4 Makeup Buys I Loved So Much I Repurchased Them

I’m not quite sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, I stopped learning anything new about make-up.

Which is kind of wild, because there was a time I’d stay up into the early a.ms, glued to tutorials and practising every new trend.

Make-up trends, formulas, techniques - they’re ever-changing and somewhere along the way, my own approach to makeup got stuck in the past.

So over the last year, I’ve made it my mission to rediscover my make-up mojo: finding my true holy grails, refining my placements, and relearning the art of application.

It took me some time, but I’ve finally nailed down my staple products, especially after trying so many and seeing how they perform. These are the ones I repurchase over and over again.

Before I dive into my staple products, I want to set the scene a little.

I’ve always been a self-proclaimed beauty enthusiast (I even became a qualified make-up artist at one point), but truthfully, that title doesn’t quite resonate with me anymore.

Remember the days of heavy contouring, sharp cut creases, and barely a hint of blush? That was my peak make-up era.

So, it hit me a bit hard when I realised I’d lost that spark. Make-up had become something I slapped on in a rush just to get out the door - more of a chore than a craft.

I forgot how satisfying it felt to really get it right: choosing the right formulas for your skin type, nailing placement, and enhancing what your mumma gave you.

Anyway, enough about my make-up origin story... Let’s get into the good stuff: my ride-or-die products.

I’m starting off strong with the L'Oréal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum—pretty sure I’m on my fourth or fifth bottle at this point.

As an oily-skinned girl who lives for a dewy finish, finding something that gives glow without turning me into a disco ball by midday is no small feat. Seriously, by lunchtime I can resemble a glazed doughnut.

The coverage is sheer to light-medium, which I love. It lets my real skin peek through. I’ve grown to appreciate my freckles, and now I feel a bit off when I can’t see them.

The formula wears beautifully, is super lightweight, and builds just enough for everyday coverage. I now apply it with a dense buffing brush - don’t laugh, but when I realised you could bounce in your base products with a brush instead of swiping them on? Look, I hate the term “game-changing”... but it really was.

One note though: this technique only works if your brush isn’t caked with old product. If the bristles are stiff, it’s time to clean your brushes. Please.

I know I’m not alone in my obsession either - plenty of people in the Adore office swear by this one too.


If I had a pound for every time I’ve raved about the Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser, I’d probably be driving off in a brand new car by now.

This concealer is that perfect sweet spot of medium coverage—you can build it up to full if you need to, but it never feels heavy.

The way it blends out with a damp sponge? Chef’s kiss. It sits beautifully under the eyes without settling into fine lines or creasing too much, which is a rare find. Hot tip: let it sit for about 30 seconds before blending. It gives the formula a bit more grip and coverage. I’ve also been applying it to the outer corners underneath my eyes for a subtle lifted effect, and it makes such a difference.

I’ve recommended this one to friends with both oilier and drier skin than mine, and it’s become a repeat purchase for them too. Whatever end of the skin-type spectrum you sit on, if you’re on the hunt for a new holy grail concealer, don’t sleep on Clinique.


It actually took me a few uses to fall head over heels for the L'Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara, but once it clicked, I was hooked.

I’m not exactly blessed in the lash department, so I’m always chasing both volume and length—but I’m also realistic enough to know mascara can only do so much with what you’ve got.

This formula delivers on the volume front while still separating each lash thanks to its clever applicator. No clumps, just definition. Exactly what I was after.

For the longest time, I genuinely thought it was a tubing mascara because of how long-wearing it is.

It never smudges in my outer corners (a miracle for my easily teary eyes), and best of all, it removes effortlessly—no harsh rubbing here. Solid five out of five stars.


I’m apologising in advance for this one because judging by the limited shades left, I think the Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream might be getting discontinued - devastating, I know. So I have to give it its flowers while I still can.

The tones in this cream bronzer are so well done—neither muddy nor orange, just that perfect neutral balance that adds dimension without overpowering your face. I apply it the same way I would a powder bronzer: with a fluffy brush.

I pick up the product, swirl the brush around on the inside of the lid to distribute it evenly, then gently build it up on my skin, paying attention to placement. The higher you go, the more snatched.

Using a cream bronzer like this gives you that seamless, skin-like finish and the long wear time we all want.

My gut’s telling me Huda is just reformulating (fingers crossed), because I trust her instincts. But if you spot your shade still in stock, grab it while you can!