"The bare necessities, those simple bare necessities..." The daily products I like to use

Following on from my post about a quick morning routine I thought I would do a cheeky extra post listing the makeup products that I like to use on a daily basis.  There are a few more products than I mentioned in my 5 minute post as I tend to spend a bit longer.....

Base

Foundation:
NARS Sheer Glow in Punjab (Medium 1)

Concealer:
Collection in Fair 01

Powder:
Rimmel stay matte in Transparent 001

Bronzer:
Bobbi Brown in Medium 2

Blusher:
MAC Frankly Scarlett (I think! It has been so well loved the name has worn off!)

Eyebrow:
A Smashbox eyeshadow in a palette and is just called M6 (not a very glam name!)

Eyes

Base:
MAC Paint Pot in Constructivist

Eyeshadow:
MAC Satin Taupe with Smashbox in M1 (eyeshadow platte as above) on the outer corner and crease

Eyeliner:
Rimmel khol pencil in Black 001 in my waterline and Lancôme Artliner in black is a liquid eyeliner I use for a little definition on my top lid

Mascara:
L'Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume in black 

Lips

Lipstick:
MAC Russian Red when I am feeling bold!

Lipliner:
MAC Cherry red

Lipstick:
L'Oreal Color Riche Julianne in Nude

Lipliner:
L'Oreal Almost Toasted lipliner

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"9 - 5, what a way to make a livin' ..." 5 minute morning makeup routine.

When we are in a hurry before the school run or work applying makeup can seem like just an extra chore at an already rushed and frantic time but this is a quick 5 minute routine that can be done as soon as you hop out of the shower.

I am not good in the morning. My husband and son would probably say rather grumpy but I like to take 5 minutes in the morning just to sit and apply my makeup while my child is slurping Coco Pops in my bed!

Firstly, I apply a layer of moisturiser. I don't think this has to be a hugely expensive product just one that suits your skin and that you are happy with. I have combination skin which is getting oiler as I get older so I don't like one that is too heavy.  I will do a future post on my morning and evening skincare routine.

Using my fingers to save time I apply my foundation (my beloved NARS Sheer Glow) I like the coverage foundation gives me and how it evens out my skin tone. If you have great skin then you don't have to apply foundation, maybe just a tinted moisturiser or nothing at all.

I then apply under eye concealer to hide my dreaded black circles (any tips on how to get rid of these gratefully received!) I find using a light reflective concealer such as the ones mentioned in my previous post will help you to look more awake.  I then conceal any redness around my nose or cover any spots/blemishes I might have. 

A quick sweep of powder next, followed by a swirl of bronzer (as I am fairly pale I like to use bronzer to make me slightly healthier looking!) and then I apply my ever faithful blusher on to my cheeks. I am a great believer that even the slightest pop of blusher brightens up everyone's face.

I always like to do my eyebrows as I feel brows help to define the face. I use a small makeup brush with brown eye shadow on (a matt one) and go over my brows, going slightly heavier where my brows arch and then brush them through with my  eyebrow brush. If you like to use a pencil use this, whatever you find works best for you go with.  I will write a post on eyebrows as they are a whole world!

Eye shadow next, a quick sweep of colour over the lids with an eye shadow brush. I like to use MAC's Satin Taupe, its a lovely brown colour that I find to  be super flattering and not too heavy or dark.  I then apply mascara. I would recommend curling your lashes first. It takes a few seconds but really opens the eyes and we all want to look more bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning. Anything that helps I say!

I finish off with a touch or lipstick or lip gloss. Most days I use a pretty neutral colour though I do also like to rock a bright pink or red too! If you want your lipstick to last I would recommend a stain as this lasts longer.

All done and ready to face the work in 5 minutes or so!!

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It's all about the base, the base!

Though I like to experiment and change my makeup,  there are some products which I either use everyday or love using on a night out or special occasion.  In this first post of the series I will concentrate on foundations, concealers and powder.

Base - my current favourite foundation is Nars sheer glow. I love this foundation. I think the range of shades they have are very good and like the coverage and feel of the product on my skin. I currently use the shade Punjab (medium1) which is perfect for me when I have a light fake tan on my skin.

On the more budget end I do like Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation. This feels nice on the skin and provides a good coverage at a reasonable price.

Concealer - I have two here I particularly like.  The drugstore one I like to use is by Collection and is a real bargain. I am pretty sure it costs under £5 and does a great job.  I suffer from dark circles under my eyes and this conceals the very well. I also use this on areas of redness by my nose.

For the evening or if I am looking particularly tired (usually by the end of the school week and 4 early morning clubs!) I like to use By Terry Touche Veloutee in number 1 this gives a very good coverage and stays put on my skin.

To cover blemishes I have been using the Laura Mercier secret camouflage concealer and I use this mainly to cover spots which I unfortunately still suffer from at nearly 40!

Concealer can also be used in contouring and highlighting which I will cover in a separate post. Celebrities such as Kim Khardashian  use this a lot for definition and is good for reflecting light off the face.  Though I realise while we are popping to Waitrose to get our shopping we don't really want to be rocking quite that look.

Powder - I remember using loose powder a lot in my younger days and it going everywhere! All over my face then my handbag and carpet! I stopped using powder for a few years but I have noticed as I have gotten older that my skin has got oiler and my makeup tends to slip off my face more! Currently, I am using Rimmel pressed powder which I have been impressed with this but I do intend to try the Mac or Charlotte Tilbury ones.  I will let you know what I think.

I tend to put my powder on after I have applied my foundation and base then do another dusting after bronzer and blusher.  A nice big fluffy brush is ideal for this. 

Let me know any products that you love.

Me!

I have been interested in makeup since I was a teenager when I was a big fan of blusher! Something which I am still very keen on now. My husband may say too keen!

Next year is a big birthday year for me. The big 40! This has made me think more about my appearance and how I feel. These two things are linked for me. My enjoyment of makeup and the wearing of makeup makes me feel happy.

A few years ago I trained to be a makeup artist at college and learned some great tips about the application and wearing of makeup. My plan was to start a career as a makeup artist but we ended up moving out of the area and the plan just didn't happen!

Friends do ask me for makeup advice on colours and especially on eye makeup so I thought a blog would be a good way to share tips and information and for me to learn and get tips from people too. I love reading beauty blogs and watching beauty youtubers which has helped me with my makeup application and made me spend lots of money on beauty products! Obviously, some haven't worked or suited me but I think makeup is about personal expression and you have to have to make a few mistakes to know what works. 

Lots of the well known beauty bloggers and youtubers are women in their 20s. I am obviously a bit older and as we get older what we want from makeup and what works on us changes - but the fact that we aren't 25 anymore doesn't mean we can't enjoy all the fun side of make up too!

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