My Current Daily Makeup Routine

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.

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.

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.

Blush

Highlight

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