So if you read my post about why I'm back on inhershoes-x, you'll probably already know that I'm slightly obsessed with makeup. One of my most prominent childhood memories is raiding my cousin's makeup bag - she is 10 years older than me so always had the coolest things in her makeup bag which didn't consist of roll on lipgloss, which lets face it was basically water or blue glitter eyeshadows. She had things like compacts, foundation AND a mirror, sorry what? Lipsticks that were glitterless and so much more. I loved playing with it (I'm sure she loved it too lols, soz cuz). I also remember sitting watching my mum do her makeup. The blue liner, blue mascara and the VERY pink blushers fascinated me so I guess that's when it really started...
And tbh at the age of 26 I still can't get enough (although my dressing table would probs disagree). I was lucky enough to work for a company where I had a great discount on beauty products and was lucky enough to receive some treats from cosmetic brands and it was great as it really gave me a chance to try new things. It took my love for makeup and cosmetics to a whole new level as it opened me up to new brands, new advances in products and ermm contouring?!
So yeah, I felt like this post was a must, as I have tried ALOT of products and it seems only fair I share my pick of the favourites that have made their way into my everyday routine. (Sorry for the very worn packaging on some of them!)
I am SO late to the party with this one, but oh em gee, am I glad I'm finally on board! This truly is the BEST foundation I have ever used. I picked this little dream boat up in Milan in Sephora (which my boyfriend was really happy about being in for at least an hour lols, soz Stu!) I had put it off for so long because of the price tag as at £39 it's a little steep, but worth every penny! It glides on like a dream, leaves me with full coverage and even covers pesky spots, I just mix it with a little concealer to really hide them. It doesn't really have a glowy finish like the name leads you to believe, but more of a satin sheen which suits me perfectly. I have nearly finished my first bottle and will definitely be buying a second and if you're put off by the price tag, believe me make the investment, you won't regret it!
Want that almost airbrushed look? Meet your new makeup bestie! This lightweight powder looks a bit scary at first as it is completely white, but I promise, it won't leave you looking ghostly! I simply add this over the top of my foundation and concealer using my Real Techniques Powder Brush and it really helps set my makeup, plus it helps to conceal any shiny areas. I use this during the day lightly as a setting powder and in the evenings use a little more to really give my skin that airbrushed look.
3. theBalm Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer
Oh theBalm...again I only discovered this brand last year from working in my previous job and I was lucky enough to receive this highlighter. I'd seen some buzz on Instagram but wasn't entirely convinced until I tried it for myself. It is the most beautiful of champagne colours and glides on perfectly so I just use my fingers to apply this to the tops of my cheekbones, along the bridge of my nose, under my eyebrow arch and my cupids bow to really highlight. When used with your favourite bronzer, it really creates a great highlighted and contoured look. Plus you don't need much at all to create a beautiful glowy look. I've had mine 6 months and have barely made a dent! I can't see myself loving another highlighter more!
Well do I even need to say why?! Pigment, shades, beautiful packaging, endless looks, need I go on?! I just love these palettes, so much so I have every single one (lols). My most recent one is Naked Smoky which I am still yet to experiment with properly but my all time fave has to be the original Naked Palette. I am definitely more of a gold, brown and bronze hue kind of gal and this palette is just full of them. My go to shades are Half Baked, Side Car, Smog, Virgin and Sin. I love mixing Sin and Virgin and applying all over my eye lids and up to my brow bone. I then define the crease with a little smog to add more depth. I line my eyes with a small cat flick with my favourite ArtDeco Eyeliner and this has definitely become my go-to daytime look. For evenings or if I'm feeling extra fancy during the day, I love using Half Baked all over my lids and Smog in the crease. This creates a beautiful brown/gold smoky eye and it is definitely my favourite evening look from this palette. The pigment is great with these shadows and they really do last all day if you use them with an eye primer, I wouldn't be without my collection!#
I really didn't think I would like this mascara at first, but boy was I wrong! I always thought nothing could beat my They're Real! but then Benefit launched this little gem and it really does do what it says on the tin. Lifting, curling and oh so black, the perfect mascara combo! It is great for a minimalist look if you don't want too much definition, but it can also be layered without clumping for a more dramatic lash look. The little comb/brush also makes application a breeze even for bottom lashes, say bye to under eye marks with this innovative design. I'm yet to find a better mascara and to be honest I'm not sure I want to!
6. ARTDECO High Precision Liquid Liner
6. ARTDECO High Precision Liquid Liner
I have always struggled with creating the perfect cat eye flick, until I found this essential! It has a fine brush tip with the perfect point making it easy to create the ideal flick. The thing I love about this, is that you can create a small subtle flick and can also create a dramatic look really easily! Plus, I used to find eyeliners would wear away in the corners of my eyes towards the end of the day, but not this one! I definitely couldn't be without it now.
7. Relentlessly Red
My go to shade! I am probably wearing this in about 80% of my Instagram pictures and I'm not even sorry, I LOVE this colour. I mean I'm a bit of a MAC lipstick obsessive anyway, but when I got this for my birthday last year, it was love at first sight. It's not your traditional red as it has an element of pink to it, but it gives the most beautiful shade. I wear this during the day with minimal eyes or team it with my bronzey eye look in the evening. It really is an all rounder and a staple in my collection. The only downside is that it is quite drying, but hey that's what lip balm is for right?!
I hope you enjoyed reading about my favourites and I would love to hear about yours! I am still yet to find the perfect brow product. I am currently using a mix of the Naked Basics palette and Benefit's Gimme Brow, but I'm still not wowed! Any suggestions, please let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
