Ever wondered what an Olympic swimmer uses to hydrate their skin? Or what the secret is behind a Love Islander’s glow on the red carpet? Maybe you’ve always been desperate to know what foundation your favourite presenter wears? Well, I’ve been on a mission to find out.
I’ve spent months uncovering the holy grail items that celebs swear by. From daily moisturisers and luxury cleansers, to cult-loved foundations and brow pencils, it seems our favourite famous faces have a few ride-or-die products they simply can’t live without.
Each star I spoke to, I asked the exact same question: It you could only take one beauty product to a desert island, which would it be? And the results have been interesting to say the least.
READ MORE: Best beauty advent calendars for 2024 that are available to buy now from Boots, Liz Earle and more
READ MORE: Boots beauty advent calendar worth ‘over £150’ is now £44 and stars Ted Baker, No7 and more
From Soap actresses to reality TV stars, This Morning experts to social media content creators, consider their beauty secrets spilled as I take you through some of their responses. Here are the makeup and skincare picks celebrities can’t live without:
Lydia Millen loves Elizabeth Arden’s ‘beautiful’ day cream
Described as ‘an addictive fast-absorbing gel cream’, the Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Day Cream from Elizabeth Arden is content creator and author Lydia Millen’s go-to moisturiser. The firming formula uses a blend of anti-ageing Ceramides and Tetrapeptides to replenish the skin’s elasticity, while Edelweiss Extract delivers ‘lifted, firmer and more defined facial contours in just one week’.
Lydia said: “I wear this every single day and I honestly go through it so quickly. It’s one of those products I feel does multiple things, it’s really moisturising, and really hydrating but a really beautiful base as well. It’s got a really beautiful luminosity to it even when I haven’t had a good night’s sleep. I notice when I wear makeup over the top of it that it really illuminates my skin.”
But the £71 cream isn’t the cheapest, so if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, we’re also big fans of the No7 Future Renew Day Cream, which has SPF40 which is also hydrating, has a higher SPF and is £34.95. Read the full interview with Lydia here.
Nadine Baggott’s secret to youthful skin is Medik8’s Crystal Retinal
Nadine, who regularly appears as a beauty expert on This Morning, celebrated her 60th birthday this year, and she says her age-defying complexion mostly down to the award-winning Medik8 Crystal Retinal . The powerhouse Vitamin A product is said to provide ‘clinically proven wrinkle reduction with just one tube’, with users noting an improvement in texture, brightness, firmness and clarity.
Perfect for those with perimenopausal skin around the age of 45+, it comes in various strengths, with CR1 costing £45, moving up the ranks to CR20, which is £99.
The columnist and YouTuber said: “Retinal is the strongest form of Vitamin A you can get on the market prior to prescription skincare and my favourite is this one from Medik8 . I always have a 10 and 20 on the go all the time. Vitamin A is like your skin’s cheerleader and helps your skin repair at night. It boosts collagen production, elastin production, boosts hydration and stops the clumping of pigment which causes age spots and brightens the skin too.
“It smells of almonds and that marzipan kind of smell now kind of lulls me to sleep. It has an iconic orange colour and it’s my perfect gel cream texture.” The only downside is that, because of the product’s orange hue, it can transfer onto fabric, with Nadine adding: “The only reason you know I’m an addict is that it does make your pillow cases yellow.” Read the full interview with Nadine here.
YouTube’s Louise Pentland has sworn by Benefit Brow Pencil for years
For OG YouTuber and content creator, Louise Pentland, the one product in her makeup bag that she’s been faithful to for almost a decade is the Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil . The vlogger, previously known as Sprinkle of Glitter, has remained loyal to the £26 product ever since it launched in 2016 and thinks she’s gone through around 20 of them in that time.
Available in a whopping 12 shades – which is huge for a brow product – Louise typically uses shade 2, and swears by the pencil for defining her blonde brows every day. The mum-of-two says she uses three or four of the brow pencils each year, meaning she’s likely used between 24 and 32 of the pencils since it launched.
She told The Mirror : “This is a bit millennial of me. I’m still doing like a 2019 brow because I can’t get to grips with just drawing on the individual hairs because I just look a bit startled. I think everybody else looks nice with it but I’m still on the Benefit Goof Proof . It hasn’t got the finest tip – it’s a waxy blunter one but it does me. Eventually I’ll come round to drawing individual hairs.” Read the full interview with Louise here.
MAFS’ Jay Howard’s MAC foundation has been in her makeup bag since high school
Married at First Sight’s Jay Howard says there’s nothing more reliable than the £36 MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 Foundation. The 32-year-old has tried countless foundations over the years, including some from Charlotte Tilbury, but says that MAC’s is ‘the best I’ve tried’ .
The MAC foundation features a soft-matte finish, which helps to hydrate and control oil, making it suitable for those with normal to oily skin. It comes in a whopping 71 shades, though users with dry skin may prefer something with a dewier finish.
Jay uses the shade NC20 in the MAC formula, and told The Mirror: “I am a bit obsessed with the MAC Studio Fix. I’ve used it ever since I was at high school after moving over from dream matte mousse. I just don’t like the feel of others on my skin for some reason. I’ve currently got three bottles of it on the go just in case I run out and the thought of being without it is my worst nightmare.” Read the full interview with Jay here.
This Morning’s Lynsey Crombie buys all her friends this Beauty Pie neck spray
This Morning’s Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie, told The Mirror that the one must-have product she ‘will never not use’ , is the Über Youth Neck & Chest Super Lift Serum-Spray from Beauty Pie. Made in Switzerland, the powerhouse product uses Niacinamide to brighten and lighten the look of sun and age spots, while Peptides, Oligogeline and Kigeline work together to ‘lift and firm’ the skin.
She said: “It makes your whole neck and chest feel super smooth and being my age now, it’s definitely made an improvement to my neck and chest area. It’s one product I will never not have anymore and will always be in my collection. I’ve used about four or five bottles of it now, they last a good three months using it morning and evening.”
The cleaning expert has bought it for everyone she knows for Christmas, birthdays and basically any other occasion you could possibly think of, after being introduced to the beauty subscription service by Holly Willoughby. She added “I always say to people I buy it for, ‘Please don’t think I’m being insulting, but you need to try this product’. Buying anti-wrinkle serum for your friends is on the borderline of offensive, but they’ve all loved it and have since subscribed to Beauty Pie themselves.” Read the full interview with Lynsey here.
For Hollyoaks’ Jazz Franks, Weleda Skin Food is the one thing she ‘can’t live without’
Countless celebrities are fans of Weleda’s Skin Food, and Hollyoaks star Jazmine Franks is among them. The mum-of-one, who played Esther Bloom on the Chester-based soap, first tried it when she was pregnant with her son, Axl and has been ‘hooked’ ever since.
She told The Mirror she uses the Weleda Skin Food Rich Cream ‘every day without fail’, and added: “I just love how thick it is and how dewy it makes your skin look. When they found out I was pregnant, Weleda sent me a parcel with stretch mark balms and things like that and then there was just a small Skin Food in there so I gave it a go and was hooked.
“I’ve got really sensitive skin and I’ve suffered from eczema, so I’ve always been really conscious of what I put on my face. When I tried the Skin Food , I fell in love with it. It’s a moisturiser that you put on and you know you’ve put a moisturiser on, it keeps your skin hydrated all day.”
Priced at £8.95 for a 30ml tube, the multi-tasking moisturiser contains soothing wild pansy, calming chamomile and healing calendula for a deeply nourishing feel. Weleda say it’s the ‘one thing you need to take with you to a desert island’, ideal for using on faces, elbows, hands and feet. Read the full interview with Jazz here.
Podcaster and presenter Vogue Williams’ favourite foundation is from Max Factor
For around 12 months, Vogue has been using the same Max Factor Facefinity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 SPF 20 Vegan Foundation . Usually £13.99, it’s a primer, concealer and foundation all in one, and even protects the skin from UV damage with added SPF protection.
“I love the Max Factor Face Finity Foundation ,” Vogue told The Mirror. “I don’t like to absolutely cake on my makeup so I want makeup that does everything,” she said. “It’s a foundation that’s not too thick, because I want my skin to still look like skin. I get up at like half six and don’t have time to do loads of makeup. Putting this on takes two minutes and you don’t even need to put concealer on with it. I’m probably on my fifth bottle. I’m terrible when I start to love something because I really stick to it.”
The lightweight and breathable vegan formula is said to conceal redness and covers imperfections while offering up to 30 hours of wear. Not only does it offer a soft-focus, airbrushed finish foundation, but delivers ‘climate-proof protection’, alongside being waterproof, heat-proof and humidity-proof. It’s available in 33 shades, with a range of undertones to help you find the perfect match for your complexion. Read the full interview with Vogue here.
Brooke Vincent still loves the tinted moisturiser she used as a child on Coronation Street
Starting her role as Sophie Webster at just 11 years old, Brooke Vincent didn’t wear much makeup on set. But the soap’s makeup artists would apply a light layer of Laura Mercier’s £42 Natural Skin Perfector, providing an even skin tone and natural coverage.
Available in 20 shades, the £40 tinted moisturiser works to deliver ‘a healthy glow, the perfect amount of sheer coverage, and an effortlessly perfected canvas.’ As well as broad spectrum SPF30, it also contains a hydrating complex, alongside skin-loving vitamin C and E.
Brooke said: “I really love Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturiser because I used to wear it when I was younger, and as I’ve got older, it’s quick and easy. You don’t need a lot, and it gives a lovely glow. Anybody that’s a mum will know in the morning there’s limited time to do makeup so anything that’s quick and easy that has a light shine to it is really good and it sits on your skin so nice.” Read the full interview with Brooke here.
Love Island’s Liberty Poole is obsessed with Huda Beauty Setting Powder
During the filming of Love Island, Liberty Poole’s ‘go-to weapon’ to make her makeup last was the Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Setting Powder, which she likes to use with the TikTok viral Trigwell Cosmetics Velvet Powder Puffs. She added: “I love Huda Beauty Setting Powder and the Trigwell Powder Puff for when I don’t want my makeup to move. They’re my go-to weapon to set my makeup in place and it doesn’t move at all.”
The 24-year-old wears the shade ‘pancake’, but says ‘cupcake’ is great for anyone with dark under eyes, as the pink ‘eliminates’ and helps colour correct any darkness. She told The Mirror: “I used it before going into the villa. I love it because it smells amazing, and you feel nice wearing it. If I’m doing full glam I can’t leave the house without it , but recently I’m trying to embrace my natural skin more, so you can also use it without makeup to just mattify some areas without it looking weird.” Read the full interview with Liberty here.
Olympian Rebecca Adlington’s must-have ANUA K-beauty serum
Following her incredible coverage of the 2024 Olympics, Rebecca Adlington shared some of her beauty heroes with The Mirror, which included the ANUA Heartleaf 80% Soothing Ampoule. The serum, which you can buy for £26 at Superdrug, uses Ampoule and a high strength of Heartleaf Extract to soothe, hydrate, and take care of irritated skin.
Though she avoids using moisturisers due to her oily skin, it’s the one serum that has become a trusted part of her routine, providing just the right amount of hydration without causing further oiliness. It boasts a lightweight texture, and leaves skin feeling ‘glowy’ and perfectly prepped for makeup.
“When I get a breakout, they leave a scar or mark for like three weeks, but I found this to help with the marks and redness and feels like it helps so much with the recovery,” she said. “I’ve been using this for 7-8 months and I use it every day just in the morning as I like to go to bed with nothing on my skin after using the cleanser in the evening.” Read the full interview with Rebecca here.
BGT’s Sydnie Christmas reaches for Clarins’ BB cream instead of foundation
Britain’s Got Talent golden buzzer Sydnie Christmas is a ‘big Clarins fan’, and is a regular user of their skincare products. And when it comes to makeup, while the singer doesn’t like to wear a lot of foundation, she still looks to the iconic French brand and their BB Skin Detox Fluid.
The £36 tinted formula is said to work to ‘minimise imperfections, hydrate and provide an even complexion’. It offers medium coverage with a natural-looking finish, with more than 200 shoppers leaving five star reviews on the Boots website for the skin perfector.
“It’s got a bit of a tint and it’s SPF25, which isn’t a lot but at least it’s something,” she said. “I love that it’s so similar to the day moisturiser and that it’s got a bit of a tint to it. I don’t like wearing a lot of makeup, a bit of tinted moisturiser and powder and I’m done. That’s enough for me.” Read the full interview with Sydnie here.
Celebs Go Dating expert Anna Williamson relies on Beauty Pie’s Face Oil
Long hours filming under hot lights can wreak havoc on anyone’s skin, and Anna Williamson said hers had ‘taken a battering’ after filming the most recent season of Celebs Go Dating. To combat dryness, she relies on Beauty Pie’s Miracle Overnight Face Oil, which she credits with keeping her skin nourished.
Super nourishing, the face oil is made from 99% natural ingredients including Grapeseed, Sweet Almond, Jojoba, Avocado, Baobab, Rosehip, Neroli and Turmeric Oils. According to the brand ‘a few drops a day will make your skin look amazing’.
Anna said: “I like a product that sinks into the skin rather than sitting on top of it leaving you with an oil slick. My skin has taken a bit of a battering recently filming for Celebs Go Dating, which is why I love the oil so much. It’s the best and it really does work.” Read the full interview with Anna here.
MAFS Ella Morgan adores YSL’s Touche Éclat duo for a flawless base
Prior to finding fame as the first transgender contestant on Married At First Sight UK, Ella Morgan worked as a makeup artist for Yves Saint Laurent – and she still uses some of their iconic products as part of her daily makeup routine. “ Touche Éclat is such a classic,” she said, “I love the foundation and the concealer and discovered them when I first transitioned.”
The Touche Éclat pen is a radiant concealer that brightens dark circles, highlights features, and blends seamlessly into the skin, coming in at £30.50. “I use shade number 1 in both the concealer and the foundation. They just work so beautifully together, giving me a natural, dewy finish.”
While one concealer pen will last Ella around six months, she makes her £40 foundation last longer by blending it with a more affordable option, which allows her to get the perfect skin tone match throughout the year. “I often mix the YSL foundation with one from MUA , because I’m often different shades depending on whether I’ve had a spray tan or been on holiday. The MUA foundation gives me the coverage I need, while the YSL foundation adds that glow.” Read the full interview with Ella here.
Made In Chelsea’s Georgia Toffolo swears by ‘gorgeous’ Pai Cleansing Oil
TV personality Georgia Toffolo has battled with acne since she was 13, so now, aged 30 takes her skincare routine incredibly seriously. A firm favourite for the past 18 months has been Pai’s Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil – a £33 skincare hero which helps Georgia ensure all makeup, SPF and London pollution is rinsed away at the end of the day.
“If I had a gun to my head and could only choose one product, it would be that,” she admits. “I am a very big fan of Pai’s double cleanse. You do the oil cleanser first and it just gets every single scrap of makeup, sunscreen, Halloween stuff – you name it, it just comes off.
“They come in these beautiful long, big glass bottles, and I adore it. It’s a big win that it looks good and it works. I am shocked at how much I go through them, I threw one away just yesterday.”
The cleanser’s hero ingredient is rosehip oil, which is renowned for its powerful skin healing, regenerative properties. The formula also has a delicious smell, courtesy of a sling of essential oils such as orange, basil and jasmine, and works to protect skin against environmental stress and visible damage. Read the full interview with Georgia here.
Coronation Street’s Victoria Ekanoye loves Fenty’s foundation for perfect shade match
In an interview with The Mirror, actress Victoria Ekanoye shared that a vital part of filming prep is getting her foundation shade matched perfectly, which gives her the ‘confidence’ she needs to ‘concentrate on lines’ and really get into character. And her go-to for on screen and every day is the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation.
The popular medium to full-coverage foundation comes in more than 50 shades and offers a soft matte finish and longwear which makes it perfect for filming. It even features climate-adaptive technology to ‘fight heat, sweat and shine’, ensuring wearers ‘stay looking fresh morning or night’.
Victoria said: “I think it was at the Pride of Britain awards about five or six years ago that I first used it – and I’ve gone through about 10 bottles since. Fenty has everything down when it comes to skin tones and it’s so important to have that representation in makeup and skincare. You just want to look your best and that’s so important for me on set.” Read the full interview with Victoria here.
Love Island’s Olivia Bowen reveals Iconic’s Prep Set Glow is her must-have for events
One product Olivia Bowen has been using ever since leaving the villa is the Prep-Set-Glow spray from Iconic London . Priced at £25, her love for this ‘versatile’ mist runs deep, getting through two to three bottles of the ‘long-lasting’ spritz each year.
The mist, which can be used to prep skin before makeup application, used alone for a glow boost, or over makeup to set everything in place, comes in two shades to suit various skin tones. Olivia says she uses the original shade day-to-day, but loves the darker one when she wants a more bronzed appearance.
The spray is infused with cooling cucumber and soothing chamomile, designed to give you a stand-out gloss. It’s also rich in antioxidants, green tea and Vitamin E, which helps to condition your skin, as well as caffeine, which can aid in combating dark circles around your eyes.
Olivia said: “It’s something that I wear to every event or every time I go for a meal,” she said. “I’ve been using it for years and it just gives you the best glow. It’s hydrating and gives you a confidence boost when you’re in a bikini. Your skin looks so dewy and glowing—it’s really nice.” Read the full interview with Olivia here.
