‘A Nude Lipstick Ups My Confidence’: Maura Higgins On The Power Of Makeup And The £10 Lipstick She Can’t Get Enough Of

Maura Higgins made a name for herself when she entered the villa in Love Island's 5th series (and landed herself a Grazia cover in the process no less) and last year she took an equally well-heeled step into the beauty business. Have you heard about Maura's debut make-up collaboration with Inglot? In the Love Island villa Maura was famed for her no-holds-barred approach to crushes, had viewers in stitches weekly and, well, need we say any more than 'fanny flutters'? In this makeup collection Maura brought her boldness to the beauty arena and it's clear that her passion for make-up took root long before plans for this collaboration were set in motion.

On Her Everyday Make-Up Look

Maura is the first to admit she's not a tinted moisturiser sort of gal. 'During the day I still go full coverage but I normally go light on the eyes. That said I tend to wear a cat-eye liner look and I never leave the house without my lips on!' It's clear Maura knows her stuff when it comes to beauty. Far from learning the tricks of the trade from family members or friends, Maura herself was always the authority on make-up growing up. 'I was always the one in my family that was into make-up and I was always the one teaching my family and friends. Because of my modelling I knew a thing or two and used to show my sisters, my mum and my friends how I'd do my face.'

On Her First Memories Of Make-Up

'My first memories of make-up aren’t great! I remember having a bright orange face and a white neck, I didn’t know how to use make-up. I think back then people were just wearing make-up because it was a trend. I didn’t know how to use it. I wasn’t even wearing it to boost my confidence, it was just because everyone else was doing it.'

On Her Must-Have Fake Tan

'The most important beauty product for me is fake tan.' So what's her tried and tested tanning method? 'I exfoliate my skin really well and then I put on a good two layers of fake tan. I don’t tan naturally, I have very Irish skin, freckly and pale. Fake tan for me is always a must-have. I’ve been using Bellamiantafor a long time, it’s an Irish fake tan, and they have their own exfoliation range. I’ve been using that for years now.'

On Squeezing Her Spots

'I’m not going to lie, I very rarely get spots, but when I do get one I squeeze the living daylights out of it until it becomes this monster on my face. I know I shouldn’t do it and people say that squeezing will leave scars on my face but I’m very lucky, I don’t notice any scarring from it, and that’s after me picking it too!'

On Her Biggest Beauty Discovery Yet

'I’ve discovered BeautyBlenders, I never used to use a BeautyBlender, I always used to use brushes. Once I started using one I thought wow, this really does give you an airbrushed finish. Also recently – baking! I never knew what this was, but it’s leaving powder under the eyes and letting it sit there. I’m pretty sure it stops the under eyes from lining from your concealer and I’ve found that it really really helps.'

On Finding Confidence

'We all feel amazing when we have make-up on. I’ve always been a very confident girl anyway, I got that from my mammy. We all just feel amazing when we’re glam. Even a bit of lipstick makes you feel a thousand times better. For me lipstick boosts my mood and it doesn’t even necessarily have to be a bright colour, even a nude shade. I very rarely wear a bright lipstick or a classic red. A nude lipstick ups my confidence.' Maura is head over heels for the Inglot x Maura Naughty Nudes Lipstain Lipstick in Dancefloor, £10.

Maura's sass and confidence where two of her standout traits in the villa, but has she ever really doubted herself? 'I did have a bit of a crisis of confidence in Love Island. It was before we had to do the sexy dance challenge, I was freaking out. Everyone who watched that episode will have thought, look at her go! In reality I was dying inside. I’d never danced before but I just went for it and it worked for me. Even if you’re not feeling confident, you can just go for it and look like you are, especially when you’re all dolled up and glam.'

On Her Genius Brow Trick

'This is quite strange but I spray hairspray on my brow brush and before using it to brush them into place and set them. It sounds very random but I’ve been doing it for a few years now and it works for me!' Thanks for sharing the love Maura.

On Her Favourite Buys In The Inglot X Maura Collection

Maura's voice reaches fever pitch as we move onto the collection and her enthusiasm is infections. 'Oh my god so obviously I have so many favourites, everyone knows that I love having my lips on. The Naughty Nudes Lip Gloss, the liners, everything is just perfect. I’ve been wearing this collection to events for so long now, red carpets, photo shoots, the lot. I’m absolutely loving it. The liquid liner from All The Drama collection is incredible. Everyone knows I love a liquid liner too, it’s my go-to. Then the contour palettes from the Glam And Glow collection are just insane. The eyeshadow palettes, particularly the Fire It Up one, are amazing, I could go on!' Interest piqued? Shop the entire collection below.

Shop Maura's New Collaboration With Inglot

READ MORE: Caroline Hirons' 10 Skincare Rules To Live By

READ MORE: The Best SPF Lip Balms That Protect From The Sun, Including Our Favourite £4 Formula