Need Some Last Mintute Mother’s Day Inspo? Take a Look Inside Our Mum’s Beauty Bags
Nikki is a writer, former makeup artist, and Communications Specialist at Adore Beauty. She kicked off her writing career at Fashion Journal, penning beauty articles and interviewing musicians she’d still name-drop seven years later. In 2023, she made a very big and bold career leap (writing about fashion instead of beauty). Now, she’s come full circle – but still loves to think outside the box.
Sometimes, peeking inside our mum’ makeup bags means finding a frosted M.A.C lipstick from twenty-five years ago that’s still going strong, or the blush you’ve been looking for that *conveniently* went missing last April.
But for the most part, it’s a consistent, tried-and-true array of brands, shades, hidden gems, and old (read: discontinued) faithfuls that just scream her. ‘Cause after all, she knows what she likes. And she knows best.
To gather up some last-minute Mother’s Day gifting inspo, us Adore staffers braved the WhatsApp journey and went straight to the source.
Prada Lip Balm, $80
Pulling out a silver Prada balm from your bag is the ultimate cool mum indicator. According to our Marketing Specialist Laura, this PH-adaptive lip balm transforms into her mum’s favourite shade of pink.
“She’s gone through the one I gave her for Christmas and just asked for another one for Mother’s Day. She’s also bought one for my gran too!”
Aesop Eleos Aromatique Hand Balm Tube, $47
A perfect gift for the hands-on mum. This one from Aesop is packed with humectant ingredients and emollient butters, oils and waxes to keep her hands nourished throughout the colder seasons.
Not to mention a blend of cedar, alas, patchouli and clove bud, which gives the Aromatique Hand Balm its unmistakable Aesop scent.
Benefit Terra -Terracotta, $59
Perks of being the mum of a Senior Beauty Editor? Receiving really good product recommendations. Like, all the time.
Benefit’s Terra blush is hailed for being the perfect brick-red hue, especially for deeper skin tones – and it’s got Sadaf’s stamp of approval. “It's the perfect shade of brown with a tint of red that doesn’t dull down or muddy mature skins!”
M.A.C Cosmetics Macximal Sleek Satin Lipstick, $40
When I worked at the M.A.C counter in makeup’s heyday (2016), I bought my mum a pinky-purple lipstick that’s since become her signature. The brand’s satin lippy formulas – now even silkier – warrant that ten-year fixation.
I think it’s another underrated M.A.C gem, but that’s an article for another time.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF50, $82
People aren’t exaggerating when they call this the ultimate one-and-done product. The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, which is aptly named, is a full coverage foundation, hydrating serum, pore-minimising primer and SPF50 broad spectrum sunscreen.
It’s got a bunch of glowing reviews, but for Retail Media Specialist Chloe, her mum’s is the most important. “I can't even count how many tubes she's gone through. It’s everything she needs in one step.”
Glasshouse Fragrances Kyoto in Bloom 50mL, $100
When I asked Angela, our graphic designer, about her mum’s go-to fragrance, I was reminded that Glasshouse Fragrances sell their signature candles in an eau du parfum.
Kyoto In Bloom, with its warm-ambery notes of camellia, lotus and sandalwood, is springtime bottled. But for Angela’s mum, it’s a favourite all year round.
ColorWOW Root Cover Up, $53
In between salon visits, my mum loves the ColorWOW Root Cover Up for touching up her greys and adding some fullness to sparse areas.
It’s easy to use, water resistant and non-gritty – perfect for mum’s no-fuss hair routine, which only ever involves a few passes over with her (correction: my) ghd chronos, light teasing and an old-school hairspray that saw me through fifteen years of dance recitals.
And she always looks incredible.
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