The Contents of my Face: My Daily Makeup Routine (Or 'Dash Out the Door' Look!)

So, you go to bed with good intentions; you will wake up early, so you can spend more time on your makeup, right?  And what happens?  You either oversleep or spend too much time checking the internet or eating breakfast!

I seem to do all of the above!  Therefore, I thought I would share my makeup routine if I'm dashing off to work.  I must say it varies slightly depending on what products I use, but I've managed to get it down to 11 minutes - & that is quick for me! 

So, here goes...

After my skincare, I apply my base.  Currently its a BB cream instead of foundation, as for day to day & for work I generally prefer a lighter base during these summer months.  So, at the moment I'm using Dead Sea Spa Magik Diamond Range Beauty Balm in Natural with an SPF of 15.  I apply this with my Real Techniques stippling brush & buff it in. 

Then, I apply & blend in my NYX dark circle concealer (sometimes I do this before my base) with my fingers under my eyes to hide my horrendous dark circles & scar by my left eye.  I sometimes also add & blend in some of my Maybelline Eraser Eye concealer too. 

I then run some mineral powder under my eyes to set my concealer in place.  My current fave is by Primark! (see why here)

Next, I mattify my face with good old Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in 001 Transparent (have used this since forever!) with my Real Techniques powder brush.

To brighten up my face a bit, I use various bronzers, but my current favourite is Bourjois bronzing powder in 51.  Perfect for contouring my cheeks & giving me a general glow.  I use, of course, (you guessed!) a fabulous Real Techniques brush to apply this.

For adding a bit of colour to my cheeks I apply a lovely blusher with (currently!) a different brush other than the wonderful Real Techniques - a very pretty brush by Spectrum!  My favourite blush (& now of all time!) & the one I tend to use more often than not is by NARS.  I received it in a beauty box & absolutely loved it, so I will definitely be purchasing a full size version.  I honestly think I won't ever need another blush....ever!!   And I'm sure you have guessed which one!!   

For highlight, I tend to use Golden Lights by Makeup Revolution, which I pop on the top of my cheekbones & under my brow bone. (see my review of this product here)  

Now, as I say, this is a 'dash out the door' look, so I don't spend much time on my eyes, but to make them look alive (other than concealer!), I firstly apply my Hi-Impact Brows brow powder to my eyebrows (I use the lighter shade), then set them with my clear Rimmel Brow This Way brow gel (which is looking truly disgusting right now!).

After that, I skip eyeshadow (no time!) & apply black eyeliner to my inner waterline & smudge.  I usually use Barry M's kohl liner.  My eyeliner I guess, is my signature look & my security blanket - I'm not 'me' if I'm not wearing it!

In the inner corner of my eyes I apply a little white eyeliner by Rimmel.  This is a trick I learnt years ago (you can use nude if you prefer) - it makes you look wide awake! And it definitely does! 

I then add a quick sweep of mascara.  At the moment I'm using a sample of Givenchy's  Noir Couture Volume Mascara in Black Taffeta (it's lovely by the way!).

Last, but by no means least, I grab a tinted lip balm or lipstick.  It could be anything!  Today, it was 'Modesty' by MAC.

And that's it!   

It may sound a lot, but it honestly takes me just a few minutes.

What do you use to make yourself look presentable if you only have minutes to spare?  I'd love to know! 

Bee x 

That 'Kissed by the Sun' Look

So, if you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know my skin is rather on the pale side, so I will do anything to make myself look more 'alive'.  And while there isn't much sun outside & I don't have enough patience (or time at the moment!) to apply fake tan, I need something to make my face look like it's been kissed by the sun! 
And what better than one of my favourite make up brands at the moment to give me that glow - Makeup Revolution! 

I'm always hearing (& reading) so many good things about their collection & slowly creating quite a collection for myself, so I had to try their vivid baked bronzer in the shade 'Golden Days'.  It's an amazing £4.00 & comes in 3 other shades - 'Ready to Go', 'Rock on World' & 'Fame'. 

 

I apply it either as a contour for the hollows of my cheeks, or I give a general dusting all over my face. And I always apply down my neck (now, that IS pale!) to give it a subtle glow.  

It really is a lovely easy shade to wear without making you look orange.  And, if you are pale like me, you don't want a dramatic orangey look & you definitely don't with this.  If you do fancy a more dramatic look though, & have the skin tone to take it, I have read that you can do this by applying the bronzer with a wet brush.

So, for me, I think this is one of the best bronzers I've tried out lately.  I've used it lots already & it still looks almost like new as my photos show.  The packaging is smart but simple, it gives a good colour pay off & at a bargain price too....what's not to love? 

Have you tried this or any other of the shade range?  Or is there another bronzer you like or even prefer?  I'd love to know! 

Thanks! 

Bee x 

My February Favourites!

It really doesn't seem that long ago I was sorting out my January favourites - time does fly! But, today is the 1st of March so as another month has disappeared I better share with you my February must-haves! 

Keeping My Eyes Bright...

So, I've been using this for quite a while...the Caffeine Eye Roll on by Garnier.  I have been using this morning & night.  I find it really refreshing in the morning as it really does wake my eyes up!  And at night time it soothes my tired peepers ready for bed time.
The rollerball is metal which feels really cold & soothing.  It is very easy to apply & particularly great when you are in a rush in a morning (no sticky fingers from creams & gels!).
While I don't think it has totally rid me of my dark shadows but it definitely has reduced the puffiness under my eyes.
I guess due to the fact it is so inexpensive it won't work miracles but it does do enough to refresh, hydrate & reduce the appearance of tired eyes.


The Cleanest Skin Ever...

In all my years of trying to find something that will take all my makeup off, I think I've finally found it!  It's another product from Garnier to make my favourites in February!  It's the micellar water for combination & sensitive skin.
I've mentioned my love for this cleansing water & others before (here) & since that post I've not changed my mind.  I think I've repurchased this product about 5 or 6 times!  It takes off my makeup well - I use about 4 cotton pads to remove it all.  It feels very refreshing on my skin & doesn't sting my eyes.  I have a lovely clean feeling afterwards!
It comes in a 400ml bottle (& it also comes in a handy travel/trial size too!)& is really good value for money - It seems to always be on offer, which is a bonus too!
I think this will be a 2016 favourite - not just for February!


Clean & Shiny Hair...

So, I recently received in a beauty box a clarifying shampoo by Kebelo.  I have heard quite a lot about clarifying shampoos & thought could they really do that much? 
They can!
From the first use I couldn't believe how shiny my hair managed to look.  Now, my hair has had it's fair share of problems & it's also coloured.  So, this shampoo was perfect for me to use to give it a real detox (you use it once or twice a month) - exfoliating & rejuvenating it & gently giving my locks a purified shiny result.
I only had a small sample size but it's still going strong.  I maybe purchasing the full size when this runs out!


Keeping Cosy...

Now, onto clothes! 
I thought I would include this in my monthly favourites because, well, it has been almost surgically attached to me this month!  It's a lovely & very snuggly scarf from those bargains giants that are Primark!
It's huge, blanket-like, burgundy & very cosy & seems to go with everything!  And it's all the tiny price of £5.00!
It also comes in 3 other colours - cream, pale pink & black.  I may just have to see if I can grab the black one soon before they sell out.  I mean, you can never have too many scarves can you?!


It's Iconic...

Well, what more can I say?  I bet you could guess what my last favourite was this month?!  Yep, Makeup Revolution's Iconic 3. (see my review here)
Out of all the palettes I own, it's my real 'go to' for shadows - easy & very wearable.  And very affordable too - I definitely recommend it!


So, that's my favourites this month! What are yours?

Bee x

The Palette You Just Can't Give Up...

My mum once said to me that you should never go back to an ex.  It never works out.  It maybe 'comfortable' to be with that same person but it will all end in tears.

Now, what's this got to do with makeup??

Well, I've used a certain palette for a while now.  I loved it.  I went through most of the colours & then I got a bit bored & put it to one side.  I thought I would try out some new ones; like a kid in a sweet shop, trying out all the varieties out there is always exciting!

Then, after a few weeks, the looks I was trying out seemed a bit stale. So, of course, back to my old palette I went; like a faithful puppy, it was awaiting my return!

And, I'm so glad I did.  You see, it's perfect.  What's it's name?  Iconic 3 by Makeup Revolution.  

As I say, I've used it for quite some time now & the quality is so good, that I've barely made a dent.  No wonder people say it's the perfect dupe for Urban Decay's Naked 3!

The shadows are soft & perfectly pigmented but without fallout - which is great for me!  Especially when I'm in a rush!  You don't want shadow flying everywhere!

The pricepoint is great too at only £4.00 compared to it's 'big sister' at around £38.00!

It's packaging is on the cheap side & very basic, I must admit but you really want to dive straight into the colours & not faff around with packaging.  I also wouldn't bother with the appicator though.  I would just use your favourite brush to apply the shadows.

The palette contains 12 shadows - a mix of shimmery & matte.  I particularly love the warm pinky bronzey tones which compliment my green eyes well.

I do think on the whole these Makeup Revolution palettes are great especially if you are starting out in makeup as they have so many colours to experiment with & you definitely don't lose out if some shades don't suit you as they are so cheap compared to their more expensive counterparts.

But, back to the Iconic 3. It has so many shades that will work for any look - should it be a daytime look or something more dramatic for night time.  The colours are all very wearable.

So, what was I saying about that ex that you shouldn't go back to?  Yep, it may feel comfortable but it won't work out; you know why it didn't in the first place.  Well, thankfully in the makeup world, if you find a palette comfortable & faithful, then why not take it back, should you get bored??

This palette is dependable & with perfect colours for every look necessary.  The Iconic 3 will always be the reliable sort you just can't give up.  It will never let you down!

It's the perfect love story!

So, what makeup do you always go back to? I'd love to know!

Bee x

MAKEUP REVOLUTION HIGHLIGHTER

I must admit, I'm obsessed with highlighters! Anything that makes my cheekbones stick out is always a winner with me! 

Now, if you haven't heard of Makeup Revolution, where have you been? I've tried various palettes (which I'm sure I will share with you!) & I've never been disappointed.  The quality is excellent & such great value.  How do they make them so cheap?! 

Anyway, back to my latest purchase....

I had bought their 'Radiance' highlighter palette which (correct me if I'm wrong!) is a perfect dupe for the 'Hourglass' Ambient Light highlighting palette & I've already hit pan in one of the colours, but I wanted to try another of their offerings.  So, I went for the 'Vivid Baked' highlighter in 'Golden Lights' & again, not disappointed. In fact, this highlighter & probably because it's baked is even more pigmented. 

The quality of the packaging is great with 7.5g of product.  The colour is very pretty & suits my pale complexion, giving it a subtle brightness.  And, as I've said before, since it is so pigmented, you really don't need to apply much to your brush. (Unless you want a major 'strobing' effect of course!!) 

It's only £3 (amazing!) & comes in 2 other colours - 'Peach Lights' & 'Pink Lights'.....hmmm....I may just have to go for the peach next.....how about you? 

Bee x