34 of the world’s best beauty products, according to fashion’s favourite makeup artists

Since the start of lockdown, we’ve been taking our DIY beauty endeavours to new heights. (Enter Euphoria’s Maddy Perez-style graphic liner, homemade apple cider face masks and even the occasional temporary dye-job inspired by Dua Lipa’s stellar quarantine hair chronicles.) But we could always use a little extra help from the experts, right?

From Burberry global beauty director Isamaya Ffrench’s skincare saviours to Fenty global makeup artist Priscilla Ono’s favourite cream blush, fashion’s favourite makeup artists share their go-to beauty buys.

Isamaya Ffrench

Global beauty director at Burberry

Dr Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Colour Correcting Treatment

“I love this product as it’s perfect after intense facial treatments like laser and microneedling. It calms and neutralises the redness to normalise skin colour. Plus, it’s very gentle and feels more like a medicinal skin treatment rather than a foundation or concealer.”

Face Halo pads

“They're eco-friendly, reusable and I'm all for that. They really do remove mascara, SPF, pollution and anything else without needing makeup remover or oils, so your skin doesn't ever dry out.”

Lucia Pica

Global creative makeup and colour director at Chanel

Vintner’s Daughter Active Treatment Essence

“[This] hydrates and gently exfoliates your skin, giving you a much more uniform feel.”

Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum

"I absolutely love this anti-ageing oil. It's hydrating and brightening, it works wonders."

Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick in Transparent

“I use it on my cheekbones to add a subtle glow but I also use it on my eyelids and lips. This kind of finish makes the overall look feel more natural and lived in.”

Chanel L'huile Vanille Body Massage Oil

“I have been loving this oil. I apply it while the body is still wet so that it penetrates easier. It has a very delicate and subtle scent that stays on [for a] long [time]. Love it after a night bath.”

Thomas de Kluyver

Global makeup artist for Gucci

Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick in 25 Goldie Red

“I love makeup that you can emotionally connect to and that gives you confidence when you wear it. For me, nothing does that more than the classic red lipstick. This is Alessandro Michele's favourite red and also mine—it's such a classic colour and despite being so bold, [it] suits absolutely everyone. The Gucci Satin lipsticks work well as a blusher too, as they've got a slight dewiness to them, which catches the light beautifully.”

Gucci Mascara L'Obscur

“This is my go-to mascara. It's so adaptable—you can wear just one coat and it separates and defines lashes beautifully, or you can build it up to something quite extreme. That versatility and flexibility is something you don't usually get in most mascaras. We even used it to paint black-stained tears on the models for the Gucci AW20 show.”

Val Garland

L’Oréal Paris global makeup director

L’Oréal Revitalift Filler Renew Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Wrinkle Serum

“Newly launched in the UK, it’s the number one anti-ageing product in the US, with one sold every minute. It contains 1.5 per cent hyaluronic acid, and you can see and feel the lift, which instantly elevates your spirits.”

Palmarosa Essential Oil 

“When I feel exhausted, over-emotional or in need of a break, I put a couple of drops of Palmarosa oil (given to me by Mark Connolly of Onda Beauty) into my palms. I rub my palms together, cup my hands over my face and take as many breaths as I need, inhaling positivity and exhaling negativity.”

Diane Kendal

Makeup artist for Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs Beauty and Vogue

Guerlain Khôl Me Kajal

“[This is] an incredible eyeliner originating from ancient Egypt. Organic and creamy in formula, this liner is great for creating drama around the eyes. It’s very easy to blend and is great for using under deep metallic shades as a base to create maximum impact.”

Heritage Store Rosewater Concentrate

“Rosewater has always had therapeutic and skin-calming benefits as well as helping to reduce redness. This brand, in particular, uses cold-pressed rose petals so you get all the essential benefits with an all-natural scent.”

Lucia Pieroni

Makeup artist for Balmain and Alexander McQueen

RMS Beauty Champagne Rosé Luminizer

“I've been obsessed with this product for a while: it’s a 100 per cent natural highlighter. I use it on myself every day and pretty much on every model that sits in my chair. You can use it alone or over foundation. It gives a beautiful fresh finish to your skin, and the perfect radiant glow to your face.”

Peter Philips

Creative and image director of Christian Dior Makeup

Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette

“I’ve lost track of how many I’ve given away. Whoever I use it on, they want it. It’s a very generous palette with four shades in the most refined powder formula. You can mix the shades or use them separately. When applied with a powder brush, it gives a magnificent glow. When applied with a more compact brush or with your fingers, it has a lovely pearlescent/metallic result. The palette will last you forever unless one of your friends gets hold of it. A must-have!”

Lucy Bridge

Makeup artist for Vivienne Westwood and Charles Jeffrey

The Nue Co Functional Fragrance

“I’ve recently discovered this wellness brand, which has a whole host of amazing products for skin, the gut, stress and sleep. I particularly love this Functional Fragrance, which is billed as ‘helping you reset at times of high stress’. Due to the current situation, I find my stress levels have been elevated more than usual, but by putting on a few sprays of this fragrance when I get out of the shower I instantly feel a little calmer and smell absolutely amazing. I love a rich woody fragrance, so this is perfect for my daily routine.”

Esse Probiotic Serum

“It is the only one of its kind, full of billions of live probiotics that are activated by the moisture of our skin. It supports a healthy microbiome and helps fight against environmental aggressors.”

Lancôme Grandiôse Liner in Matte Noir

“I have been giving my skin a break from too much makeup each day, letting it breathe. I am, however, known for always sporting a feline flick when I need perking up. When doing my weekly food shop, I’ll whack on a quick eyeliner to dress my eyes up. My go-to eyeliner is the Lancôme Grandiose Liner in [Matte] Noir. With its thin nib, it’s perfect for precise application. It’s true ebony, dries super matte and it lasts all day.”

Sisley Phyto-Hydra Teint

“If my skin is having an ‘off’ day and I feel like a tiny bit of coverage while still looking natural, I opt for the new Sisley tinted moisturiser. It’s the new generation of tinted skincare, it boosts your complexion while giving a sheer veil of coverage, perfect for the no-makeup look while still getting all the skincare benefits your skin needs.”

Inge Grognard

Makeup artist for Balenciaga

QMS Epigen Pollution Detox Serum and MZ Skin Lift & Lustre, Brighten & Perfect and Rest & Revive Serums

“They are all products that are easy to use and they make your skin healthy and glowy. It's important because it's there where you start to prime your base. When the skin is not primed, [a good] end result can be hard to achieve.”

Tom Pecheux

YSL global beauty director

YSL Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum

“At night, I love to use this [because of] the light texture and feel, it's almost like water. It's quite new to my routine, but I can already see a difference and my skin feels smoother.”

YSL Or Rouge Huile Voluptueuse

“In the morning, it's perfect to wake up your face and add a nice satin glow to your skin."

Boiron Homeoplasmine

“This is a French balm to treat irritations on the face or body. It’s fantastic against dry skin and works miracles when you have a cold and you have to blow your nose often—you won’t get redness and dryness.”

Lauren Parsons

Makeup artist for Burberry and Bottega Veneta

Hayo’u Beauty Restorer and Sarah Chapman Skinesis Morning Facial Day Elixir

“With so much focus on trying to stay healthy and boosting your immunity throughout self-isolation, I wanted to bring my professional facial massage into my personal life and it really helped after a few restless nights of sleep.

“I met [the] Hayo’u founder, Katie Brindle, a few years ago and immediately loved her tools and passion for gua sha (skin scraping) and have been using my take on it at work ever since. In the past few weeks, I’ve been focusing on perfecting a facial routine at home using Hayo’u’s Beauty Restorer with Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis Morning Facial Day Elixir. Then post gua sha and lymphatic drainage, I’ve been adding a 20-minute facial massage to re-energise my face. For now, the professional Lauren look has been remodelled as the ‘living room glow.’”

Priscilla Ono

Fenty global makeup artist

Byredo Rose Hand Cream

“My hands have been thrashed lately from all the washing and sanitiser so I’ve been giving them some extra love with this delicious hand cream. It smells divine and is a real treat to apply. The smell of rose is so uplifting and positive, and instantly makes me feel happier.”

Fenty Beauty Cream Blush

“I haven’t really been wearing foundation so when I want to give my cheeks and lips a bit of colour, this cream blush is my go-to. And it is so easy to apply, I just use my fingers. It’s an instant pick-me-up.”

Ammy Drammeh

Makeup artist for Fenty and Dior

Filorga Foam Cleanser

“I added this one to my skincare routine at the end of last year and [it] really made a difference. My skin tends to get oily and I find this foam perfect for cleansing, and removing excess oil while leaving skin hydrated. It has high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and I use it morning and night.”

Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

“I can’t live without this one. It’s such a good way to gently exfoliate your skin daily and it has definitely helped me get rid of dark spots: the aftermath of my breakouts. I like to leave the product on for a few minutes before continuing with serum and moisturiser. Make sure you use SPF, as exfoliating products can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.”

KTC Almond Oil

“I would never not moisturise after showering. I can’t even remember when I started to use this oil, it’s been in my bathroom forever. You can get a fancy version of it, but I get mine at my local market for about £5. I put the oil into a smaller pump bottle and use it while my skin is still damp. The oil will seal the moisture into your skin leaving it super soft and supple. I am very OTT so I apply body cream after this as well.”

Alexx Mayo

Makeup artist for Lizzo and Tinashe

Sunday Riley Good Genes

“One of my absolute can’t-live-without products. I went through horrible acne as a teen that left me with scars and texture on my face. I’ve used this product religiously for the past three years and I can honestly say this has reduced my texture dramatically. The added bonus is it gets rid of dead skin and is still gentle enough to use nightly.”

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

“I take pride in every look that I do and I want to ensure my makeup stays in place for as long as I need it to. Sweat-proof, heat-proof, life-proof! I use it in so many ways, whether I need to make an eyeshadow pop by turning it into a liquid, a makeup refresher, and the final step in every makeup application, it’s an absolute essential.”

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