My make up staples
I am no expert in make up. My everyday aim is normally to hide black, tired eyes, any spots that have cropped up and to even my skin tone... oh and to look 'radiant' not much to ask surely? My second aim is to do it all as quick as possible... 2 kids and always running late but with a face that looks sick if I don't apply make up, then time is a priority.
I am sharing my top 10 products I use, they are my staples and I will normally apply them a little more for nights out.
1- Chanel
Ok, I'm going in deep with this one. I can assure you items that are this expensive are not normally in my make up box but is a new member, one I was using a sample of for a few months while trying to justify the price tag that came with it (£46) but my goodness every time I used it my skin tone was evened, I was given a glow and I could either just use it for going to work or apply my normal make up over it to give a really flawless look. Some products are a little addictive and this is definitely one of them.
I tried to steer clear of this foundation for a while as it's known as heavy but what I have found now is that with the right moisturiser and primer a little goes a long way and doesn't leave that caked look. I have tried many other foundations but where they fall short is longitivtiy. My chin and nose would be patchy by midday and I would feel like I have to reapply. I need a foundation I don't have to touch after applying and this lasts the whole day. If I am wanting a lighter make up or just putting on make up for work I skip this one and go straight to the next...
This can be used alone as a foundation and some days for work I will just use this over a primer, you can build the coverage and it feels great on the skin. A complete bargain too for how long it lasts but when I use a tiny bit over my normal make up it is perfect just to set your make up and hold it in place.
I don't contour but I do just try and swipe my bronzer under my cheek bones, down the sides of my nose and at the top of my forehead and both sides of my face. I find this bronzer and the Bobbi Brown bronzer my favourite that doesn't patch and also looks very natural.
I bought this wee duo on sale and use them together to blend and it gives a really good colour that you don't need to use a lot and also doesn't go on patchy. One of my friends got me started on the Bobbi Brown bronzer (which I love equally to Nars) and I find them the best for all powders, I've tried a few but just keep going back to these.
6. Becca illuminator in prosecco pop
I think this is the key to radiance... I am not holding my breath on getting it from a full 8 hours sleep or having a day of rest so hey presto here is a little trick that gives that glowy, radiant look. Also a fab lady Christine in Space NK Belfast give me the best tip of using it as my all over eye shadow to highlight before adding the colour, 2 products in one.
I do love this brand, its well priced and the quality is fab! I use a Lily LoLo brush to go over my eyebrows and then a tiny bit of wax to hold the shape in place. I once read that a lady spent 10 mins on her eyebrowns so I timed how long I take to do mine and it was 43 seconds.... again I might not be ready for the front page of a magazine but as long as I get through the day without getting a concerned 'are you ok?' Then we are winning!
I use 'Bourjois felt tip eye Liner pen' in black, it's £4.99 and doesn't run, is easy to apply and lasts a few months. I don't think you can want much more from a liquid liner. 9. Mac pallet
This pallet (great price here too!) is what I use for evenings out and the days I wear eye shadow, though it's not often... I used to have lots of pallets but didn't use them so decided to clear my products and just stick to those that I use. For an all over highlighter I use the first colour or the prosecco pop illuminator,then a colour in the crease, followed by a darker colour in the corner of I am going out.
10. Terry mascara
I have just started using this mascara since March time, I purchased 2 £10 travel sized products as I couldn't justify the money on the full sized mascara, however it doesn't run, my eyelashes look far longer and glossier and it brightens my eyes. I think I will be purchasing the full sized one when they run out. Another favourite of mine and a fraction of the price at £10 has always been False lash effect mascara.
A few of my favourite lipsticks are (I get asked about these a lot)
Mac lipstick this is the colour lippy I would wear and it's not too bright or 'in your face' so can be worn everyday. The coral is especially nice in the summer with a tan!
For a everyday, nude colour I use Kiko in 103, it's amazing for staying on for hours and a complete bargain at this price also!
I have a few Chanel and Dior lipsticks but I really love the Kiko Unlimited Double touch range and for £8.99 I think they are hard to beat.
My personal preference is to spend money on the face creams and powders and I believe that you can get fab cheaper lipsticks, liners, eye shadows and mascaras.... maybe this is just because I can have problematic skin.
I hope you enjoyed my little make up list, no expert tips here but very real life (explains the finger prints on everything from being pulled from the make up bag) and put to the test!
Anna xx