Back To School Beauty: Updating Your Makeup Bag For A New Season

It's the time of year again when supermarkets are filled with lunchboxes and plimsolls, while simultaneously promising the most durable trousers on the high street. It's time to go back to school. While the majority of you have probably left your school years well and truly behind you, there's no reason why we can't all take a leaf out of a new textbook and start the new term as we mean to go on. September marks the end of summer and the start of a new wardrobe, so it makes sense to give our makeup bags a little overhaul too. Here are some of my top tips and favourite products for starting the new season as we mean to go on...

1. Keep It Natural
The key to transitioning into the new season is to keep your overall look incredibly natural. If you leave for work on a Friday channeling your inner fresh-faced boho chick and turn up Monday morning looking more like Dolly Parton, the effect won't be what you probably desire. As the weather becomes cooler and our clothing more layered, we have a tendency to pile on the slap and wear much darker colours - however, simple tones and neutral colours work just as well in Autumn as they do in Summer. I'm currently loving Pixi's eyeshadow shimmers for adding subtle colour around the eyes with a hint of sparkle, which also helps to brighten. A brown eyeliner is also a more subtle way to frame the eyes, while a navy blue will help blue eyes to pop. Experiment with different colours and textures, but remember to keep it simple.

2. Look After Your Skin
The key to any fresh faced and healthy look is a fabulous base. You simply can't wallpaper over a cracked wall and expect it to look amazing, so we need to lay some groundwork. With a new season it's essential to up the ante when it comes to skincare, so make sure you're using a decent eye cream and serum underneath your base every day; it will help hydrate and protect your skin, as well as aiding application of makeup over the top. I'm currently loving Caudalie's Premier Cru and Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Future eye creams, both of which help to lift and cool the delicate under eye area. Adding a touch of serum will provide your skin with the nutrients it needs to look and feel great, as well as helping to protect against the harsher weather and onset of central heating. Some of my current favourites include Sin Care 'Sleep Doctor' which is great at helping you to look like you've had an amazing sleep, as well as a touch of Avene's Anti-Wrinkle Emulsion.

3. Base Is Everything
A great foundation is the difference between looking like you've just rolled out of bed and looking like you've just stepped out of the spa. Although I love a BB or CC cream for the warmer months (as they combine many different benefits while adding a radiant glow to skin,) when the seasons turn I much prefer a traditional foundation that can provide slightly stronger coverage. There are some great lightweight foundations that offer a healthy finish without feeling like you're caked in product, so why not spend some time browsing the beauty halls and finding your new favourite base? I'm going to be relying on Bare Minerals BareSkin, Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish and a touch of Clarins BB Cream for low-key days.

4. Invest In A Few Key Pieces
I'm a firm believer that makeup doesn't have to cost the earth, with so many budget buys providing an incredible result at an affordable price point. However, investing in a few pieces can really make all the difference to your overall look and provide the confidence you need to get you through the day with ease. Some of my current favourites include the Clinique Cheek Colours, which provide a hit of natural colour that can be built up and blended for a natural finish, as well as Urban Decay's eyeshadow palettes which are incredibly pigmented but still fabulously blendable. If you're a fan of classic winged eyeliner, then you'll need a simple black pen from Eyeko to ensure longevity and jet black colour; it's the best I've found and is well worth a splurge. However, if there's one product to spend serious money on then it's 100% a great foundation that will last all season long.

5. Rock A Power Lip
The one thing I love about the Autumn season is the return of the red berry lip. It looks awesome on practically any complexion, while lifting an otherwise nude look into a completely new stratosphere. Even on mornings when you feel like death warmed up, a slick of powerful colour on the lips will make all the difference to your outfit and make you feel a million bucks. Try bold reds, dark berry colours and even statement purple hues - all very on-trend for AW14 and a great investment. Some of my favourite lipstick brands include Urban Decay (for high impact colours and a comfortable finish,) Lipstick Queen (for a long-lasting result) and Bobbi Brown (for the pure spectrum of shades available.) However, you can pick up some great bold tones for less than a fiver if you're willing to shop around - try Makeup Revolution, 2True and Collection to start with!

Do you plan on giving your makeup bag a 'back to school' overhaul? Do you have any top tips for transitioning into the new season?