Start With Well-Prepped Skin

The way makeup looks and wears can be influenced by how the skin is cared for beforehand. Hydrating skincare can be part of a beauty routine, particularly when the goal is a fresh, comfortable-looking complexion.

The Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner, available from M&S, has a lightweight, water-like texture that makes it an easy addition to a skincare routine.

Also available from M&S, the TirTir SOS Serum features ingredients including polyglutamic acid, witch hazel, chamomile and acetyl hexapeptide-8. It is designed with hydration and skin comfort in mind, making it another option to consider when building a skincare routine.

Rather than following a lengthy list of steps, the focus can simply be on choosing skincare that suits your individual routine and preferences before moving on to makeup.

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner

• • • Lightweight hydration: Fast-absorbing formula with deep-sea water and 72 minerals.
  • • Gentle exfoliation: Hatching EX-07 helps control oil and remove dead skin cells.
  • • Soothing care: Panthenol, Allantoin, and Betaine help calm irritated skin.

TirTir SOS Serum

• • Deep hydration: Polyglutamic acid keeps skin plump and moisturized.
• • Soothing care: Witch hazel and chamomile calm dry, rough skin.
• • Anti-aging: Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 supports firmer, smoother-looking skin.

The Case for a Soft-Matte Complexion

Matte makeup no longer has to mean a completely flat finish. One of the more wearable approaches is to keep shine under control while allowing the complexion to retain some natural dimension.

The bareMinerals BarePRO 24H Matte Comfort Liquid Foundation is designed for medium-to-full coverage with a natural matte finish. Its formula is intended to provide long-lasting wear while helping to blur the appearance of pores and control shine.

For an everyday look, start with a small amount and concentrate coverage where it is actually needed. Blending outward from the centre of the face can help keep the finish looking more natural rather than overly made up.

Powder, But Only Where You Need It

Once foundation is applied, there is no need to automatically powder the entire face.

The bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Finishing Pressed Powder offers a soft-matte finish and can be used selectively to set areas where makeup tends to move or become shiny. A pressed formula also makes it practical for quick touch-ups throughout the day.

Try applying a light layer around the T-zone while leaving areas such as the upper cheeks less powdered. This keeps the complexion looking more dimensional while still giving the makeup some staying power.

bareMinerals BarePRO 24H Matte Comfort Liquid Foundation

• • 24H coverage: Medium-to-full coverage with a matte finish.
• • Pore-blurring: Smooths pores, controls shine, and evens skin tone.
• • Long-wearing: Sweat-, heat-, and smudge-proof.

bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Finishing Pressed Powder

• • Soft matte: Sets makeup and absorbs excess oil.
• • Blurring: Softens pores and fine lines.
• • On-the-go: Compact and mess-free.

Add Warmth and Colour

A polished complexion can sometimes look a little too uniform without colour. Blush and bronzer bring back warmth and dimension, helping the skin look more naturally alive.

The Stila Blush & Bronze Hydro-Blur Cheek Duo combines blush and bronzer in one product, with a creamy-gel texture designed to blend into the skin. The two shades can be built gradually, making it easy to keep the result subtle or add more definition.

For a softer daytime look, blend the blush onto the cheeks and lightly sweep the bronzing shade across the areas where the sun would naturally hit. Keeping the application diffused rather than heavily sculpted gives the complexion a more effortless finish.

Keep the Lips Glossy

A glossy lip can be one of the easiest ways to finish a makeup look without adding another layer of complexity.

The Stila Plumping Lip Glaze combines shine with a plumping effect and can be worn alone for a sheer, glossy finish or layered over another lip colour.

A brown-toned shade works particularly well with warm bronzer and softly defined cheeks. It adds definition while keeping the overall look understated.

Stila Blush & Bronze Hydro-Blur Cheek Duo

• • 3-in-1: Blush, contour, and bronzer.
• • Hydrating: Blurs imperfections.
• • Buildable: Sheer, dewy finish.

Stila Plumping Lip Glaze

• • • Plumps: Fuller, smoother lips.
  • • Glossy: Adds color and shine.
  • • Refreshing: Minty, hydrating feel.

Beauty Finds Worth Browsing at M&S

For anyone looking to refresh their beauty collection, M&S is currently running a Beauty Sale with Up to 50% OFF on selected products. From skincare and complexion essentials to cheek colour and lip products, the sale offers plenty to explore if you're looking to update a few everyday favourites or try something new.

With a mix of established beauty brands including Round Lab, TirTir, bareMinerals and Stila, these picks offer different ways to refresh your beauty collection without having to completely start over.

Sale products, prices, colours and availability can change, so it is worth checking the individual product pages for the latest details.

A Fresh Take on Everyday Beauty

A good beauty edit doesn't have to be about following a long list of steps. Sometimes, a few well-chosen products can make all the difference, whether that's a hydrating skincare step, a complexion product with the right finish or a simple touch of colour.

From lightweight skincare to soft-matte makeup and glossy finishing touches, these M&S beauty finds offer plenty of inspiration for updating your collection in a way that feels fresh, considered and easy to wear.

With up to 50% off selected products during the M&S Beauty Sale, it's a good opportunity to discover something new or revisit the everyday essentials already on your list.