[“][S]miling is definitely one of the best beauty remedies. If you have a good sense of humor and a good approach to life, that’s beautiful,” as Rashida Jones wisely points out. But when in need of a little pick-me-up, do not underestimate the power of a slick of red lipstick (the same effect as wearing a le smoking tuxedo – a guaranteed mood booster). A ‘good’ foundation base that doesn’t melt off your face at 11am? Game-changer. And then there’s a raft of new high-tech skincare products every season promising to smooth lines, hydrate, balance and everything else in between.

Settling on a skincare routine that will keep breakouts at bay and a makeup kit you vary rarely sway from is no easy feat. There’s so much choice on the market, it’s hard to know where to start. So, we’ve picked 25 of our favourite hero beauty products…

Mac Lipstick in Lady Danger

We’re a fan of MAC’s highly pigmented, long-lasting scarlet shades across the board. Ruby Woo is an all-rounder that suits every skin tone but if you’re after a brighter coral-red with a semi-matte finish that lasts all day? Lady Danger is a winner.

£16.50, maccosmetics.co.uk

Revlon Ultra HD Matte in Seduction

To master Brigette Bardot’s iconic beauty looks from the ‘60s? A semi-matte nude pink lippy- that doesn’t look chalky or too pale – is your best friend.

£8.99, superdrug.com

Lancome Juicy Shaker in Show Me The Honey

Remember Lancome’s iconic Juicy Tubes? Well, if glossy lips is you’re thing you’re going to fall hard over their new pigmented bi-phased lip oils which contain sweet almond oil, omega 3 and cranberry oil. Tip: shake a few times before applying.

£19.50, lancome.co.uk

Rimmel Soft Khol Kajal Eye Pencil

Super intense colour, smudgeable and doesn’t wear off; for that sultry, rock ‘n’ roll look we always turn to this budget beauty must-have.

£2.99, boots.com

Chanel Liquid Eyeliner

Chanel’s liquid liner gives a precise, intense and glossy makeup result Cleopatra style for a cool-girl graphic line.

£28, chanel.com

Dior 5 Couleurs Hi Fidelity Eyeshadow Palette

For a chic, ‘day eye’ we’re obsessed with Dior’s eyeshadow palette for a peachy look and with five colours to choose from you can really experiment depending on your preferred intensity.

£45, dior.com

YSL Touche Éclat

Want to hide dark circles? Add radiance to your cheeks? Part concealer, part illuminator pen; simply dot wherever you see fit. A must-have for makeup artists.

£25.50, yslbeauty.co.uk

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup

Let’s face it; we’re always on the hunt for a ‘second-skin’ foundation. Not too heavy but enough coverage to blur imperfections. Enter: Maestro Fusion Makeup. Lightweight, blends easily, and features non-greasy oils. This refining base is ideal for combination skin.

£40, armanibeauty.co.uk

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

An industry favourite, this award-winning foundation is perfect for those who want a foundation, concealer, moisturizer in one (it includes olive extracts and shea butter help to help hydrate skin at the same time). A handbag staple for those who want to look put together with very little effort. Sold.

£31, bobbibrown.co.uk

Erborian BB Crème Au Ginseng

K-beauty is a huge buzzword RN (just google South Korean 11+ step skincare regimes!). BB creams – which sit somewhere between a tinted moisturizer and foundation – are hailed as the hero product for Korean skin perfection. For a ‘no makeup’ makeup look? We swear by Erborian’s Crème Au Ginseng to even skin tone and nourish skin simultaneously.

£36, spacenk.com 

O.P.I. Nail Lacquer

Everyone knows a perfect mani starts with quality nail polish that doesn’t chip after 24 hours. We’re into O.P.I’s moody blues for autumn ’17 from the Iceland collection. Or for a punchy red, try ‘Living On the Bula-vard’.

£12.95, opiuk.com

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

The creamy solution designed to suit all skin tones – enriched with cocoa butter, rosemary, chamomile and eucalyptus – softens, purifys and moisturizes in one.

£16, lizearle.com

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Normal-dry skin will benefit from this bestselling formula the most, with a blend of essential oils and botanicals including lavender oil, evening primrose oil and olive-derived squalane. For an intense beauty fix massage 3 drops into cleansed skin, or mix one or two with your moisturizer.

£38, kiehls.co.uk

Pai Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream

On the hunt for a luxurious face cream that’s light enough to wear every day? Look no further. Normal, oil and combination skins will love this easily absorbable formula, which hydrates without overloading the skin. An excellent base for makeup.

£34, paiskincare.com 

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Sun Cream Fluid SPF 50+

Preventing early signs of ageing due to sun damage starts with a good SPF. For optimum protection, buy ones that feature factor 30 and 50; like our go-to non-greasy formula from La Roche-Posay that’s light enough to wear under moisturizer.

£16.50, boots.com

SkinCeuticals Retexturising Activator

An oil-free serum formulated to both exfoliate skin and replenish moisture; thanks to the resurfacing powers of daily 20% glycolic acid treatment which stimulates enzymes that help break the bonds that bind dead cells to the surface of the skin, to diminish surface lines and wrinkles. Translation: hello baby soft skin.

£82.95, skinceuticals.co.uk

Clinique pep-start eye cream 

Want to banish puffy eyes, look wide-awake and refreshed after 3 hours sleep (and 3 vinos)? This product is never far away come Monday morning.

£22, Clinique.co.uk

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

Our makeup bag would be a little lost without this cult item. We use it primarily as a quality lip balm but it can also soothe sunburn and general abrasions.

£27, elizabetharden.co.uk

Klorane dry shampoo with oat milk 

Fresh hair in 60 seconds? Dry shampoo it is! And this Klorane one is great for adding texture and softening the hair in-between washes.

£6, boots.com

Beautyblender

Everyone from Beyoncé to Diana Ross has openly endorsed the powers of the Beautyblender to create a flawless, airbrushed finish when applying foundation, concealer et cetera. Due to it’s egg shape it blends all types of makeup to prevent dreaded streaking.

£16, cultbeauty.co.uk

Egyptian Magic All Purpose Cream Skin

An all-natural healing skin cream made from bees wax, honey, propolis and other natural ingredients. You can use it as a night balm, eye cream, intense moisturizer and hair masque or you simply dab it on your face to highlight your cheekbones and give you a dewy look.

£29, boots.com

Lipcote 

Keep your lips sealed, people. You will have no doubt come across this product at some point in your life – your mum will have definitely used it – but if you have yet to try it yourself prepare to fall for this transparent lip sealer. Apply lipstick as usual, then evenly brush Lipcote over the top and slightly beyond the lip line to seal (it sets in minutes). Think of it as a pout primer; no more fading.

£3.69, superdrug.com