M&B's Beauty Essentials

While fashion for me has always been about experimentation, I must admit, I tend towards the more natural and low-maintenance options when it comes to my beauty looks. I love simple, multi-purpose products that can transition you from day to night effortlessly.

Recently, I've also been trying my best to find and use cruelty-free products. However, finding these products can seem difficult when many brands are global enterprises with different regulations around the world. PETA's cruelty-free index has been an incredibly useful tool as I've cleaned out my makeup bag. Take a look to see whether the brands you use are cruelty-free or not. 

With that being said, these items are my desert-island picks. They are some of the best I've found for keeping skin clear and glowy, hair lush and voluminous, and lashes long and strong. They also only take about 10 minutes to apply. 

Diptyque 'Volutes' Eau de Toilette

This is one of my favourite perfumes ever, partially because I bought it in Paris and it brings back incredible memories. It is a woody, unisex scent, with notes of Egyptian tobacco, honey and iris. I think it is a great perfume for any time of year, warm enough for the winter months and fresh enough for the summer.  

Coola Matte BB Cream and Mineral Sunscreen

It has taken me a long time to get with the program and apply facial sunscreen every day. Part of my hesitation was not wanting a greasy face - but this BB cream is very matte. It provides a thin layer of tinted coverage and hydrates with shea butter, plankton extract, and rose hip, evening primrose and flaxseed oil. Your skin will thank you today and many years from now when you are wrinkle and sun-damage free.

Fekkai Full Blown Volume Shampoo

Full disclosure, I went through a really terrible rough patch with my hair last year (literally). I still don't know if it was the water in my apartment, my diet or over-washing but it was greasy, flat and lifeless. This shampoo was my god-send. It also smells damn good (like Citrus Extract and Ginseng, to be exact). 

Nyx Dewy Makeup Setting Spray

This product is a blessing for anyone who is a makeup minimalist without the time for touch-ups. When I was a server, this was my go-to product because my makeup looked the exact same after a shift as it did before. I also think it makes you look fresher and almost acts as a highlighter with the dewiness. If dewiness isn't your thing, this setting spray also comes in matte. Oh, and did I mention it's a steal at $8 from the drugstore?!  

Sephora Precision Pore Cleansing Pad

Not going to lie, my skin hasn't always been the best, especially when it came to blackheads. This little pad is one of my newer finds and I am really seeing some real results from using it. Made from silicone, it acts as a gentle exfoliant and helps you clean the tougher to reach spots like the sides of your nose. It is also a great option for cleaning your brushes. Multi-purpose and at $6 a pop, it is a pretty great ROI. 

Philosophy 'Purity Made Simple' Face Wash

I just switched over to this cleanser after getting a sample from a friend who works at Sephora. I have to say I'm incredibly impressed. My skin is very sensitive and can be quite dry, but this cleanser/toner/make up remover leaves my skin glowing and completely hydrated. 

Blinc Smudge Proof Tubing Mascara

Ladies, listen up! This mascara will change your life. It does not smudge, you will not need to reapply and you can take it off with a splash of warm water - no raccoon eyes here. The formula for this mascara creates tubes around your lashes while protecting and lengthening them. This mascara is great for those with sensitive eyes, contact-wearers, gym goers or those looking for a low maintenance beauty routine.  

Fresh Sugar 'Bloom' Tinted Lip Treatment

If I had to choose a favourite item from this list, Fresh's Bloom Lip Treatment may be it. Up until two months ago when I bought the balm, my lips had been in a permanent state of dry and chapped. No exaggeration, this balm changed it all. In the perfect shade of Millennial pink (and 12 other colours to choose from), with SPF 15, and a stamp of cruelty-free, there's no going wrong with this lippy. Bonus points: it can act as a cream blush as well, if you get it in a shade that works for you.