Beauty columnist Kerry Harvey compares her favourite high-end vs chemist-bought beauty bag must-haves.

Are you a bride-to-be or make-up lover looking to stock up with the best DIY products for your special occasions?

I’ve personally hand-picked my TOP 5 favourite higher-end vs chemist bought products for you! Some of which I use professionally in my kit, versus similar which I use on myself in my own personal makeup bag!  They do exactly the same thing BUT will suit every beauty lover’s budget – check out my ‘beauty bag must have’s’ for you, plus added bonus buys that no girl should be without!

No 1 – Skin – Exfoliators

La Roche-Posay Ultra Fine Scrub (Sensitive Skin) Cara Pharmacy €14.95 vs Neutrogena Visibly Clear Blackhead Eliminating Triple Action Cleanser 100ml Boots €5.99

Good skincare is a must ladies (and gents), so cleanse, tone and moisturise but also exfoliate! Removing the build-up of dead skin cells will not only optimise your skin to effectively soak up your moisturiser but also minimises caking in makeup application.  Exfoliate once or twice a week (after a big weekend) in circular motions in the steam of your shower for a fabulous DIY skin treatment – you’ll look fresh faced and radiant!

No 2 – Let’s Talk Foundation…

 

GIORGIO ARMANI Luminous Silk Foundation €45.00 Brown Thomas vs Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hr Comfort Foundation €10.49 Boots

Two of my absolute favourite foundations – both buildable, hydrating and long lasting! Mix with your moisturiser for a light wearing look, or build for as much coverage as you like.  GIORGIO ARMANI’s Luminous Silk Foundation is perfect for the bride-to-be as there’s no SPF hence it’ flash/pale face resistant!  If you’re a girl on the go, Rimmel’s Lasting Finish is a steal with added SPF 20 to fight off all those nasty and aging UVA/UVB rays!

No 3 Conceal, Conceal, Conceal…

MAC Pro-longwear Concealer €23.00 Brown Thomas vs Maybelline Instant Anti-Age – The Eye Eraser €11.99 Boots

If you’ve lovely dark circles that could scare a scarecrow off like me, then I swear by either of these products – fabulous coverage, crease proof and great for concealing other area’s of the face and body, you’ll certainly look bright eye’d and bushy tailed – plus a little goes a long way!

Bonus Buy – Shussssh… A makeup artist’s secret weapon – blend, blend, blend – for a super quick,  flawlessly applied base, Blank Canvas Cosmetics Buffing Brush F01 Quick Brush – NEW to the Blank Canvas Brush range €15.99 is a must have! www.blankcanvascosmetics.com

No 4 Luscious Lashes Ladies…

Lancome Grandiose €31.00 Boots vs  L’Oreal Paris Superstar Mascara €15.99 Boots

These are two of my favourite sculpting, long-lasting and non-flaking mascara’s which add volume, length and depth to your lash line! For the bride-to-be, I will then add a layer of waterproof mascara over that fabulous base for any tears on your big day!

Bonus Buy – Ardell – Wispies €5.95 Cara Pharmacy – for that WOW factor add some false lash strips – brightens, opens and adds a little flirt to the eyes!

No 5 – Ready, SET…powder!

MAC Blot Press Powder €26.50 Brown Thomas vs Catrice Prime and Fine Mattifying Powder €5.49 McCabes Pharmacy

When finishing off a makeup, or resetting a lived in makeup, either of these products will set you on our way to remove or minimise shine- a must have for combo-oilier complexions! I particularly love the Catrice Prime and Fine powder as its waterproof – fabulous in humid situations!

For more beauty tips and tricks, you can find me on Facebook (Kerry Harvey Designs), Snapchat (@kharveydesigns or scan code below)