What I'm Using #1

I took inspiration for this from Ebruska's Make-Up Blog, which is fantastic and as sophisticated as one day I hope mine will be.

Basically, I have a little No7 make up bag that I carry around with me full of the make up I'm currently using. You won't see me anywhere without it; it's on my "things to never leave the house without" list. I work with make up all day and I test alot of make up in my free time, so every product in this bag has my absolute seal of approval. Here is a list of the products that I am currently using...

Primer

Bourjois Flower Perfection Translucent Smoothing Primer

No7 Airbrush Away Primer 30ml

Foundation

17 Photo Flawless Foundation - Natural

Maybelline FIT Me Foundation - 115 Nude Beige 

Concealer

The Body Shop Concealer Pencil #01

Bronzer

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Compact Bronzing Powder - Light

Blushes

Maybelline Dream Touch Blush  - Berry

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Blush - Pink Rose

Bourjois Little Round Pot - #37 Rose Pompon

bareMinerals i.d. Blush - Vintage Peach

Highlighter

Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer  - #001 Flush of Pearl

BB Cream

No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream Normal/Dry

Eyeshadow

Maxfactor Smokey Eye Eyeshadow Stick - Bronze Haze

Maxfactor Smokey Eye Eyeshadow Stick - Purple Mist

Rimmel GlRam Eyes Quad Eyeshadow - Sun Safari

17 Smoky Eye Pallette

Mascara  

Loreal Volume Millions Lashes - Black

Maybelline Volume Express Rocket Mascara - Blackest Black

Eyeliner

Boots' Natural Collection Kohl Eye Pencil - Black

Boots' Natural Collection Kohl Eye Pencil -Olive Green

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

17 Tatoo Me Semi-Permanent Liquid Eyeliner

Lipsticks

Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Collection #107

Rimmel Kate Moss Collection #01

Rimmel Kate Moss Collection #22

Rimmel Moisture Renew - Soft Coral

Loreal Colour Riche - #252

Lip Stain

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Precious

Lip Balm

Nivea Lip Butter - Vanilla and Macadamia

Vaseline Ltd Edition - Pink Bubbly

Lipsmacker Lip Balm - Fanta Orange

Skincare

Boots' Essentials Cucumber Facewash

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit daily scrub

Montagne Jeunesse Peel Off Anti-Stress Masque -Cucumber

Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden Salt Scrub

Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Body Milk

                    No7 Completely Quenched Body Moisturising Lotion

  Boots' Coconut and Almond Body Lotion
 Boots' Cocoa Butter and Mallow Body Lotion
Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula

Haircare

Aussie Colour Mate Shampoo

Aussie Colour Mate Conditioner

Pantene Heat Defence Gloss spray

Boots' Coconut and Almond Leave-in Conditioner

Batiste Blush dry shampoo

Elnett Supreme Hold Hairspray

The Primer Police

It's amazing how often I hear people say "I don't use Primer" or "It's a waste of money" or "My make up goes on fine without it" and "I don't really understand what it's for".

If you were putting wallpaper up, you would have lining paper underneath it to smooth out any imperfections on the wall, so that the lumps and bumps don't show through the end result. Well that's why you need a primer under your make up.

Your face goes through a lot every day and having that thin layer of cream/gel before you apply make up does not only improve the end result, it adds just a tiny bit more protection for your face, before you clog it up with powder and foundation.

Furthermore, it keeps your make up perfect for longer. The best way to apply your make up is with a brush - when you use your fingers you're just moving the formula around your face, using a proper make up brush helps to press foundation onto your skin and into those area's that you want covered the most.

For the best results, use a primer first. They come in all textures. My personal favourite - as previously mentioned on my blog - is Bourjois Flower Perfection Primer, which comes as a very light and easy-to-spread gel.

Once that's applied you add your powder and then your foundation - it's widely disputed which one of these you're supposed to put on first. I always put on my powder first, I find it keeps the foundation on for longer as it kind of sticks to the powder. I don't know if this is true but it's always worked for me.

For me, that is a standard make up base and I would go from there, but I would always reccommend having that Primer on first. They aren't too expensive either, you can find most decent drug store brands cost less than £10 and the effects are well worth the money.

Primer Time

As I was lazing around on my morning off, as I was googling "MAC Primer" (as you do), I came across an article by Elle about the six best primers, which you can find here.

Now, when it comes to primers, I find that it's a very trial-and-error process and you definitely want to get the best quality product that you can, but the products that Elle reccomends are extremely pricey, and since I work with make up all day, every day, I've come across a few really impressive primers that actually don't cost the world, but have great results.

Anyone that comes into my store seeking help about their foundation almost always leaves with this product:

Flower Perfection by Bourjois works particularly well for people with oily skin, especially around your T zone. The texture is that of an extremely light gel, that spreads easily - a lot really goes a long way. It dries almost instantly and evens out your skintone. It makes the foundation application much smoother and to be honest - it just feels absolutely gorgeous on your skin. Alot of customers I let them test this on their wrists first and they often come back and tell me how fabulous it is. At £9.99, it's reasonable, and until 30th March there's a 3 for 2 offer on Bourjois products so you can really make the most for your money.