Fresh Faced Summer Make-Up

Whilst we've all been loving the summer weather, there are days when it is SO hot that many of us feel it's completely pointless putting any make-up on, in fear the scorching sunshine will melt it all away and make you look like wax work from Madame Tussauds. I too, used to have the same fear until I realised it's all about what products you use and how you apply them. Of course, it's nice to wear minimal make-up in the hot summer months but there are occasions when you do want to make an effort and for me, today was one of them. I love this look because it's well balanced, fresh faced and it doesn't appear cakey or too much. The soft pink lip adds a summery touch whilst the eye make-up compliments the rest of the look. So, here's how I did it...

FACE

After completing my usual skin care routine and priming my skin, I began by applying a light layer of Estee Lauder Double Wear. I won't go into too much detail about this foundation as we all know how fabulous it is... The coverage, the feel, the dreamy texture but most importantly, even in the hot humid weather we've been having recently, it's not going to budge! I then concealed any imperfections and highlighted under my eyes with Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer (full review click here). Next, I used Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer (ok, so I know that's not it's official name but it looks and smells like a chocolate bar so hey ho). I contoured under my cheek bones, jaw line, forehead/ temples and dusted the apples of my cheeks with H&M Powder Blush in 'Pink Coral' (full review click here). Lastly, I set my base with Maybelline Super Stay 24Hour Powder, this is a great powder to use if you're prone to oily skin or are wishing to extend the longevity of your base... I always apply my powder last as it blends all the components together nicely and ensures everything stays in place. Finally, I highlighted my cheek bones with BarryM Illuminating Strobe Cream in 'Frosty Pink' for a fresh glow (full review click here)

EYES

Before anything else, I always apply my brow products first as once complete, it gives you a frame to work with, when applying your eye make-up. Today I used L'Oreal Paris Brow Artist Genius (full review click here) and Benefit High Brow to highlight my brow bones. I then primed my eye lids with Urban Decay Primer Potion to ensure my eye shadow doesn't fade or crease. From the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette I began by patting 'Suspect' onto my eye lids, with flat brush. I then used a large fluffy brush to blend 'Snakebite' into my crease and lastly, finished by adding a small amount of Pistol to the outer corner. To complete, I used Bourjois Liner Feutre to naturally line my upper lash line and Benefit They're Real Mascara to add length and definition. 

LIPS
To finish my look I used MAC 'Please Me', a matte, long lasting lipstick that doesn't dry out my lips or melt under the sun. This is one of my favorite lipsticks as it's so versatile and although it's quite girly it isn't toooo pink.

Neeks ☯

Summer BBQ Make-Up

Aloha!

You know that feeling... When you're sipping on an ice cold glass Pimm's and the moreish scent of burgers on the barbi fills the air. The sun is beginning to dip and although it's still warm that light breeze makes for the perfect evening? Yeah THAT feeling. Nothing makes more sense than to enjoy a BBQ on a warm summers evening and that's exactly how I spent my Saturday night. As I was getting ready I noticed my make-up was particularly on point so I thought I'd take a quick pic and share it with you.

FACE

After my usual skin care routine, I always apply Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser on my Tzone, to fill in my pores and provide a smooth base to work with (click here for full review). I then used a large stippling brush to apply the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Foundation. This is a great buy if you're looking for an inexpensive foundation that's light-weight and hydrating. Not only that but it has light reflecting pigments which give you a more radiant and 'luminous' complexion. I also teamed this with the Lumi Magique Concealer to hide my blemishes and under eye circles. I don't normally match foundations to concealers but the other concealers I tried didn't blend as well with this particular foundation. 

 To set the base I lightly dusted Bourjois Java Rice Powder, with a large fluffly brush, onto my T-Zone, cheeks and chin. This is a powder you need to use sparingly because it's really shimmery (you don't want to end up looking like a disco ball!)To add to the summery vibe of course I applied my trusty Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer in 'the magic three' (under cheek bones, jaw line and temples). Using the bronzer in this way will make your face look slimmer and accentuate your cheek bones, as well as giving you a healthy glow. To finish off, I dusted Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher (15 Rose Eclat) onto the apples of my cheeks and dabbed Benefit Watts Up Soft Focus Highlighter onto my cheek bones. Remember, when you're applying quite a few make-up products onto your face it's best apply it lightly, it will all balance out once you've finished and it's much easier to build on make-up, rather than trying to fix it, when you've applied too much!

EYES/ BROWS

I always start by shading in my brows with Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil (Hazel). Now I naturally have blonde eye brows that are almost invisible so it's hard to find the perfect match. I've been using the brow pencil since day dot and thoroughly recommend to all my fellow red heads out there! I then used L'Oreal Brow Plumper (Blonde) to add definition and give my brows that oomph. The reason I shade in my eye brows first is because it gives you a frame to work with when applying eye shadow.

Next, I primed my eyes with my holy grail, the Urban Decay Original Primer Potion. Then I used a flat brush to pat Verve from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette onto my eye lids. I then used a fluffy brush to blend Pistol into my crease. Anyone who owns the Naked 2 palette will tell you that these two shades were made for each other. Verve is a light silvery grey and Pistol is a dark metallic grey so pairing these two will make for effortless blending. I then took a small contouring brush to add a v. small amount of Blackout into the outer corners. Applying your eye shadow in this way will give you the illusion of bigger, brighter eyes. This is because, naturally, light shades bring the background forward and darker shades push the background back which is also why we tend to put the darker shade in the crease as it will give you more depth. To finish off my eye shadow I simply used a flat brush to highlight under neath my brows and the inner corners of my eyes. 

To complete my eye make-up I lined my top lashes with Bourjois Intuitive Liner (Ultra black), I was sold by the 'easy application' factor but personally I think this it's the sort of eye liner you need to practice with. Saying that, once you have the knack of it, it's easy to create ultra thin or dramatic lines, plus flicks are a doddle! And of course I finished the look with Max-Factor False Lash Effect 24 Hour Mascara (no surprise there hehe). 

LIPS

One of the best things about wearing silvery eye make-up is that you can pretty much wear any lipstick you want. If I was going out on the town I'd probably have opted for more of a statement shade but as I was going to a BBQ I thought a soft pink would do justice. This particular lipstick is the Max-Factor Colour Elixir in Stardust Pink. I actually got this one of those ''Spend £15 or more and get a free goody bag deals'' and I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. It's a fairly standard pink I mean most brands would do similar shades but the 'Elixir' definitely keeps your lips plump and hydrated.

Neeks ☯

Soft & Shimmery Make-Up

Aloha!

Matte or shimmer? A question I'm faced with every time each time I need to apply make-up. Matte shades will never fail you but now summer is looming a fresh shimmery eye, paired with a subtle lip is the way forward for me. This look is soft enough for every day but you could always turn this into a night time look by adding a pair of falsies and a bold lip.

FACE

After my usual skin care routine, I always apply Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser on my Tzone, to fill in my pores and provide a smooth base to work with (click here for full review) Since the weather is becoming warmer, I've been opting for more light weight foundations or tinted moisturisers and lately I've been loving the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser. This is the best tinted moisturiser I've ever used, you can apply it with your fingers and is so light weight you can barley feel it. Not only that, it gives you an all day luminous glow whilst providing SPF 20. It is light coverage which is why I also applied Max-Factor Mastertouch Concealer, with a small stippling brush, to conceal my blemishes and under eye circles. To set the base I lightly dusted Bourjois Java Rice Powder, with a large fluffly brush, onto my T-Zone, cheeks and chin. This is a powder you need to use sparingly because it's really shimmery (you don't want to end up looking like a disco ball!)To add to the summery vibe of course I applied my trusty Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer in 'the magic three' (under cheek bones, jaw line and temples). Using the bronzer in this way will make your face look slimmer and accentuate your cheek bones, as well as giving you a healthy glow. To finish off, I dusted Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher (15 Rose Eclat) onto the apples of my cheeks and dabbed Benefit Watts Up Soft Focus Highlighter onto my cheek bones. Remember, when you're applying quite a few make-up products onto your face it's best apply it lightly, it will all balance out once you've finished and it's much easier to build on make-up, rather than trying to fix it, when you've applied too much!

EYES/ BROWS

I always start by shading in my brows with Rimmel Professional Brow Pencil (Hazel). Now I naturally have blonde eye brows that are almost invisible so it's hard to find the perfect match. I've been using the brow pencil since day dot and thoroughly recommend to all my fellow red heads out there! I then used L'Oreal Brow Plumper (Blonde) to add definition and give my brows that oomph. The reason I shade in my eye brows first is because it gives you a frame to work with when applying eye shadow.

Next, I primed my eyes with my holy grail, the Urban Decay Original Primer Potion. Then I used a flat brush to pat Sin from the Urban Decay Naked Palette onto my eye lids. As you can see, this is my favorite shade out of this palette because it's nearly run out! Sin is a velvety soft champagne shade that blends with almost everything and delivers the perfect amount of shimmer. From the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette,  I used a fluffy brush to blend YDK, into my eye crease. Next, I used a small contouring brush to apply Snakebite into my outer corners and Booty Call  under my brows. Following on I a lined my upper lashes with the Bourjois Liner Feutre, starting at the inner corner and ending with a subtle flick. This eye liner deigned like a felt tip but it is angled like a brush which makes it easier to apply thin lines. When it comes to eye liner, sometimes a thinner line, can have the biggest impact. To finish off, I applied my beloved Max-Factor False Lash Effect 24 Hour Mascara. I found this eye make-up gave the appearance of larger brighter eyes with a warm summery shimmer. It was also easy to apply, as the colours blend effortlessly, and only took about ten minutes.  

LIPS

I don't know about you but I always apply my lipstick last, It's kinda like putting on perfume once you've got dressed. Plus I always feel really good when I'm wearing it and recently, I've been loving a subtle pinkish nude, the MAC Matte Lipstick- Please Me. This was a birthday present from my sister that has been a regular choice from my collection. I'm a huge fan of matte lipsticks but I find a lot of them can dry my lips out however, the MAC lipsticks are still moisturising, whilst giving you full pigmented colour, and last for most of the day. 

Neeks ☯