Essential beauty items - what are they?

[tiredandgrumpy]

Sure it's been done before, but had the idea that I could give these as a Christmas present to my sis. She's early mid 30s and has pretty normal skin. She's also a mum of 2. What are your top makeup and beauty items? Guess Touche Eclat and the YLS mascara would be on there, but what else?

[ilovemydog]

Mac grey utility eyeliner
does paracetemol count

[brookeslay]

nars make up primer, eyelash curlers the body shop lip cheek tint is good,MAC lip liner in Spice

[cornsilk]

eve lom cleanser
hypnose mascara
laura mercier tinted moisturiser
clarins beauty flash balm
chanel vitalumiere foundation

[brimfull]

benefits rush hour

[janeite]

Carmex

Some Chanel nail varnish

Mac shale eyeshadow

Benefit Dandelion

[brimfull]

guerlain bronzer

[brimfull]

what a fab present!

[cornsilk]

Have you used that ggirl? Is it glittery?

[bluebump]

An eyelash curler, I use mine every day.

[brimfull]

cornsilk-no it's not glittery..it is fantastic stuff,very natural looking and last eons

[tiredandgrumpy]

Thank you for all of these. Obviously I'm going to have to be selective, but this gives me a good range to choose from.

I personally love Benefit's Bluffdust and Thrrrob, largely because I have never got into the full foundation malarky but these make my skin look far better.

[jimmyjammys]

Mac eyeshadow in tempting or woodwinked
Armani fluid sheer in sand
nars blusher in angelika which is the best shimmery pink
Dior show mascara - think its better then the YSL one

[hester]

I agree with all of the above. Would add that Liz Earle cleanser is a very good alternative to Eve Lom.

Bobbi Brown does a lovely stick blusher in Pale Pink which looks a bit candyflossy in the stick but is perfect on (if you have quite pale colouring).

How about some Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream? It's out in a limited edition retro pot at the moment.

Oh, and Laura Mercier does lovely eyeshadows. A make-up artist recommended the Margaux shade to me (a favourite of Trinny & Susannah, apparently!) and at first I was appalled because it's mauvey. But when you put it on it goes a lovely pale smokey colour. Really flattering when you're feeling tired.

[ilovemydog]

Don't mention the 8 hour cream in those cute retro jars. I bid far too much on ebay for one a few days ago. DP pointed out that it was over the 'Buy it Now' price

How did that happen

[jimmyjammys]

Actually the best investment i have made is good make brushes - they really have made a massive difference - i got a few from MAC and Bobbi Brown - it was like going up to the next level and I couldn't believe the difference.

[Cryptoprocta]

Pots of MAC pigment, especially the melon one which is a lovely gold

Benefit Badgirl eyeliner. You can't go wrong with Benefit, except that they put a bit too much perfume in some of their products which gives me spots.