My Top 5 Beauty Essentials for Mums.

My first foray into the world of blogging was not in fact parenting blogs, but the pastel-tinted, peony-covered beauty blogs. I was drawn in by their pretty pictures, and hooked by their, usually, spot on beauty tips. I’m certainly nowhere near as up-to-date with the latest beauty trends and products as I was when I first started reading beauty blogs whilst at uni (with infinite free time on my hands), but I am certainly still interested in looking semi-acceptable when I leave the house.

The following five products are ones which I reach for again and again, and I think they make it very quick and easy to achieve a basic ‘put together’ look. They’re all available on the high street and I think they’re pretty reasonably priced (£23 for a lipstick, are you kidding me? Looking at you Charlotte Tilbury).

1) Collection Last Perfection Concealer

This stuff is hailed by most beauty blogs as a great, budget product that rivals its much more expensive peers. While I agree that it offers fab coverage which lasts AGES, I do find that it tends to settle into the (many) lines under my eyes, so it’s usually best to pop a bit of powder over the top to avoid this. It only comes in four shades, so it probably wouldn’t be a great buy for really dark skinned ladies, but the ‘fair’ colour works great for me and brightens up my dark circles. It’s available here for only £4.19.

Photo cred.: Superdrug

2) Soap and Glory Archery Brow Tint and Pencil

I’m a big fan of a tidy and polished looking eyebrow, I think it makes all the difference to your face shape, and finishes off any makeup look nicely. I am obsessed with this pencil! I use the pencil end to fill in my brows and then go over them with the other end which is more like a felt tip. The felt tip creates tiny little brushstrokes that look like natural eyebrow hairs so you can use this to fill in any sparse areas or create a slightly different shape to your natural brow. If you’re not into a bold eyebrow then I’d recommend just using the felt tip end for a bit of subtle definition. I find that using this product is way quicker than a brush and powder and I can have my brows ready to go in a couple of minutes. I have ombred hair at the minute so it’s darker at the roots, I’ve found the shade ‘Brownie Points’ to be a decent colour for me. Available here for only £8 (originally £10).

Photo cred.: Soap and Glory

3) Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

Mascara is undoubtedly the one makeup item I would take if I was going to be stranded on a desert island (not that how I looked would matter, would anyone else even be there?… I digress). I tend to find mascaras I LOVE and stick with them until I find another one that beats it. Up until about a year ago I was in an intense relationship with Max Factor Masterpiece mascara, in my eyes it couldn’t be beaten. I don’t know why but I decided to treat myself to the, then newly released, Benefit Roller Lash Mascara, it was love at first sight. It adds definition, length and curl to lashes in only one coat (I usually do two because I’m a sucker for big bold lashes). My only issue is that it can smudge underneath the eye but I forgive it this one indiscretion considering how fab it is at making me look awake even after a night of no sleep. Roller Lash is available from a number of shops but it’s slightly discounted here at the moment.

Photo cred.: Boots

4) Maybelline Matte Maker Mattifying Powder

Is mattifying a word? If, like me, you spend most of your time running around after a small child, you will be blessed with a perpetual shiny face. Pop this bad boy on and away that goes. I love the dewy skin trend but it’s not viable for me, am I the only one who feels like their face just looks wet/sweaty? I tend to stick to oil-free foundations and powders, or outright mattifying ones. This powder is great to quickly swipe on even if you’re just wearing concealer underneath, it covers any redness and provides a clear, shine-free base for the rest of your makeup. The only annoying thing is the packaging is a bit flimsy so it’s maybe not one to just throw in the handbag. Unless you want a new handbag and destroying your current ones interior is on your to do list. Available here for only £3.99, and even better Maybelline products are currently on a 3 for 2 offer!

Photo cred.: Boots

5) Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant

I have the driest lips in the world. They are constantly sore and cracked, it’s a nightmare. So the one thing I am forever reaching for is a lip balm, however, no amount of Vaseline or Blistex will cut it, I needed something much more intense. I’d been umming and ahhing over buying this for myself for some time, but luckily my *subtle* hints worked and my Dad got me an Eight Hour Cream gift set for Christmas. The Lip Protectant is amazing, it doesn’t make my lips look too shiny or sticky, and I really feel like it’s doing my lips the world of good. They’re by no means perfect but they are certainly much softer and less angry looking than before. While I’m recommending this particular product as one of my essentials I really feel like just a lip balm is generally a great beauty item to have with you all the time. If you feel like a lipstick is going to be a bit overboard for a trip to playgroup but you want to finish off your makeup with something, a lip balm is always a great alternative (especially if there’s going to be any outdoor activities). The lip protectant is available here for £20, but I also love the Revlon ColourBurst Balm Stains/Matte Balms/Lacquer Balms for an added wash of colour, available here for £7.99. My fave colours are Rendezvous, Demure and Showy.

Photo cred.: Elizabeth Arden

Now that I’m finished I definitely wish I’d said 10 items rather then 5, but let’s be honest, even 10 wouldn’t be enough, surely my whole makeup collection is essential? Right?

What’re your beauty must-haves?