Celebrity Fashion Stylist Melissa's Wardrobe Shares Her Must-Have Beauty Product

If you've ever wanted to know what's really inside the makeup bags of the most stylish women in the industry, you're in luck. We've created a new column—Inside My Makeup Bag—to uncover the beauty products our fashion friends genuinely keep in their daily rotations and how much their stashes actually cost. I'll be delving inside their bags on your behalf and totting up every item in there, from the most expensive to the cheapest. Not only will you be left with an incredible shopping list, but you'll get a realistic price tag to boot.

Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe is the mastermind behind Melissa's Wardrobe, sharing the latest snippets of her life as a celebrity fashion stylist, beauty expert and interior designer. As well as the recent launch of her lifestyle website itsalifestylehun which focuses on topics such as fashion, beauty, lifestyle, finance, food, travel and dating as told by Melissa herself and an online community of expert writers and digital contributors. Having followed Melissa's digital journey for a number of years now, it truly never ceases to amaze me.

As a beauty journalist myself, it's not just hyped beauty products that I love to explore but the people behind the products and the influential individuals who have the ability to sell out said products in seconds. I've seen first-hand Melissa's online influence, in particular, some time ago Melissa mentioned her love for a ZARA perfume and in just a matter of hours, it sold out online and was in high demand in-stores.

So, what are the beauty products Melissa turns to every week? As we talk, Melissa reflects on her usual busy weeks consisting of "lots of shopping trips" and her recent edit with Flannels Beauty which features six notable products that Melissa credits for helping her relax and reset after a long day. Keep scrolling for Melissa's must-haves in her makeup bag and her beauty tips.

On a chilled week, what does your skincare routine typically look like? Do you have a 10+ step routine? or do you like to keep it simple?

'I’ve completely stripped back my routine. I was doing too much and it was messing with my skin barrier. All I do now is cleanse, tone, moisturise and use an SPF! I keep it simple. If I have a lot more time I’ll add a face mask into the mix.'

Do you have any go-to makeup products that you swear by for a day to night look? (Whether it be a foundation that doesn’t budge or a long-lasting lipstick?)

'My favourite foundation is Nars Radiant Longwear Foundation. It’s really buildable so perfect for day to night wear!'

Do you think your relationship with beauty has changed since the beginning of the pandemic?

'Absolutely! I mean who wasn’t looking at their face and picking themselves apart during that time? But again, boredom led me to sensitise my skin because I was using way too many products. I keep it so simple now.'

What products do you normally carry with you on a daily basis?

'Lip balm always!'

If you could only wear one fragrance for the whole week, what would you pick?

Van Cleef & Arpels Rose Rouge. It’s feminine, sweet and turns a lot of heads.

Where do you get your beauty inspiration from?

'I couldn’t say one singular person but mostly from all the black women I know and come across. Culturally, black women take so much pride in their appearance- it’s a huge part of our identity.'

Do you use any beauty hacks when you're short on time?

'Oh no! We make time for beauty because it’s a lifestyle, Hun!'

Could you share one beauty tip you've learnt whilst being short on time?

'I’ve actually pushed myself to do a full face of glam in 20 minutes! I always put glue on my lashes then start my lip combo whilst it’s drying. By the time I finish my lip combo my lashes are ready to stick on. It’s practically an art form.'

Your edit features six of your favourite products to help you relax and reset after a long day, I’m sure there were lots of product contenders, so how did you go about picking just those six?

'Loads of contenders! I was mindful to include things that could be used by many. I have sensitive skin so that was at the forefront of every decision.'

If you were given the chance to create another beauty edit right now, what products would you choose at this very moment?

Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N' Kohl in Bedroom Black, Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Seduction, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Honey, Zoeva Complete Set

and the Tom Ford Lip Exfoliator.

Shop Melissa’s Wardrobe FLANNELS Beauty Edit and her other beauty favourites...