Well, well well. Hasn’t it been a while since I last did a beauty post?
Something I do get asked a lot on Instagram stories is what make up I like to use; from my glowy foundation to the feline flick I like to wear on the daily. So I thought it was about time I revealed my everyday routine, partly because it will answer your question but also because a lot of what I use has been a repeat purchase for ages; essentially the real tried and tested products that I can truly swear by.
One thing that I do want to say is that they might work a treat for me – but they may not work for you. So this is not me saying ‘ HI GUYSSSS! BUY THIS BECAUSE IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND GIVE YOU INSTAGRAM FILTER SKIN FOR LIFE!’, oh no. This is simply me sharing my personal go-to’s, because I think that it’s kind of fun that we can to do that; swapping and sharing our own little collection of golden gems.
Like, have you ever felt that beauty buzz when you delve in to your friends make up bag – admiring her shade of lipstick that is definitely not your colour but you looks amazing on her, or dusting her highlighter on the back of your hand purely for the sparkle factor? And then she does the same to you? I feel like that right there is the ultimate sisterhood moment when the bond between the two of you is officially made. *Touches heart, tears up* Beautiful. Truly beautiful.
Anyway, this is a very important reminder that I have eventually learned to inhabit in my make up magpie brain somewhere along the last 10 years of my make up wearing life; just knowing what suits my skin type and going by my own personal review as opposed to someone else’s… Or the magazines. I’d say my skin is pretty normal to be honest – however it can get dry around the eyes and I’ve always been prone to blackheads on my nose – so oil build up can go on around there. Generally I always prefer to go for moisturising formulas for normal/combination skin as opposed to mattifying products, because I love to have a dewy looking complexion. With out it, or when I try something that’s matte, I just want to rub it all off again! It just doesn’t feel like ‘me’, and that’s what make up is about, right? Self expression and all…
SKIN
After cleaning my face up with Eve Lom’s Morning Time Cleanser, toning with Pixi Glow tonic and spritzing a good few sprays of Pixi Glow Mist all around my face – I get straight in with my foundation base. Instead of using primer, I find a tiny squeeze of Vita Liberata Beauty Blur mixed with Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint Bronzing Fluid makes the most dreamy cocktail for a glowy base – giving just the right amount of warmth and brightness before I crack on with the whole foundation part.
For this, I’m a huge fan of the Liz Earle Signature Foundation (hands down the best I have tried!) and either apply it with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, a beauty blender or my fingers – depending on how much time I have. I’ll apply a slick of either Nars Creamy Concealer or Collection 2000’s Lasting Perfection concealer under my eyes and around my nose before blending it up, and for that’s the skin base done!
And now for the real fun part: HIGHLIGHT. Last year I converted to the Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Euphoric – and honestly? I have never looked back. Sure, it’s a little pricier but it lasts for absolutely ages and the I find the formula to be so deliciously creamy, despite being in powder form.
After trying the highlighter I also decided to invest in the blusher and bronzer form the Ambient collection because HEY! WHY NOT! – and they do just tick all of the boxes for me. I love the ranges of subtle colours that they have to suit different skin tones – and they’re nicely buildable so you can apply as much as you feel you need for the occasion or time of year.
I put the highlight on the bridge of my nose, on top of my cheekbones and under my eyebrows, the Ambient Lighting Blusher in Magenta on the very apples of my cheeks and if I want to warm up my skin I’ll put the Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous just ever so lightly over my temples, cheekbones, jawline and the very tip of my nose.
As a trio, they just bring all of the shimmer and sheen with out being too glittery – which is a line that can be so easily crossed with so many other glow products on the market!
EYES
For me, simplicity is key when it comes to the eyes and whilst I’m all about a good feline flick for day to day – I’d like to think I keep it fairly subtle too! Firstly, I’ll fill in my brows with Anastasia Hills Brow Wiz (my magic wand, my secret weapon, my holy grail!), add a nude colour to my lid and then curl my lashes using the Shu Umera curlers. For the eyeliner and mascara I’ll always go for the Loreal Superliner and Telescopic Mascara – not just because I replace them every 2 months and they’re refreshingly affordable but because they’re bloody amazing. In fact, I’ve bought higher end eye products in the past and been bitterly disappointed in comparison to these bad boys! However saying that, I did buy a twin pack of the Bare Minerals Lashtopia mascara at Christmas and I do enjoy that fat brush for thicker, fuller lashes should the occasion require me to flutter them further…
LIPS
Ah, pretty straight forward. I literally just use an EOS balm to prep before using this Hourglass Liner in Canvas, which I actually use on the whole of my lips. The colour for me is just the right shade of pink and despite appearing matte, it doesn’t dry out and crack as the day goes on. Stays put pretty well too!
And that right there are the beauty products I swear by. Of course, I find I go through phases where my skin just isn’t the same; depending on the weather, my hormones and if I’ve had enough sleep/drank enough water etc. I feel like make up generally sits better on your face when you’re well rest, well nourished and HAPPY – that I am a big believer of – but I suppose it always helps to find a beauty routine that works for you to come in clutch when you need it most!
What are your Holy Grail products?
Leave a Reply