WHAT’S (REALLY) IN MY MAKE-UP BAG + MY 3 GO-TO LOOKS

I am aware that this post is way overdue, after many reader requests – but better late than ever, right?! Here I´m sharing all my core make-up must-haves; some of which are long-standing favourites, and some new additions that I´m loving right now… And not only am I showing what I use – but also 3 of my go-to looks… Enjoy! 

#1 LOOK: NATURAL EVERY-DAY 

More often than not, I don´t use a lot of make-up; especially on holiday or when I´m working at home. It´s a great chance to let my skin breathe, and fully absorb my skincare products, or using nothing at all – to give my skin some much needed rest. But on an every-day basis, where I want to achieve a low-key and natural look – here are the products I use (and how I use them)…

After my regular skincare routine – I start by dapping the Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer, followed by Perricone´s MD No Foundation Foundation (col. Light/Medium). Both of these are long standing favourites for the past 4 years, which (in my opinion) gives the best, and most natural looking coverage for my skin. I apply both the concealer and foundation using the Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush. I then add some colour with Guerlain´s Terracotta Bronzer (col. 04 Moyen Blondes) – which is the BEST, applied using Laura Mercier´s Face Brush to get an even colour – finished by a dap of creamy blusher with the Lavera Natural Mousse Blush. I then move onto my eyes, by applying the Perricone MD No Eyeshadow Eyeshadow, which just gives a hint of definition to the eyelid. I then use Tom Ford´s Eye Defining Pen (obsessed), painting a thin line across. I apply some mascara; I have a lot of favourites (MaxFactor, Maybelline and Tom Ford, to mention a few), but I´m currently loving Revlon´s Ultimate All-in-One Mascara – which really gives long, defined and natural looking lashes (and lasts for AGES). I use the Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil (col. Dark Brunette) to fill in any unwanted gaps. When I´m all done, I either apply the Perricone MD No Lipstick Lipstick for a subtle hint of colour, or dap on the classic Vaseline Rose Balm (or both combined!).

#2 LOOK: A LITTLE BIT EXTRA 

Although the natural, every-day look is what I tend to opt for 80% of the time; when I am in need of that bit extra – nothing too much, but just a slightly more defined look by enhancing the eyes, mattifying the complexion, and adding some more colour to the lips – here are the products that I like to add into my beauty routine…

After applying the base and colour to the face (as described in #1 Look above), I apply The Estée Edit Pore Vanishing Stick onto my t-zone (forehead, nose and chin), which really helps to mattify the complexion, and diminishes the pores (it works wonders, trust me). Then, moving onto the eyes, I replace the Perricone MD No Eyeshadow Eyeshadow with Bobbi Brown´s Smokey Nudes Palette – using the natural and brown colours mixed together – applied using Bobbi Brown´s Eyeshadow Brush. After this I finish off with the eye pencil and brow sculptor (again, as above). I replace the Perricone MD No Lipstick Lipstick & Vaseline Rose Balm – with Henné Organics Lip Balm (to create base for my lipstick), followed by YSL´s Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick (col. 8). 

#3 LOOK: NIGHT TIME 

For a special occasion, be it a work event, cocktails with the girls, date night with my husband – a time and a place where I want to look extra special; I tend to make more of an effort by enhancing the overall effect from what I am already using (+ some new additions). The easiest way of doing that? Add even more colour to the lips and more shadow on the eyes for a smokey effect. And here is how I do it…

Again, applying the make-up base in the same way as #1 Look, as well as a couple of additions from #2 Look – with the The Estée Edit Pore Vanishing Stick and the Bobbi Brown Smokey Nudes Palette. This time though, I like to apply more of the darker eyeshadow colours, to achieve a real smoky eye effect using the different shimmers mixed together. I pop on MAC´s Modern Twist Kajal Liner (col. Squid) to enhance the eyes even more. With this look – I either opt for a nude lip, using only some Henné Organics Lip Balm – or I tone down the smokey eyes, and add some red lipstick using my current favourite shade, YSL´s Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick (col. 213 Orange Seventies). I personally think it´s overkill if you focus on both the lips and eyes at the sane time, so I tend to pick either or. I also tend to go for the red lips more during the summer, when I have a good tan!

…and that´s it guys! Any questions or comments, don´t be a stranger!