Ruby Woo has been MAC’s best-selling lipstick for years, and it’s not hard to see why. The shade is a vivid, blue-based red with serious pigment payoff and a matte finish that doesn’t budge. It suits a huge range of skin tones and doesn’t pull orange or pink, which makes it feel reliably classic.

That said, it’s not the creamiest — the Retro Matte formula is famously dry — so prep is key if you don’t want it clinging to every flake. But once it’s on, it stays on. Buy it here.

Launched in the ’90s, Studio Fix Fluid was one of the first mainstream foundations to offer a wide, nuanced shade range — now at 71 shades — and it’s still a solid all-rounder. It gives medium-to-full coverage with a matte finish that controls oil without looking flat, and it holds up well for 8+ hours.

It’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it works for oily or acne-prone skin, though it can cling to dry patches if you don’t prep properly. The added SPF 15 isn’t enough on its own, though, so don’t forget to prep your skin with a good face sunscreen.

Fix+ is often labelled a setting spray, but it’s more of a multitasker. It doesn’t set makeup in the “lock it in for 12 hours” way — it’s not hairspray for your face — but it does hydrate, take down powdery finishes, and help products blend more smoothly into the skin.

The original formula includes glycerin, caffeine, and soothing extracts like chamomile and green tea. It’s especially good for refreshing your face midday without disturbing makeup, or as a base layer if your skin tends to feel dry under foundation.

MACStack is MAC’s answer to the “buildable volume” trend, and it’s genuinely good at it. The formula is lightweight and designed to layer — you can go from subtle to dramatic without the spider-lash effect.

It comes in two brush sizes: the Micro Brush for precision and shorter lashes, and the Mega Brush for fuller volume. It doesn’t flake or smudge easily, even after several coats, and it holds a curl decently well for a non-waterproof formula.

Strobe Cream is somewhere between a moisturiser and a highlighter. It contains iridescent particles that reflect light subtly and the base includes humectants and botanicals for a light hit of hydration.

It works well under foundation to lift dull complexions, or over makeup for a low-key highlight. Silverlite is the original pearlescent shade, but it now comes in warmer tones like Peachlite and Goldlite. However, it isn’t really a skincare product, so you still need your moisturiser at hand.

Spice is one of those shades that makeup artists keep in their kit because it works with almost everything. It’s a mid-toned brown-pink — warm but not orangey — that lines lips without looking too obvious. The formula is firm enough for precision but soft enough to blend, which makes it ideal for overlining or filling in entirely.

It pairs well with nude lipsticks, darker shades, or just a clear gloss. First launched in the ‘80s and famously worn by 90s supermodels, it’s still going strong because it’s easy and versatile.

MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish is a range of baked powders designed to highlight, bronze, or add a soft glow to the skin, with five permanent shades like Soft & Gentle, Gold Deposit, and Lightscapade. Known for their buildable luminosity and skin-friendly finish, these powders have been joined over the years by numerous limited-edition releases.

Soft & Gentle is one of the most popular and longest-standing shades in the Mineralize Skinfinish lineup. It’s a peachy champagne with a pearlescent glow, and is mostly used as a highlighter. Unlike some newer, high-shine formulas, Soft & Gentle gives a more understated glow. It’s great for people who want radiance without the sparkle — and it’s forgiving on texture, so it doesn’t emphasise pores or cling to dry patches.