foundation into the Y reservoir
For medium coverage: Half fill the reservoir with foundation
For full coverage: Fill the reservoir to the top with foundation

YSL created this brush to match its Touche Éclat Foundation, but don’t be put off by this because it works just as well with other liquid foundations. If using another foundation, however, bear in mind that the consistency may alter how much you need to put into the reservoir. This may take a little trial and error so the above list is good as a guide, at the very least.

The brush is cruelty-free and has a velvety feel to it hard to believe it’s made from synthetic bristle. And because it’s a flat top brush, it is quick and easy to use to stipple and buff foundation.

It’s up there with the Hourglass Luxury Buy best foundation brush in terms of price, but it’s worth the money and will be cheaper in the long run compared to you constantly replacing your foundation because you waste so much.

Buy now from Feelunique

8. Sigma F50 foundation brush

£16.75 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Sigma

Why we love it: A duo fibre brush, the Sigma F50 offers an airbrushed finish regardless of whichever type of foundation you use.

Liquid products will blend flawlessly without streaking, while powder and mineral foundations are blended evenly. This precise application is also aided by the fact this foundation brush has such a long handle, relatively speaking.

It can be a hero brush for applying a highlighter if you spritz it with some setting spray first.

Buy now from Beauty Bay

9. Fenty Full-Body foundation brush

£26 | Buy now from Harvey Nichols

Fenty Beauty

Why we love it: Probably one of the most gorgeous-looking brushes in our best foundation brush list, the Fenty Beauty Full Bodied foundation brush is dense enough to deliver an airbrush finish to your liquid foundation.

The handle is quite long and the head a bit small, but if it’s a quality finish you’re after, and you’re not fussed about taking your time, this is the best foundation brush for you. This can prove particularly useful when trying to pack on setting powder under your eyes, for example.

This brush is made using synthetic bristles too, meaning it’s vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. We’ve explained the difference between vegan and cruelty-free brands in our explainer.

FURTHER READING: Natural vs synthetic makeup brushes: What’s the difference?

Buy now from Harvey Nichols

10. NYX Multi-Purpose foundation brush

£14 | Buy now from NYX

Zoeva

Why we love it: This brilliant foundation brush from NYX Professional Makeup – one of our favourite cheap makeup brands – does what it says on the tin.

If you’re after a brush that will apply your foundation as well as your concealer and even your contour, bronzer and blush, this is the best foundation brush around.

It has a gorgeous, sleek, black design that doesn’t look too garish and it’s easy to clean, with either solid cleansers or liquid soaps (read more in our How to clean makeup brushes guide).

It is prone to shedding though and plenty of bristles can get lost in the cleaning process, so go gentle on the cleansing.

Buy now from NYX

And if you need more advice, this video from the founders of Real Techniques is really interesting

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Elly Rewcastle

The post Best foundation brush for liquid and powder foundations, concealers and more appeared first on mamabella.

Best cleanser: Discover which face cleanser best suits your skin from oily to dry and acne-prone

Elly Rewcastle — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 13:21:04 +0000

The best cleanser not only removes dirt and oil, it prepares the skin for every product that follows. It helps your skin better absorb serums and moisturisers, it can balance oil or smooth dry patches, and it’s vital when it comes to keeping your face clean to reduce or prevent spots and blemishes.

It’s also great for when you want to clean your makeup brushes and beauty blenders.

dThe problem is that not only do you need to choose a face cleanser for your skin type, but there are also various different types of cleanser to choose from including gels to foams, oils, balms, creams, and more.

To help guide your decision, you can discover which face cleanser best suits your skin and budget in our list of best cleansers below. You can also check out our best cleansing balm page for more options.

Best cleanser

Editor’s Pick: La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel – £12.50
Budget Buy: Garnier Micellar Water – £8
Luxury Buy: La Mer The Cleansing Foam – £72
Best cleanser for dry/combination skin: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap – From £16.50
Best antibacterial cleanser: Q+A Peppermint Cleanser – £7.50
Best for sensitive skin: Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser – £20
Best cleanser for acne-prone skin: Carbon Theory Cleansing Bar – £6
Best gentle cleanser: Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel – £12
Best cleansing balm: The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter – £11

1. Editor’s Pick: La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel

£12.50 | Buy now from Feelunique

La Roche-Posay

Why we love it: A must-have for acne-prone, oily skin, this gentle foaming gel has a lightweight consistency that builds up as you lather it in, drawing out toxins, impurities, and excess oil. It leaves your skin feeling clear and clean without drying it out and a little goes a long way.

The entire La Roche-Posay skincare range is incredible value for money. You can read more about why this is hands-down the best cleanser we’ve ever used in our La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleanser review.

FURTHER READING: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleanser review: Simply the best cleanser we’ve ever used

Buy now from Feel Unique

2. Bargain Buy: Garnier Micellar Water

£8 | Buy now from Amazon

Garnier

Why we love it: The ultimate holy grail cleanser, one bottle of Garnier’s Micellar Water lasts ages and it removes all traces of makeup without feeling too harsh on the skin.

It nourishes and hydrates all in one step, without a complex routine of rinsing needed. However, it does work incredibly well as part of a two-step cleanse, as micellar water is the perfect way to get rid of stubborn makeup – waterproof mascara we’re looking at you – without having to irritate the skin by rubbing.

FURTHER READING:

Buy now from Amazon

3. Luxury Buy: La Mer The Cleansing Foam

£72 | Buy now from Amazon

La Mer

Why we love it: An expensive choice but nothing removes impurities like La Mer.

A silky smooth texture with divine scent, a little goes a long way in protecting the skin against redness, breakouts, and pollution while minimising pores and leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Buy now from Amazon

4. Clinique Liquid Facial Soap

From £16.50 | Buy now from Clinique

Clinique

Why we love it: Perfect for all skin types, but with amazing benefits for dry to combination skin, this liquid soap has a gentle formula that doesn’t dry out the skin.

Used morning and night, this cleanser removes dirt and dead skin and gives you a perfect base for exfoliating and toning, leaving your face feeling clean and fresh.

It is fragrance-free, meaning it’s suitable for sensitive skin, and it foams really nicely. You only need a very small amount and the bottle is quite big so this should last you a long time!

We’ve pictured, and described the mild version but there are three versions to choose from:

Extra-Mild for Very Dry to Dry Skin
Mild for Dry Combination Skin
Oily Skin Formula for Combination Oily or Oily Skin

Buy now from Clinique

5. Q+A Peppermint Cleanser

£7.50 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

Q+A

We’re big fans here at mamabella of Q+A Skin‘s no-nonsense approach to skincare. We’ve used a range of its products but hadn’t experienced its Peppermint cleanser until we got it in a beauty advent calendar.

As you’d imagine, it contains peppermint leaf oil which gives a gentle tingle to the skin. Peppermint Oil has natural cleansing properties that leave skin feeling fresh and revitalised. It’s also antibacterial, meaning this is a great, not overly harsh cleanser that fights spots and blemishes.

It also contains coco-sulfate, which is an alternative to the drying and harsh chemical Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or SLS. SLS can cause dryness and irritation, especially for sensitive skin. Coco-Sulfate, instead, is made from the fatty acids of coconut oil so you still get all the lathering you’d expect from a cleanser, but it leaves your skin feeling soft and clean, naturally.

This cleanser is great for all skin types because it’s also oil-free and fragrance-free.

A word of warning though, because of the use of peppermint leaf oil, try not to get this in your eyes. It doesn’t do a lot of harm but it does tingle and can be uncomfortable.

FURTHER READING: Spotlight on…Q+A Skin’s affordable, natural, and highly effective skincare bundles

Buy now from Clinique

6. Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser

£21 | Buy now from Clarins Clarins

Why we love it: A lightweight, mousse-like formula, Clarins’s Gentle Foaming Cleanser is a godsend for combination skin.

It contains coconut extracts, which leave your skin feeling soft and nourished and doesn’t irritate or leave your skin feeling dry or taut. Plus it smells so fresh.

We’ve pictured the bestselling Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with cottonseed above but there are actually three options to choose from:

Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed for Normal/Combination Skin
Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind for Combination/Oily Skin
Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter for Dry/Sensitive Skin

Buy now from Clarins

7. Carbon Theory Cleansing Bar

£6 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Carbon Theory

Why we love it: Perfect for those who suffer from breakouts, as this charcoal cleansing bar keeps skin looking balanced, clear, and hydrated.

It draws out bacteria, toxins and excess oil while reducing redness and ensuring your skin feels soft and hydrated. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a container and the charcoal ingredients can leave marks, so a soap dish/container is a must.

It’s also vegan and cruelty-free. You can read more about which cleansers you need if you’re prone to spots and breakouts in our best cleanser for acne list.

FURTHER READING: A spotlight on…Carbon Theory: The absolute must-have skincare brand if you have spots

Buy now from Beauty Bay

7. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

£12 | Buy now from Feelunique

Dermalogica

Why we love it: This iconic cleanser, which contains naturally-foaming Quillaja Saponaria soapbark extracts, gently rinses away toxins and debris to leave skin feeling smooth and clean.

Designed to restore the skin’s natural moisture balance, it isn’t too harsh and leaves skin feeling naturally soft rather than dry and taut.

It also contains Balm Mint to calm the skin, and Lavender extracts to soothe your complexion.

What’s more, it’s fragrance-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. Dermalogica is a PETA certified cruelty-free brand; it does not test any of its products on animals.

Buy now from Feelunique

8. The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

£11 | Buy from The Body Shop

The Body Shop

Why we love it: This cleansing butter is our Editor’s Pick in our best cleansing balm article.

It’s suitable for sensitive skin, due to the use of camomile, and this also makes it suitable for contact lens wearers. It removes all types of makeup, including waterproof mascara, and leaves skin feeling clean and soft.

As you can read in our best cleansing balm article, this balm is better used on dry skin as it grabs hold of the makeup and almost melts it away. We recommend you then use a reusable cleansing cloth and warm water to remove the traces of the balm – water alone might slide off – and then follow with a foaming cleanser. See above for options.

Buy now from The Body Shop

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Elly Rewcastle

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Best contour kit: Discover the best contour stick, palette and powder for you

Elly Rewcastle — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 15:03:24 +0000

Kim Kardashian-West may have driven a huge surge in people looking for the best contour kit but she didn’t invent the makeup technique. Far from it.

Drag queens for decades have been using makeup to alter their face shape and bone structure; making their jaws slimmer, their cheekbones more prominent and applying highlighter to areas where the light naturally hits to create a healthy glow.

Contouring – or at least the full-face contouring made famous by KKW – has fallen out of fashion recently in favour of more natural enhancements, or a larger focus on the makeup artist favourite, strobing. Strobing makes more of your features using light, compared to contouring which focuses more on enhancing the darker areas of your face.

READ NEXT: A beginner’s guide on how to contour

That’s not to say that contour products are no longer relevant – they still should be a staple of any makeup bag because they’re highly versatile providing a gentle bronzing glow to your face or helping to sharpen the edge of your eyebrows with the lighter shades.

They can even double-up as a nude eyeshadow palette.

Below we’ve handpicked what we consider to be the best contour kits, sticks and powders whether you’re a beginner of a contour pro.

Best contour kit

Editor’s Pick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Series Contour Kit – £42
Bargain Buy: Revolution Iconic Lights – £8
Luxury Buy/Best on-the-go contour kit: Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate – £42
Best brush for powder foundation: Huda Beauty Tantour – £26
Best vegan-friendly contour kit: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio – £46
Best duo-fibre contour kit: NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette – £19
Best multipurpose contour kit: Kevin Aucoin Duo – £20
Best contour stick: Benefit Hoola Quickie Contour Stick – £24
Best contour for all skin tones: Sleek Makeup Face Form Contour Palette – £8.99

1. Editor’s Pick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Series Contour Kit

£42 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Why we love it: There aren’t many brands that offer as many options when it comes to contouring than Anastasia Beverly Hills.

Its Pro Series contour kit offers multiple six-pan palettes of cream and powder contour, available in varying shades to complement all complexions, whether you’re fair or dark. It’s no wonder that the palettes are highly acclaimed.

Use the super creamy and pigmented shades to sculpt out your cheekbones and jawline and enhance with the highlight shades. You can also use the lighter shades on your brow bone to give your eyebrows better definition, and open up your eyes. Plus, rest assured, this contour will last all day long.

Buy now from Beauty Bay

2. Bargain Buy: Revolution Iconic Lights

£8 | Buy now from Superdrug

Revolution

Why we love it: Used by celebs, professionals and make-up lovers alike, the Revolution Iconic Lights is the holy grail of contour kits. Choose from eight different powders in a range of shades to blend, sculpt and highlight to create the illusion of more defined lines or brighter skin.

It’s popular because these powders build and are easy to blend, meaning its the best contour kit both beginners and pros. It’s also versatile enough that some shades make for the perfect transition shades on your eyes. All for £8!

FURTHER READING: Why we love Revolution Makeup so much

Buy now from Superdrug

3. Luxury Buy: Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Contour Kit

£62 | Buy now from John Lewis

Tom Ford

Why we love it: The Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate contour kit isn’t just our Luxury Buy because of its price, it’s a luxurious addition to your makeup bag because of its incredible quality. The cream products in this kit are so buttery and silky, and they blend effortlessly.

READ NEXT: Find your perfect foundation match

Use the subtle, sheer highlight shade to lift and light your face, while the darker shade adds subtle and natural-looking definition to the contours of your face. Youcan also use the darker shade as a contour blush.

This contour kit is a perfect addition if you’re a fan of the natural makeup look.

Buy now from John Lewis

4. Huda Beauty Tantour

£26 | Buy now from Cult Beauty

Huda Beauty

Why we love it: Just one product, but it’s all you need.

The queen of complexion, Huda Kattan – the brains behind the now-iconic Huda Beauty brand and the recently launched Wishful skincare range – created Tantour, a cream-to-powder bronzer and contour that gives a glorious, tanned glow to the skin.

Apply directly along your cheekbones to chisel and carve your face, or start small, layer it up and blend across your cheeks and temples for an all-round bronzer.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

5. Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio: Conceal, Contour and Highlight

£46 | Buy now from Harvey Nichols

Fenty Beauty

Why we love it: Expertly curated, the three products in Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio are guaranteed to complement one another and are catered towards four complexion groups, to help match your skin tone.

One of the things we love so much about the Fenty brand.

Easy to apply directly onto the skin and blendable with even your fingers, there’s no need to shell out for expensive brushes or sponges with this contour kit – which is lucky because it’s not cheap.

The sticks are also magnetic, meaning they can be stored together, and they’re small enough to fit in your handbag, meaning they’re perfect for contouring on the go.

Buy now from Harvey Nichols

6. NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette

£19 | Buy now from NYX

NYX

Why we love it: Another eight-pan palette joining this list of the best contour kits is the NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette.

It has four highlight and four contour shades to help you find your perfect combination and if you run out of one, no need to buy the whole palette again – the individual shades are available as refillable pans at a cost of £3.50 each.

Buy now from NYX

7. Kevin Aucoin Duo Contour Kit

£20 | Buy now from Cult Beauty

Kevin Aucoin

Why we love it: When it comes to this contour kit from Kevin Aucoin, two powders are all you need.

The sheer bronzing shade slides effortlessly onto the skin, sculpting your skin and ensuring that it stays flawless all day.

This is fantastic as a standalone bronzer, to give yourself that holiday glow.

Then combine it with the celestial powder for a subtle but gorgeous highlight that makes your complexion look flawless.

For the quality of Kevin Aucoin, a highly acclaimed brand, the price is great. It’s also only two products, so there’s no overcomplicated routine that takes up your time – simply swipe, blend and go.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

8. Benefit Hoola Quickie Contour Stick

£24 | Buy now from Cult Beauty

Benefit

Why we love it: This contour stick from Benefit’s fantastic Hoola range makes contouring easy and accurate. The cream formula turns to a powder consistency once blended in and the benefit of a powder finish is that harsh lines are not prominent, meaning it leaves you with a soft matte look.

Benefit’s Hoola range is great for adding that warm bronze look to your skin and the pigment on this contour stick is great, because it doesn’t have the orange tone to it. It offers more of a natural tan.

We love the packaging; Benefit always has a quirky fun theme to its packaging and the gold stick gives it a little luxurious look to it. The tube has an engraved bamboo sketch around it, which is the icon for this Hoola range.While the stick itself has a nice curve in the middle so that you have a good grip when you’re holding this.

What’s more, the Hoola Quickie Contour Stick is long-wearing, easy to apply because of the dome shape stick, and the smooth formula is easy to define those killer cheekbones.

If you want a natural-looking contour that isn’t too obvious then this is the best contour stick for you; it will give you a great day time look without the heaviness. It’s a great addition to your makeup bag for when you’re on the go, quick and easy to contour and you then just blend with your fingers.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

9. Sleek MakeUP Face Form Contour Palette

£8.99 | Buy now from Amazon

Sleek

Why we love it: This palette from Sleek MakeUP (one of the best cheap makeup brands around) is a great multi-tasking contour kit. From a contour powder, highlighter and/or blusher or bronzer, Face Form has all this in one neat compact designed to suit all skin tones.

All three colours in this palette – which is available in four different shades: light, fair, medium and dark – have a powder finish. The contouring powder is matt and has no sign of shimmer or glitter to it, which makes it a great bronzer too.

The powder highlighter has a soft shimmer champagne colour, no matter what shade you opt for it will still give you a soft-focused look. The blusher that comes with the set gives you a subtle pop of colour to your cheeks giving you that fresh look.

All of the Sleek MakeUP ranges are highly pigmented which means creating your contoured look will be a breeze with this palette.

What’s more, this is another great piece to add to your makeup bag for when you’re on the go because it has a little compact mirror on the lid – all for less than a £10. What a bargain!

Buy now from Amazon

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Elly Rewcastle

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Best lipstick: From nude to red and liquid to matte, here are our favourite lipsticks

Elly Rewcastle — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 06:00:28 +0000

Lipstick is that finishing part of your makeup routine that pulls everything together.

Even if you go for a nude that matches your natural lip colour and pair it with the slightest sweep of highlighter, it can really elevate your look.

We love everything from a classic red lipstick, a comfortable nude or a bold blue and we’ve scoured the shelves to find some of the best lipstick formulas that will last all day, are kind to your lips and look stunning.

Best lipstick

Editor’s Pick: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick – £18
Bargain Buy: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream – £6
Luxury Buy: Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick – £35
Best liquid lipstick: Fenty Stunna Lip Paint – £20
Best bullet lipstick: MAC lipstick – £17
Best matte lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution– £25
Most long-lasting lipstick: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick– £17

1. Editor’s Pick: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick

£18 | Buy now from Feelunique

Urban Decay

Why we love it: Available in six different finishes, Urban Decay’s Vice lipstick collection has options for everyone.

The formula is creamy and pigmented and the packaging is sleek and chic. One swipe is all it takes to cover your lips, which aren’t dragged about when applying.

Pair with the matching lip liner for a gorgeous look that doesn’t bleed, transfer or rub away.

Buy now from Feelunique

2. Bargain Buy: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

£6.50 | Buy now from NYX

NYX

Why we love it: We love NYX makeup, it’s one of the best cheap makeup brands around and punches well about its weight, particularly when it comes to lipsticks. This creamy, pigmented formula smells like a dream.

NYX’s Soft Matte Lip Cream comes in more than 30 shades and caters to your every need with shades from rich, blue-toned purple, to your everyday muted nudes.

Buy now from NYX

3. Luxury Buy: Pat McGrath MatteTrance lipstick

£35 | Buy now from Selfridges

Pat McGrath Labs

Why we love it: Designed by the superstar makeup artist herself, Pat McGrath, the MatteTrance lipstick feels like you’re not wearing anything, it’s that comfortable. We love it so much, it also features on our best red lipstick list.

With absolutely stunning packaging, this bullet lipstick looks beautiful on your dressing table, your nightstand, in your handbag or your makeup bag. Not to mention on your lips. All MatteTrance lipsticks, as their name suggests, give a comfortable matte finish that lasts all day and is transfer-proof.

Buy now from Selfridges

4. Fenty Stunna Lip Paint

£20 | Buy now from Debenhams

Fenty Beauty

Why we love it: One of the debut products from Rihanna’s brand, the Fenty Stunna lip paint has made it into top 10 lists all over (including our own best red lipsticks) down to its unreal staying power, its high-quality pigment, comfortable, long-wearing formula and unique applicator.

Buy now from Debenhams

5. MAC Lipstick

£17 | Buy now from Lookfantastic

MAC

Why we love it: An iconic product, MAC’s original bullet lipstick, which comes in 11 finishes including matte, cream and satin. It’s used and loved by millions including celebrities and supermodels. It looks gorgeous in photographs and is so kind to your lips.

Buy now from Lookfantastic

6.Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution

£25 | Buy now from Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury

Why we love it: Home of the iconic Pillow Talk nude, Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution bullet lipsticks are just stunning. The packaging for a start is so luxurious, while the product inside is magical.

The matte formula isn’t too drying or heavy, it perfects your pout and makes your lips look softer and smoother.

There are a few different lipsticks in the Charlotte Tilbury range but this is our go-to for day and night.

Buy now from Charlotte Tilbury

7. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

£17 | Buy now from Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer

Why we love it: A creamy matte formula with full-coverage colour, Stila’s Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick really does stay all day.

The shade range isn’t as wide as other products, but you’re bound to find one of its creamy nudes in the perfect shade for you and the price isn’t too extreme.

Buy now from Marks & Spencer

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Elly Rewcastle

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Best red lipstick: Master red lipstick looks with the best from MAC, Maybelline and Charlotte Tilbury

Elly Rewcastle — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 08:42:49 +0000

The best red lipstick can elevate any look into one full of glamour and sophistication.

But, as anyone who has ever attempted to buy and wear red lipstick, there’s much more to it than meets the eye (or lips). Firstly, you need to get the best red lipstick for your skin tone, then you need to find one that will last and finally, you need to apply with precision to avoid looking like the Joker.

READ NEXT: Find the perfect lip liner to match your lipstick

Choosing the best red for your tone is tricky. We explain a little more about this in our colour theory article, but as a general rule:

Light skin tones suit cool and berry reds, bordering almost on purple-y with blue undertones.
Olive skin looks great against reds with yellow/orange undertones.
Warmer medium tones suit reds with brown undertones.
Dark skin can handle deep reds and reds with blue undertones

Ruby Woo from MAC Cosmetics is a red lipstick that suits almost all skin tones. Lipsticks, like the rest of the range from Fenty Beauty, have also been designed to be more universal and inclusive by nature, so that may be a good place to start as well. Plus, in Boots stores, you can speak to a No 7 consultant who can recommend lipsticks based on your foundation match.

In terms of application, choosing from our list of best lip liners will help. It’s also worthwhile exfoliating your lips as a general rule, and we highly recommend MAC’s Prep & Prime lip primer for helping create a smooth base that the colour sticks to for hours.

We’ve also detailed our favourite red lipsticks below that typically come in different shades if the one we’ve picked doesn’t quite do it for you.

Best red lipstick

Editor’s Pick: Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson – £35
Bargain Buy: Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid in Heroine – £9.99
Luxury Buy: Christian Louboutin’s Velvet Matte Lipstick in Rouge Louboutin – £90
Best pencil red lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Love Bite – £25
Best liquid red lipstick: Dolce & Gabbana The Only One Luminous Colour Lipstick in Real Fire – £5.99
Best gel red lipstick: Kat Von D ‘Everlasting’ Liquid Lipstick in A Go-Go – £18
Best felt tip red lipstick: Fenty Stunnah Lip Paint in Uncensored – £20
Best powder red lipstick: Mac Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo – £17.50

1. Editor’s Pick: Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson 2

£35 | Buy now from Selfridges

Pat McGrath Labs

Why we love it: Created by the artist to the stars who everyone calls “mother”, Pat McGrath sure knows what she’s doing. Elson 2 is a timeless, deep red shade and in McGrath’s matte formula, it’s creamy, long-lasting (some of us wear it almost every day) and the packaging is beautiful. Honourable mention goes to Elson 2’s predecessor Elson, which is a more berry red.

Buy now from Selfridges

2. Bargain Buy: Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid in Heroine

£6.50 | Buy now from Superdrug

Maybelline

Why we love it: From one price extreme to the other, Maybelline’s Superstay liquid red lipstick stays put for hours. It’s also why it has a tendency to stain. The applicator is up there with the best liquid lipstick applicators on the market and the red shade is gorgeous, complementing all manor of skin tones and undertones.

Buy now from Superdrug

3. Luxury Buy: Christian Louboutin’s Velvet Matte Lipstick in Rouge Louboutin

£90 | Buy now from Selfridges

Christian Louboutin

Why we love it: This is Paris’s best-selling red lipstick for a reason. It is absolutely stunning – and can be worn as a necklace, so you always know where it is, and which is why it’s priced so high. It’s filled with nourishing oils and shea butter so your lips stay soft and subtle while also looking drop-dead gorgeous. Definitely one to treat yourself to as a celebration.

Buy now from Selfridges

4. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Love Bite

£16 | Buy now from Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury

Why we love it: A classic warm red, Charlotte Tilbury is the queen of lipsticks, and the packaging on this one is just beautiful. A perfect match for a subtle smokey eye that adds pop to any look whether you’re nipping to the shops or heading out on the town.

Buy now from Charlotte Tilbury

5. Dolce & Gabbana The Only One Luminous Colour Lipstick in Real Fire

£5.99 | Buy now from Harrods

Dolce & Gabbana

Why we love it: If you’ve got a deeper skin tone, look to firey orange-toned reds to make everything pop. D&G’s entry in this list of best red lipsticks is smooth and nourishing, and while not the most pigmented and vibrant, gives you that amazing sheer colour that complements all looks from natural and bridal to the boldest and most dramatic eyes.

Buy now from Harrods

6. Kat Von D ‘Everlasting’ Liquid Lipstick in A Go-Go

£18 | Buy now from Debehhams

Why we love it: This orange-red lipstick is as orange as you can get, but we just love the colour! The Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks are among our favourite formulas, and it’s vegan and cruelty-free! What more could you want?

Buy now from Debenhams

7. Fenty Stunnah Lip Paint in Uncensored

£17.55 | Buy now from Harvey Nichols

Fenty Beauty

Why we love it: Curated by Rihanna, Fenty’s lip paints are built to last but with the least amount of maintenance. Trust us, this one needs so few touchups and it’s so comfy that it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing anything. Uncensored is a “universal red”, meaning it suits all undertones and skin colours. Extra mention goes for the applicator, which can fit perfectly in the curves of your lips as well as run in between with ease to catch any missed spots.

Buy now from Harvey Nichols

8. Mac Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo

£19.50 | Buy now from MAC

MAC

Why we love it: If this isn’t the most timeless and classic red lipstick on the market, we don’t know what is. Since its release in 1999, Ruby Woo has consistently appeared on lists of best-selling lipsticks. At one point, the company claimed to be selling four Ruby Woos a minute! And we love it too, it’s a timeless classic. Its only downside for us is that it can be a little drying which is where the company’s Prep & Prime lip base comes in handy.

Buy now from MAC

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Elly Rewcastle

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Best eyeliner: Our pick of the best liquid, gel, pencil and powder eyeliners

Elly Rewcastle — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 12:51:06 +0000

Choosing the best eyeliner is not simply a case of picking a brand or a colour. Do you need a gel, pencil, powder or liquid eyeliner? Do you need a fine applicator or one that’s thicker? Then there’s the matter of how to apply eyeliner once you’ve found the best one.

The liner many people default to is a black, thin, liquid liner, which also happens to be the most difficult to apply. This is because you need an extremely steady hand and patience when using liquid eyeliner, let alone when the brush is thin and fiddly.

READ NEXT: Get the perfect winged eyeliner with this “cheat”

If you’re a beginner, we recommend you start with a pencil eyeliner. It may not give you the sharp edges or the vibrancy of colour that liquid eyeliners do but it’s much more forgiving.

If you’re after sharper edges but don’t feel confident with a liquid eyeliner yet, felt tip eyeliners are a great place to start for both pigment and ease-of-use.

For buildable colour, or if you want to use a makeup brush to apply your liner rather than a built-in pen, gel eyeliner is the way to go.

You can also buy powder eyeliners that are softer and can be blended more easily.

Or you can sack off eyeliners completely and just use eyeshadow and a thin makeup brush to create a solid line of colour.

There are additionally “cheat” products that can help you get that perfect winged eyeliner, but they’re generally more expensive than buying an eyeliner.

To help you choose, and to hopefully help you feel a little less overwhelmed, we’ve handpicked our favourite liners for every budget, skill level and need below.

Best eyeliner

Editor’s Pick: Pat McGrath Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner – £26
Bargain Buy: Soap & Glory Supercat Liquid Eyeliner Pen – £6.50
Luxury Buy: Guerlain Liquid Eyeliner – £29.70
Best pencil eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eye pencil– £16;
Best liquid eyeliner: Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner – £5.99
Best gel eyeliner: Inglot AMC eyeliner gel – £16
Best felt tip eyeliner: Benefit Roller Liner Eyeliner – £17.55
Best powder eyeliner: Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner – £19.50

1. Editor’s Pick: Pat McGrath Perma Precision

£26 | Buy now from Selfridges

Pat McGrath Labs

Why we love it: If you’re after the best eyeliner that offers the benefits of a liquid eyeliner with the ease-of-use of a felt tip, we highly rate the Perma Precision eyeliner from Pat McGrath Labs. It’s got a short nib meaning it works more like a brush than a pen and it’s the blackest black eyeliner we’ve used. It doesn’t dry out quickly and lasts for ages, too.

Pat McGrath is a world-renowned makeup artist and, while her collection is far from cheap, the quality and staying power of every product we’ve ever used makes them worth the investment.

Buy now from Selfridges

2. Bargain Buy: Soap & Glory Supercat

£6.50 | Buy now from Boots

Soap & Glory

Why we love it: Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, Soap & Glory’s Supercat eyeliner is up there with the best eyeliners on the market, despite coming in at just £6.50. It’s not the cheapest product in this list – that title goes to Rimmel – but we chose the Supercat Liquid Eyeliner Pen for our Bargain Buy because its felt tip nib makes it much easier to apply. You can also opt for skinny and precise, or a chunky and dramatic version, whatever matches your look, making this liner more versatile.

Buy now from Boots

3. Luxury Buy: Guerlain Liquid Eyeliner

£29.70 | Buy now from John Lewis

Guerlain

Why we love it: The price you’re paying for this eyeliner most definitely goes towards its gorgeous packaging. It’s so beautiful that it would make the perfect centrepiece of any dressing table. Guerlain describes its eyeliner as being “akin to a calligrapher’s tool,” and its super long brush helps you create a super fine line. This does make it a little harder to apply, but the formula has a gorgeous shine to it and a little goes a long way meaning this eyeliner will last a while.

Buy now from John Lewis

4. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil

£16 | Buy now from Urban Decay

Debenhams

Why we love it: If you’re after a liner that is less dramatic and precise, without sacrificing too much on pigment and staying power, we recommend Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On pencil eyeliner. Pencils are ideal for applying to both your waterline and along your upper lashes. Its soft formula also means you can blend this eyeliner out to create, or add to, a soft smokey look.

This creamy formula also means, as the name suggests, that the colour glides on reducing the chances of you snagging the skin and creating smudges. It’s also waterproof and comes in a staggering 50 shades from neon, to matte, shimmer and beyond.

Buy now from Urban Decay

5. Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner

£5.99 | Buy now from Amazon

Rimmel

Why we love it: If you’re after the best eyeliner that has a lot of pigment, stays place and makes a killer wing, look to a dip liquid eyeliner. We’re huge fans of Rimmel’s Exaggerate as it’s one of the blackest we’ve ever tried (behind Pat McGrath’s Perma Pen); it’s waterproof and lasts all day. It’s also incredibly cheap – although comes in a small pot so you may find you get through this eyeliner quickly.

If you need a bit of guidance, pop a bit of tape on the corner of your eye and draw along and up, this way your wing will be super sharp. Given both the liquid nature of this formula, and its pigment, we recommend you keep your eye closed for a few seconds after applying this to avoid any smudging of transference.

Buy now from Amazon

6. Inglot AMC Gel

£16 | Buy now from Amazon

Inglot

Why we love it: One of the more versatile types of eyeliner, gel eyeliner is up there with the easiest to use and can perform the benefits of a pencil with the precision of a liquid liner. Applied with a small brush, it can create the sharpest and most dramatic eye looks, and is perfect for editorial makeup, but can also be blended out for a more smokey look.

We love using Inglot’s AMC gel pot because the black is highly pigmented, so much so it rarely needs touching up, but it also comes in so many different colours that if you’re after a bright blue or a gorgeous gold, you’re covered. We apply a fierce wing with this, using a tiny angled brush (check out our makeup brushes guide to discover which brush is best for this) and add in a couple of drops of Inglot’s Duraline for a wet-look, black eyeliner that isn’t going anywhere.

Buy now from Amazon

7. Benefit Roller Liner

£17.55 | Buy now from John Lewis

Benefit

Why we love it: For the best control over your eyeliner, look to a felt tip. They’re just like a pen, obviously, meaning you can get a really good grip, making sure there are no wobbly lines. The downfall of these pens is that, like regular felt tips, they do dry out quickly if you leave the top off.

Benefit’s Roller Liner gives a solid, black line at first asking, which means you’re not left trying to patch it up. This one doesn’t drag on the skin, meaning it’s good for the delicate area around your eyes as well and when paired with the fantastic Roller Lash mascara (the best mascara we’ve ever used) it creates a bold, beautiful look on a relative budget. This is just one of the reasons why Benefit is one of the best cheap makeup brands on the market.

Buy now from John Lewis

8. Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner

£19.50 | Buy now from SpaceNK

Laura Mercier

Why we love it: If you’re new to the eyeliner game, or just prefer a simple application that offers more options than a pencil eyeliner, then powder may be for you. You can always opt for an eyeshadow, but Laura Mercier’s Tightline Cake eyeliner is a dream to work with. Use with a dry brush for a soft, delicate line or use a wet brush and mix into a paste for a sharper colour.

It gets its name from a technique used to create a more delicate, but still striking, eyeliner look called tightlining. Tightlining is when you apply the liner at the base of your upper lashes, intensifying your mascara while not sacrificing lid space. To apply this liner, wiggle the brush between individual lashes. It’s dermatologically tested, meaning it’s safe for contact lens wearers.

Buy now from SpaceNK

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Elly Rewcastle

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