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By Natalie Chui
BB Cream
Popularised by South Korean beauty brands, BB cream stands for “beauty/blemish balm” and is a lightweight alternative to foundation that also treats the skin with beneficial ingredients; often including SPF and hyaluronic acid.
Try: Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35, £32
CC Cream
Similar to BB Creams, CC Creams contain SPF but work to brighten the skin with Colour Correcting technology and reduce redness, dullness and sallowness.
Try: Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets CC Crème, £42
Tinted Moisturiser
The fusion between foundation and moisturiser, a tinted moisturiser provides light coverage over the face with hydrating and moisturising skincare benefits, giving the skin a natural finish.
Try: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Oil Free, £35
Primer
The first step of make-up, primer is used before foundation to prepare the skin and help make-up last longer. There are a number of primers with different skincare purposes; from soothing redness to illuminating the skin, allowing you to tailor to your skin type.
Try: The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer, £3.90
Setting Spray
Used at the end of make-up application, setting sprays are designed to lock your make-up in place with a soothing, hydrating mist.
Try: MAC Prep + Prime Fix +, £21
Finishing Powder
Either in loose or pressed formulations, finishing powder is applied after foundation to set make-up in place. It is also used to blur pores, wrinkles, fine lines and smooth uneven texture.
Try: Laura Mercier Mineral Powder, £31.50
Contouring
Contouring is a make-up technique that sculpts the face by creating contrast on specific areas, normally with a shade darker than your natural skin tone. Formulated as a cream or in palettes with highlighter shades, apply contour underneath your cheekbones and jawlines, then blend away.
Try: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate, £62
Make-up brushes
A range of make-up brushes are used to apply different make-up products onto the face. Larger brushes are typically used to apply face make-up because they are designed to distribute make-up evenly, while smaller brushes are used on the eyes and lips as they create detailed definition.
Try: MAC 239S Eye Shader Brush, £21
Waterproof mascara
Great for sensitive and watery eyes, waterproof mascara is specifically formulated with low amounts of water, which allows the mascara to have a stronger retention and resist water or sweat.
Try: Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara, £20
Cruelty free
Anything with cruelty free on means that it’s a product that’s hasn’t been tested on animals during the production process. It’s a big part of Hourglass’ mission, and all products from the make-up brand are cruelty free.
Try: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, £49
Paraben free
Paraben free refers to products that are formulated without parabens – preservatives that prolong the shelf life of products by preventing the growth of bacteria and mould. Often used in food or cosmetics, more brands are reformulating products without parabens as they have harmful effects on the environment. In particular, Charlotte Tilbury has an extensive range of paraben free make-up.
Try: Charlotte Tilbury Glowgasm Eyes To Mesmerise, £22
Vegan
Anything vegan refers to products that don’t contain any animal or animal-derived ingredients, like gelatin. In addition to being cruelty free, Hourglass is also a vegan brand.
Try: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick, £42
