My Current Daily Makeup Routine

So I  just wanted to tell you about the make up look that I’ve been wearing lately on a daily basis. As much as I love make up, I tend to stick to more neutral shades for every day and even when I’m going out on a night out, I just tend to step it up a notch by intensifying the colours on the eyes and/or lips.

I will try to write this in the order that I apply them. Without further ado, here goes…

Base

As you may have seen from my last blog post, I am loving Nars Sheer Glow in Barcelona at the moment. I think the formulation is so hydrating which is perfect for the winter cold and stops my skin from drying out. I apply the foundation with a Real Techniques Stippling Brush for the most sheer but flawless effect. For more info on this product, you can read about it in my blog HERE.

Brows

My brows don’t change come day or night (unless I’m taking my makeup off for bed of course). I use Mac eyeshadow in Espresso, a dark matte brown which is quite a neutral tone I would say, not too red/warm and not too grey/cool. I apply it with an angled brush in short sweeping motions following the natural curve (annoyingly they don’t really arch) whilst trying to create as much of a subtle arch as i can. I find using powder the easiest and feels it gives the most natural finish. My brows are naturally dark (obviously being asian) but i prefer a softer look to them rather than a really full-on, strong brow (I can’t help feeling like I look silly with intense brows- caterpillar springs to mind).  I always fix my brows with clear mascara. Like always! I have weird, asymmetrical eyebrows and being asian (if you are asian, you will know what I mean), the hairs don’t grow flat against the skin, but grow forward away from it. So the gel is to essentially fix it against the skin and into place. I use Collection 2000 Colour Lash  Mascara in Clear, which does the job nicely and is cheap and cheerful.

Eyes

At the moment I go back and forth with 3 looks just depending on what I happen to pick up first. However, today I have gone for the simplest look. I have used Maybelline Colour Tattoo in the colour On and On Bronze. It’s a 24 hour cream gel eyeshadow and the formulation is as smooth as a baby’s bottom! I just want to give a quick thank you to blogger Essie Button for clarifying that this shade is the equivalent to the shade Bad to the Bronze in the USA. I have seen a few American YouTubers/Bloggers rave about Bad to the Bronze but i couldn’t find it over here in the UK and just assumed they didn’t make that colour over here. I had however purchased On and On Bronze (as I’m a sucker for bronzy shades) and I fell in love with it straight away, but always wondered how it compared to the Bad to the Bronze of the US. Little did I realise that they were the same shade. Anyway I digress….getting back on track now. I apply the cream eyeshadow with my finger because I find it the easiest way to both apply and blend cream shadows. The colour pay off is great and lasts all day. What I also love about this shadow is that in the light, you can’t really tell what or even how many eye shadows have been used as even though I’ve put on a thin even layer across the lid, it appears to be darker in the crease so it looks like a different colour has been used. It basically looks more complicated than it is but in a good way, like you’ve put more effort into your look when in fact it’s taken you less than two minutes to apply. I then run matte brown eyeshadow along my lower lash-line, (I used Mac Cork on this occasion although you can barely see it in the photo).
After this, I apply the Eyeko Skinny Liner along the upper lash line and create the most subtle flick (review yet to come). I then tight-line (I’ve only just learned of this terminology in recent months- I don’t know why boats spring to mind?!) with Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner (is this the longest name ever?). This creates the illusion of a thicker lashline. If you don’t have it, cheat it I say.
I then curl my lashes with my Shu Uemura eyelash curlers. I used to use curlers from either Boots or Superdrug as I couldn’t see what could possibly be so different to warrant the price tag for the Shu Uemura eyelash curlers. I was wrong. They are ergonomical. Not sure if that’s even a word but basically they are designed in a way that fit snugly into the contours of your eye to ensure that all your lashes are captured. They also feel safe. Like they aren’t about to rip your lashes out ( I know someone who had this happen to them. I’m pretty sure it was the result of some cheap eyelash curlers).
Then finally, mascara! There is only ONE mascara that does the trick for me (I am open to suggestions) and it’s the Maybelline Colossal Waterproof Mascara. I need to have waterproof mascara because my lashes are super straight. Like dead straight! I ALWAYS have to curl my lashes and the only way the curl keeps it’s hold is if I use waterproof. The Maybelline Colosal Waterproof is the only formulation that a) lengthens b) volumises and is c) non- clumping, all whilst d) holds the curl superbly. I have used this for as long as I can remember and whilst I am perfectly happy with it, I would love to find another that can do the same or even better it. I apply this to the upper (minimum 3 coats- yes I love thick looking lashes) and lower lashes.

Concealer

I am currently using Clinique Airbrush Concealer in shade no.3 Light. It is a light reflective formulation and is a good product in brightening the under eye area. However, it isn’t heavy duty enough to cover really dark circles. You would probably have to use a corrector underneath to cancel out the darkness before applying this. Bags aren’t too much of an issue for me so this product works nicely.I apply this straight to the skin and then go in my ring finger and pat the product in gently until all is blended and nicely even.

Bronzer

The next step is bronzer. At the moment I switch between Nars Laguna and Boujois Delice de Poudre in shade 52. Today I used the latter. I applied it with the Real Techniques Powder Brush (surprise, surprise) and just swept it repeatedly below the cheekbone, into the hollows and then took it up the temples, across the forehead close to the hairline and down the nose and neck (pretty much all over) just to create a healthy glow particularly as I’m starting to feel a bit pale and washed out at this time of year (need to book a holiday already!!!).

Blush

I then apply blush with yet another Real Techniques brush, the Blush Brush, and currently use Nars blush in Sin. It is described as a “berry tone with gold shimmer”. Don’t be put off by the gold shimmer because it’s barely evident. This is a beautiful plummy, dusky pink that is so appropriate for this time of year and looks really natural and pretty swept onto the apples of the cheek. It gives me the “I’ve just been outside in the cold” kind of look.

Highlight

If you have read my Benefit Watts Up review (click here to read it) you will know that this is my favourite highlight and I have been using it religiously since it arrived in my mailbox. Today is no different. I swept this across the tops of my cheekbones, under the brow bone and occasionally in my tear duct (forgot today, oops) to give that wide awake, healthy look.

Powder

I never got the point of power until recently. I mean why would I want to put powder on my face and cake it up/dry it out?  Only NOW do it get it especially since I’ve started using liquid foundation. Not only is powder designed to help set your foundation and your concealer into place to avoid it slipping and sliding and make it last longer, it takes away any shine to leave a subtle matte (not dry) finish. For one who’s skin has “turned” in recent times and gone from being normal and manageable, to combination/oily and frankly a major ball-ache, it’s become a bit of an essential. I have been using Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder. It’s one of those products that does what it says on the tin and is so inexpensive, you can’t go wrong. I swept a layer of this with a big powder brush, mainly across my T- Zone area and under the eyes (using a smaller brush). I like to keep my cheeks free of this and as dewy as possible.

Lips

The last thing I do is my lips. I first apply my Kiehl’s Lip Balm in Mango to moisturise my lips and provide a base for my lipstick. Today I’m using Revlons Colourburst Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie. I ADORE this colour! It’s a deep rosy/red pink. I apply one coat straight from the bullet but then use my finger to blend he colour out so it gives off more of a stain rather than full on colour. To read more about it and my other favourite Winter lipsticks, click here.
So thats pretty much it. What are your current makeup staples at the moment?
I’m thinking of doing a skincare routine next as I think the key to having good makeup is to have good skin, so watch this space….
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