Back in May last year makeup artist Caroline Barnes took on our Get The Gloss in 7 makeup challenge and came a cropper of the time limit, not quite managing to finish her makeup the allotted seven minutes – we don't call it a challenge for anything!
Keen to rectify, Caroline takes on #Gettheglossin7 again to launch her first-ever beauty box in collaboration with Latest in Beauty. The perfect Mother's Day gift, it's a bumper box containing ten beauty heroes. It features hydrating, glowy skincare and makeup essentials from top brands such as Illamasqa, Daniel Sandler and Kate Somerville, all of which Caroline uses professionally and personally. The Caroline Barnes Beauty Expert Edition box is worth a huge £241, yet is on sale for £74, offering a £167 saving!
“I’m determined to beat the challenge today and I’ve got some really nice speedy products that are going to be quite efficient – I hope,” Caroline says. For our challenge, Caroline uses both products from her box as well as extras from her kit.
(Bonus: if you get your Mum Caroline's gift box, she can watch this video to see how she uses the products, too).
Caroline preps her skin with Murad’s Intense Recovery Cream , which she calls ‘an absolute godsend for dry skin’ and Kate Somerville’s Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment , both of which are in her box. “You have to have exfoliation and hydration together if you want that smooth surface to your skin,” Caroline says. “If you’ve never tried Exfolikate before, you’ll never use anything else again. It completely changes the texture of your skin after one use.”
Following her skincare, Caroline uses the James Read Gradual Tan Drops to add warmth to her skin. “I use these every day after I moisturise," she says.
Caroline begins her makeup with Max Factor’s skincare/foundation hybrid Skin Improving Foundation , applying it with her hands to get it on it really quickly and blend into her neck. “Hands are such a great tool to get a lot of product on with ease," she says. “This foundation really perfects the skin and evens the tone out without feeling heavy,” she says.
Caroline follows with Monika Blunder’s Blundercover Concealer, applying it with a flat foundation brush to get it right into the corners of the eyes, but she stops in the middle of her lid, to make sure that when she applies her liquid eyeshadow it really pops. "This is so versatile; you can create a perfected look or you can buff it into the skin and blend seamlessly into your foundation,” she says.
Next up is liquid blush. Caroline applies Daniel Sandler's Watercolour Liquid Blush with a brush to her cheeks for a healthy, soft glow. She amps up the sheen with Sculpted By Aimee's Liquid Lights Gilded Glow Highlight , which she loves because it doesn’t fade and suits all skin tones.
Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift is next to define the brows, followed by Elf’s Liquid Glitter in Purple Reign all over the lids for a super soft subtle glow.
Trish McEvoy’s Intense Gel Liner is up next, applied to the waterline “It’s the softest eyeliner you’ll ever find in any makeup store,” Caroline says.
She follows with the Charlotte Tilbury Push-up Lashes Mascara , which Caroline says is great for doing your makeup in a hurry.
Caroline finishes with what she calls her ‘favourite, favourite lipstick’ Max Factor's Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy. “This is the perfect spring-summer colour - it’s a coral, watermelon shade that’s so pretty.”
What's in the Caroline Barnes Expert edit beauty box?
Illamasqa Eye Elemental Artistry Palette, worth £39
Spectrum Collections, KJH 2 Piece Face Brush Set worth £29.99
James Read H20 Tan Drops Face, worth £30
Kate Somerville, ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, £21
Murad, Intense Recovery Cream £69
Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy, £8.99
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Liquid Cheek Colour - So Pretty, £16.50
Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eye Liner - Deep Aubergine
E.L.F cosmetics Liquid Glitter Eyeshadow - Purple Reign, £6
Sculpted by Aimee Liquid Lights Gilded Glow, £13
Caroline Barnes' beauty box is out now £74, worth £241. Buy it here.
