Products

Guide

Hydrating primer

A water-light gel or milk that plumps dry skin so the base does not catch on dry patches.

We recommendLaura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Hydrating

Guide

Mattifying primer

An oil-absorbing primer that keeps shine down through the day.

We recommendLaura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Blurring, NARS Soft Matte Primer

Guide

Illuminating primer

A pearly base that lends the skin light from underneath the foundation.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer, Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Illuminating

Guide

Liquid foundation

The standard base: pigment suspended in a fluid, in shades matched to the skin.

We recommendBobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation SPF 15, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, Laura Mercier Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation, NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation

Guide

Skin tint

A watery, sheer base that evens tone while letting skin show through.

We recommendBobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint SPF 15

Guide

Tinted moisturiser

A moisturiser with a little pigment in it — often with sunscreen — for the lightest base.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturiser, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

Guide

Stick foundation

Cream foundation set into a twist-up stick, for targeted coverage and travel.

We recommendBobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick, Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick

Guide

Powder foundation

Foundation pressed into a powder cake, for a quick matte base in one step.

We recommendBobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation, Laura Mercier Real Flawless Feather Matte Powder Foundation

Guide

Liquid concealer

A fluid concealer in a wand tube, the most versatile form for the under-eye.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Guide

Cream concealer

A thick, high-coverage concealer in a small pot, for blemishes and deep shadow.

We recommendNARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer

Guide

Stick concealer

A firm concealer in a slim twist-up case, for spot coverage.

We recommendBobbi Brown Skin Concealer Stick, Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Brighten & Correct Duo

Guide

Concealer palette

Several cream concealers in one palette, to mix a match or correct and conceal together.

We recommendLaura Mercier Secret Camouflage Complexion Perfector

Guide

Colour corrector

A cream in the colour opposite what it hides: peach or orange over blue shadows, green over redness, lavender over sallowness.

We recommendBobbi Brown Under Eye Color Corrector, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish Color Corrector

Guide

Loose setting powder

A fine loose powder that sets the base, takes down shine and holds everything beneath it in place.

We recommendLaura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder, NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder

Guide

Pressed powder

Setting powder pressed into a compact, for touching up away from the mirror.

We recommendBobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder, NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

Guide

Setting spray

A fine mist that melts powder into skin and fixes the finished face for longer wear.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, Laura Mercier Translucent Hydrating Setting Spray Ultra-Blur, NARS Light Reflecting Makeup Setting Mist

Guide

Powder blush

Pressed colour for the cheeks, the most common form of blush.

We recommendBobbi Brown Blush, Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Powder Blush, Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion Powder Duo, NARS Powder Blush

Guide

Cream blush

An emollient colour that melts into skin, often worn on the lips as well.

We recommendBobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks

Guide

Blush stick

Cream blush in a twist-up stick, applied straight to the cheek.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick

Guide

Liquid blush

Highly pigmented fluid colour for a flush that looks like it comes from under the skin.

We recommendNARS Afterglow Liquid Blush

Guide

Powder bronzer

A warm pressed powder that adds the colour sun would, where sun would.

We recommendBobbi Brown Bronzing Powder, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Matte Bronzer, NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder

Guide

Cream bronzer

Bronzer in a cream base, which melts into skin and reads as skin rather than powder.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer, NARS Laguna Bronzing Cream

Guide

Contour palette

Shadow and light shades together, so the face can be sculpted from one compact.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow

Guide

Pressed highlighter

A light-reflecting powder for the high points of the face.

We recommendBobbi Brown Highlighting Powder, NARS Light Reflecting Luminizing Powder

Guide

Liquid highlighter

A pearlescent fluid for an all-over glow or a precise high shine.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand

Guide

Cream highlighter stick

A translucent balm with a sheen, for a highlight that looks wet rather than glittery.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Unreal Highlighter Fresh Healthy Glow Stick, NARS Light Reflecting Luminizing Stick

Guide

Face palette

Blush, bronzer and highlighter in one compact, chosen to work together.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Hollywood Blush & Glow Glide Palette, Laura Mercier Bonne Glow Cream Face Palette, NARS Hot Escape Cheek Palette

Guide

Multi-use stick

A sheer cream colour made to be worn on the cheeks, lids and lips at once.

We recommendNARS The Multiple

Guide

Eyeshadow primer

A thin, tacky base that stops shadow creasing and makes its colour truer.

We recommendNARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Guide

Single eyeshadow

One pressed shade in its own small compact.

We recommendBobbi Brown Luxe Shimmer Eyeshadow, Laura Mercier Matte Eye Shadow

Guide

Eyeshadow quad

Four coordinated shades — typically light, medium, deep and a shimmer — for one complete eye.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette, Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeshadow Quad, NARS Quad Eyeshadow

Guide

Eyeshadow palette

A large range of shades in one case, for building many looks from one kit.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Easy Eye Palette

Guide

Cream eyeshadow

Shadow in a cream base, for a fast wash of colour that sets in place.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise

Guide

Eyeshadow stick

Cream shadow in a twist-up stick, drawn straight onto the lid.

We recommendBobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick, Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Easy Eyeshadow Stick, Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow

Guide

Liquid eyeshadow

A fluid shadow, often metallic, that dries down to a crease-proof film.

We recommendNARS Sparkling Seduction Liquid Eyeshadow

Guide

Kohl pencil

A soft, waxy pencil made to be smudged — the modern way to wear a kohl-rimmed eye.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Rock ’N’ Kohl Eyeliner Pencil, Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner, NARS High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner

Guide

Gel eyeliner pencil

A retractable pencil with a creamy gel lead that glides, then sets waterproof.

We recommendBobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Liner Stick

Guide

Gel eyeliner

A dense gel in a small pot, applied with a brush — sharp enough for a wing, soft enough to smudge.

We recommendBobbi Brown Long-Wear Smudge-Proof Gel Eyeliner

Guide

Felt-tip eyeliner

Liquid liner in a pen with a firm felt tip, the easiest way to draw a wing.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury The Feline Flick Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Guide

Kajal

A soft black eye paste traditionally made from lamp soot and ghee or oil, applied with a fingertip or a rod — now also sold as a twist-up stick.

We recommendBobbi Brown 24-Hour Kajal Eyeliner Waterproof

Guide

Volumising mascara

Mascara with a full, dense brush that deposits a thick coat on every lash.

We recommendBobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara, Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara, NARS Climax Mascara

Guide

Micro brow pencil

An extremely fine retractable pencil, with a spoolie at the other end, for drawing individual hairs.

We recommendBobbi Brown Precise Brow Pencil, Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat

Guide

Tinted brow gel

A tinted, fibre-flecked gel that colours, thickens and sets the brow hairs.

We recommendBobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper, Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows

Guide

Clear brow gel

A transparent gel that holds the brows in shape without adding colour.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Brow Fix, NARS Brow Shaping Gel

Guide

Bullet lipstick

Lip colour moulded into a bullet and set in a twist-up case.

We recommendBobbi Brown Luxe Lipstick, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick, NARS Explicit Lipstick

Guide

Lip gloss

A glossy, sheer-to-tinted fluid for shine.

We recommendBobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre, Laura Mercier Lip Glacé Balm Gloss, NARS Afterglow Lip Shine

Guide

Lip plumper

A gloss with a mild irritant — often a pepper or menthol derivative — sold to make the lips look fuller for a while.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm

Guide

Lip oil

A tinted oil that conditions and shines without the stickiness of gloss.

We recommendBobbi Brown Extra Blushing pH Tinted Lip Oil, Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oil

Guide

Tinted lip balm

A balm with a wash of colour, for lips that look like lips.

We recommendBobbi Brown Extra Lip Tinted Balm, NARS Afterglow Lip Balm

Guide

Lip liner

A firm wooden pencil for outlining the mouth — or redrawing it.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner, Laura Mercier Caviar Perfecting Lip Liner, NARS Lip Liner

Guide

Lip crayon

A chubby pencil — usually twist-up — carrying lipstick-strength colour, precise enough to draw the shape and bold enough to fill it.

We recommendNARS Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil, Laura Mercier Petal Soft Lipstick Crayon, NARS Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil

Guide

Powder brush

A large, loosely packed, fluffy brush that lays down a veil of powder rather than pushing it in.

We recommendBobbi Brown Sheer Setting Powder Brush, Laura Mercier Glow Powder Brush

Guide

Flat-top buffing brush

A dense brush cut straight across, which buffs liquid and cream into skin with no streaks.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Magic Complexion Brush

Guide

Stippling brush

Two layers of fibre — long and sparse over short and dense — that dot product on for an airbrushed finish.

We recommendLaura Mercier Finishing Brush

Guide

Domed buffing brush

A dense, rounded brush on a full-length handle, for buffing cream and liquid with more control than a kabuki.

We recommendBobbi Brown Full Coverage Liquid & Powder Foundation Brush, Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation Brush

Guide

Flat concealer brush

A small, flat, tongue-shaped synthetic brush for placing concealer precisely.

We recommendLaura Mercier Secret Camouflage Brush

Guide

Concealer buffing brush

A small, dense, domed brush — about the size of a fingertip — that buffs concealer into skin.

We recommendBobbi Brown Concealer Blending Brush, NARS #10 Radiant Creamy Concealer Brush

Guide

Blush brush

A medium, soft, domed brush sized to the apple of the cheek.

We recommendBobbi Brown Cream & Powder Blush Brush, Charlotte Tilbury Bronzer & Blusher Brush, NARS #16 Blush Brush

Guide

Angled contour brush

A denser brush cut on a sharp slant, for laying contour into the hollow of the cheek.

We recommendLaura Mercier Angled Cheek Contour Brush

Guide

Tapered sculpting brush

A narrow, oval head that tapers to a soft point, for placing shadow exactly and blending it out.

We recommendCharlotte Tilbury Powder & Sculpt Brush

Guide

Bronzer brush

A large, loose, slightly flattened brush that diffuses warmth over a wide area.

We recommendBobbi Brown Cream & Powder Bronzer Brush, Laura Mercier Bronzer Brush, NARS #14 Bronzer Brush

Guide

Fan brush

A thin arc of bristles — the lightest touch in the kit — for highlighter and for dusting away fallout.

We recommendLaura Mercier Fan Powder Brush

Guide

Tapered highlighter brush

A small, soft, pointed brush that puts highlight exactly on the high point.

We recommendNARS #15 Precision Powder Brush

Guide

Flat shader brush

A flat eye brush with firm bristles and a rounded edge, for packing colour onto the lid.

We recommendLaura Mercier All Over Eye Color Brush, NARS #20 Allover Eyeshadow Brush

Guide

Fluffy blending brush

Long, loose bristles rising to a soft point — the brush that removes edges.

We recommendBobbi Brown Eyeshadow Applicator Brush, Charlotte Tilbury Eye Blender Brush, NARS #22 Blending Brush

Guide

Crease brush

A small, tapered, pointed brush that fits into the socket line.

We recommendLaura Mercier Eye Crease Brush, NARS #23 Precision Blending Brush

Guide

Pencil brush

Tightly packed bristles shaped to a firm point, for detail along the lash line and in the inner corner.

We recommendLaura Mercier Crème Eye Detail Brush

Guide

Smudger brush

A short, very dense, slightly domed tuft on a slim eye-brush handle — made to press liner and shadow into the lash line and soften it into smoke.

We recommendBobbi Brown Diffused Smokey Eyeliner Brush, Charlotte Tilbury Eye Smudger Brush, Laura Mercier Smudge Brush, NARS #25 Smudge Brush

Guide

Fine liner brush

A very fine, pointed brush like an artist’s detail brush, for the thinnest line.

We recommendBobbi Brown Eye Definer Eyeliner & Brow Brush, Laura Mercier Angled Eye Liner Brush

Guide

Flat definer brush

A small, very dense, square-cut brush that pushes colour into the roots of the lashes.

We recommendLaura Mercier Flat Eye Liner Brush

Guide

Angled brow brush

Stiff, thin bristles cut on an angle — firmer and a little wider than a liner brush — for brow powder and pomade.

We recommendNARS #27 Brow Defining Brush

Guide

Spoolie

A spiral brush of short bristles twisted around a wire, for brushing brows into shape and separating lashes.

We recommendNARS #28 Brow Spoolie

Guide

Lip brush

A small, flat, tapered brush for a precise lip line and even colour.

We recommendLaura Mercier Lip Color Brush

Guide

Velour powder puff

A plush round puff that presses powder in and rolls it off, setting without disturbing the base.

We recommendLaura Mercier Velour Powder Puff

Guide

Eyelash curler

A scissor-action clamp with a curved, padded jaw that bends the lashes upward.

We recommendLaura Mercier Artist Eyelash Curler, NARS Eyelash Curler

Guide

Cosmetic sharpener

A dual-hole sharpener sized for slim and jumbo cosmetic pencils.

We recommendLaura Mercier Pencil Sharpener, NARS Pencil Sharpener

Guide

Cleansing oil

An oil that dissolves makeup and turns milky with water so it rinses clean.

We recommendBobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil

Guide

Bi-phase eye makeup remover

Oil and water in two layers, shaken together to remove waterproof eye makeup.

We recommendBobbi Brown Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover