'From bargain to bougie, I don't do my makeup without these 3 products.'

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I'm not quite sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, I stopped learning anything new about makeup.

Which is kind of wild, because there was a time I'd stay up into the early morning glued to tutorials and practising every new trend.

Makeup trends, formulas, techniques — they're ever-changing, and somewhere along the way, my own approach to makeup got stuck in the past.

Watch: A comprehensive guide to choosing the right primers. Post continues after video.

I've always been a self-proclaimed beauty enthusiast (I even became a qualified makeup artist at one point), but truthfully, that title doesn't quite resonate with me anymore.

Remember the days of heavy contouring, sharp cut creases, and barely a hint of blush? That was my peak makeup era.

So, it hit me a bit hard when I realised I'd lost that spark. Makeup had become something I slapped on in a rush just to get out the door — more of a chore than a craft.

Over the last year, I've made it my mission to rediscover my makeup mojo: finding my true holy grails, refining my placements, and relearning the art of application. I forgot how satisfying it feels to really nail your makeup.

It took me some time, but I've finally settled on my updated staple products, especially after trying so many and seeing how they perform.

These are a few of my ride-or-die makeup essentials; ones I repurchase over and over again.

1. L'Oréal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum, $44.99.

Obsessed is an understatement. Image: Supplied.

I'm pretty sure I'm on my fourth or fifth bottle of this skin tint at this point.

As an oily-skinned girl who lives for a dewy finish, finding something that gives glow without turning me into a disco ball by midday is no small feat. Seriously, by lunchtime, I can resemble a glazed doughnut.

The coverage is sheer to light-medium, which I love. It lets my real skin peek through. I've grown to appreciate my freckles, and now I feel a bit off when I can't see them. The formula wears beautifully, is super lightweight, and builds just enough for everyday coverage.

I now apply it with a dense buffing brush — when I realised you could 'bounce' or stipple your base products into the skin with a brush instead of swiping them on? Look, I hate the term game-changing... but it really was.

Pro tip: this technique only works if your brush isn't caked with old product. If the bristles are stiff, it's time to clean your brushes. Please.

2. Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser, $55.

The GOAT. Image: Supplied.

If I had a dollar for every time I've raved about this Clinique concealer, I'd probably be driving off in a brand-new car by now.

This concealer is that perfect sweet spot of medium coverage. You can build it up to full if you need to, but it never feels heavy. The way it blends out with a damp sponge? Chef's kiss.

I've recommended this one to friends with both oilier and drier skin than mine, and it's become a repeat purchase for them too. It also sits beautifully under the eyes without settling into fine lines or creasing too much, which is a rare find.

Pro tip: let it sit for about 30 seconds before blending. It gives the formula a bit more grip and coverage. I've also been applying it to the outer corners underneath my eyes for a subtle lifted effect, and it makes such a difference.

3. L'Oréal Paris Panorama Volumising Mascara, $33.

L'Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Volumising Mascara. Image: Supplied.

It actually took me a few uses to fall head over heels for this chemist-brand mascara, but once it clicked, I was hooked.

I'm not exactly blessed in the lash department, so I'm always chasing both volume and length — but I'm also realistic enough to know mascara can only do so much with what you've got.

This formula delivers on the volume front while still separating each lash thanks to its clever applicator. No clumps, just definition. Exactly what I was after.

And for the longest time, I genuinely thought it was a tubing mascara because of how long-wearing it is.

It never smudges in my outer corners (a miracle for my easily teary eyes), and best of all, it removes effortlessly—no harsh rubbing here. Solid five out of five stars.

For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast or watch You Beauty on YouTube.

This article originally appeared on Adore Beauty's Beauty IQ and has been republished with full permission.

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Feature image: Supplied/Adore Beauty.