Alex Talks Life: January 2015

If you had asked me a five/six months ago what my everyday make up routine was I would have given you a long detailed description of concealer, foundation, blusher, contour, highlighter, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, powder and lips. Getting ready in the morning was a mammoth task and I used to have to build in extra time in my morning routine for my make up.

Without turning this post into a psychoanalysis about my inherent self-confidence issues and how this led to me piling make up on my face in order to believe I was "pretty" it's not just simply a case of "oh I don't wear as much make up anymore". It's a different girl, someone who sees make-up for what it should be, something fun to make your eyes look even more beautiful on a night out or for rocking a bold lip to let people know you mean business. It's no longer something to hide behind.

But anyway! My make-up has turned into a five minute affair, and some day I don't bother at all if I don't feel like I need it or if I'm just hanging out with a few friends. This isn't just for day to day uni life either, even on nights out now I don't feel the need to go all out and spend 40 minutes in front of my bathroom mirror getting ready.

Side note- Ironically my make up now resembles very closely what I used to wear when I first started wearing make up at age 15ish!

(Terrible photo I know but bear with)

Benefit POREfessional

I never used to bother with primers, and although I don't think the hype about this is totally deserved, it does a great job at making my face nice and soft before concealer.

Mac Studio Fix in NW18

This powder is just great. Do I see a major difference between this and some powders (like the Rimmel Stay Matte) for a much cheaper price? No not really. But I have this and so I'll use it, keeps your face nice and matte for ages and keeps all your concealer/foundation in place so I'm a happy bunny.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory

I had one of these ages ago but it was too orange for me, and I only recently brought one that actually matches my skintone. I love this, blends flawlessly, brightens and conceals and doesn't cause me to break out like some concealers!

Benefit Lollibalm and Chachabalm

These are fab for giving a hint of colour as well as moisturising your lips on these cold winter days. I prefer a tinted lipbalm over a lipstick that drys out your lips and smudges anyday and these although pricey really are great. However, Body Shop tinted lipbalms are pretty much identical and also brilliant if you're on a budget.

Soap&Glory Love at First Blush

My mum brought this ages ago and never used it. It's similar to a Mac Mineralized blush I have, and has become a firm favourite for giving a hint of colour on days I look a bit dull. I never used to like shimmer on my cheeks, but I think a blush with a bit of shimmer can do amazing things for your cheekbones, which is always good!

Brushes- Real Techniques

I use the powder brush, expert face brush and duo fibre face brush whenever I apply make up. The expert face brush I've had forever and is still looking brilliant and hasn't diminished in quality at all. It blends concealer in within seconds and creates a flawless finish. The powder brush I use when I want to get my powder on my face as quickly as possible, whilst I use the duo fibre one for touching up powder throughout the day as it prevents you looking too cakey. Would recommend these brushes to anyone!

That's it, that's my updated everyday make up!

Just before Christmas Mum and I were doing a bit of shopping and ended up in TK Maxx one of our favourite shops. There we found two Ciaté nail polish advent calendars, both better than half price. I can't remember exactly how much they were, but I know they were a bargain!

I was planning to buy one when Mum said she would quite like one too. We ended up getting both as it was such a good deal and it meant we had a real variety of colours. We also used some for my cousin's Christmas present and she loved it!

I have never used Ciaté polishes before but having had a pretty wide range to select from over the last month I have been using them constantly and I LOVE them!

They have every colour under the sun, have such good colour pay off and don't chip. I normally do two coats but one would suffice and the quality of the nail polish is so noticeable compared to other cheaper nail polishes. Normally my nail polish chips within a day or two but this literally does not budge. Having said this though, I do find it super easy to remove and doesn't stain your nails, even without a base coat. The advent calendar also included effect polishes such as glitter, sparkly and caviar which was so cool!