EACH WEEK, WE’LL be taking a peek into some of our faves’ makeup bags to see their must-have products, because we’re nosey. This week, it’s the turn of beauty blogger Hilda Smith (Over The Hilda). You can read her blog here.
Her earliest makeup memories
“I didn’t really start wearing make up until I was in my twenties. I remember my first make-up buys were blue eyeshadow and lip gloss or lipstick and were probably bought in Woolworths on Grafton St.
When I started earning money I progressed to Switzers Store. I was a minimalist when it came to make-up and still am.”
“As far as I can remember, Revlon and Maybelline were the brands of choice then, 40 years ago.
“I seldom wore foundation, as I think we all went for a more natural look, but it was all about the eyes – blue eyeshadow and blue eye pencil would have been very popular and blue mascara too! I did like lipstick and I remember a particular favourite was a Charlie tinted lip gloss on a wand.”
Her makeup bag and what’s inside
“I am still a minimalist when it comes to make up and I don’t like too much coverage as I find it only accentuates the lines and wrinkles. Charlotte Tilbury’s Wonder Glow and Light Wonder skin foundation are my daily go-to products.
“But growing older has taught me the value of contouring and I use Charlotte Tilbury again, the Filmstar Bronze & Glow.
“But I cannot live without my eye makeup and lipsticks. So here are my absolute FAVOURITES! Instead of the blue eyeshadows of my youth, I prefer a more subdued palette of browns and gold and use Blank Canvas and Urban Decay, but what I believe every woman should have in her bag is a pot of Eyes to Mesmerise by Charlotte Tilbury (€26). ‘Marie Antoinette’ – an antique gold cream shadow – is the product I recommend.
“What I love about it is how easy it is to apply and it does not drag your skin and is surprisingly cooling. I actually use it over or under other eyeshadows for different effects.
“First thing every morning, I use my soft MAC eye pencil – not a harsh line but smudgy. I never leave the house without it and feel it makes me look more awake.
“I use Legendary Brows by Charlotte Tilbury to fill in the eyebrows and my latest black mascara is NYX Worth the Hype (€11), which I do like and would buy again. I like my mascara to stay on my lashes, but it also needs to be moisturising and it needs to be easy to remove. This one does not clump and is both volumising and lengthening and does not break my lashes when removing.
“I cannot live without lippy, but it must be moisturising not matte. Matte is too drying and shows up all the little lines.
“My absolute favourite lipsticks are No7 Moisture Drench (€14) and Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Shine with rose oil and hyaluronic acid. It’s more expensive at €33 but it’s beautiful.
“I cannot stand lip gloss and find it tacky and drying and my hair sticks to it!”
