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HomeLifestyleFashion & BeautyStop wasting money on make-up

Stop wasting money on make-up

Times Team
By Times Team
April 20, 2026
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

How to choose products that suit you

  • By Sarai Elora, of Bonita Artistry

There’s a quiet frustration I see almost daily: women standing in front of their make-up bags filled with products they’ve invested in, yet still feeling like they have “nothing that works”.

Half-used foundations. Lipsticks that looked perfect in-store but never get worn. Skincare that promised glow but didn’t quite deliver.

The truth is, it’s not that you’re choosing the wrong products. It’s that you’ve never been shown how to choose for yourself.

In today’s beauty world, we’re constantly influenced by trends and viral products. But what works for someone else, on their skin, their lifestyle, their features, won’t automatically translate to you. The shift begins with asking better questions before you buy.

Not “Is this product popular?”, but “Does this reflect my personal expression, what lights me up when I see myself, enhances my features in a way I love, and complements the occasion and what I’m wearing?”

If your mornings are fast-paced, you don’t need a 10-step routine. You need products that are effortless and reliable. A breathable base like ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 ($94, MECCA) evens out the complexion while still letting your skin feel like skin. A cream blush such as Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick (from $51, MECCA) blends seamlessly with your fingers for a soft, natural flush.

If your skin leans dry, your focus should be hydration and luminosity. Prep with a nourishing moisturiser like Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream (from $45, MECCA), then layer complexion products that melt into the skin. For oilier skin types, longevity is key. Look for lightweight formulas that balance shine without masking your natural texture, such as NARS Light Reflecting Foundation ($107, MECCA), known for its skin-like finish with staying power.

Even something as simple as mascara can change your entire look when chosen well. A defining, lift-focused formula like Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara (from $23, MECCA) enhances the eyes with clean volume and separation, without flaking throughout the day.

Another common mistake is buying products in isolation, rather than as part of a routine. A beautiful foundation won’t perform if your skincare underneath isn’t supporting it. A lipstick won’t feel right if the rest of your make-up doesn’t align with its tone and finish.

The goal isn’t to have more, it’s to have alignment. When your products suit your skin, your features, and your lifestyle, everything becomes easier. Your routine feels intuitive. Your make-up enhances rather than overwhelms. Most importantly, you still feel like yourself, just elevated.

This is the foundation of how we approach beauty at Bonita Artistry. It’s not about following trends, but about refining what already works for you. Because the right products don’t just sit in your make-up bag, they become part of how you move through your day, with confidence and ease.

For more pro beauty guidance and curated product recommendations, follow @bonitartistry or explore our personalised routines at bonitartistry.co.nz, including our upcoming Ultimate Make-up Shopping List designed to help you shop with clarity and confidence.

  • Tags
  • Bonita Artistry
  • ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
  • Mecca
  • NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
  • Sarai Elora
  • Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
  • Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara
  • Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
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