This summer, I am a bridesmaid at two weddings, a guest at three, have two hen dos and a few birthdays scattered in for good measure. While I’m sure they’ll all be mighty fun, I’m also looking at parting with a whole lot of cash once I’ve travelled/bought gifts/found dresses/paid for semi-nude butlers to serve drinks. If you’re in a similar boat and wouldn’t mind saving pounds where possible, here are five make-up buys that don’t cost the earth but will do marvellous things for your face //
Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid l to r 20 Coral Courage, 40 Berry Boost, 50 Nude Thrill
Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid, £4.99 each here / I’ve yet to find an expensive matte this good – seriously, these stick around for ages but don’t dry or make lips feel like they’ve shrunk. Nude Thrill is my current jam – it looks amazing with a bit of bronzer and kohl-rimmed eyes.
Maybelline Master Contour V-Shape Duo Stick Contour & Highlight £6.99 here / While I don’t love a fully contoured face, a swipe of this cool toned creamy pen under the cheekbones and a little danced on the tops of cheekbones looks great. Make sure you blend properly.
Bourjois Paris Bronzing Powder Tropical Festival Limited Edition, £5.99 here / Move quickly on this one if you’re keen – I’ve been told it’s flying off shelves. Doesn’t surprise me – it’s perfect for handbags owing to it being lightweight and encased in cardboard, it applies a subtle wash of bronze but can be built up, and it contains just the teeniest touch of illuminating shimmer (on the skin it just looks glowy, not shimmery).
Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipstick in Wine Not Satin and Love & O-Beige Shine
Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipsticks – The Nudes and Reds Collection, £9 each / Good nudes in a variety of shades and reds that look juicy with a decent pay off – a lipstick from these collections deserves a place in your make-up bag.
Revlon ColorStay Make-Up Combination/Oil in 220 SPF 15, £12.99 here / This performs as well as a foundation three times the price and is a favourite among make-up artists. It offers medium to full coverage (depending on how you apply it) and I find it looks best when applied over a primer/moisturiser.