Eight New Beautiful Makeup Gems On My Face That You Need To Know About

Having spent the last few weeks pretty much makeup free (a week knocked out with a chest infection followed by a week in Bali's humidity didn't exactly leave me wanting to reach for the foundation,) I've returned to work with a reignited passion for beauty products. I'm excited again to indulge in the process of applying my makeup and testing new things, creating a look that's such a contrast to the naked face that's been looking back at me in the mirror. The good news is that there's a plethora of new things to get excited over and a new season's worth of colour to experiment with, especially as we step ever closer to the festive season and the inevitable glittery-smokey-looks. I've been putting these to the test and have been thoroughly enjoying playing with them, so it's about time you got the lowdown too...

Iconic London Sculpt & Boost Eyebrow Cushion (£26.99) 
It's rare to find a true brow innovation (it's all pencils, powders or gels) but this new launch from Iconic London really is something new. First of its kind, this two-toned cushion formula allows you to saturate the angled brush in product and create super defined brows with a gradual colour result. The formula is smudge-proof and sweat resistant, meaning it lasts all day long without a problem, while the pigment is strong and allows you to create full brows even when yours are incredibly patchy. I've been using this daily since it arrived and I really like it - especially because the liquid formula is so easy to create a really precise look. The only downside for me is that the brush is a bit too big and could have done with being about half the size, if only to stop me creating brows that are far too big for my face shape!

YSL Tatouage Couture Matte Satin Lipstick (£26.10)
Oh I do love a touch of YSL, and these beautiful little tubes don't disappoint. Inside the frosted glass is a lightweight liquid lipstick that applied matte to leave a subtly elegant finish in a great array of colours (Rose Illicite, pictured is my fave.) The beveled applicator helps to create a precise finish around the lips, while saturating my pout with colour that dries to leave an almost undetectable result. Perfect for those of us that don't want to apply a full lipstick, these satin liquids are a beautiful way to transition from balms and glosses into something a touch more timeless.

No7 Lift & Laminate Triple Action Serum Foundation (£18.00) 
In my opinion, No7 foundations are massively underrated; they provide a great finish, don't tend to budge, cover up all the imperfections you'd rather not be seen and come at a reasonable price too. If you're at a loss as to where to turn for your new season foundation fix, then your No7 counter is a good place to start. This new formula has been specifically developed for those with more mature skin and is enriched with the same anti-ageing skincare ingredients that feature within the No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum; as a result, it helps to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, firmness and uneven skin tone. It also features optical blurrers and light reflecting particles to leave skin looking radiant, not cakey or too 'covered' (which can often exacerbate the signs of ageing.) It's a great daily foundation that delivers everything I need and more, plus leaves me confident that my skin is getting what it needs to look its best simultaneously.

Urban Decay Troublemaker Mascara (£17.55) 
Probably the most hyped up mascara launch of the year, this certainly does pack a punch and look incredibly beautiful on my dressing table. But is it any good? Urban Decay claim it delivers 13.7 x lash volume vs naked lashes (which actually isn't that much compared to many other claims and products out there) thanks to the tiny precision hooks that grab lashes to pull the product through and create a separated and voluminous look. It definitely helps to coat lashes well and separate them out, but in my opinion it falls a little short at creating the lifted and full look I desire. Personally I have to work quite hard and apply numerous coats to get the result I'm used to, but that being said it's a perfectly acceptable mascara to wear on a daily basis - even if I'd reach for something else in the evening. But oh so pretty!

Erborian Rouge For Lips (£18.00)
Erborian, the Korean skincare brand, does offer some really effective and sensorial products but often gets overlooked - which is surprising considering how huge they are in other parts of the world. However, little gems like this will definitely help to ensure they get the mainstream attention that they deserve! The little glass pot contains a matte and velvety smooth balm that's enriched with  Camellia Oil and Shea Butter to protect and nourish lips, while providing a rich and sophisticated colour result. Whether you want to dab it on with a finger for a soft and understated airbrushed tint, or apply with a brush for a more intense finish, the texture and colour is gorgeously seasonal.

Eyeko Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner + Widelash (£16.00) 
I've gone through so many Eyeko liners over the years it's probably verging on a worrying obsession, but they're just so good at creating effortless wings or a statement retro look. The precision tip helps to create the best line, while the pigmented liquid ensures a jet black finish every time; this is a must for anyone that wants to create the ultimate cat flick. What's even better about this formula is that it's enriched with ingredients to help strengthen and protect lashes (including Pathenol and Caster Oil) so your flutter looks even better over time too.

Suqqu Pure Colour Blush (£32.00) 
Admittedly I hadn't heard of or tried anything from this brand prior to this beautiful blusher landing on my desk, but my what a way to kick off my experience! The ombre design of the blusher pan is stunning, but also practical: it provides a graduated colour result that's beautifully natural and glowing on the skin. The texture is incredibly soft and buffs beautifully onto the surface of cheeks, while the shade is just perfect for these transitional months; I'm moving away from bold peaches and this is a great alternative, especially when a pinky tone feels too much. Although expensive, sometimes it's worth it for something you get so much pleasure from using.

Barry M Liquid Chrome Highlighter Drops (£6.99) 
Highlighter will always be my fave. These affordable little bottles are available in five beautiful shades of incredibly saturated liquid and leave a beautiful sheen on the skin, but I do find they tend to lift away my foundation and leave a patchy base. As a result I would recommend mixing them with a touch of moisturiser or foundation and dabbing on with a sponge to prevent movement, but regardless the texture and colour result is beautiful. 

Which of my current top picks have you got your eye on?

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