With the usual occurrence of sleeping through my alarm and having less than five minutes to make myself look acceptable in the morning, the question of priority when it comes to make-up is one which I consider on a daily basis. While there are some products one can afford to leave behind for the everyday (I’m looking at you, sparkly eye glitter), we all have a few products we can’t leave the house without plastering on our faces and these are mine.

1. Eyebrow pencil

If I could choose only one product to use for the rest of my life this would be it. I know that for me personally, a good brow day is a very good day indeed. For those also interested in keeping the brow game strong, I recommend the Max Factor Eyebrow Pencil (RRP £4.99). The pencil is easy to apply and lasts the whole day, providing hours of face-framing fun times. If you’ve never used an eyebrow pencil before, trust me – it will change your life. 

2. Tinted moisturiser

As someone without the best skin in the world, the last thing I want to do is cake on foundation everyday. This is why I like to use a tinted moisturiser, specifically the award-winning Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20 (RRP £34). Although not exactly within the student budget, if you are going to splash out on anything, it should be this. It provides the perfect dewy, even base without causing breakouts and it lasts for months – all in all an amazing product.

3. Mascara

If, like me, you have been blessed with the straightest eyelashes known to man (or if you just want to emphasise your enviable natural curl), grab a tube of Benefit ‘They’re Real’ Mascara (RRP £19.50). There’s a reason this has been the UK’s number one selling mascara for the past two years. Nothing else holds my lash-curling in place all day, and with the funky ‘dome’ end you’re able to give attention to each lash in turn. 

4. Gel eyeliner

Unfortunately, I’ve never been one of those girls who can slick on the liquid liner perfectly with a quick flick of the hand. For those of us who are not so dexterous, I suggest gel liner – it’s much easier to apply and can create a cool matte cat-eye effect. The Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner (RRP £18) is worth the hype; it lasts the longest of all the gel liners I’ve tried and the rich colour pay-off is worth every penny.

5. Nude lipstick

My face feels naked without lipstick, and the one I reach for on a daily basis is the Nars Satin Lipstick in ‘Blonde Venus’ (RRP £19.50). This is my perfect nude colour and one I can’t be without. For a perfect red lip that lasts, I would also recommend Topshop lipstick in ‘Hazard’ (£8), but that might be a bit too strong for your 9am lecture.