After 10 months of peering into other people's bags, Melanie Morris reveals what is in hers
Since July of last year, we have featured loads of different women (and one man) in our What's in your make-up bag section, along with advice from some of the country's leading professionals. Now I'm frequently asked what's in mine. So, because you ask ...
THE BAG: An Anya Hindmarch digital photo one that my mother gave me.
WHAT'S INSIDE? Sun Protection Factor: I have moles on my face so it is a must. Dr Daniello's Solar Eclipse cream with SPF 30 keeps UV A, B and C blocked out. Primer: I was introduced to a brilliant new product last week - Smashbox Photo Finish. It is a silicone gel that primes the skin perfectly, filling in fine lines and helping make-up stay on and colours stay true for ages. Foundation: I use MAC Studio Fix by day - a powder compact that is speedy and offers good matte coverage. By night, Chantecaille Future Skin - a gel that is applied with a brush, feels light as a feather and is set with Chantecaille loose powder. Blush: Either Shu Uemura's Glow On in Amber or Pout's new Pearly Queen pink. Highlighter: Shu Uemura Glow On in gold on cheek bones or Armani Fluid Sheer in a gold shade, No. 10. MAC Strobe Cream on bones, brows and nose when I'm going out at night.
Body: Du Wop's miracle Revolution is a brilliant body make-up, and even better when coated with Shu Uemura's Lustre Bronze Powder.
Eyeshadows: I have three looks at the moment - pink, using Lancôme's Pinksplash quartet; smokey, using Shu Uemura's Beige 803 over the lid, Rainbow 900Y on the brow and Black 960 in the socket, or natural, using my blush and highlighter, with a Shu Uemura Gray 944 in the socket. If I want sparkle, I either go for Nars colours or Stila's /Snowflake compact of six glitter glosses. Eyeliner: I use MAC black kohl under my eyes and No. 7 Precision Eye Liner (liquid) on the upper lids. Liquid liner is my one desert island essential. Brows: I either fill in with shades from a Laura Mercier shadow palette, or Armani's Brow Defining Pencil in No. 2.
Lips: First, Crème de la Mer balm, then lip liner all over my lips (Aveda Morena to match brown eye shadow, Chantecaille Impression for the pinks and Shu Uemura 451 for the smokey look). Then Sisley Glossy Gloss in Crystal, and lastly Du Wop Lip Venom for a final flourish. The end result is shiny, neutral and played down. Mascara: Laura Mercier's Thickening and Building in black is great for contact lens wearers, such as me, who want volume, but not fibres.
Brushes: Armani. Eyelash curler: Shu Uemura's hero product. Tweezers: Laura Mercier's round ones. Gets to the root of the shortest hairs.
THE VERDICT: Ken Boylan, make-up artist with Armani Cosmetics, says: "Melanie, I have been doing your make-up for years, and you still haven't lost the black liquid liner habit! For a change I'd like to see you use your Kohl pencil on the upper lids. Make it messy, smudge it, and top it with a black or metallic shadow. It would look great. If you can't break the habit, try Bodyshop's liquid liner in gold for a streak of subtle colour.
I would also love to see you wear dark blue eye shadows, such as Armani No. 1, created by Giorgio Armani himself. That would work well with your dark hair, especially on a grey base with silvery highlights."