Best Beauty Buys: Make-Up

Eyeshadows, £13 each, MAC

Think beyond the smoky eye with these make-up-kit staples. ‘This range offers everything from soft tones to explosive glitters, 
in a variety of textures,’ says make-up artist Lisa Laudat. ‘You can easily create any look.’
 

Hypnôse Waterproof Mascara, £22.50, Lancôme

'People complain waterproof mascara is difficult to remove, 
but this is super gentle, with all 
the endurance needed for a day 
at the beach,’ says make-up 
expert Alex Byrne.
 

Hypnôse Mascara, £22.50, Lancôme

Want thick, fluttery lashes? This cult classic ‘adds instant drama, thanks to a gap in the bristles of the brush where mascara pools’, says make-up artist Attracta Courtney, who’s worked with Eva Longoria and Cara Delevingne.
 

Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, £18, 
Bobbi Brown

Worn graphic or smudged, this liner has serious staying power. ‘It’s pliable enough to blend but, once it sets, it doesn’t transfer, smudge or crack,’ says make-up pro Mary Wiles.
 

Eye Kohls, £14 each, MAC

'I love these,’ says make-up pro Sonia Deveney, who’s used them on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Lara Stone. ‘My go-to shades are Teddy, a dark bronze, and Smolder, a rich black. They’re easy to blend and give great definition.’
 

Masterpiece, £9.99, Max Factor (boots.com)

'I spend a fortune on make-up, so when an affordable mascara like this performs like the expensive ones, it’s a miracle,’ says make-up expert Louise Constad.
 

Pro Longwear Paint Pots, £13.95 each, MAC

There's no beauty product quite as versatile as these. 'They glide on like a second skin, so you can build up colour without cakiness. For extra wow factor, layer powder shadow over the top', says make-up artist Liz Martins. 

Brow Wiz, £15.50, Anastasia Beverly Hills (cultbeauty.co.uk)

Cara-esque arches can be yours. Seriously. ‘I use these on every job 
– editorial, fashion shows and celebrities,’ says make-up guru Emma Miles. ‘They’re the perfect consistency and the colour range is incredible.’
 

Lipglass, £14.50, MAC

It’s all about the finish with this gloss. ‘It gives lips a unique, glass-like effect,’ says make-up artist Amanda Grossman. ‘You’ll be impressed by its staying power, too – better than any other gloss.’
 

Lipsticks, £15.50 each, MAC

Our panel rave about these year after year. Ruth Funnell, who’s worked with Natalie Portman, Kate Moss and Emma Watson, says, ‘They cater for every shade or texture you could want.’ 

Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Lip Stain, £25, YSL Beauté (boots.com)

‘An incredible product,’ says make-up artist Sonia Deveney. ‘It’s a non-sticky gloss with an intense rich colour and a long-lasting stain all rolled into one.’ 

Confort Extreme Nutritive Lip Balm, £44, Sisley (spacenk.com)

‘I’ve carried this in my kit since its launch,’ says make-up pro Ruby Hammer. ‘It’s perfect for moisture and comfort and helps heal.’ 

Pro Longwear Lipcolour, £18, MAC

Here’s why this two-step pout perfector nabbed the top spot: ‘The colour is smooth on application but fixes to the lips without drying them,’ says make-up expert Karin Darnell. 

Lip Colour in Blush Nude, £37, Tom Ford (selfridges.com)

This works for everybody,’ says make-up pro Mary Greenwell, who’s painted the pouts of Jessica Chastain and Cate Blanchett. ‘Plus, the packaging is so chic.’
 

Lipstick in Ruby Woo, £15.50, MAC

With its on-trend matte texture and flattering hue, this takes the top spot again. ‘The blue-red tone makes teeth look whiter, too,’ says make-up artist Lauren Parsons.
 

Le Blush Crème, £27, Chanel (houseoffraser.co.uk)

If you need a quick hangover-skin fix, try this. ‘The oil-free formula means colour stays put. Apply with fingers for a natural flush,’ says make-up artist Eli Wakamatsu.
 

Terracotta Moisturising Bronzing Powder, £34.50, Guerlain (johnlewis.com)

A good, non-orange bronzer 
is hard to find. ‘This one looks like a natural tan,’ says make-up pro Cassie Lomas.
 

Shimmering Skin Perfector SPF 25+, £33, Becca (spacenk.com)

A facial in a bottle,’ says make-up maestro Annabel Callum, who’s worked with Rita Ora and Alexa Chung. ‘I use it on cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the Cupid’s bow and the bottom lip.’
 

Blush in Orgasm, £22.50, Nars

The colour of this cult classic is as standout as its name. ‘It’s the perfect coral-pink shade with just a hint of shimmer that flatters most complexions,’ says make-up expert Lauren Parsons.
 

True Match, £9.99, L’Oréal Paris 

‘It’s super-easy to blend, has a shade for every skin tone and gives a velvety finish,’ says make-up expert Zoe Taylor. ‘An essential.’
 

Vitalumière SPF 15, £36, Chanel (boots.com)

Flawless, natural, dewy. This base does it all. ‘It doesn’t even look like you’re wearing foundation,’ says make-up artist Amanda Grossman.
 

Sheer Face Powder, £27, 
Shu Uemura (shuuemura.co.uk)

‘This clever product can be pressed into skin to absorb excess oil,’ says make-up queen Ciona Johnson-King. ‘Or use a light dusting for a luminous finish. It’s always natural and undetectable.’
 

Diorskin Star Studio Makeup Foundation, £32, Dior

Ever wonder why the A-list look so flawless in photos? It’s all down to the lighting. That’s the idea behind this innovative base. ‘It makes skin look lit from within,’ says InStyle beauty writer Jessica Tibbits.
 

Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, £21.50, MAC

For touch-ups on the go, this base is a winner. ‘You’ve just got to try it if you have oily skin,’ says make-up guru Vanesa Guallar. 

Foundation Primer, £29, Laura Mercier (Johnlewis.com)

The best skin-prepper around? Yes! ‘It plumps dehydrated skin, minimises imperfections and makes your base stay put,’ says make-up artist Lisa Laudat.
 

BB Cream SPF 35, £26.10, Bobbi Brown

This perfector gets brownie points for its natural tones. ‘I’ve used the darker shades on Naomie Harris,’ says make-up genius Kenneth Soh.
 

Touche Éclat, £20, YSL Beauté

There’s a reason this is still in the top spot. ‘It’s the perfect mix of colour, texture and design,’ says make-up artist Eli Wakamatsu.
 

Secret Camouflage, £26.50, Laura Mercier (Houseoffraseer.co.uk)

‘It’s got just the right texture, with enough pigment to cover imperfections,’ says make-up artist Liz Pugh, who uses it on Natalie Dormer and Gemma Arterton.
 

Moisture Surge CC Cream, £25.20, Clinique

‘Great for everyday,’ says make-up guru Polly Osmond. ‘I recommend it as an off-duty go-to because it covers imperfections and corrects skin tone without the heaviness of a foundation.’
 

Original SPF 15 Foundation, £25, Bare Minerals

This chemical-and paraben-free formula is great for sensitive skin. 'Plus, the warm shade range makes matching skin tones a breeze,' says make-up pro Linda Anderson. 

Make-up brushes, from £9, Shu Uemura (shuuemura.co.uk)

If you only invest in one item for your make-up kit, make it one of these. ‘I fell in love with them when I started out,’ says make-up artist Gina Kane. ‘They are of exceptional quality and there’s a brush for every purpose.’
 

Eyelash Curler, £20, Shu Uemura (shuuemura.co.uk)

This is the Rolls-Royce of eyelash curlers and worth every penny,’ says make-up pro Linda Andersson. ‘It’s the longest-lasting product in my kit; I’ve had it for six years and couldn’t work without it. It’s the fastest way to refresh tired eyes, because it lifts even the tiniest corner lashes and preps them for mascara.’
 

Tweezers, £20.95 each, Tweezerman (feelunique.com)

No beauty booty is complete without a pair of these tried-and-trusted tools. ‘These tweezers are one of my most valued possessions,’ says make-up expert Millie Kendal. ‘I keep them on my desk, in my bedroom, in my bathroom, bag and car.’ Here’s why: ‘I love the sharp clasp, which you can have 
re-sharpened for free. You simply never miss a hair with them.’
 

Make-up brushes, from £5.99, Real Techniques (boots.com)

Wth their user-friendly shapes, quality and cruelty-free ethos, these should be more expensive than they are,’ says make-up pro Alex Byrne.