With endless new launches and viral favourites, it’s easy to fill your makeup bag with products you rarely reach for. But what would actually make the cut if you had to rebuild it?
We decided to find out. As FNZ’s beauty editor, I teamed up with makeup artist Kate Sorenson to imagine we’d lost our entire makeup collections overnight. No half-used products or forgotten favourites – just a blank canvas and the chance to restart with products we genuinely rate.
From everyday essentials and worthwhile splurges to viral favourites we’d happily leave behind, here’s what we’d put back in our makeup bags.
If you could only replace five makeup products, what would make the cut?
Kate:
- Rhode Peptide Lip Shade. “It’s lip filler in a makeup product – the wider pencil and creamy formula make overlining easy, so you get that fuller lip look without any harsh lines.”
- Nars Light Reflecting Foundation. “My holy grail foundation – it has radiant, buildable coverage without being cakey or dry.”
- Rhode Pocket Blush in Candy Apple. “This bright red shade gives a healthy flush of colour. Red blush mimics the natural warmth and rosy appearance of increased blood flow to the cheeks.”
- Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzing and Sculpting Stick. “I warm a little product on the back of my hand, work it into my brush and sculpt my face in the shape of a three – across the forehead, temples and cheeks before blending under my jawline.”
- Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara. “The narrow wand makes it easy to reach inner corners and coat every lash evenly. It’s also a tubing formula, which makes removal simple.”
Isla:
- Rhode Highlight Milk. “A hydrating base that offers an illuminating glow – aka more radiance even when I’m not wearing much else.”
- Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Concealer. “It’s the first concealer to hide my dark circles without looking cakey, plus there’s an impressive 31 shades.”
- Marc Jacobs Legally Bronze Bronzer. “Not only does it offer warmth without appearing ‘dirty’, it doubles as an eyeshadow – my lazy girl hack.”
- Benefit Precisely My Brow Wax. “Multi-tasking products are my thing, and this does the job of a brow tint and gel in one, keeping even my unruly brows in check.”
- Revitalash Length Define Tubing Mascara. “Brown mascara offers a natural finish, and this one is packed with lash-loving ingredients. The tubing formula also means it doesn’t flake.”
The one product everyone should own
For Kate, a great makeup look starts well before foundation. Her non-negotiable is Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre, a moisturiser that’s earned a permanent place in professional makeup kits. “Skin prep is important, regardless of your makeup experience or budget. It leaves the skin feeling hydrated and soft, creating the perfect base for makeup. It also smells amazing!”
I’m with Kate on this one. Makeup always sits better on well-hydrated skin, so alongside a decent moisturiser, I layer in a hydrating toner for an extra boost, alternating between The Breakout Hack Rebound Skim Milk and Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner.
Where to splurge and where to save
Kate prioritises complexion products when splurging, particularly foundation, concealer, bronzer and blush – the staples of her skin-focused makeup style. I’m more inclined to spend on a good skin tint. Since it goes all over the face, I look for skincare-focused ingredients and a formula that creates a smooth base for everything layered on top. My current pick is the Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir.
As for where to save, Kate swears by Mecca Max lip liners and eyeliners, as well as the viral L’Oréal Infallible Setting Spray.
I’m firmly in the affordable mascara camp. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Tubing Mascara is a favourite, lasting all day (and night) without flaking.
The high-end buys worth the spend
Some products justify their price tag, and for Kate, the Hourglass Holiday Palette is one of them. “These palettes are so easy to use and are just as amazing for professional makeup artists as they are for everyday use. All of my favourite powder complexion products are in one place, without the clutter of multiple individual pans.”
I’d also put the Rhode Pocket Blush in this category. Despite its small size, mine has lasted nearly a year, with plenty left. It’s creamy, easy to blend and a little goes a long way.
The beauty buys that aren’t worth the hype
Not every viral beauty product lives up to its reputation. For Kate, it’s the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment. “Like many others, I purchased it when Rhode first launched here, but I find the formula sticky and very underwhelming.” I have to agree. Mine has arguably had more use as a phone case accessory than an actual lip product.
My own controversial take? Foundation. I genuinely can’t remember the last time I wore it. I prefer a natural finish and find traditional foundation can sometimes look heavy or pill on my skin. Instead, I stick to spot-concealing day to day, reaching for a skin tint when I want more coverage on a night out.
It’s a less-is-more approach I picked up from Swedish makeup artist Carolina Benita, a former assistant to Makeup By Ariel, who has worked with Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner.
The quickest way to look more put together
Kate swears by the Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Foundation Stick for an effortless, no-makeup makeup look. “The stick application is quick and easy to swipe over after I’ve done my skincare, offering a healthy glow.”
I’m all for anything that makes getting ready easier. Ultra Violette’s Queen Screen SPF 50 Bronzing Drops are my shortcut for adding warmth and evening out my complexion while protecting my skin.
The professional makeup trick worth knowing
If your eye makeup is missing a little something, Kate recommends tightlining. It’s a simple technique she uses on clients to create the illusion of fuller lashes and more defined eyes. Rather than applying eyeliner above the lashes, tightlining involves filling in the tiny gaps along the inner lash line to create subtle definition.
“Try this if you feel like your makeup is missing something, or if you find applying eyeliner too heavy for your eyes. I’d suggest the Hourglass 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eye Liner in Bronze. Get a handheld mirror, look down into it, and fill in the space between the lashes.”
