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 ☯

My Current Go-To Work Make-Up

Aloha!

Kylie Jenner inspired me, and a lot of other women, to bring back the 90's brown lip. Being so pale it's hard to find the right shade of brown but on a 3 for 2 offer, I found a brilliant Max Factor lip liner, that has now become a trusty fav (good MAC dupe!). I through this simple make-up look together on a whim because I wanted to try the brown lip and it's now become my go-to for work. It only took me 15 minutes, so perfect for rushed mornings, and you can't really go wrong with the matte nude shades.

FACE  

After completing my morning skin routine, I began by dabbing Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser onto my T-zone (click here for review). It's velvety consistancy melts across the skin and fills in all those large pores and fine lines; leaving a smooth base for your foundation.  I then stippled Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum-Gel Foundation from the middle of my nose, outwards. This is a really nice lightweight foundation that still provides full coverage whilst letting your skin breathe. I love to wear it to work because it injects a splash of radiance when you're skin is looking a little tired. Next I used Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer, one shade lighter than my foundation, for some light highlighting and to conceal under my eyes, and my blemishes. Since the eye make-up and lips were to be matte I thought I might as well keep with the theme and use  Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder to set. This is a great powder for those of you on a budget, under a fiver, and does what it says on the tin! 

For a warm bronzed feel, of course I used my ultimate fav, Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer! (Okay I know it's not actually called that but let's be honest it's a fitting name and you all know what I mean) I applied this beauty in 'the magic 3' (under cheek bones, temples and jawline). Applying your bronzer in this way will slim your face and accentuate your cheek bones. Finally I finished the base by dusting Bourjois Little Round Pot of Blusher (15 Rose Eclat) on the apples of my cheeks. You can't really go wrong with these little pots and this shade in particular gives you a gorgeous natural warm glow. You could continue by applying a highlighter on your cheek bones but it's not necessary as the blusher has little light reflecting pigments. 

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.

 Moving on, It comes as no suprise when I say that I primed my eye lids with the legendary UD Primer Potion (Original). I don't really need to go into too much detail with this as I'm pretty sure a lot of you will be getting a bit bored of the constant praise I give it (hehe). All the eye shadows I used were from the Original UD Naked Palette, which you can see is looking pretty tired, as I've had it for so many years! This is a realllyyy easy eye make-up to apply and only take a few minutes. First I used a flat brush to pat Naked onto my lids. Then I took my trusty MAC 224 blending brush (click here for review) to contour my eye socket with Buck, a really warm brown, that compliments the lip liner perfectly. Lastly, I took my flat brush again to highlight under my brow bones, the middle of my lid and the inner corners with Virgin. Highlighting and shading your eyes in this way will make them appear bigger, brighter and more awake. 

To finish of the eyes I lined my top lash line with Rimmel Scandaleyes Liquid Liner. This is a great eye liner for creating super thin or thick bold lines. It is supposed to be water proof although I don't class it as waterproof (tried and tested!). I then applied Max Factor False Lash Effect 24 Hour Mascara Now I've been using the original version for 6 years but this one has great staying power! The only down side is it's ridiculously difficult to get off! (I mean not being funny but I didn't take the whole 24 hour thing literally) Saying that, it defines each lash and adds length and volume for that 'fluttery' look. 

LIPS

Starting from the cupids bow and working my way in I applied Max Factor Color Elixir Lip Liner (Brown & Nude). When I got this I was quite skeptical and didn't have high hopes but after testing the water I was pleasantly surprised. It's very creamy and keeps lips hydrated which is a must for me as I do get dry lips easily. It's very soft to apply, light weight and non transferable. I probably had to top it up once throughout the day but if I'd applied a lipstick over the top I think this could have been avoided. Alternative you could always go for a jaw dropping red.

So that's my current go-to work make-up, I hope you guys like it and hopefully give it a go. What make-up do you wear to work? (If any?) Let us all know!

Neeks ☯

2015 Fresh Spring Look

Aloha!

It came to my attention that I hadn't blogged in like a week but of course as a lot of you know it was my birthday so I was busy celebrating! I had a few new products I wanted to try and kinda put this together on a whim but after posting on Instagram a lot of you were asking me what products I used, so I thought it would be nice to write a make-up look for you guys. This is my favorite style of make-up to wear at the moment, as we are coming into spring, it's warm and fresh and can be worn to day to day. Not only that it's reallyyyy easy to do!

FACE

Ok so I won't drown you with endless information but after my usual prep routine I'll begin by dabbing Maybelline Instant Pore Eraser across my T-Zone. Unfortunately for me I have oily skin which is tends to come with larger pores. This is a good way of reducing the appearance and it's cheaper than some other brands; I actually wrote a comparison on this one see here. I'll then start stippling Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation, working from the center of my nose outwards (never start on one side of your face) I'm not going to preach too much about this foundation but I think it's good for a high street brand, I mean it has good coverage and lasts all day so although it doesn't magically give me flawless skin, I gotta say, it's a good one. 

I think I've almost come to the conclusion that when it comes to concealers an expensive brand won't necessarily give you the best result (psst, will be doing a post on this). Max-Factor Mastertouch Concealer has good coverage and is particularly good for people with fair skin.I found it easy to blend and it's yellow based so is good for dark circles. Lately I've been loving Bourjois Java Rice Loose Powder (another blogger made me buy it!) This is not a powder you want to buy if you're going for the matte look,  it's easy to end up using too much and end up looking like a disco ball! A light dust is all you need for that radiant look. 

I'm the kinda of person that looks ill if I don't have some form of blusher on so it's in my knowledge that Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher (Cendre de Rose Brune) and Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer are the perfect spring time combo! Trust me, I can't actually stress enough how good these products work together. I always start by applying my bronzer in 'the magic 3' (under cheek bones, temples and jawline) and then lightly dust my blusher over the apples of my cheeks, before finishing with Benefit Watt's Up!. This is a cream highlighter that's easy to use. It blends well and because it's a soft focus highlighter you can use it during the day without it being 'too much'. On the other hand, you could layer to accentuate your cheek bones even further. 

EYES/ BROWS

I pretty much always have the same routine with my brows. I always use Rimmel Professional Eye Brow Pencil (Hazel) as it's the closest shade to my natural colour. I'll then seal my brows with L'Oreal Paris Perfection Brow Artist Plumper (Blonde for a long lasting finish (nothing worse than getting home from work and realising you've rubbed half your eye brow off) I love this because you can wear it on it's own for a more natural look. 

Firstly before I apply any sort of eye shadow I will apply the legendary Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original), this is the one product I know 100% will never let me down! It makes your eye shadow more vibrant and will keep it on for hours with no creasing! I then chose a few shades from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette . With a flat brush I patted Verve onto my lids and then blended Pistol into my crease, with a large fluffy brush. Lastly I used Booty Call to highlight the arch of my brows and inner corner of my eyes. I love this combo, it's almost impossible to get wrong and due tot he light shades and shimmer, your eyes will appear bigger. 

I then lined my upper lash line 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! To finish off I applied Max Factor False Lash Effect 24 Hour Mascara (Black). Now I've been using the original version for 6 years but this one has great staying power! The only down side is it's ridiculously difficult to get off! (I mean not being funny but I didn't take the whole 24 hour thing literally) Saying that it defines each lash and adds length and volume for that 'fluttery' look. 

LIPS

For this look I used Max-Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick (Star Dust Pink). It's a subtle pink nude that adds a young fresh element. It's also infused with shea and aloe butters, which keep lips plump and hydrated. I actually got this for free in a promotion but probably would have ended up buying it otherwise.. it's effortlessly applied and fits any skin tone. 

Neeks x