my daily makeup staples

When it comes to makeup, I'm pretty boring as far as daily staples go. I'm a drugstore lover for pretty much every basic step of my makeup routine- nothing costs more than €20. I'd rather invest my money in fun eyeshadow palettes and highlighters than on boring foundation, yanno?

step one: Revlon Colourstay for normal/dry skin

After my morning exfoliation and moisturiser, I start my makeup routine with my Revlon foundation. Having particularly dry skin that loves to create nasty patches after application, I spent years looking for a foundation that wouldn't just fall off my face. For the past three years the majority of my skin woes have been solved by this foundation. I'm also particularly pale (it's the redhead Irish genes) and I often find that even the lightest foundations in a line can sometimes be too dark for me, but I wear 101 ivory and it matches perfectly- without that odd yellow/orange tinge that you can sometimes get. It's €18.99 in Boots and it's so worth the price; it stays on my face for most of the day and doesn't crease too much. I apply it before work at 7am and it's still pretty intact when I go for after-work drinks. I don't know what I'd do without this foundation, and I really don't fancy recreating the foundation hunt again- those were some dark (and patchy) years.

step two: Rimmel Stay Matte powder

Everyone and their mother knows and loves this powder. Aside from Claire's white powder (the one that was recalled for heath reasons- yikes) that I used on and off for a couple of years when I was 18, this is all I've ever used. It's €5.99 in Boots and I personally find that the shade 'translucent' is perfect for my pale skin tone. The only criticism I'd mention is how the packaging isn't the most secure; I'm forever having to clean out my little makeup pouch for my handbag when the powder pan inevitably breaks, crumbles, and then escapes onto the rest of my on-the-go products.

step three: Essence Brow powder and NYX brow mascara

At the moment, I'd say my signature look is my straight eyebrows. I've been plucking the tails of my brows for years to achieve that fairy-like look, and these two products are imperative to its success. I start with the Essence brow powder that I pick up for a couple of euro. Using a super precise angled brush to create the shape, then a thicker angled brush to fill in the shape, I use the brow powder to draw on my brows. When I'm happy with it all I use my NYX tinted brow mascara in 'chocolate' to keep it all in place. It's only €8 in Boots, and it lasts me most of the year. On quick makeup days I'll skip the brow powder step and just use the mascara to create a bit more definition.

step four: Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner and CYO This Line's A Keeper

The one with the blue band around it, I use the Rimmel liner to create my eyeliner. Another product that took me forever to find, I like the applicator and the formula- it's like winning the lottery. The applicator is felt-tip-like that allows me to create a precise cat-eye, but firm enough to fill in the shape. The formula is good enough for me to use daily too. It's easy to apply and doesn't bleed or spread where you don't want it to. For €7.99 in Boots, it's ideal for everyday use. Though it says it's waterproof I don't think it actually is 100%, so I use the CYO This Line's A Keeper (€6.50 in Boots) in the outer corners of my eyes- if my eyes water the cat eye that I slaved over stays in place! This Line's A Keeper is a great replacement for the now-discontinued Seventeen Tattoo Me waterproof eyeliner that I used to adore. The reason I don't use it instead of adding the Rimmel Exaggerate step is because the This Line's A Keeper has an annoying brittle brush applicator that makes it a nightmare to apply precisely.

step five: Catrice Glam & Doll False Lashes or Essence All Eyes On Me

I absolutely refuse to put more than €5 into a mascara. Even €5 would be pushing it, to be honest. I actually have two well-loved options for mascara; super cheap Catrice or Essence. I've been using the Catrice Glam & Doll mascara in False Lashes (the purple one) or the blue waterproof version for years. I pick mine up for €4.50 in my local chemist and it does a great job. The wand is curved to really coat every lash. There's no clumping or flaking throughout the day and my lashes look like I've been using an expensive mascara. The same goes for the Essence All Eyes On Me. While I haven't found an Essence stand in my hometown since I've moved back home from the UK, I don't remember paying more than €4 or €5. They both work so well, I don't see myself wasting money on ridiculously priced mascara any time soon.

step six: Catrice High Glow Highlighting Powder

The final step in my basic makeup routine is my favourite highlighter. I remember years ago seeing my best friend wearing it and I fell so madly in love that I had to get my own. At the time, the only shade available was 010 Light Infusion, a gorgeous crisp pink, and it was sold out everywhere in my little uni town. I finally got it in my local Penneys (Primark for my UK friends) for €5 and I haven't stopped wearing it since. It's so buttery soft and easy to blend, incredibly pigmented and lasts all day and night. When I say that it's my favourite highlighter, I mean it.

So, aside from my Revlon foundation, none of these cost more than €10. In fact, my whole face cost €59.97- that's a high-end foundation on its own. I'm saving loads, so when I splurge on an eyeshadow palette it's not as bad. Do you only wear drugstore staples too? Is there anything that I'm missing?

Make sure to follow me on Instagram @lapetitemis to keep up with the fancy eyeshadow palettes that I do like to invest in!