My makeup routine has become far less varied recently, mainly due to the fact that I’m trying to eliminate too many decisions when I’m up at the crack of dawn getting ready for work. The advantage of this, however, is that I have really got to know these products and have found some that I am absolutely in love with, and some that have really not worked out for me…
Base
A standout product from this line up has got to be the Sleek MakeUP Barekissed Illuminator in Monaco. This is an ultra-shimmery liquid illuminator with a pearlescent pink-toned finish. I have been applying this all over my face under foundation and it creates the most beautiful luminosity and makes your skin look healthy. After using that, I have really been enjoying the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water. This helps any foundation apply and adhere to the skin, and surprisingly, this combination makes my makeup last all day long.
In terms of foundation, I have been trying out the much-raved about Bourjois City Radiance Foundation. Unlike what the name suggests, I find this to have a fairly matte finish. It has a light to medium coverage and isn’t the most buildable. I’m not 100% sold on this foundation – my skin is left looking pretty flat and dull which is the opposite of what I look for in a base. If you have oily skin but don’t want the typical full coverage that comes with a lot of matte foundations, I think this may be a good one for you.
On a much more positive note, I think I may have found my two perfect concealers. I have purchased the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer so many times now that I have lost count. For me, this the the best concealer I have found for spot concealing. It is high coverage but never looks cakey, and has great lasting power. A newer discovery is the Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser which I have been liking for under the eyes and for brightening the high points of my face. This is much thinner than the Nars option and has less coverage, which I prefer for these areas of the face which tend to be more prone to creasing. I haven’t found many affordable concealers that I really love, but this has definitely become one of my favourites.
Cheeks
The Hourglass Ambient Lighting range has definitely stolen my heart. I have been consistently using both the Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze and the Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure. Both of these products are really rich in pigment, but blend out to leave such a stunning sheen on the cheeks, and seriously last all day long. The bronzer errs on the warm side, which I think complements my colouring nicely, and the blush is that perfect mauvey-brown that suits any eye or lip colour, making it my go-to. For my highlight, I have been obsessed with the Sleek MakeUP Solstice Highlighting Palette (like everyone on Instagram seems to be too!). This has got to be one of the prettiest compacts I own – encased in rose gold packaging and the highlight shades are to die for. I mainly gravitate towards the more peachy shade, but I often swirl my brush in all of them and sweep across the tops of my cheekbones, bridge of the nose and cupid’s bow. This gives a serious highlight, which I love, and if you’re into your glow, you need this in your life.
Eyes
I had really been struggling with my eyeshadow creasing, so I decided to pick up the Mac Prep and Prime Eye 24 Hour Extend Eye Base, as I had heard good things about it. I don’t know if I just have incredibly oily eyelids, but this just did not work for me – my eyeshadow had settled into the lines in my eyes by lunchtime, no matter what brand I used. I have raved about the Nars eye primer in the past (full review here) which may be the only product that keeps my eyes crease-free!
For eyeshadow, I have fallen back in love with the Lorac Pro Palette. This has got to be one of the most versatile palettes I own and is definitely up there as one of my all-time favourites. The shadows are smooth, pigmented and are so blendable (full review and swatches here). The Stila Stay All-Day Liquid Eye Liner has also gained status as an all time favourite in the past couple of months. Like I mentioned, my eyelids are incredibly oily, so I have to be cautious of what liner I use as not to land up with liner all the way up to my brow. This stays perfect and crisp all day long, and the applicator is thin enough to easily create a sharp wing.
My final favourite is the Max Factor Voluptuous False Lash Effect Mascara. I actually got this free on the launch date as they were handing them out for free in Waterloo station, which I definitely wasn’t complaining about! When I was younger I exclusively used Max Factor mascaras, so I was intrigued about this new launch. The wand is fairly large which can be a bit off-putting, but this mascara gives me both great volume and length, and doesn’t transfer onto my browbone. I was pleasantly surprised with this one, and it is a mascara that I would consider repurchasing.
Now I haven’t included any lip products in this post (as I may end up writing a novel), but I have plenty of new discoveries that I will be writing about very soon. I would love to know what your favourite, or not-so-favourite products have been recently, so let me know in the comments!
–RachelElizabeth