I was talking to a friend the other day about growing better looking with age (not that I’m big headed or that) but I think a lot of it comes down to cosmetics and the gazillion tutorials available that show you how to apply them. I’m all for people wearing make up if they want to, I’m all for people who choose not to wear make up but personally it makes me feel better.
My friends and family laugh at the weight of my makeup bag and it’s a proper workout having to cart it around when I get asked to do their faces: Megan, Lauren and Linda I’m looking at you guys!
I’m all about the skincare these days as there’s little point in painting your face with a shitload of beauty products if you aren’t taking care of the basics. My go-to make up look is winged black liner and red lips but sometimes I’ll mix it up and go for a coloured eye and pink lip.
Here’s my unfiltered bare face although I do have eyelashes, semi permanent brows and a bit of a tan right now. Yes I am aware I look drunk but no I wasn’t.
To start I’m alllllllllllllll about adding moisture as my face had a tendency to be dry. Nip+Fab are amazing and I cannot live without the Dragon’s Blood Fix Hyaluronic Shot now. Honestly the difference in my skin in the few weeks I’ve been using it is immense. Mixed with Sanctuary Spa’s Firm & Smooth Gel Crewe (bargain from TK Maxx) it plumps and hydrates my face. Because I’m not getting any younger and I’ve noticed the crow’s feet creeping in I’ve been using Monu Skin’s eye cool gel that I got in a Glossybox. Lastly Urban Decay’s Quick Fix Priming Spray. It might seem excessive to some but I totally notice the difference in how my makeup lays and lasts if I don’t do this.
Yes I sprayed the Urban Decay primer but that’s more for added moisture, this Nip+Fab Viper Venom Micro Blur really does work it’s magic on the pores. I alternate between this and Benefit’s Porefessional.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I’ve no brand loyalty especially when it comes to foundation. Maybe I just haven’t found the right brand/consistency. Saying that these Revolution ones from Superdrug are cheap and cheerful and I use the shades F4 and F5. The reason for the 2 is depending on how tanned I am and can blend these easily to create the perfect shade.
That’s right I regularly use 11 different makeup brushes for my face but it’s about using the right tools for the right results. The bane of my life is washing all the brushes (I have way more than 11) but needs must. Every 2 weeks without fail you’ll find me spending a couple of hours cleaning my brushes. Time consuming yes but essential for ridding the brushes of bacteria. I’ll pop on a face mask, have a bottle of wine and watch serial killer documentaries while doing it and if they isn’t living my best life then I dunno what is.
Again cheap and cheerful but the Barry M contour duo works for me, I prefer a cream to a powder contour.
There is no way to look glam when mid contour! Once that’s all blended I’ll set it with a translucent powder, this one is another Glossybox product.
I picked up this BH Cosmetics palette when I was in New York in June and have only used it a couple of times but the eyeshadows are super pigmented and easily blendable. The lightest pink one (2nd from the left on the top row) is a mixture of pink and gold and is just dreamy 😍. The packaging is lovely and if I remember correctly this was only about $20.
The Kat Von D liner was another NYC buy and I’ll be sad when it’s finished, why didn’t I buy 2?! Although my brows are tattooed I’ll set them with Benefit’s Gimme Brow in shade 5.
I’ve been using Benefit Hoola for well over a decade and I can’t see me changing bronzer anytime soon. The blusher is another product I picked up through Glossybox and adds just the right amount of colour to my cheeks.
Another NYC buy from Sephora I’ll be stock piling this on Cult Beauty when I run low. I was recently told someone could see my highlighter from the other side of the office and I LOVED that compliment. Some folk are all about a subtle glow: not me! As you can see I’ve used all of the colours and use Marshmallow for the corners of my eyes and brow bone.
Here’s another secret: I seldom use lip liner *gasps* what a shit blogger I am! I got this Karl Lagerfeld+Model Co one from September’s Glossybox so thought I’d give it a go. Can’t say it made much difference tbh
I don’t feel like my face is finished until I douse it in the legendary All Nighter Setting Spray from Urban Decay. This travel sized one is almost finished so I need to buy a full sized one ASAP. Have tried some other setting sprays but this is my fave.
And that’s my face done! It may seem like a lot of product but it works for me!
Let me know in the comments below your favourite make up brands x
lifeaccordingtolea 