Do you like to experiment with make-up? Although I prefer a fairly natural, neutral make-up look in the day, I enjoy ramping it up a bit for an evening out and will wear a red lippy or go for a more dramatic eye.
I am in awe of some of the make-up skills out there and can fall down many a make-up tutorial rabbit hole on social media once I start watching. So today, I just thought I’d share ten of my current fave every day make-up essentials with you – and ask what products you like wearing?
Foundation
I am a total convert to ‘Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup‘ after a friend’s recommendation and reading many positive reviews. I bought my first bottle last August and I am only just nearing the end of it (so, seven months). I’ve used it everyday, too – although I do apply it with my fingertips, which is more sparing. (If you use a sponge or brush I expect it would get used up a lot more quickly.) The water formulation means it feels really light on and looks dewy. The coverage is quite sheer, but you can build it up where you need to. Where I have some hyper-pigmentation on my cheeks due to aging freckles, I just tap some more on where needed.
It gives a lovely, glowing, youthful complexion and lasts well, plus it is colour-matched to your skin tone, which takes the guesswork out of foundation shopping.
Mascara
I have two joint favourites here:
Clinique Lash Power – This is a brand new purchase for me and was also a recommendation from a couple of friends. It is known as a tubing mascara, which means you can clean it off simply by using warm water. Instead of coating your lashes like a traditional mascara, its formulation means it wraps around the eyelashes and therefore effectively ‘peels off’ and you avoid the panda eyes effect!
It gives a wide-eyed and fresh look and lengthens lashes well, although if I apply too much it starts to look a little spidery. I’ve found it to be smudge-proof when it comes to rain and sweat from exercising, so it would be great for the gym. It’s not the cheapest mascara at £22.50 for 6ml, but worth the investment I think if you need a product with staying power.
My other fave mascara is Maybelline Great Lash (not the waterproof one) in Blackest Black – I just love how it thickens, darkens and adds volume to my lashes; the brush just seems to really suit my eyelashes and I find it a breeze to apply. Great value too at between £5 and £6 for 12.5ml.
Gel Eyeliner
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner is gorgeous with great pigmentation and the pot lasts ages. It is easy to apply with a brush, adds drama and all the colours in the range are lovely and sexy. Chocolate shimmer is my current favourite shade.
Lipstick
I’ve been wearing J Lo’s Nude by L’Oreal in the daytime and am almost out of it – I think it is a limited edition, too, but a nice, natural nude and the formulation feels nice to wear. I’m also really fond of Avon’s True Colour Lipstick in Toasted Rose and am on my second one of those. A deeper, dusy rose that’s silky smooth.
Blusher
I’m currently enjoying using the Frog Prince Blush – this seems quite gimmicky, it actually looks disgusting in the compact as it is green! But it reacts with your Ph when you apply it and turns into a gorgeous rosebud pink that gives your cheeks a super youthful glow. I like the lipstick, too – it really drenches your lips like a balm would and gives them a deep pink stain. (Just noticed the blush and lippy set is currently half price at Space NK but stock is low!)
Nail Polish
I have a love/hate relationship with nail polish. I am such a perfectionist about applying nail polish that I often don’t wear it because I feel I never give myself a good enough manicure! A trip to the salon for a shellac is a treat I enjoy from time to time, but for a quick, relatively professional-looking home nail colour, I like Bourjois One Seconde Nail Polish. It’s fan shaped brush sweeps on the colour pretty much in one stroke per nail. Even with a dark red I can get a decent result.
Eyebrow Enhancer
I think I’m still on the hunt for the perfect eyebrow product, but this new purchase of mine is promising. The Maybelline Brow Precise Fibre Filler product seems quite good at filling and adding volume to thinning or patchy eyebrows. It is really quick and easy to apply.
Setting Spray
I’ve been setting my make up recently with the NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray and it does indeed seem to help hold everything in place for longer. It also has a nice fresh finish so when you spritz it on you’re all aglow!
So those are my current cosmetic faves. What are yours? I’d love to hear what you use daily. I haven’t recommended a great eyeshadow as I don’t have anything remarkable in my make-up bag at the moment; I’m just using an inexpensive, neutral palette, but would like to try something more adventurous so let me know if I’m missing out on a fab eyeshadow.
If you’ve managed to read to the end, you may be interested to know that I am going to be starting a course of rejuvenating facials next week. Non-surgical and apparently effective when it comes to diminishing fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging, I’m really looking forward to it and will make sure I blog about it so stay tuned.
© Copyright 2018 Antonia, All rights Reserved. Written For: Tidylife
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