bdTrial: Make-up must-haves

The BD team like a more natural look for the office, dewy skin and strong brows all round.

PRIME:  
Sometimes I can barely be bothered running a comb through my hair and brushing my teeth prior to work. What a groomer, I know. But I know using only a few products can transform my face from ‘girl just woke up like dis (and it ain’t good)’ to at least mildly presentable for work. I usually don’t wear a primer, but have become a particular #fangirl of the INIKA Cosmetics Certified Organic Pure Primer thanks to its blend of hyaluronic acid, certified organic essential lavender, coconut and rosehip oils. These ingredients help offer protection and hydration to my skin prior to putting make-up on. The beautiful light primer makes my skin super dewy while minimising the appearance of imperfections by plumping them all out. My grooming standard AND skin health have improved with this bad boy. - Kelly

Related Brands: 

BASE: Rimmel London 
When it comes to foundation, Rimmel London are constantly getting it right. Launched late last year, the Match Perfection Foundation SPF20 lives up to the brand's usual high standard. Designed to perfect, protect and hydrate the skin, this foundation gives beautiful coverage while still feeling light on your skin. And the best thing about it? You can't see it - so it looks like you're going el natural. This year I'm all about two key things - untraceable foundation and make-up with SPF coverage, so this one fits the bill perfectly. - Yelena

CHEEK:  
Blush is definitely one of my must-have make-up products because, without it, I can look washed out and just far too pale for public! I was excited to try the Bourjois Swimming Cool Collection - Aqua Blush because unlike my usual powder, it’s in liquid form. It’s dispensed in a pump bottle, which made it easy to apply using my fingers and blending up my cheek. The liquid starts off quite sheer and can be built up until you get your desired coverage. After applying, I was left with a fresh and natural flush and, thanks to its creamy form, there was no danger of it caking over any dry patches throughout the day. - Laura

BROW:  
No face is complete without a good set of brows – and Designer Brands Extend a Brow helped shape and define my brows with ease. I have slightly uneven brows, so I need to fill them in every morning to keep them looking fresh. The lightweight powder filled in any gaps and kept them looking completely natural. With silky fibres, the product went on more like hair than your standard eyebrow pencil. The cushion applicator also made it super easy to keep ‘in the lines’ of my brow shape. It also delivered the perfect amount of product, so I didn’t have to brush off any excess. This may be my new fave! - Caitlin

SET:  
The Aussie summer may be a glorious thing to behold but it is also the number one enemy of make-up. It’s not a rarity to spend ample time and energy on creating a perfectly contoured matte face for the humidity (or freak storm) to destroy your masterpiece as soon as you step out the front door. Thankfully my make-up no longer has to be at the mercy of the weather thanks to the Bodyography Ready, Set, Go Makeup Setting Spray. A couple of sprays of the weightless formula onto your complexion keeps oil at bay, and refreshes skin as you apply throughout the day. Handily housed in a spray bottle (ideal for throwing in your handbag for regular touch-ups), the setting spray is additionally vegan, gluten-free and paraben-free. - Sarah