A Year Off Makeup? It’s Time For An Essentials Upgrade​

There is no denying the last year has been wild, but for any beauty lover, one of the craziest outcomes has been the chance to take a whole year off makeup. For some this might have meant more time to indulge in skincare, but for others, this might have meant a whole year of craving a full-face look with Instagram selfies to match.

But, as we all look forward to lockdown (hopefully) ending, now is the perfect time to have a clear out and refresh your base essentials. Like all beauty products, foundations and concealers have use-by dates, which is usually no longer than 12 months from the date you opened the bottle. The last thing you need is your 2020 foundation underperforming and ruining your first restriction free outing with your pals. So, take this excuse to level up your base essentials and find the 2021 upgrade that’ll you never want a year off from.

If there is one weakness that all beauty lovers share, it’s a multi-use product; mainly because of space saving, convenience, an excuse to haul more. Sample Beauty’s Erase and Boost Base is a concealer and eyeshadow base that works to cover blemishes, dark circles, and redness on the skin and improve colour payoff, make blending a dream, and increase the longevity of eyeshadows on the lids. Plus, the compact shape and very compact price means you can easily squeeze two into your haul. 2021 will be a great year for concealer…

ZOEVA Authentik Skin Foundation was created with the idea that everyone should feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, so if you’re feeling apprehensive about reapplying makeup, then this foundation is for you. With a super lightweight, buildable formula, the foundation leaves a natural looking finish that looks and feels like your real skin. If skincare has been your makeup for the past year, then the infused rose hip oil in the formula should help to close the deal.

If you’re looking for a unique selling point that will make a concealer stand out amongst the crowd, let me talk to you about how Cover FX Power Play Concealer can help to defend your skin against pollutants, all while creating a flawless, full coverage base. We’ve all been keeping safe at home and that has helped to protect your skin (for the most part) from pollutants in towns and cities that can wreak havoc on your complexion. So, if you’re looking to keep your skin nicely cocooned, this weightless, long-wearing concealer is your pal.

As far as foundations go, there is no better all-rounder than Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Luminous Foundation. Not only is the foundation water resistant, it’s also pretty clued up on how to hide imperfections, uneven texture, and discolouration. With a medium, luminous finish, the formula is also a powerhouse of skincare ingredients, with antioxidant vitamin E and soothing seaweed extra to hydrate, calm, and condition the skin, all while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

If you’re looking to take your reintroduction to makeup slowly, Revolution Pro’s CC Perfecting Foundation should be just the ticket. The skin perfecting foundation is a true hero for lovers of a customisable base, offering a sheer to full coverage depending on how much you apply. With added SPF30 to protect the skin from the sun during your post-lockdown activities, the long-lasting foundation helps to keep the skin hydrated and plump with infused hyaluronic acid, collage, and antioxidant vitamin E. And we all know – say it with me – hydrated skin equals better makeup.

Full-coverage enthusiasts, we want you to meet your next best concealer friend, Nabla’s Close Up Concealer. The clue is in the name, but this concealer is all about hiding imperfections, not just from a far, but even when you’re up close and personal once social distancing has subsided. Suitable for all skin types, the concealer has a smooth, creamy formula that really loves nothing better than effortlessly covering blemishes, dark circles, redness, and discolouration. We think you’re both going to get on really well.

Created by the queen of full-faced makeup themselves, Drag Race star KimChi, The Most Concealer has all the hallmarks of being the ruler of your makeup bag. Ideal for creating a full coverage finish, The Most Concealer is designed to concealer, cover, correct, and contour, while staying waterproof and frankly, flawless. The concealer knows the most about covering blemishes, dark undereye circles, and other imperfection, leaving a matte satin hybrid finish that will last all day long. Tried, tested, and proven by the monarch of makeup, KimChi.

One of the biggest skin concerns to arise from the past year – aside from the dreaded maskne – is the effects of blue light on our skin. Blue light is the damaging light emitted from phones, laptops, TVs, and basically, any type of screen, and can cause everything from dullness and discolouration to hyper-pigmentation and speeding up the aging process. Luckily, Milani’s Screen Queen Foundation doesn’t only perform like any haul-worthy foundation should, it is also pretty skilled at protecting the skin from blue light. With a light to medium coverage finish, the foundation keeps your skin looking like your skin while Digital Bluelight Filter Technology keeps it protected.