Updated Everyday Make Up

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! 

Monthly Favourites: November

My first post since October..uni has just been so busy I really haven't had a chance to put fingers to keyboard to construct anything much that isn't an essay! However term finishes a week yesterday and things are slowly winding down- plus both essays are DONE (until the next one!) so I thought I'd do a quick monthly favourites post.

Zara Knitted Hat in "Ecru"

This hat is perfect for days when my hair is looking terrible or just to keep warm in the winter months. It goes with everything and is so comfy. I always get compliments when I wear this hat and the bobble makes me feel adorable. A winner in my eyes! 

Benefit Tinted Lipbalms in "Chacha Balm" and "Lollibalm"

I got Chacha balm free back in summer with a Benefit order and absolutely loved it- so moisturising and gives the perfect coral tint to your lips. Lollibalm is now the newest addition to my collection, which gives such a pretty pink gloss. Love these and highly recommend. 

Mac Conceal and Correct Pro Palette (Light)

This concealer palette I was initially unsure about due to the heavy thick texture of the concealers. However, the salmon pink shade counteracts my dark circles better than anything else I've tried and I think the thick nature of the concealers covers up a multitude of sins! I can also see the range of shades coming in very useful in Spring/Summer when my skin becomes slightly tanned.

Lush Bubblegum Lipscrub 

I've been using this for over a year and it's come back into my life in a big way now that it's winter. This makes my lips so smooth and gets rid of any dry skin- plus it tastes amazingly yummy. My pot is finally starting to run out so I might need to pick up a new one in the new year! 

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

This is a brush that needs no introduction. I've had this for months but have really been using it since I got to uni- (my make up routine has been minimalized to a bit of concealer, blusher, lipbalm and powder then out the door) so this is perfect for buffing in all my concealer in the morning. Such good quality and is now totally invaluable to me! 

Make Up Bag from Primark 

Finally, this make up bag that my Mum gave me when she came to see me during my fourth week. Minnie Mouse and Paris- what else could you want?! This is such a cute design and perfect for chucking all my toiletries and make up in for days away from uni or overnight trips. Most likely no longer avaliable but check out Primark if you want a good make up bag!

Let me know if you've used any of these products or have any recommendations!

Enjoy the last month of 2014 (how crazy is that?!) 

xxx 

Everyday Make Up

I have a lot of make up. Way, way too much. I buy a lot of make up impulsively, add on products that my Mum or Aunt gives to me, alongside freebies and samples and I have an overflowing collection. I only use certain products again and again, and so a lot of products go to waste.

The other day I sat down and cleared out a lot of make up, throwing away items I've had forever and have never used or items that are the wrong shade for me and yet I've hung onto claiming "oh if I get a tan this will be the right shade!" Face reality Alex. You never tan. Or items that I will just never use- a bright blue eyeliner? Really?

I also gave some stuff to my Mum, blushers, bronzers, lipglosses, as she is always giving me stuff and it also means that if I ever change my mind I know where to go to get them back. Hehe. She can either keep them and use them or chuck them away.

This left me with a smaller make up collection, which I then went on to organise. I am always getting ready and forever forgetting which make up bag I put something in- leading to lots of frustration and products all over the floor. I decided to organise my make up into small collections, an everyday bag, products I use when getting ready to go out and products I rarely use or products that I already have (aka I am currently using a sample of Benefit Mascara but I have the full sized version on hand for when that runs out)

Anyway, I thought I would do a post about my everyday make up as I am quite proud of it. It makes so much sense to have products I use everyday in one place, meaning that when going away I don't have the "what to take dilemma" it's already packed!

So without further ado this is my everyday make up.

My Benefit make up bag. A handy little size and fits more than you would think in there!

Comes free with the Nice Package create your own kit deal

Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer in Shade 2

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer Shade 01

Benefit POREfessional (sample size) 

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in Light Porcelain

Barry M Flawless Matte Finish Foundation in Ivory

Topshop Bronzer in Sandcastle 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Pink Blossom 002

Benefit Rockateur Blush

Sleek Face Form Palette in Light

Maybelline Colour Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow in Pink Gold

Maybelline the Falsies Volume Express Mascara Flared in Black

Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black (sample size)

Body Shop Eye Definer in Shade Rich Brown 02

Sleek i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette in Au Naturel 

Sleek Brow Kit in Light

Topshop Brow Pencil in Brown

Body Shop Born Lippy Stick Lip balm in Pomegranate 

Benefit Cha Cha balm 

Estee Lauder Lip Conditioner- I brought this in America and it's no longer available :( Sorry!

Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick in Peachy Pink 200

 So those are all the products I use on a day to day basis! If you'd like to a more detailed review of any of the products listed here just let me know :) And if there's anything you use everyday that you think I'd like let me know so I can check it out!

xxx

Benefit Haul

I recently took advantage of the "buy three products get two free" deal Benefit were doing and spent some birthday money- I love Benefit but it's just a tad too pricey. However I'd wanted the Boi-ing concealer for a while so I decided I might as well.


The products I brought were the POREfessional as I have been using a sample tube for ages and decided to invest in the full sized tube, Rockateur blush, and Boi-ing concealer in 01 (Light). For free I got a make up bag (a bit sneaky of Benefit as I wouldn't really have picked this myself) and Chachabalm which is a tinted lipbalm. I also got free samples of the POREfessional agent zero shine which I don't know if I'll try and the Total Moisture facial cream which I actually will try!

Create your own kit here

I'll be using these products in the next few weeks so let me know if you want me to review any of them individually :) xxx

Benefit

Every month my Mum get's sent a box of freebies, and often I'm lucky enough to get the things she doesn't like! This month she got some things from Benefit, and I was desperate to get my hands on some of their products. Benefit is a tad too pricey for my budget, so the chance of free items to sample was incredibly exciting.


First, the "They're Real" mascara. This is in shops for around £20 so although I'm dying to try it, I haven't been able to afford it. I highly rate this mascara, it makes my lashes really long and look so thick. It also is easily removed with my regular make up remover wipes and stays on for a very long time without smudging. I know it's pricey, but if you're willing to splash the cash this is definitely worth it!


Secondly, the "It's Potent" eye cream. This is to help get rid of dark circles under your eyes (of which I have many, cheers A Levels). I apply this morning and evening, and I have already seen results! My dark circles are already fading, and when my tiny pot runs out I think I'll have to splurge on the full sized item. If you have dark circles and want them gone, try this. It's working for me!