High End Starter Kit

Before I start encouraging you to spend hundreds of pounds on high end make up, I would like to point out that I have tried to include some options for you and also these are the products I think are the best that I have tried. I haven't for example included an eyeliner because Maybelline got us covered (previous review), but if you have the cash and you fancy treating yourself here are my top picks.

I've chosen 3 completely different base options dependent on on how you like your foundation. If you like a good-low coverage natural finish Jouer is the way to go both the Matte an Luminizing moisture tints are perfect for a light feeling base. If you fancy a little more coverage but still want a natural glow you can't top YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat (review) and if you like things more on the matte side and your a full coverage girl Estée Lauder Double Wear is amazing (review). Give this a good blending in the morning and no matter what your skin type this will stay put and keep you looking flawless all day.

If I could only use one brand for base products Estee Lauder would be my pick, and their powders are just as amazing as their liquid foundations. The Double Wear Stay-In-Place Powder Makeup (review) is great at adding a little extra coverage and the Perfecting Loose Powder (review) makes your skin feel so incredibly smooth and makes your foundation last that bit longer and look a little more matte. 

If like me you want one mascara that can lengthen, curl, separate and volumise your lashes then Dior's Iconic Overcurl mascara cannot be beaten. For brows I personally love the YSL Eyebrow Pencil in shade 04 Ash, if your eyebrows are a similar colour to mine you will not find a better, more natural looking shade than this beauty. 

When it comes to concealer full coverage is the only thing I look for, and you don't get more full coverage than Kevyn Aucoins Sensual Skin Enhancer; if you have blemishes, dark circles or scaring ect. consider them gone (review).  

Contour I feel is an essential with my round football face, and the two I love the most are the Lancome Blush Subtil Palette in 01 Rose Flush (review) and the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder. I personally love the blush and highlight in the Blush Subtil palette, but if you want to do some hardcore chiseling of cheekbones then I would go for Kevyn Aucoin (review).

If the Blush Subtil palette doesn't cover your blusher needs then for me you have to go for the Nars Blushers. The single Blush compacts come in at £23 so I would suggest looking out for one of their palettes; this Virtual Domination Palette is no longer available but the NARSissist Blush, Contour, And Lip Palette looks a beauty and also comes with the coveted Laguna Bronzing Powder. 

If you decide Laguna is a little too dark looking for your skin tone the Jouer Mattifying Powder Bronzer is slightly more subtle looking and a little easier to build. The Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel is also quite a subtle, natural looking shade that can be built up but is in cream form (review). And if a liquid bronzer is more your thing then the Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Deep Bronzed blends and sets really nicely on the skin (review) 

For lip gloss my favourites are the mildly pigmented, my lips but better looking Laura Mercier Lip Glacés (review) and the more creamy, more pigmented Jouer moisturizing lip gloss. 

With Lipsticks MAC have pretty much got all of your needs catered for but I particularly like their matte lipsticks like this Honey Love shade. The only lipstick I have not found from MAC is a highly moisturising lip butter like the Jouer Lip Sheers which just feel lovely to wear and are pretty well pigmented for a sheer lipstick. 

Eye palettes was a hard one for me to narrow down, I have gone for neutral palettes because they are such a staple. Of course the Naked Palette had to get a mention for shimmers and mattes this is the perfect day to night palette. NARSs And God Created The Woman Palette (review) although has fewer shades has equally amazing pigment for the shimmers at matte colours, and it too comes with a primer and a brush. Estee Lauder's Pure Color 07 surreal skies palette has now been discontinued but the newer Pure Color Envy Palettes are exactly the same high quality with more shade options; they have some really lovely wedding appropriate palettes.

That concludes my top picks for those of you starting to build up your high end kit. I  tried to choose things I think everyone would love and get a lot of use of rather than just my favourite products, but I would love to know your picks in the comments below!

Ciao

  xxx