Now that my boyfriend is firmly back in town, I find myself schlepping a bag between his home and mine on daily/weekly basis (exhausting). I loathe packing, so keeping my makeup bag prepared at all times is the only way I can maintain my sanity. Here’s what’s been on my face for the past couple of weeks (in keeping with my ‘more is more’ mantra, there are lots of products):
Primer // Foundation // Concealer
Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer: I cannot imagine life before this product. It hydrates the skin, imparts a nice glow, and keeps the makeup in place all day long. Since taking this picture I have actually finished this tube and purchased a new one.
Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer: I recently finished my Smashbox Photo Finish 24 Hour Shadow Primer and decided to try this one instead. It works fine, but I prefer the 24 Hour Shadow Primer – I find that it locks the pigment in more effectively.
Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream in ‘Vanilla’: The hype is real, you guys! Even for someone like me who prefers fuller coverage, this stuff is heavenly. The gel-mousse texture glides onto the skin and evens out texture and tone to leave you looking like your healthiest self…provided that you have quite good skin to start with (it won’t cover blemishes/redness/pigmentation, so you’ll need to rely on your concealer for that). Sadly it isn’t available here, but if you have an overseas mule at your disposal, then I highly recommend that you put this on your list.
Clarins Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base in ’04 Apricot’ (Part of the ‘Aquatic Treasures’ Collection – limited edition)*: I have used this every single day since I got it – I am gutted that it’s limited edition because I can’t bear the idea of it not being available permanently. I either pop it on before my base, or mix it in with the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue – both work beautifully. It’s got just the right amount of bronze so you will be left with the most subtle glow, I absolutely love it. Jules has the darker shade ‘o5 Golden Caramel’, which will work perfectly for those of you who are more tanned.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Flawless Wear Concealer in ‘Light Medium’: This is a brilliant dual-purpose concealer – it works like a dream under the eyes and covers most blemishes/discolouration elsewhere on the face. If what I’m needing to cover is a bit more substantial, then I will reach for my Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer – there ain’t nothin’ that bad boy can’t conceal.
Eyes // Brows
Smashbox Brow Tech Matte Pencil in ‘Brunette’: Nothing groundbreaking here, but bloody brilliant all the same. The consistency of the pencil has just the right amount of waxiness to it, but it also applies smoothly and allows you to create a nice sharp brow tail. The spoolie is a welcome addition (we love a good spoolie around here).
Eylure Brow Control & Shape Gel: I love this stuff – nice compact tube (which isn’t clear – much appreciated, Eylure, thank you), and it keeps brows in place without the dreaded ‘crisp’.
LORAC PRO Palette: Let’s ignore the crumbled black shadow, shall we (my reformulation attempt didn’t quite go to plan *thanks for nothing, science*). I honestly can’t see how I am ever going to be able to tear myself away from this palette – it is just IN.CREDIBLE. The shadows are insanely buttery, soft and blendable, and the shade range is superb too, so you can make it work for any and every occasion – what more could you ask for?
Clarins Ombre Iridescente Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadow in ‘Aquatic Rose’ (part of the Aquatic Treasures’ collection – limited edition): I used this in my most recent Clarins tutorial, so you can see it in action if you wish. This works nicely on its own but it’s also particularly lovely as an inner-corner highlight, or used on the centre of the lid to catch the light.
KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in ’05’: This has become my go-to eyeliner (it doesn’t work for me as an eyeshadow) – the colour is too beautiful for words and it adds definition without being harsh. Plus it’s incredibly long wearing and doesn’t budge until you want it to.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: Offensive name, GAME-CHANGING product. This mascara gives me the thickest, flutteriest, blackest lashes I have ever had in my life. It does transfer a little bit, but I love it too much to care. It’s also a breeze to remove (is it just me, or are most new mascaras a nightmare to take off?).
Blusher // Bronzer // Highlighter
Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in ‘Lavish Mauve’: Illuminating, long-lasting, and (finally) available locally – this offering from Max Factor is a no-brainer.
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in ‘Pretty Powerful Pink’: This cream blusher adds a healthy, dewy flush to the cheeks. If I need it to last all day, I dust a bit of the Creme Puff Blush on top to seal everything in place.
MAC Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm Compact SPF 30 in ‘Refined Golden’: Warms up the face beautifully and has impressive staying power (considering it’s a cream formulation). I apply it with my MAC 188 brush and it works like a bomb – it really buffs the colour into the skin seamlessly and leaves no tell-tale streaks.
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer: Glow-in-a-tub. I like to dab this on my cheekbones and above my brows for a supremely sheeny effect.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in ‘Dim Light’: This is a superb under-eye setting powder as it locks the concealer in place without mattifying it – it keeps the under-eye area looking fresh and dewy.
Lips
Oh look, a trio of nude lippies – how unusual!
Soap & Glory Sexy Motherpucker Gloss Stick 3D Volume Lip Shine in ‘Nudist’: Brilliant moisturising balm with a hint of colour. Not available here, but the closest dupe I have managed to find locally is the Clinique Chubby Stick in ‘Hefty Hazelnut’.
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in ’06’: Love love love this stuff! The formula is really nourishing and this shade is my perfect nude. It is available in the balm version too, but I prefer the original squeezy tube as it lasts longer and the application is easier (I ploughed through the balm in about 3 weeks, and the formulation is so soft that it just smushes everywhere – stick to the original, trust me).
NYX Butter Gloss in ‘Tiramisu‘: Probably my favourite lip product ever. Luckily I have a back-up at home, as Clicks don’t seem to be in any hurry to replenish their stock, and I am almost finished my current tube.
*PR Sample