Everyday make-up routine

Everyday make-up routine

27.1.12

   Everyone has their favourite products, I certainly have mine! These products are ones I use on a daily basis:

MAC - Studio Fix Fluid in NC15

Natural Collection - Loose Powder in Cool Translucent

Natural Collection - Blushed Cheeks in Pink Cloud

MUA - Bronzer in Shade 3

Collection 2000 - Lasting Concealer in Fair (1)

Sleek - Brow Kit in Light

17 - Lash and Brow Mascara

Rimmel - Liquid Eyeliner in Black Glamour

W7 - Massive Lashes Mascara in Black

Collection 2000 - Super Size Fat Lash Mascara in Brown / Black

Vaseline (old trusty lipbalm!)

 

Note: I don't tend to wear blusher and bronzer at the same time - just because unless I have fake tanned, I am extremely pale so I find this is a bit OTT for my complexion!

   I first used MAC Studio Fix Fluid about a year ago and have never turned back since. Foundation, to me, is one of those products that you shouldn't skimp on. Having realised how sensitive my skin is the past couple of years, Studio Fix Fluid seems pretty skin-friendly to me (being oil free obviously helps)! The coverage is just right and provides a relatively matte finish. It stays in place for a good 5 hours or so on my skin, it needs powdering throughout the day, but this is probably just due to my combination skin (I'll explain my skin situation in more detail in a later post!). 

   Despite my loyalty to this product I am tempted to try NARS Sheer Matte Foundation - it has had brilliant reviews and has the benefit of being dermatologically tested and non-comedogenic (easily swayed..). The only thing preventing me from purchasing is the price, it's £10 more than MAC SFF, but I guess the price may be warranted!

   I purchased Collection 2000 Lasting Concealer as it is constantly raved about by UK beauty bloggers. This concealer is the best I have ever used! It blends in so well with a small brush and is better for my skin than a lot of creamier formulas. AND it is only about £4!

   Clearly I have a soft spot for cheap products!! But they still have to be products that perform.  Natural Collection Blusher in Pink Cloud is exemplifies this perfectly. It retails at around £2 (from what I can remember) in Boots stores - but it is highly pigmented and really blendable. I've also come across reviews comparing it to a MAC blush (although I can't remember which one, it seems comparable to Well Dressed) which is definitely a plus, as MAC blush retails at £17.50. The Natural Collection powder is really nothing to shout about, but again, I have had issues with powders being overly drying or not absorbent enough, but this seems to be a relatively good balance between the two. Anyone have any suggestions of really good powders for sensitive skin?

   MUA have come out with some outstanding products in their line. Most products retail at £1 - or only slightly more (I think they have bumped some of the prices up slightly from what I can remember?). Shade 3 Bronzer looks brilliant on when I have tanned, when I haven't I find it can be a little muddy looking on my skin (believe it or not in these photos I tanned 2 days ago...). Despite this, it is pretty decent for the price and has no shimmer - one thing that I cannot stand in blushers / bronzers for some reason, although most budget brands in the UK seems to add some glitter in to EVERY product somehow!

   As for my eye make-up routine, I have stuck to the same look now for about 4 years or more! I rarely go out of the house without winged liner - to me it is way less hassle than eyeshadow, but it looks like you've made more of an effort compared to just a sweep of mascara! I have always used the same liquid eyeliner from Rimmel - whenever I have tried anything different (usually when I have had liquid liner as a gift) it just crumbles after a couple of hours, looks weirdly shiny or the applicator is really difficult  / scratchy. This is quick and simple to apply and lasts all day. The product lasts for ages too - I probably only have to replace it twice a year and I use it every day!

   Mascara is one thing I never settle on, I can never find anything that blows me away. I have bought so many mascaras before, only to be hugely disappointed by the results. For now I use W7 and Collection 2000 (first I apply W7 as it's a very light formula, then followed by Collection 2000, which covers the lashes well, then follow with a final coat to even out my lashes with W7 again - don't ask.. it just works well for me!). I  have long lashes but not a lot of them! Anyone recommend any particular mascaras?

   I love my Sleek brow kit! It's such a handy size and I love the box it comes in! Although I do find that the colour is perhaps a little dark / slightly too warm for my complexion and hair colour. I wish Sleek made a more ashy toned / lighter one - but for now (until I can get my hands on e.l.f's lightest eyebrow kit, which I'm dying to try!) I'll be sticking to this one.

   Finally, Vaseline. In winter it is inevitable that your lips are going to get dry and possibly crack! And lipbalms / glosses / sticks just worsen that situation -they sit in the dry parts and avoid the normal parts, (what's with that?!?)! Vaseline helps my lips out so much in winter! This is a staple product, I know, but couldn't miss it out! I never leave the house without it!