What are our favourite make-up buys?

Today we're letting you rifle through our make-up bags and sharing our favourite pots of paint and products with you.

Sian: I'm such a Rimmel girl. Even with all the money in the world, I'd still use Rimmel. It doesn't irritate my skin, the colours are gorgeous and its cheap. I swear by their Extra Super Lash mascara (doesn't smudge at all, leaves me all naturally fluttery like Bambi with a work meeting) and their Vinyl Lip Gloss (if you see me at any point in the day, I'm wearing this in Snog).

My most recent discovery is their Colour Rush lipstick in The Redder The Better. It's my first dabble with red lipstick and it's gorgeous. It's a bit like putting lippy on with a felt pen and that's more fun than it should be. It moisturises, it lasts for ages (and when it fades it doesn't look total crap) and it's the perfect colour. I look instantly glam and healthy. It was probably the best fiver I ever spent.

Frances: My day-to-day make-up is fairly lo-fi. I get mega dark circles so I use Touch Eclat if I'm feeling flush, or Soap & Glory if I'm on the skinter side. I wear glasses most days, so I usually wear a light eyeshadow and some kind of eyeliner but always mascara – I currently love the L’Oreal Miss Manga mascara. For easy to wear lipstick, I like Revlon’s Colorburst Lipbutter and Boots No. 7 Moisture Drench range too. When I’m experimenting with new stuff, I love to go and play with the collections at &Other Stories: fun, fashionable colours that last really well but don’t cost a bomb.

Sara: Let's start with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer. This stuff is the holy grail if you want your eyeshadow to stay put all day (and night). That shit WILL NOT MOVE until you choose to remove it. I can only conclude that it is made of magic. Buy the original, not the tinted versions as they don't work as well.

I am so obsessed with nail polish. Models Own do vibrant, exciting colours in ranges called things like HYPERGEL! BEETLEJUICE! ICE NEON! and oh, I love them so much. A England are my absolute favourites though - beautiful, dreamy colours that apply incredibly smoothly and will easily last a full week.

Finally, I couldn't get the hang of lipstick until I found Nars Velvet Matte lip pencils. They're like crayons for your face. Dragon Girl is a vivid red that doesn't smudge or leave marks on wine glasses. Actual magic. Well done, Mr Nars.

Alice: My beauty routine consists of trying to look like I'm not wearing make-up. Foundation is key here. I have recently been wearing *Fast Show voice* Laura Mercier tinted mosturiser in porcelain, because I am ghostly pale. It's oil free and lightweight. It makes you look like your not really wearing foundation, you get that dewy glow. I'll sometimes use the incredible Vichy's DermaBlend industrial concealer to cover up whatever acne I have.

The only lipstick I wear is Nars 'red lizard'. Its the most beautiful red, not that Betty Boop kind, it's really sophisticated and you only need a tiny bit. And I'm definitely with Sara on Urban Decay's eyeshadow primer, it really is magic.

Laura B: Alice and I share Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturiser love! It makes even the most tired skin look wide awake. I'm all about the glow, so when I'm looking particularly rough, I layer it over MAC's Strobe Liquid.

I like a bit of a flush, and Nars blushers combine amazing colour pay-off with a long-lasting formulation. They're pricey, but last ages. Orgasm and Desire are my favourite shades - they look extremely scary but applied with a light touch, they look amazing.

For eyes, I was much more of a liquid eyeliner girl (still searching for my favourite!) than an eyeshadow girl - until I bought an Urban Decay Naked palette. I use it every day, not just on my eyes but on my brows and as a highlighter, too. Mascara-wise, I always come back to Dior's Diorshow Black Out - wiggle it into the roots of your lashes for extra definition.

On lips, Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butters are ace, as are their Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains. Both are perfect for anyone who wants colour without going down the lipstick route.

OPI make absolutely the best glitter nail varnishes I've used - densely-packed with sparkle, but not too hideous to get off. And for the ultimate topcoat, look no further than Seche Vite. It sets any nail polish diamond hard in seconds - actually, really, truthfully - and makes your manicure last much longer. I wouldn't stray from this stuff. Just read the instructions before you apply, as it's a bit different to normal topcoats.

Gemma: I hate the feeling of liquid foundation, so I use Bare Minerals. I'm also a slave to their Stroke of Light eye brightener under the eyes. I believe there is a reason NARS Orgasm is on every 'top beauty buys' list ever and it's well worth investing in.

I am wildly unfaithful to mascara and a sucker for cheap ones that I use once or twice and then lose to the depths of my handbag, but YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils is the best if you want to invest. I recently discovered Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in a shade called 'Skinny Jeans' which is possibly the laziest smoky eye product ever.

My lips are usually pretty bare because I'm more of an eye makeup girl, when I do go for colour I go all out with bright red or pink. I'm another Rimmel fan, especially their semi-matte Kate Moss lipstick in 107.

Kat: If I had my way I would be bankrupt and surrounded by little bottles. And not even ones with wine in.

The best red lipstick is Red Fever by Rimmel. It has a fabulous blue tinge and a staggering amount of class for something that comes in a pink metallic tube. And Carmex, end of. The tiny tub is loads better than the tube, which always ends up with bits of handbag fluff caught in the lid.

Mascara? I've tried them all. Max Factor Masterpiece Max is my favourite for fluttery, layered lashes. Otherwise when it comes to eyes, I'm a Rimmel girl all the way. Liquid eyeliner on top (Glam'Eyes or Exaggerate are both great despite their TERRIBLE NAMES). I'm embarrassed to say I've used the same eyeshadow set for, ooh, 17 years: Glam'Eyes eye trio in Orion. Seriously, it's a classic. Brilliant at making blue eyes pop.

Foundation has always been a complete chore as I'm very pale, so No7's colour matching has been a total joy. I wear Beautifully Matte or Stay Perfect in Calico. They are beautifully comforting on the skin, and last the course, especially when helped along by Seventeen Miracle Matte pressed powder. I'm terrible with blusher, as I never quite get the colour right, but the Clinique one I bought in a panic before a wedding three years ago is still going strong. And when in doubt, just tie your hair up and put on some sunglasses. Job done.

What's in your make-up bag? Share your favourites with us!