Makeup Menu: Everyday Staples

These are probably the handful of procuts I currently couldn't live without. Everything else I switch up a lot; whether it be lipstick, eyeshadow, blush or mascara.  I might go for a smokey eye, or an eyeliner & bold lip look for a night out, or something quick and easy during the day.  Like anyone, it varies from day to day, depending where I'm going, what I'm doing, or how much time I have! But these are the things that, if I'm wearing a full face of makeup, I absolutely must use!  

While I don't have massive pores, they can be a bit bothersome on occastion, especially around my nose.  I find a thin layer of Porefessional keeps them under control and helps my foundation stay put for longer.  This is especially imporant when my foundation of choice isn't the longest wearing, but I find with a primer and the Bourjois powder, my Chanel Vita-Lumiere Aqua lasts as long as I need it to.  I've gone through so many tubes of the Collection concealer, and see no reason to try anything else; it does a great job of reducing my dark circles, and gives a bit of extra coverage in any areas I need it. I just wish they'd sort the packaging out -  I hate how the writing wears off; look at the state of it!  Urban Decay Primer Potion is easily the makeup item I've been using the longest; I used it back in the day of the awful packaging, and no matter what other eye primers I've tried, I always go back to this.  The most staple-y of staples! Benefit's Hoola is a must; whether it's to just warm my complexion up a bit, or if I want a bit more of a contoured look.  I've used this every day for well over a year, and still have a decent amount left.  Lastly it's time to transform my non-existent brows with the help of a couple more Benefit products.  I'm no expert at brows, and I'm still on the lookout for the perfect brow products for me, but these two babies do a good enough job, I think I just need to work on my technique!

Recent Favourites

Urban Decay 'Shattered' Face Case - Debenhams

Santa's Lip Scrub - Lush (no longer available)

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - Boots

Viva La Juicy, La Fleur EDT -  Boots 

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, 8.0 - Amazon

As much as I enjoy reading monthly favourites posts, personally I don't change what I'm using enough to have different favourites every month.  So I thought doing a 'recent favourites' posts is the best way to show what I've been loving, just not on such a regular basis. First up is the Urban Decay 'Shattered' Face Case.  I picked this up a few months ago and it's pretty much all I've been using since.  With five eyeshadows, two blushers, a highlighter, lipgloss and brushes.  Speaking of brushes,  I bought the Real Techniques expert face brush as a back up for my buffing brush. as I couldn't justify buying another Core Collection set.  It's just as good, if not better, at applying liquid foundation, and I'm planning on doing a comparison post soon.  I've been quite restrained with Lush recently, however I did pick up the Santa's lip scrub in the run up to Christmas.  The cold, windy weather has taken it's toll on my lips, but this little pot has really helped them stay soft and flake-free.  I love the smell too, it reminds me of fizzy cola bottles!I managed to get a sample of this Viva la Juicy, La Fleur perfume on a shopping trip back in November; they were giving them out in Dorothy Perkins.  I'd actually forgotten about it, til a weekend away when I hastily put it in my bag as my trusty Travalo had temporarily gone AWOL.  I was actually really pleasantly surprised by it, it smells gorgeous! So much so, that I bought myself a full size bottle for Christmas. Sneaky, I know! Last up is my Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, which was a bit of a post-Christmas treat, using my Christmas money.  I'd resisted gettng a tablet for so long, but now I wonder why! This one is the perfect size for curling up and reading; whether it be a book or a blog post, not to mention browsing Twitter and Facebook, and another set of lives for my Candy Crush addiction. If you're debating on whether to get a tablet, I definitely recommend you do!

Handbag Makeup

I've never been one for carrying that much make up around with me on a day to day basis. For the longest time, it was simply my lipstick of choice.  These days I do tend to carry slightly more around with me, although if I'm honest I don't touch up my make up all that much while I'm out and about, but I guess it's good to know I have a few essentials handy in case I do need them.

I've mentioned this concealer and powder many times before, and pretty much every blogger has raved about one, or both, of these.  The Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot powder is one of the best powders I've used, and is the only one that doesn't go cakey on me.  Similarly, Collection's Lasting Perfection is my all time favourite concealer.  I don't feel the need to carry foundation around with me, these two are all I need to cope with any blemishes that may appear during the day.  I also carry my Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray which is great for refreshing the skin, and giving an instant pick me up.  As you can see, I have a number of lip products; I tend to just throw in whatever I'm wearing that day and don't take them back out again so there's always a bit of a collection in there.  I'm loving Benetint by Benefit at the moment.  I use it mainly as a lip stain, so don't really need to apply it to my lips again, but I may use it on my cheeks if my blusher starts to fade.  This miniature bottle is perfect for carrying around and I really wish you could buy them separately.  I also have a Revlon Lip Butter  (Berry Smoothie) and a L'Oreal Rouge Caresse (Aphrodite Scarlet) as well as a Maybelline Baby Lips (Cherry Velvet) which I like to layer over the Benetint.  Lastly for make up is an Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Bourbon which I use mainly on my lower lash line. Apart from my Real Techniques Powder Brush, the only other thing I carry is my Travalo which at the moment contains my current favourite perfume; Viva La Juicy, La Fleur.  It's much easier and safer than carrying around a full size perfume bottle and I keep meaning to get a couple more for all my different perfumes.

I used to just have all these bits floating around the bottom of my bag, until I came across this little makeup bag while having a bit of a clear out.  It was one I got free from Clinique when I bought some skincare items a couple of years ago.  It's the perfect size for throwing in my handbag and keeps all my little bits and bobs in one place.  I absolutely love the colours and the print, and it's a wipe-clean too so there's no need to worry about getting make-up marks all over it! 

What makeup do you tend to carry around with you?

Five Minute Face

Ever had some last minute plans and had literally five minutes to put your 'face' on before you leave the house? Or you've left getting ready til the last minute? Or simply just can't be bothered to sit and do your makeup properly? These all happen to me on a regular basis so I thought I'd share with you what I used to make getting ready quick, easy and fuss free.

I start by applying Urban Decay's Naked Skin Foundation with my Real Techniques buffing brush.  The liquid formula of this foundation makes it really easy to blend, unlike some thicker foundations which can take a bit more work I've found.  I then dab Collection's Lasting Perfection concealer under my eyes and over any blemishes and blend with a Crown brush.

I have very thin, sparse eyebrows and even when in rush, I have to do something with them! For a quick fix I use Soap and Glory's Archery brow duo, which is a pencil on one and a felt tip on the other.  It doesn't do as good a job as my trusty Benefit Brow-Zings palette, but when I'm in a rush this does the job just fine.  No time for eyeshadow, I just blend a little of Urban Decay's Primer Potion in Eden over my lids.  This does a fab job of evening out my dark eyelids and makes me look more awake.  I then add plenty of mascara to add definition to my eyes.  

I add warmth to my face using Bourjois bronzing primer, and then highlight using Girl Meets Pearl by Benefit. My blush of choice lately has been Frat Boy by The Balm.  This is a matte blush but the glow from Girl Meets Pearl shines through for a lovely finish. I'll then either set with powder, or the Urban Decay setting spray pictured above.  All that's left is a lipstick; I'm a nude lippy kind of girl and my go to one at the moment is No7 Sheer Temptation in Delight.  I'm a big fan of these lip colours and this one is a lovely nude pink which works well with the simpleness of this look.  Lippy on and I'm good to go!

This is pretty much my go-to look most days, and I can do it in near enough five minutes.  If I have a bit more time I'll maybe add eyeshadows or eyeliner but when time is limited this little lot makes me look human enough! What are your favourite products to use when in a rush?

Colours of the Rainbow Tag!

I haven't actually been tagged by anyone to do this tag, but after watching so many videos and reading lots of blog posts about it, I felt inspired to do it myself.  It was actually harder than I thought it would be; I seemd to have lots of things of one colour (purple nail varnishes, I'm looking at you!) but then some colours (green!)  I struggled with.  I've tried to get a variety of products though and think I've done pretty well!

RED

Urban Decay Super-Saturated Lip Colour in 'F-Bomb'

I don't own many red lip colours but with this being one of them, I don't feel the need for any more.  It's a bright medium-dark red with just a hint of shimmer and a lovely glossy finish. I bought this to wear for a masquerade party, and teamed it with a blue dress and gold accessories and I loved the way the whole look came together.  It's really long lasting and I keep meaning to pick up another one of these in a more wearable colour.

ORANGE

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

I don't need to say too much about this brush do I?! It does a brilliant job with pretty much every foundation I've used it with and is so soft.  Best foundation brush I've ever used! When my original one started shedding, as if the hairs hadn't been glued in properly, I contacted Real Techniques who sent me another one straight away for free! Amazing service too!

YELLOW

Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter

A bit of a cult product this one.  A brilliant multi-tasker that not only soften cuticles but is great for dry skin on your elbows, knees, feet, pretty much anywhere! My only gripe is that you get TOO MUCH product.  You generally get a year-18months of this before it goes 'off' and starts to smell funny. I've thrown out only half empty pots because of this. I'd rather pay the same amount but get less than waste so much of it that someone else could have used.

GREEN

Benefit Porefessional

I've seen this mentioned for both green and blue and since I can't find anything else for green, I'm putting it here! Recently I've found my pores to be quite enlarged on my forehead and sides of my nose.  I find a small amount of this over those areas helps disguise them and allows for a smoother application of foundation.  This is a mini size that came with a birthday gift set.

BLUE

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara, Waterproof

I tend to stay away from waterproof mascaras for the simple reason that they're too much effort to remove. Lazy I know, but I hate the way I have to tug at my eyes to get it all off at the end of the day.  I recently broke this rule as I was to be a bridesmaid for my cousin and I knew there'd be tears.  After deliberating in Boots for ages, I decided on this one and I'm flipping glad I did! It gave a nice amount of volume to my lashes, and separated them brilliantly. And it stayed put all day!

INDIGO

Tangle Teezer

I held off getting one of these for so long and now I have two! This one stays on my dressing table as I'm worried the teeth will get damaged in my bag.  It's more gentle than any other brush I've used and I love how it can be used on wet or dry hair.  My hair is pretty long and tangles easily but this brush sorts it out no bother.  It feels weird using a regular brush now.  I also have one of the compact ones with the 'lid' which I keep in my handbag.

VIOLET

Travelo Perfume Atomiser

Such a simple concept put an absolute life saver when it comes to carrying your favourite scent around.  There's not a great deal to say about these; their compact, light as a feather and super easy to refill. They are a little pricey (I think the RRP is around the £11 mark) but they can often be found cheaper on various discount websites. Mine contains my Stella perfume, and I'm tempted to buy a couple more for my other perfumes too.

PINK

Benefit Bella Bamba

I love Benefit's boxed powders and this one is no exception.  Bella Bamba is a gorgeous pink colour, and is Benefit's only '3D effect' blush, which apparently just means it brightens, sculpts, and defines. I have a good selection of Benefit's blushers and this is by far the most pigmented. However it's really blendable so it can be easily corrected if you overdo it a bit.

MULTICOLOURED

Camden Lock, Nails Inc Graffiti

I was tempted to use a nail varnish for so many colours, but wanted to keep a bit of variety so I've saved it til the end.  This, as the name suggest, was part of the Graffiti collection by Nails Inc that was out late last year.  This is easily the most colourful of the set and contains different shapes and sizes of red, green, blue silver and gold glitter.  This makes a brilliant topcoat and would look great over pretty much any colour.  I prefer to use a pastel shade for a slightly more subtle look.

Have you done the Colours of the Rainbow Tag? Link me your blogspots and videos below and I'll be sure to check them out! If you're reading this and haven't done the tag then I tag you!! :)