Pretty packaging, hero products, must-have purchases…make-up is a subject we could spend hours chatting about. Everyone has their tried and tested buys and in a bid to find out more about the best way to get bang for your buck, we decided it was time to call in a little expertise. Beauty bloggers make it their business to trial run products and are up to date with the latest releases before they even hit the shelves. In a new weekly feature, we’re going to quiz beauty bloggers on their make-up essentials and why these are the products they return to time and time again. This week, we're quizzing Ally Maher on her make-up must haves.

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I’m constantly trying new make-up products but there are some firm favourites that are always in my makeup bag. I’m going to share my beauty bag staples and some new products that have really impressed me. I recently started training as a Professional Make-up Artist and have learned about the benefits of taking care of your skin. I cleanse, tone and moisturise every morning before I apply my makeup. I love the Inglot Mattifying Primer which is great for young skin. Carrying out these steps will ensure your skin is well prepped, silky smooth and will give you a good base for applying make-up. Last week, I purchased makeup brushes from an Irish brand called Nima Brush. They are incredible quality, unbelievably soft and apply make-up flawlessly. I’ve used these brushes every day since I got them, every girl needs a set of these. My favourite foundation at the moment is L’Oréal Infallible; it is a brilliant dupe for MAC Studio Fix Fluid and costs half the price. My favourite concealer is the Maybelline Eraser-Eye Concealer, it is full coverage so it will hide dark under-eye circles and also give a nice highlight. I then set my foundation and concealer with the Inglot Translucent Powder. It is important to use a matte bronzer when you are contouring and my favourite is MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in ‘Medium-Deep’ or ‘Give Me Sun’. I recently picked up the most talked about highlighter on the internet, Mary Lou Manizer by The Balm. It gives the skin the most gorgeous glow and it definitely lived up to my expectations. My favourite eyebrow product is Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade. It is a brilliant product for filling in and defining the brows. If you are on a budget, you should try NYX Cosmetics ‘Tame and Frame Brow Pomade as it is a really similar product. When it comes to eyeshadows, I love neutral and warm tones. My favourite palettes are Urban Decay Naked 2 and The Balm NudeTude Palette. When it comes to buying individual eyeshadows, I adore Inglot shadows. I love winged eyeliner but am yet to master the technique. Inglot Gel Liner in 77 is so pigmented and durable, I’d highly recommend it. I also love MAC Paint Pots for priming the eyes, my eyeshadow lasts all day when I use this. If you have oily eyelids this is brilliant. My all-time favourite lipsticks are from MAC, I love the consistency and how they feel on the lips. My top three are Snob, Whirl and Viva Glam 2. I recently purchased the Matte lip creams from NYX Cosmetics and they are gorgeous. I went for three shades Cannes, Stockholm and Copenhagen. I hope you enjoyed the sneak-peak into my makeup bag. If you're a beauty blogger and want to tell us all about your make-up bag, drop a line to Cathy at cathy.donohue@her.ie