There was once a time when we’d sit behind our computer screens marvelling at the eye-wateringly expansive makeup collections of cult-favourite beauty guru YouTubers. We’d stare glassy-eyed as they filmed videos with an entire wall’s worth of beauty products glittering behind them.
The year was roughly 2010, and we would patiently watch as they’d comb through Ikea drawers filled to the brim with the same lipstick in 24 different shades, followed by a selection of innumerable blushes, brow gels, glosses, bronzers, highlighters, eyeshadow palettes and so much more. Whatever had just launched on the beauty scene, they owned in every possible hue before it had even hit the market.
Modern makeup sensibilities have changed drastically in the last 15 years, with beauty enthusiasts opting for high-quality, luxurious products over ineffective and inexpensive pieces of makeup that have gone viral for all the wrong reasons.
Gone are the days of collecting until the cows come home, and makeup lovers instead appear to be investing in, and repurchasing, products that they know work for them. This is sustainable shopping done right.
A key example of this is the #UnderconsumptionCore trend which has taken TikTok by storm in the last few months. It consists of individuals showing off their marvellously limited beauty collections, demonstrating how they wait until something is used all the way up before topping up full-sized products.
One brilliant means of achieving a truly minimalist, streamlined and an #UnderconsumptionCore-appropriate makeup collection is by opting for versatile products which have multiple different uses.
Whether it be a glowy CC cream that doubles up as a primer and highlighter, a lip tint which can be swiped over the cheeks and eyes, or a foundation/concealer combo for girls constantly on the move – we’ve got you covered with the best multi-use makeup products below.
Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick
Experts in buildable, minimalistic makeup, we were instantly intrigued by the Merit Beauty Perfecting Complexion Stick. It’s neither concealer nor foundation but promises to replace both in your makeup kit for good.
The feather-light, hydrating and multi-use formula is infused with fatty acids which condition the skin and lock in moisture. It glides over the skin with ease, offering glowy and customisable coverage no matter the occasion.
Buy now £40.00, Merit Beauty
Saie Glowy Super Skin
Saie’s collection of makeup heroes puts clean, skincare-like formulas into your cosmetics bag. It’s known for its glow-giving properties and this latest unveiling follows suit. The ultra-wearable foundation brings luminosity with every swipe of your brush.
It is powered by a trademarked Hybrobounce formula that is predominantly made from a serum that combines hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, treating your skin to the hydrating, soothing benefits, while imparting the tint. For this reason, it feels lightweight on the skin but only provides a medium coverage - although this is buildable.
Buy now £34.00, Cult Beauty
Jones Road Miracle Balm
The Jones Road Miracle balm is truly a desert island product, especially given how long it lasts. There are 12 glorious shades to choose from ranging from shimmery pinks and neutral peaches to bronzed, golden hues.
The hero, multi-use balm can be applied anywhere that you think needs an extra bit of glow – whether you’re wearing full-glam or are heading out barefaced. The light-reflecting super product is incredibly versatile and will leave onlookers pondering how you achieved such effortless radiance.
Buy now £36.00, Jones Road
NUDESTIX Nudies Bloom All Over Face Dewy Blush Colour
We love the fact that this multi-stick from NUDESTIX is available in an array of vibrant, highly saturated hues. Designed to deliver monochromatic colour on the lips, eyes and cheeks, the wonderfully creamy formula goes on like butter and builds like a dream. The fantastic product also comes with a built-in, removable and washable brush for blending with ease.
Buy now £30.00, lookfantastic
Ilia Multi Stick
One of the first brands to extol the power of the multi-stick, Ilia’s version of the cult-favourite product continues to reign supreme in our eyes. Available in an array of beautiful rose-tinted, peachy and berry hues, the creamy formula is buildable and helps to deliver a cohesive and natural makeup look.
Buy now £36.00, Ilia
Glossier Futuredew
For an easy all-in-one shortcut to a glowing complexion for all skin tones, look no further than Glossier’s Futuredew. Brimming with nourishing oils, brightening extracts, and moisturising properties, your skin will be radiant after a couple of drops. Better still, it provides a great dewy base on top of which you can apply further makeup if you want.
Buy now £30.00, Glossier
By Terry Cellularose CC Serum 30ml
This glorious colour-correcting serum is set to be your go-to glam when you’re in a pinch. Whether used as a glow-inducing base for a full face of makeup or swiped all over the skin for an instant, evening and radiance-boosting effect, it’s something to carry in your bag wherever you roam.
The brightening and rejuvenating serum promises to bring new life to dull skin and is enriched with sweet-smelling White Rose Stem Cells and antioxidant vitamin E for extra nourishment. Light-reflecting technology works to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while delivering premium shine.
Buy now £62.00, Lookfantastic
REFY Lip Blush
This multitasking lippy taps into the blurred lip trend with its blotted effect. It’s a lightweight product that leaves a subtle wash of colour in the same way as a tinted lip balm. The creamy texture glides onto the pout but works double duty for the cheeks too - we love a formula that can do both.
The low-maintenance makeup essential stays put once applied but may need to be layered up with a more pigmented product for a fuller lipstick look. There are five shades in pops of pink, orange, purple and reddy brown.
Buy now £16.00, REFY
benefit Bene Tint Rose Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain 10ml
When the girls go out with nothing but a tiny clutch purse that can barely fit a phone, this is what’s rattling around inside. The cult-classic, long-lasting stain instantly brings colour to the lips, cheeks and eyes.
It’s the contemporary equivalent of pinching your cheeks to get them perfectly rosy, only far more effortless. Sheer yet buildable, smudge-proof yet fabulously blurry, it’ll leave you looking flushed in the best way.
Buy now £31.50, Boots
Stila Blush & Bronze Hydro-Blur Cheek Duo
There’s nothing quite like a dual-ended complexion stick to streamline your makeup bag. This brilliant two-for-one product by Stila adds instant warmth and a perfectly flushed glow with a few gentle swipes of the creamy gel formula. It’s available in a selection of hue combinations, though guava and mocha are our favourites.
Buy now £27.00, lookfantastic
Dior Forever Skin Perfect
With 18 shades available, you’re sure to find your match in a Dior Forever Skin Perfect stick. Designed to deliver blurred, 24-hour perfection, it can be used sparingly as a concealer, an all-over foundation, or even a bronzer if you opt for a darker shade. The beautifully sheer and buildable formulation is also breathable for breakout-free coverage.
Buy now £46.00, Dior
