I’m not a total beauty junkie, I just really like products. I like swatching them and sniffing them and slathering them all over myself in the hope that I’ll wake up looking like Megan Fox. I’ve always loved playing with lotions and potions and often used to break into my mum’s cosmetics stash and leave her room looking like an oompa-loompa after a heavy night out. Okay: I am a total beauty junkie.

Over the years I’ve honed in my routine and on a day to day basis my focus is now generally on speed and on maximising precious moments in bed. Anything that offers a shortcut and still makes me look like a solid 6/10 is well and truly worth it in my eyes and I’ve found myself coming back to a few of the same products time and time again.

5 Ride-or-Dies in My Make Up Bag

Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara: £23

I think mascara is a very personal thing and people often forget that just because it looks one way on someones lashes, does not mean that it will do the same to yours. That’s why I’d always recommend trying to get your mitts on a trial size where a product is a little more pricey, or even asking the lovely ladies on the counters or in the stores to give it a go for you. I trialed the Full Fat Lashes Mascara in the Charlotte Tilbury store in Covent Garden about 18 months ago and I literally have not looked back. I’m on my third bottle – do not lecture me about throwing it away after 3 months because I will ignore you – and find that the formula is non-clumpy, non-flakey and fast drying meaning that I can either go for a more natural look or layer it up for a night out.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer: £24.50

Benefit is one of those brands that I do feel like I’ve grown out of. In my teenage years it was the holy grail but these days I tend to find myself straying more toward slightly more sophisticated brands. That being said, Hoola is never leaving my make up bag. The soft, buildable, beige bronzing powder makes me look 11/10 less like a corpse and I find that it works all year round to add a sheer glow in the summer (if I’m tanned enough, I basically wear it as a powder…) and a ‘let’s pretend I’m getting more than 6 minutes of sunlight a day’ illusion in the winter.

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge: £22

Bobbi Brown – along with Charlotte Tilbury in close second – has become my favourite make up brand without a shadow of a doubt. I love and use so many Bobbi products, but the Pot Rouge deserves a big gold, shiny pedestal. It’s the most versatile product in my make up bag; I wear it on my cheeks, on my eyelids and on my lips and if they ever discontinue the shade ‘Uber Beige’ I’ll definitely shed multiple tears then stockpile.

Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow: £38.50

I received a travel size bottle of Wonder Glow within a PR package from Charlotte Tilbury and within a week I had ordered the full size. I hadn’t really expected the product to make much of a noticeable difference to my skin but even just a small amount and I’m dancing around in front of my mirror like helllooooooo who is that glowing goddess I see before me? Okay, not quite. But it is bloody good. You can use it as a primer but honestly, I think to put foundation on top of it would actually be a shame. This is my go to product for those non-make up make up days: it evens and smooths my skin tone and leaves a really sassy dewy hue that makes me feel considerably more confident.

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colour in Bare Pink: £27.00

You know everyone always says you should find your nude? Well this is mine. This lipstick is an absolute dream come true; it’s smooth and creamy (so none of that gross flaking in the corners throughout the day), it’s long lasting and it makes me lips feel moisterised. It’s definitely at the upper end of what I’d spend on a lippy but without sounding mega dramatic, if I could only have one shade in my make up bag it would be this. It goes with any make up look and I’ve had so many compliments on it.

Some of the above products were received as PR gifts. That in no way alters the honesty and enthusiasm of my review. All imagery and words are my own and subject to copyright. Post contains some affiliate links.