I’m A Beauty Editor And These Are My Beauty Non-Negotiables
Discovering your ideal match in any beauty category is always a cause for celebration. With an endless stream of beauty products launching each year, it can be quite the task to tune out the buzz and pinpoint the ones that suit you best. As a beauty editor, I’ve had the incredible fortune of testing just about every new foundation, bronzer, lipstick, and hairspray out there. This experience has made me savvy in knowing which products deserve a permanent spot in my makeup bag and on my bathroom shelf.
Here are my beauty non-negotiables—the holy grail products that I truly return to time and time again.
Super Skincare
This is my go-to balm cleanser that melts on contact with my skin, packed with antioxidant-rich carrot, calendula, decongesting rosemary, and soothing lavender. It effortlessly removes my eye makeup (even the waterproof variety) and leaves my skin insanely soft, smooth, and glowing.
Ever since Estée herself launched the Night Repair line back in 1982, this serum has been my must-have, just like it is for celebrities, top facialists, and makeup artists. It’s no wonder it’s the best-selling serum in Estée Lauder’s collection—it delivers deep hydration and smooths out fine lines and wrinkles like a dream!
This game-changing night serum smooths my wrinkles, brightens dark spots, and firms my skin—without any irritation. With retinal working 11x faster than retinol, it’s potent and effective to the last drop.
I’ve been using this for years, and always always go back to it. It’s the perfect hybrid moisturiser and SPF. No greasy feel, no white cast and superb under make up.
Miracle Makeup
I’m always a bit weary of overdoing blush, but this tube of colour makes it impossible to go wrong. A few dots on your cheeks with the well-considered applicator, a quick finger blend and you look like you’ve had a great night’s sleep.
It’s shimmery but no shiny and has the most beautiful texture that melts into skin. It’s buildable so you can play and buff colour as you wish. Every time I wear this, I get compliments about my skin. Forever grateful for this in my makeup arsenal.
Who would have thought that my fave Spice Girl would be giving me the best smokey eye, ever! The double-ended pencil means you can play and smudge accordingly, the pigment is amazingly intense, and the colour lasts forever and it’s waterproof! I’m currently loving the Cinnamon and Surfside shades as a softer alternative to black.
“I’m a total sucker for anything that promises dewy skin. This non-greasy, lightweight primer glides on effortlessly, prepping my makeup to last all day while offering solid sun protection. It gives my skin such a radiant sheen that I often skip foundation altogether.”
Hardworking Haircare
This is my go-to for styling, finishing, and conditioning my hair. Packed with nourishing Argan oil that instantly absorbs, leaving my hair with a natural, silky finish and brilliant shine—and a mesmerising smell that lingers all day.
Challenging the one-size-fits-all approach. This innovative brand offers customizable formulas tailored specifically to your hair type. The blue duo, designed for straight hair like mine, transforms my dull strands with a massive dose of hydration and volume. I also add booster shots depending on what my hair needs. It’s a brilliant concept!
After experiencing hair loss from Covid, my hair became significantly thinner. However, I’ve been using this growth serum consistently for the past four months, and it has noticeably revived my roots. I swear it’s the secret to my longer, healthier hair. This serum has been a true lifesaver and confidence booster.
Brilliant Bodycare
I can’t choose a favourite because they’re all so amazing! The texture gets me every time—an oil-to-milk formula that turns creamy on contact with your skin and delivers exactly what it promises: awaken, refresh, de-stress, relax—depending on your choice. The scents are out of this world, and I honestly rely on them to shift my mood. Plus, my bathroom smells like a spa after using them!
If you’re a bit hesitant with the fake tan bottle, this is a superb alternative to getting sun-kissed limbs (or body) but with no streaks, embarrassing stains, or coloured hands! It’s buildable but somehow you can never apply too much, it always looks natural and leaves behind just the right amount of colour. As soon as my summer wardrobe makes an appearance, I reach for this miracle worker.
When I need an extra buff, I turn to this for a gentle scrub. As someone that often suffers from eczema in many creases of my body, I’m particularly cautious of scrubs. However, this not only smells amazing, but it smooths and calms the skin while sloughing off all the dead skin and dirt. Top tip: Brilliant for DIY summer pedi’s.
Every household should have this super hydrator on their bathroom shelf—seriously, there should be a rule! This 100% natural whipped shea butter is the highest grade possible. It nourishes, protects, calms, and soothes my skin and my children’s. It’s great for everything from nappy rash to eczema to menopausal skin. Plus, a little goes a long way.
Sensible Supps
These single-use sachets are my daily essentials—found in my handbag, car, bedside table, everywhere! Since incorporating these collagen supplements into my routine, my nails are stronger and longer, and my hair and skin have been receiving countless compliments. I swear it’s all thanks to these little beauties.
I can’t deal with taking a supplement for every ailment, so I rely on this all-rounder, perfect for supporting busy women like me! It boosts immunity, improves sleep, aids digestion (my IBS has significantly improved since taking this), and calms the daily stress and anxiety that comes with being a working mum. It’s a total game-changer.
I’m a self-confessed sugar addict, and as I’ve grown older, those extra calories are harder to shed, even with exercise. This supplement boosts my metabolic rate and regulates my blood sugar levels, which often spike due to too many Twirl bites and coffee breaks! Plus, my 4 pm energy slump has completely vanished.
This trending ingredient deserves all the hype! My focus and concentration have significantly improved since taking these ‘magic mushroom’ gummies. They get me into the zone and help me stay there without distraction. My productivity at the end of a long day has never been better thanks to these fantastic (and delicious) gummies.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
