The Beauty Brief: What’s in my make-up bag?

When it comes to my make-up routine, I’m the kinda girl who tends to stick to the same products daily. My go-to ‘look’ normally consists of some sort-of winged out cat-eye and whatever nude lipstick I can grab my hands on, before I rush out the door-often looking at the sixties for inspiration.  I’m not going to lie I’m lazy when it comes to applying makeup. I tend to use (and repurchase) the products that I know won’t make me look like a “panda eyed monster,” with half her foundation ‘fallen’ down her face.

I start off by applying some sort of protection which happens to be in the form of the Avene SPF 50 cream. A non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic formula which protects my pale skin from the sun. It’s also a non-greasy formula which works well especially with having oil/acne prone skin (the bane of my life) as there’s no left over residue.

For coverage I recently opted to using a BB cream (late on the bandwagon?) But after watching a Lisa Eldridge video (make-up genius) she suggested that instead of using a heavy coverage foundation all over your face-when in fact some areas of skin need little to no concealing. Try a something lighter, than go back with a fuller coverage product for the those “problematic areas”.
That’s where the Vichy Derma Blend comes in. For a person who used to suffer from severe acne, this product was “god-send”.  Especially when I used to apply this product all over my face, in order to feel confident enough to step out my front door.  Sadly acne does that too you. Now I just use it on the areas that are “clearing-up,” as a little goes a long way.  But with having sensitive skin, the Derma Blend doesn’t irritate it or make it unbelievably itchy. Unlike a lot of foundations aimed at acne suffers do.

I also like to use the Collection concealer to ‘brighten-up’ my under-eyes, as again it’s quick to use and long-lasting. I then ‘set’ my make up with a pressed powder and this one from Rimmel does the trick! To add a tad of warmth to my skin, and make me look less like an extra from Twilight, a quick sweep of bronzer (which is matt) along my cheekbones and temples adds “sun-kissed glow”. I also love to use this palette as an eye-shadow combination as the highlighter adds a gorgeous ‘natural’ looking (non-white and frosty) sheen to your skin, as well as the bronzer bringing out the blue in my eyes.

As a keen liquid liner advocate-not a day goes without sporting that “feline-flick”.  I’m forever on the look out for the ultimate eyeliner that ticks all those important boxes-that is also purse-friendly. For me this one by Rimmel is my current go-to. I don’t know about you but for me a lot of liquid eyeliners fail in either the intensity of the line or the longevity a.k.a will it keep me “panda-eye” free throughout the day?  I find this one to be both intensely black but also incredibly long wearing-not a smudge in sight.
On the theme of “long lasting products” a new discovery of mine is this Covergirl “Flamed Out” mascara, which I picked up on my recent trip to the States, and to be honest I kinda regret not buying another. I love the way that it slightly wings out my lashes, due to it’s curved wand, as well as adding definition.  One thing I would say is that it’s not ‘truly’ waterproof , however for everyday wear it’s perfect and isn’t a pain to remove either.

Lips wise I love a good nude lipstick, as for me it’s one of those shades which I don’t have to worry about it smudging down my face every time I eat (which is a lot!)
My top two picks are Mac “Hue” that, as you can probably tell, has been well loved. A shade that’s more on ‘pinky side’ of the nude spectrum, wears beautifully on the lips and has a slight sheen. That makes it feel natural to wear as well as smelling like vanilla (YUM). What more could a girl ask for in a lipstick? Next up is another Covergirl purchase-a similar shade to Mac ‘Hue,’ but slightly more beige toned and pigmented. A great “handbag lipstick” in my books, as you don’t even need a mirror apply it.

Let me know your make-up bag must-haves below, or links to you blog posts of your everyday make-up products!
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