Stuck in a make-up rut? Here are five must-follows on Instagram to dig you back out

It’s April but things still feel a little dull. Suddenly those knits we clambered excitedly into back in October and thought we were finished with last week are back. And summer seems just out of reach. We can’t switch up our wardrobes just yet, but we can re-jig our make-up routine.

Creatures of habit, we reach for the same colours every day, mostly because we are in a rush to get out the door on time. But what about all those neglected colours in palettes we never use? Perhaps it’s time to change up your choice of foundation?

For some new inspiration, we’ve created a list of who to follow to inject some excitement back into your morning mirror time and to try something new. We’re not suggesting anything too drastic, sometimes it’s just about seeing how to make that khaki shadow stick wearable for day time, or how to get more from your concealer if you don’t really need to wear a full base.

See below for those who will inspire you with looks you’ll actually want to try, made for more than just snapping a selfie in.

Sam Chapman @pixiwoos

One half of the infamous Pixi Woo sisters, Sam Chapman is not new on the make-up scene. If you don’t already follow her, you should be. Her creations are a great combination of classic and wearable, while also mixing it up with more creative looks. A big draw for me is that she isn’t a typical Instagram MUA fresh out of their teens, and is a great example that being playful and creative with your make-up is not only reserved for 20-year-olds.

Celine Bernearts @celine_bernaerts

It’s not only our daytime make-up that can get a bit boring, our evening looks are probably the most repetitive. I find most of my friends are firmly in the red lip camp, or else veer towards a reliable smokey eye. Both looks are great, but if there was ever a time to get playful with colour and glitter it’s for a night out. Celine Bernaerts has buckets of inspo on her feed, especially her eye looks. As a YSL beauty ambassador, we get why grungey, smokey eyes are her thing as they ooze French girl cool for evenings.

Pat McGrath @patmcgrathreal

A giant in the make-up world (yes it was her behind those fantastical lashes at Valentino Couture last week) Pat McGrath is one to follow on Instagram. As well as showcasing her runway make-up looks from backstage, it also shows off new products from her eponymous brand, Pat McGrath Labs. New launches are always shown in action, and the videos are mesmerizing (see above). Although not always wearable, the videos of new lip products have me suddenly in desperate need of a sparkly lipgloss, instead of always reaching for the nearest matte lipstick.

Lisa Eldridge @lisaeldridgemakeup

If you’re a make-up obsessive you more than likely already follow Lisa Eldridge. I particularly love watching her You Tube tutorials for make-up application tips. The looks she creates are super wearable for every day and even better, they’re achievable. Despite her being an extremely talented make-up artist, she breaks down what she’s doing in a way that is achievable for even the most novice of make-up wearers. If you are struggling with your base in particular, her less is more approach can alter the way you look at applying foundation and concealer for the better. I also find her voice incredibly soothing (as do many online) to the point it’s almost like make-up meditation.

Katie Jane Hughes @katiejanehughes

Although we’ve waxed lyrical about Katie so much already, we couldn’t not include her on this list. Her Instagram account (now at 224k followers) is single-handedly responsible for digging me out of my own make-up rut. The way she uses colour is unlike anyone else, it’s playful and quirky but somehow she always manages to make it wearable. I think we’ll start calling it the KJH effect, as it has seen my friends and I make many a shopping trip in search of a green eyeliner or Weleda Skin Food.

Header Image: @pixiwoos

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• Beauty School: Jennifer Rock’s guide to lactic acid…here
• The six simple eye make-up hacks you didn’t know you needed…here

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