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 chatting to Sophia Daly of The Petite Belle

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I am the girl with the huge handbag on a night out because I insist on bringing all of my make up out with me. My day-to-day makeup routine is a long one, no matter how much of a rush I am in, I never skip a step. Straying from my old ways as a total creature of habit, I now love experimenting with new make up brands and growing my collection (I might need a second beauty box soon). Step 1: Skin Preparation You wouldn’t build a house without first laying the foundation. I apply this theory to my daily makeup routine. Right now, the moisturiser I am using is Clarins Hydraquench Lotion. This has a light, non-oily texture that provides UV protection. Next, I really like the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Hydrating. Worn under foundation, this hydrating primer creates a smooth, flawless canvas for applying foundation and helping it last longer. Step 2: Complexion I have a few foundations on the go at the moment, depending on the coverage and shade I need. For everyday wear and to match my natural skin tone, I use Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk (shade 3 - Pale Peach). This foundation has a lightweight silky texture, it’s hydrating and is buildable, so you can get your ideal coverage. Another tip, I often mix in a tiny bit of my concealer with my foundation to add a little more coverage, without taking away the natural look. I often mix the Luminous Silk with some MAC Studio Fix NW25 and it is the perfect tone for wearing with fake tan. Finally, a very recent (and welcome) addition to my makeup bag is Inglot’s HD Perfect Cover Up Foundation. This foundation provides full and long lasting coverage, it completely hides any skin imperfections and makes your skin look flawless. To set my foundation I use Armani's Loose Powder (shade 1). This powder is really fine, light and helps reduce the appearance of shine whilst leaving your complexion looking natural and luminous. One of my handbag essentials is Sleek's Face Form (shade - light). This product has everything you need to finish off the perfect complexion.  Step 3: Eyes I am a huge fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s Colour Chameleon, an eyeshadow pencil which gives a dazzling look with a couple of quick strokes and a quick blend with a brush. There are a variety of shades, labelled to suit a particular eye colour, so overall the look should (and actually does) enhance your natural eye colour. A major bonus about this product is it is long lasting. The two shades I have are Amber Haze and Dark Pearl (recommended for brown eyes). Also, like most girls I have a special place in my heart for the Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palettes. I love eyeliner and I'm all about The Body Shop's Matte Kajal eyeliner. It's easily smudgeable so you can create a more intense and dramatic smokey look. The liquid liner I am using now is the Sephora Collection Waterproof Eyeliner. Sadly, this is not available in Ireland (unless you buy online) but there are plenty of alternatives available, one being the Catrice Liquid Liner that I picked up in Penneys. Right now I have two mascaras on the go, PS Love Volumising Ultra Black Mascara from Penneys  and Loreal’s Volume Million Lashes So Couture. So Couture adds volume, length and definition to the lashes and the brush is designed to prevent clumps. For everyday brows, I love Wet N Wild’s Color Icon Brow Pencil in the shade Brunette’s Do it Better and for a night out, I use Inglot’s AMC Eyebrow Gel (shade 19). Step 4: Lips Your makeup is not complete without putting something on the lips. Liner adds so much definition to your lips and also makes your lips look fuller. Here are some of my favourite lipstick and lip liner combos right now. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Penelope Pink with Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Pillow Talk, MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick with MAC Cherry Lip Liner, MAC Girl About Town Lipstick with NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Fuscia and MAC Spirit or Inglot Slim Gel Lipstick (Shade 49) with MAC Spice Lip Liner. You can learn more about Sophia's beauty tips and tricks over on her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. If you're a beauty blogger and want to tell us all about your beauty dos and dont's, drop a line to Cathy at cathy.donohue@her.ie