About 2 weeks ago, I was ever so flattered to have a customer tell me she loved my make-up. I was flattered purely because I never really think of myself as being very adventurous when it come to make-up, and consequently think most people would see it as boring. As much as I wish I could be outlandish when it comes to make-up I always find myself being drawn to the very simple, neutral shades and tones. And I’ll be honest when it comes to doing my own face I prefer to look almost as if I’m not wearing any make-up at all, but that is not to say it is easy, believe me its not! I like to think it is a style that over the years I have slowly begun to master.
After having a quick conversation about the ins and outs of my facial features, the (ever so sweet) customer then continued to ask me about how I went about doing my make-up and what products I use etc. She then continued by suggesting that I put up a blog post about it on the website as she and all her friends find the products that other people use really interesting. After mulling over the suggestion more and more I soon realised that I feel exactly the same! I love reading the section in trash-mags (guilty pleasure) where they go into detail about how to get a ‘certain look’. So, it was decided Rose and I would both do a ‘Whats in my makeup bag’ blog post.
And here is mine…
MOISTURISERS:
In the summer Body Cocoon by Garnier basically gets smothered all over me twice a day. I hate the thought of dry scaly skin, so I try to avoid it at all costs. I am lucky enough to not have very sensitive skin so I can use most products without upsetting my skin in any way, and can use them in abundance.
Unless I am going out in the evening or feel like putting in a bit more effort than usual, in the Summer I don’t wear a foundation, instead I use a tinted moisturiser. This year I discovered Garnier’s BB Cream, which has everything I need in one little tube. Its light and non-greasy, has great coverage and apparently is helping to fix my imperfections and wrinkles with its inbuilt nutrients and vitamins! All I know is it feels great, smells good and looks nice on. Thats all the boxes ticked in my books.
When using foundation I like to use a light non-greasy moisturiser underneath, at the moment I am using Neutogena’s Ultra Sheer which is 50+ UV protective. If there is one thing I dislike more than dry skin it is sunburn, I find lobster red isn’t the most flattering skin shade. When winter hits I’ll invest in another moisturiser which will be lower on the UV scale, perhaps a 15, I find the lower the UV scale the less greasy the moisturiser tends to be.
FOUNDATION:
I like my make-up to look and feel as natural as possible, I make it my mission to make my skin look as if I am not wearing any make up at all. Of all the products I have used over the years I have found the Maybelline Dream Matte range to be the best at helping me achieve this, because it is exactly what its name suggests, matte. Being slightly creamy in texture I find the mousse is ideal for blending in with your skin tone to give a natural color. I use the Liquid Mousse as a concealer and then use the Powder Mousse to help take off any shine and give a softer look.
Rather than use a blusher I like to use a Bronzer to define my cheekbones, I find bronzers give a much more subtle and natural definition to cheek than a pink blusher. In the past I have used Natural Glow, but at the moment I am using my Grandmother’s Bronzer and am in love with its sweet little case.
EYES AND LIPS:
If someone was to ask me what is one thing I could not live without, right up in front of my top three would be Mascara. It is the one thing you will never see me without (that and toe nail polish). I feel naked without mascara on, naked! Having said that, I couldn’t tell you which is the best brand to use… Over the last 6 years one of my best friends has been an Air Hostess and without fail for every birthday, Christmas, or just because she wants to, she has brought me back copious (I kid you not) amounts of mascara. It has been amazing! However, with my friend now moving on from flying once I am through my remaining supply I will be forced to fend for myself once again. One thing I can tell you is that my mascara has to be jet black and to have a lot of volume to it, I like my eyelashes to stand out and make my eyes a feature. Right now I am using Maybelline Colossal Volume Express, and I would give it a 4.5 out of 5. Below is the remnants of my stash.
When I was a teenager I was told that my eyes were one of my best features and since that day I have always tried to emphasise them, you’ve got to flaunt what you’ve got I say. So, when I go out I use Mac Gel Eyeliner to give my eyes that extra pop. I find that gel eyeliners are the best for easy application and for long lasting wear, especially the mac one, after 12 hours it still looks as good as new.
I’m not usually a lipstick wearer but on the odd occasion when I do branch out I use one of the two lipsticks I inherited from my Grandmother, both of which are very similar in color and a bright orangey red shade. I figure if I’m going to wear lipstick I may as well go all out!
NAIL POLISH:
As I eluded to earlier, I am never, NEVER, without nail polish on my toes. I inherited this infatuation from my mother. When I was a young’un my mum would do a lot of chores around the house and was never able to wear nail polish on her fingers as it would get chipped too easily, but she would always keep her femininity by having immaculately painted toenails at all times.
At the moment I am in love with OPI’s Monsooner or Later, the colour is amazing! OPI is the only nail polish brand I buy, although it is expensive it is well worth it as it is hard wearing and give such a lush smooth finish. With using nail polish so much I make sure I use a undercoat to avoid any discoloring and also a top coat to make the color last even longer.
CLEANSING WIPES:
For me going to bed with my makeup on is not really an option (cleaning mascara stains off white sheets is not what I want to be doing on my Saturdays) so I need an easy way to remove everything quickly, the quicker it is off the quicker I can get jump into duvet heaven. I find Garnier CleanDetox wipes are perfect for the job, especially because you don’t need to wipe the wipes residue off your face after your have taken off the makeup, you leave it on to let the vitamins and nutrients do their thing. I use one side of the wipe to clear off all the makeup and then use the other to clean my skin and make it feel nice and fresh. Plus, they smell good, I don’t now about you but if a product smells good it is always a winning factor for me.
TRAVEL BAG:
Within my excessively large makeup bag I have a smaller travel size bag which gets filled with the necessities if I am staying over night anywhere, I’ve learnt my lesson trying to haul the ‘Blue Beast’ around with me.
And there you have it! I hope you have enjoyed this little tour within the depths of my makeup bag! Keep and eye out for when Rose shares hers, I for one love looking through her make-up draw for inspiration.
Sarah x
NB: These products are what I actually use day to day, this is not a sponsored post so I use these products genuinely not because a company has paid me money to say I do.
