Warm Weather Essentials

The sun has been a shining this month hasn't it....about blooming time too!

 

We English roses aren't used to the hot days and balmy nights, and neither is our skin!

 

These are my top products to use during the English summer (or whilst on your holiday)

NARS eye primer
I literally cannot imagine my life without this magic wand!  I have very oily skin and long working days, so I need products that will keep me looking fresh and matt. 
Apply this cream to your eyelids before doing your eyes and your eyeshadow and liner will stay in place all day long. 
Last week I applied my makeup at 5.30am, then went straight from work to the gym (I didn't have time to take my makeup off...very naughty I know) boxed for an hour in 28 degree heat and my eye makeup did not move an inch.  I don't think I could have put the product through its paces anymore than that! 

Kleenex shine absorbing sheets
I carry a pack in every handbag.  They are little purple sheets that you press onto your skin where ever you look a little shiny and they suck up all the moisture without removing or disturbing your make up and leave you looking fresh and matt.  You'll be amazed when you look at the sheet to see just how much oil was on your skin!

Sol De Janeiro coconut cooling spray
This spray smells so good, summer in a bottle.  Great for refreshing the skin (face and body) when the temperatures rise.  A must have for your beach bag.

Benefit stay flawless primer
There are sooo many primers on the market at the moment, it's almost overwhelming.  I've tried quite a few now, but this one works the best for me.  It's a chubby stick that you glide over your face (don't rub in) then apply your foundation on top.  You can almost feel it drawing into your skin as you put it on.  It doesn't feel heavy or greasy, some primers can leave you feeling like you've got a lot of product on your face by the time you've applied them, your foundation, powder and blusher.  I'd recommend going to your nearest Benefit counter and having a free makeover, try it out for yourself, see if it suits your skin.

Storage & Display

I've done it, I've finally done it! Streamlined my makeup that is.

I was ruthless! Goodbye dried out mascara wand and dubious looking foundation sponge.

Each item was cleaned carefully with baby wipes, it's like I have a bag of new makeup now.

 

Everything is in reach - either on my dressing table or in the drawers next to it.

I decided to make a feature of some of the items as I felt they were too pretty to be hidden in a drawer.

 

I used a wooden bottle holder for my brushes and primers. Then I bought a brilliant perspex stand from Amazon for less than £10. It has compartments especially for lipsticks - my YSL collection are very happy in their new home.

This is not only aesthetically pleasing but it also means I know what colours and brushes I have without delving around or buying duplicates because I forgot I already had that eye liner.  It saves time as well...every minute extra in a morning is precious!

A place for everything and everything in its place :-)

ETM xo

My Daily Makeup Must Haves

These are the products that I swear by for my daytime makeup look,

for those of you that are interested :-)

 

 

Chanel Soleil Tan - bronzing makeup base. 

This is a fantastic bronzing cream, suitable for all skin tones.  I apply this with a foundation brush or if I'm wanting to contour, I use my fingers.  It gives your skin a lovely sheen without any shimmer, which is ideal for day to day use.  The texture is very light and you can build the product up depending on how bronzed you want to look.  My lovely, glamorous friend Caroline bought me this for my birthday in May, and I still have plenty left - so I would say a pot will last you a year which works out at very good value for money.

 

Topshop cream blush - "Head Over Heels"

Since discovering this blusher last year I have stocked up on three more just in case they discontinue it (Topshop makeup shades are always changing and I didn't want to risk not having this in my life!!)

I prefer a cream blush to a powder, I like to blend and I feel that it gives a softer, warmer feel to the skin.  For me, I like peachy / orange blushers rather than pinks, they give a more natural "pinched cheeks" look.

 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation - "Pebble"

I have majorly oily skin (my beautician keeps telling me that I'll be thankful for it as I get older; as oily skin stays smoother and younger looking...only time will tell!) so finding a good foundation that suits my skin is really important.  This "stay in place" liquid foundation works really well on my skin, it goes on smoothly and feels light.

 

Nars eyeshadow - "Bali"

To me, eyebrows are so important, they frame your whole face and a good brow can make your face look structured and youthful.  I use this eyeshadow to fill in my eyebrows and keep the shape that my beautician creates for me with my monthly HD brow treatment. 

 

Smashbox photo finish oil free primer

I'm all about the primer!  This is such an important first step in your makeup routine.  A good primer should make your makeup appear smooth and even and hold it all in place throughout the day.  My days are so long (I apply my makeup at 6am and take it off at 8pm) that I don't want to be worrying about everything sliding down my face by 3 o'clock!  I have tried soooo many primers, for me the Smashbox ones are the best.  They have loads to choose from, covering all skin types.  Simply smooth (don't rub) the cream over your face before applying your foundation.

 

Soap & Glory Super Cat liquid liner - black

I bloody love this!  The pen has a firm nib; this is what you want to look for in a liquid eyeliner.  Soft, brush like liquid liners are no good in my book.  A firm pen allows you to  confidently draw a straight, even line.  Mornings are a rush at the best of times, you don't want to be stressing about un even eyes or wobbly lines.  This pen goes on quick and easy and lasts all day.

 

Lancome Doll Eyes Mascara - black

I like this mascara, but I feel that the name is a tad misleading.  Don't buy this thinking that it's going to give you amazing doll like lashes.  The wand is a good curved shape, narrower at the end enabling you to get right into the corners of your eyes and you can layer it up and it never seems to clump.  This mascara won't be for everyone, it's not going to give you the illusion of thicker, fuller lashes.  But for me, this is a good week day mascara.

 

Nars eyeshadow base

I cannot praise this product enough!  As I mentioned I'm an oily gal and as a result I find that after just a couple of hours my eyeshadow wears off and sits in the creases of my lids and my eyeliner slides around - not a good look.  This eyeshadow base has put an end to that and I can now go confidently into the day without worrying about my eye makeup moving around my face.  It's a cream wand applicator, I dap a splodge on each eyelid and then smooth across the area with my finger. 

 

No 17 hideaway concealer - medium

This is a great, cheap concealer.  It has a light liquid consistency that doesn't leave your face feeling caked in makeup.  It's good for buliding up layers under your eyes for those really dark circle mornings.

 

Vaseline - pink bubbly

Surely a must have in every girl's makeup bag.  I love to wear lipstick, so it's important that I keep my lips smooth and soft in order for the lipstick to apply evenly.

 

There we have it; my working week makeup essentials.  I'll try to do another post this week with my "night out" makeup essentials.

 

ETM xo

This Weekend

This weekend I intend to go for a long walk in the snow (if it actually arrives that is!!) and clean and sort my vast makeup collection.  I have so many eyeshadows, lipglosses etc it's quite ridiculous...and there are definitely some clagged up mascara wands in there that need to go!

 

I know it sounds clichéd but since turning 30 I feel like I've really found my groove ; I know what suits me (and what doesn't!).  I've learnt to streamline my makeup and my wardrobe, and as a result I've had a major clothing shake up selling heaps on ebay.  Now it's time to turn to my makeup boxes and be ruthless!

I'm going to use these Pinterest pics as inspiration.......

making use of empty candles

attached with magnets

 

I particularly like the hair bobbles in the glass jar...I have bobble and clips all over the house!