Advertising feature: Get back to basics with Bobbi Brown skincare and makeup

Makeup was made for experimentation: swooshed, patted, smeared or slicked, it awakens the artist in all of us. No wonder we often give in to our inner magpie, tempted by the allure of a technicolour palette just for the sheer joy of it.

Yet the key to unlocking true creativity is by honing the basics and that means starting with the right skincare. With that in place, you can cherry-pick a handful of makeup must-haves. We've put together a capsule beauty wardrobe from Bobbi Brown that does the early morning thinking for you so there’s more time to flirt with different facets of your personality or try all those trends that start with a hashtag. 

Skincare is the secret to flawless makeup application; how you prepare your skin makes all the difference to how your makeup will look and wear. Cleansing is the cornerstone of any skincare regime so start with the Soothing Cleansing Oil, infused with a blend of botanical oils for happy, balanced skin. ‘For me, it’s the gentlest, easiest way to cleanse the skin and is perfect for mornings when you want to use as little makeup as possible,’ says Bobbi Brown Senior Pro Artist Amy Conway.

Now that you have a clean slate, the next step is hydration; ‘Vitamin Enriched Face Base is my ultimate #cantlivewithout,’ says Amy. ‘I love power-packed ingredients in lightweight creams and this bestselling moisturiser is a favourite thanks to vitamin C and shea butter which leave skin looking really plump and radiant.’ And don’t forget that all-important eye area: ‘Extra Repair Eye Cream brightens, preps and primes the under-eye ready for makeup, while used at bedtime it acts like a nourishing overnight mask,’ says Amy. With these two products in your arsenal, you can prepare skin for the smoothest makeup application. 

Whether you’re channelling beachy or bold, creating a perfect canvas is the key starting point. For Amy, it’s all about prepping with Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm; ‘This versatile balm brightens and hydrates every complexion. I love to apply it both under and over makeup whenever skin needs a little pick-me-up or gentle highlight. I’ll combine it with my other #cantlivewithout favourite; Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15 whose formula means that it never feels cakey and my skin can breathe throughout the day.’

For those who prefer more of a soft matte finish, Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation SPF20, is the ingenious new liquid-to-powder formula with good-for-skin ingredients;  ‘This foundation is great for a quick and easy natural look,’ says Amy. ‘Apply as you would a tinted moisturiser for a sheer even application with no need to set with powder.’

Team with Instant Full Cover Concealer, or, for on-the-go coverage, the Creamy Corrector is your portable wake-up call for tired eyes and dark circles. For lips, dab on Extra Lip Tint in Bare Pink; combining ultra-moisturising oils with just a hint of colour, it can be worn on its own or as a base for bolder shades. 

These are the products that help accentuate, intensify, emphasise and define and can easily be ramped up for dramatic effect. ‘I don't go anywhere without my Smokey Eye Mascara and Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil. They make SUCH a difference and can be used to lift my look from day to night,’ says Bobbi Brown Pro Artist Zara Findlay. ‘I use the spoolie to brush the Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil through my brows for a fuller, more defined look. On my lashes, I’ll use two to three coats of Smokey Eye Mascara in the morning building with another two coats for a more dramatic effect when heading out after work.’

With your basics in place, now is the time to break out of your chroma comfort zone, whether that means deploying that Crushed Oil-Infused Lipgloss in Freestyle or simply swapping your Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick shade from Taupe to Golden Bronze when creating a smokey eye. Experimentation is not just about making statements, playing with accents of colour can be equally transformative; ‘When I need to look wide awake on those early morning starts, Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks is my go-to,’ says Amy. ‘I apply it with my fingertips when I’m in a rush for a pop of fresh colour – it’s a two-in-one for lips and cheeks so you always have the perfect match!’ Add one to your makeup bag, along with this handful of must-have products, and you're ready for business.