Be warned, I am by no means a professional make-up artist. I'm just a lady who has been experimenting with what works for her. I mean, I'm not sure I'd take advice from a girl who wore Mary-Kate and Ashley eyeshadow at university....(my roommate used to defend this abhorrance by saying MK & A wasn't written on your face anyway but that's still a shameful beauty secret).
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| My loved make up collection |
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| My very loved make up collection. |
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| This is the finished look (need something for my red chin though!). BTW, the flowers are from Primark. |
Foundations, Concealers, Powders and Tinted Moisturizer
Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua £33
Most days, this is my go-to workhorse for my face. Since I don't have a lot of acne or redness (beyond my lupus rash on my nose and sometimes red chin), I don't really need much coverage. This is an excellent texture and doesn't feel too heavy on my skin. It is a splurge item, but I find it lasts for almost a year. At £33, that isn't too bad. I wear the lightest shade, but the shades have different names in the US and UK, which adds to confusion.
Purchase it here.
When I want a little more coverage, I opt for my Revlon PhotoReady foundation. The texture is nice and silky and it does give a bit more coverage than a tinted moisturizer or something like Chanels Vitalumiere Aqua. However, I think the shade I've been wearing may actually be too light for me (which is nuts) as it does tend to look a bit funny in photographs (which is ironic since it is PHOTOREADY). I'm unsure whether or not I will repurchase.
Purchase it here.
I have been using this for over a year and a half now. It's only been recent that I've even really worn concealer, which I conceal dark circles under my eyes with. I've been using it for redness on my face as well, and it doesn't really cut the mustard with my Rudolph Red nose. But for less than a fiver, you can't really go wrong and it does last all day. I'm not married to this product, though, and I will try new concealers if any similars (or betters) are suggested. In case your wondering, I wear the lightest shade.
Purchase it here.
I've had this powder for so long that the little puff has been broken and discarded, I've hit pan and the top has separated from the body of the product. I do quite like this as it does control oil, but again, I'm not married to it and I'm interested in trying other products that keep you looking natural while holding your make up in place. I wouldn't say it does an amazing job of keeping things on, but it isn't horrible either. I would likely repurchase if I couldn't find anything I liked better, but I'm very open (and wanting!) suggestions. I typically purchase the translucent shade.
Purchase it here
Mac Bronzing Powder £20
I've had this bronzing powder for ages and because I don't wear a lot, it really goes a long way. I've barely dipped into the surface of mine and I must have had it over a year. This is one I've repurchased a few times and will likely continue doing, although I'm always for trying new bronzers with a bit more dimension to them. With this one, I'm the lightest shade (duh).
Purchase here
Cheeks and Highlighter
I have been using Mac's cremeblend blush in both Ladyblush and Something Special for the past five years or so. I do love the dewy finish it gives, especially in combined with highlighter. However, I find it has the consistency of moisturizing lipstick, and in a pinch I have opted for the lipstick on my face. I do need to repurchase this, but I am thinking I might go for some powder next time that also gives off a dewy finish without being overpowering (and stays on all day...another important factor).
Purchase here
Benefit's Watts Up £24.50
I didn't start using a highlighter until around February 2013 when I was in a wedding and the other bridesmaids were applying it. I'm always after a dewy finish, so I was all for trying this. I liked the way it looked so much that I incorporated it into my daily routine, giving it a little swipe above my cheeks and over my brown bone. During a recent trip to the US where Benefit (and everything else in life) is cheaper, I purchased High Beam to try out when I run out of Watts Up. I've had my stick, though, for over a year and it is still going strong. I'm just starting to see signs of its demise. Definitely a worthy investment.
Purchase here
Eyes
Avon Glimmerstick Brow Definer £6
I used to not do anything to my brows at all until I noticed I had a weird arch in them. If I plucked it too much, my eyebrows would be far too thin, so I decided to start filling them in. At first, I was using brown eyeshadow, then I started experimenting with brow pencils. I'm not a use fan of PENCILS pencils, so I wanted something like a crayon or glimmerstick. I tried the Soap & Glory Archer, but to be honest I wasn't as enamored with it as everyone else and mine broke after like 2 uses (£10 down the drain). I've been swearing by these. I'm not sure where I discovered them...maybe they were free in a magazine? Either way, I'm all about them, but I'm totally always looking for any dupes.
Purchase here
Two Faced Shadow Insurance in Candlelight £17
I've used several types of eyeshadow primer (I was religiously using the Mac for a long time), but switched to this about a year ago. I'm not a huge fan of matte eyes anyway, so this gives just a bit of shimmer. And 18 months after purchasing this product, it isn't really showing any signs of running out, which is fabulous. I've also noticed my eyeshadow sticks all day, even when it is hot. The other day I wore my shadow from 10AM to 3AM and found that it was still going strong.
I've used several types of eyeshadow primer (I was religiously using the Mac for a long time), but switched to this about a year ago. I'm not a huge fan of matte eyes anyway, so this gives just a bit of shimmer. And 18 months after purchasing this product, it isn't really showing any signs of running out, which is fabulous. I've also noticed my eyeshadow sticks all day, even when it is hot. The other day I wore my shadow from 10AM to 3AM and found that it was still going strong.
Purchase here
Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette £37
This is by far the best eyeshadow palette I have EVER purchased. Partially because with green eyes and a light complexion, rose colored hues are the most flattering. It's also super easy to take with you when you travel. For my everyday look, I combine Dust and Burnout for my lid shade, combine Limit and Buzz for my crease and outer corner, use a touch of Nooner or Liar for my outer corner and go over the inner corner and brown bone with Strange. Sometimes I take an angled brush and use Factory as a soft eyeliner since I'm not big into eyeliner in the first place.
Purchase here
Maybelline Falsies Volume Express Mascara £7.99
This mascara is hands down the best I've owned, and it is safe to say that I am married to it. I have tried Dior Show (and done side by side comparisons) as well as Benefits They're Real (which I found ran down my face). Nothing compares. This is the holy grail of mascaras...and the price is right.
Purchase here
Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara £8.99
This works great in combination with the Falsies. Where the falsies adds volume and thickness, this adds length. I typically do two coats of the Falsies and then one of this to achieve my look.
Purchase here
Lips
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter £7.99
In Sugar Plum, Strawberry Shortcake, Candy Apple and Sweet Tart
My absolute favorite, favorite, favorite lip product. Although it doesn't have ridiculous staying power (if anyone has suggestions for that, please let me know), it is moisturizing and provides a solid amount of pigment. When I'm using this, I find I don't have much of a need for lip moisturizer as this keeps them totally hydrated. I've been addicted to this for a couple of years now, and although I will venture out to other lip colors, I find this is the best so far.
Purchase here
The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain £10
I use this lip stain when creating a red lip to create dimension. It is quite wet for a lip stain, so you have to wait a bit for it to dry before covering it with a red shade. I definitely don't wear it on a daily basis, but it does help keep a red lip last.
Purchase here
Liplicious Whipped Vanilla Lip Gloss by Bath and Body Works $7.50 (not available in the UK)
This is the one product not available in the UK, so I stock up on it when I'm at home. I've tried a couple of Body Works lip products and haven't found them to be quite as good as this one. I love the taste of it and the pigmentation is lovely. I use this when I just want a touch of color, sometimes over my lip butter, sometimes alone.
Purchase here
Love your flower crown!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think its from Primark. :)
DeleteI really like Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter because they are so soft and make my lips feel smooth the next day. I also used to use different powders but once I found the 'Covergirl TruMagic Skin Perfecter' I left them behind. It holds all your makeup in place with no shine. If you're ever looking for a new one, you should try it out :) Oh, and I noticed at the side that you're an author. From one author to another, nice job :)
ReplyDeletehttps://novellette.com
https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12522799
Thanks lady! I'm about to check you out right now!
DeleteI love Watts Up! My mama got it for me as well as the Benefit "They're Real" mascara.
ReplyDeleteYou chose lots of great products. I have green eyes too and Naked 3 is my favorite! I'll have to give Watts Up a try.
ReplyDeletehintofblush.com
Watts Up is fabulous. :)
Delete