FOTD: SIMPLE SPRING MAKEUP LOOK

The sun makes me happy. It's a fact really. I'm sitting here tapping away to the picturesque backdrop of a springtime evening and I can't quite believe that I honestly cannot see a cloud in the sky. This, for England, so early on in the season, is somewhat of a miracle. While it lasts, I thought I'd take advantage of the beautiful weather by taking some photos of the makeup I have been loving at the moment. This isn't quite a tutorial (mostly because the look is so simple that a step-by-step really isn't necessary), more a FOTD (face of the day). Wow, look at me using proper beauty blogging terms! Hopefully, this will be inspiration for those of you who are looking to give your look a bit of spring-clean for the start of a new season.

For spring and summer, I tend to live by the beauty mantra that "less is more" (and also not nearly as time-consuming). I blended MAC's Wedge eyeshadow all over my lid, on top of a base (MAC's painterly paint pot). Then, I attacked my inner corners with far more of MAC's Nylon than any girl ever needs.* The ultra-shimmery inner corner highlight looks really pretty when it catches the sun and was also a key trend for S/S 2014 (yes, I know, I'm always so on-trend). I finished off with some winged gel liner. As my eyes are quite big and round, I usually try and thicken the liner at the outer edge to elongate them slightly, but, of course, you could change style according to your own eye shape. And, with lots and lots of mascara, that's the eyes done!

I am so pale that, in the summer, whilst others get a lovely golden glow to the skin, my glow is more a blinding white. So, I usually apply bronzer to the high points of the face (forehead, cheeks, nose, chin) to fake that sun kissed look (don't tell anyone). A quick tip for you: if you're using a pink-toned blusher, apply a little of that over the bronzer to  make it look more realistic. Often when we tan, the skin gets a slightly pink undertone. It really does work, I promise. With a slick of tinted lip balm, the look is complete.

The Products
MAC Nylon and Wedge (far left top and bottom of my rather empty palette)
MAC Omega (for my brows)
MAC Paintpot in Painterly
Rimmel Match Perfection foundation in 101 Classic Ivory
Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in Nude
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 001 Transparent
Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in 1 Light
Collection Blush and Highlighter Cream Duo in Strawberries and Cream
Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner in 01 Black
Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me
Sleek Face Form in Light
L'Oreal Miss Manga mascara in Black

*Sorry for the MAC invasion, just got a few products for my birthday so, of course, I've been using them incessantly.

JANUARY FAVOURITES

January really was a month of reinvention for me in more than the generic gym membership and wine-down-the-sink sort of way. Though, if you did complete dry January or have honed your body to goddess perfection, I hold my hands up to you in awe. But, no, really, without all the dramatic statements and sentimentality, I hope this could be the start of a productive year. Having rebranded my blog into this masterpiece that you are currently reading, giving my occupational life a well-needed overhaul, and just choosing to utilise my time a lot better, it should be a delightfully busy few months. For once, it appears I've taken those twelve chimes and champagne toasts seriously. Wow, it's right about now that I wish I had made resolutions. It seems always the case that the one time you don't try with all your might to make something happen, the proactive monster inside you is unleashed with such force that it kind of takes you by surprise. Time to stop rambling off into this abyss of a tangent and get on with those products that have made my January just that little bit prettier.

The Beauty Favourites

1. Rimmel's 'Match Perfection' Foundation

This actually is a new purchase for the new year. I'll link a full review of this product, here. However, let me just reiterate that I'm a bit of a foundation snob. There are only a handful that I will use because I hate cakey makeup with a passion and any orangey oxidisation really shows up on my pale skin. I can safely reassure you, having used this for the whole of January, that this foundation is neither cakey or orange.

Side note: those of you who like to use a colour too dark for your skin, please blend it down your neck and onto our ears if they're visible. Maybe you think nobody is going to notice. We do. Everytime. 

2. Sleek's 'Vintage Romance' Palette

I've spent a lot of time with this baby over the past month because it was my spotlight product of January. The fact that I have not got bored/sick of it definitely says a lot about the quality and variety of this palette. Here's a full review of it. 

3. Topshop's 'Glow' Highlighter

Winter is far from my favourite season. No matter how many layers I laboriously pack on, I will always be cold, and everything seems tinged with a dull greyness. The cold air and increased use of central heating plays havoc with my skin and tends to make it look really lifeless. This highlight is lovely and warm; a little glass pot of vitamin D. I especially like to use it as an inner corner highlight, but, honestly, I would smother it all over my face if it was socially acceptable. 

4. Revlon's 'Lash Potion' Mascara by 'Grow Luscious'

I was hesitant to try this particular mascara. The original 'Grow Luscious' did condition my lashes but left them clumpy and unappealing. On the other hand, the 'Lash Potion' contains all the great conditioning qualities of the original, but with a much better application. It gives my eyelashes volume but still separates them efficiently. A quick tip for you, though: ensure you leave the store with the right colour; I didn't check and picked up brown instead of black, oops. 

5. Simple's 'Illuminating Radiance Cream'

It sounds pretty specialist but this is really just a light moisturiser with a tonne of very fine glitter chucked in. I think there might be a pattern forming here. Obviously, healthy and glowing skin is very important to me at this time of year. I usually still apply a rich moisturiser underneath because it doesn't quite give my skin as much nourishment as I'd like it to. 

The Non-Beauty Favourites

6. Starbucks' New Mocha Lattes

So many calories, but just so yummy. One of the varieties doesn't even have a Venti option, seemingly because it exceeds Starbucks' maximum calorie allowance. If that doesn't make you want to try it, I don't know what will.

7. Pinterest

Swallows your time up, like Sims did to your childhood, but its great for beauty inspiration, funny little pictures and beautifully-presented motivational quotes. If you haven't already tried it, where have you been?! But, seriously, my Pinterest is linked here, if you're nosy, like me, and want to have a look at some of my favourites. 

8. It'sGrace

New and improved channel from YouTube legend Grace Helbig. Some comic relief from the horrendous weather we have in Britain at the moment. The only person I've seen who can make awkwardness and baseball tops look quite so humorous and adorable. Although, be warned, that swallowing up your time thing I was talking about? Yep, that applies to this as well.

A GIRL AND HER MAKEUP BAG #1

Hello all! This is the first post of a new series I will be doing where I take a look into people's makeup bags and ask them questions about their makeup preferences. Today I will be interviewing Emily, who I have know since school. She is a 23 year old graduate. Hope you enjoy!

Do you wear makeup on a day to day basis?

Yes, I won’t leave the house without makeup! 

At what age did you start wearing makeup properly? 

I started to wear a bit of makeup from about the age of 14, but I only really started to enjoy using makeup from 18 onwards. 

How long does it take you to apply your makeup?

I have my morning routine down to a fine art! It takes between 10-15 minutes to do my makeup in the morning. If I’m going out or putting in more of an effort it will take a bit longer, but definitely no more than half an hour. 

Where is your makeup bag from?

I have to admit that I don’t have a makeup bag at the minute… I’ve been using a box to store it all in on my desk. A good makeup bag is on my wishlist… 

Which product could you not live without?

I couldn’t live without concealer. I have quite dark circles under my eyes and somebody will always tell me I look tired or ill when I’m not wearing any! I’ve started using Benefit’s ‘Boing’ concealer, which I love. It’s quite pricey, but it definitely does the trick. 

Oh...and eyeliner. I’ve always got to have a bit of that on.  

What is your go-to makeup look?

It’s quite a natural look. I stick to subtle colours, particularly for eyeshadow. I tend to wear the same makeup whatever the occasion. 

What products did you use to create the makeup look you are wearing now?

Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation - I would recommend this to anyone, it’s fab! Estee lauder do a free colour match service at any of their stands so you can pick the right colour for you and take away a sample to try. It’s on the more expensive side, but you only need a tiny amount to get a good level of coverage. 

Benefit’s ‘Hello Flawless’ powder - A light brush of this on top of foundation finishes it off nicely and leaves skin looking ‘flawless’. 

Benefit’s ‘Sugarbomb’ blusher - Another great product from Benefit. 

Benefit’s ‘Boing’ concealer - As described, I love this. It can cover up anything! 

Estee Lauder eyeshadow - A mix of natural tones. This was a gift - I’m not sure whether I’d pay this much myself for it, as I’m sure you could get a cheaper version elsewhere. 

Benefit’s ‘They’re real’ mascara - You know a mascara is good when it doesn’t even need to be photoshopped in it’s adverts. Did I mention that I love Benefit??  

Maybelline’s ‘Lasting drama’ gel eyeliner - I love gel eyeliner for using on the top lid (even if I rarely get it straight..) The only problem is that you have to keep cleaning the brush or the gel will make it go solid. But if you have the patience for it, it’s great! 

Plus eyeliner and brow pencil 

Are there any products in your makeup bag that you are disappointed with?

I wouldn’t say that I’ve been disappointed with any. Unfortunately I seem to have developed a taste for more expensive makeup recently, so I think I’d end up being disappointed with the cheaper brands now. However, some products like foundation are worth splashing out on! 

Do you prefer your makeup bag to be full of new products or tried and tested ones?

I’m not fussed on having new products. I’d rather use makeup that has been recommended by a friend so that you know it’s good rather than relying on photoshopped advertising to make a judgement. 

Which celebrity has your favourite makeup style? 

Someone like Natalie Portman who always has quite a natural style.

Products include: 2 Estee Lauder eye shadow palettes, Estee Lauder 'Double Wear' foundation, Benefit 'They're Real' mascara, Benefit 'Sugarbomb' blusher, Benefit 'Boing' concealer, Ecotools foundation brush, Maybelline 'Lasting Drama' gel eyeliner, Seventeen brow kit, Benefit 'Hello Flawless' powder. 

RIMMEL'S MATCH PERFECTION FOUNDATION REVIEW

Price: £6.99

After the huge success of their 'Wake Me Up' foundation, Rimmel certainly had some rather radiantly glowing shoes to fill. I have been a massive convert to their foundations from the very second I popped the orange lid of that bottle of sunshine. Needless to say, I was more than happy to test out another one. 

On first impression, the 'Match Perfection' was far less glow-on-hyperdrive than the 'Wake Me Up' but I actually quite like that about it. It brings a subtle, flawless quality to the skin and, though you do feel secure in the fact that all stubborn blemishes are covered, you feel as though you have very little product on your face. Don't get me wrong, this is definitely more medium than light coverage, but it blends so perfectly and the formula is so smooth that you would be forgiven if you forgot you had applied it. 

I have found that the colour 'Classic Ivory' is a great match for my skin tone. This is worth noting because I find it extremely difficult to match foundation to my colouring. I have fairly pale skin and find that products either wash my skin out even more than normal, or just come up too orangey. From watching and reading other beauty bloggers and vloggers, it appears that this colour is a good match for many paler people, a great number of whom don't even appear to have the same skin tone as me. What is this wizardry, Rimmel?! 

The only negative point I can really make about this foundation is that I'm not particularly keen on the smell of it. Not that I am vehemently, furiously, madly against it, but it's not quite as lovely as the 'Wake Me Up' or Bourjois' 'Healthy Mix' (another favourite of mine). 

In short, I would definitely recommend this very highly. I believe it would suit most skin types and the price range is amazing for such a good quality foundation. 

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