Current Make Up Picks

Disclaimer: Although I work for The Body Shop this in no way effects my opinion. 

The products that have made the cut into my everyday routine, The brief? - fresh faced long lasting foundation, a golden glow and a touch of shimmer, the products used? read on...

As the weather has taken an autumnal turn the need for a super lightweight base is no more, and when it comes to foundations offering that little bit of extra coverage no one does it quite like Vichy, their Dermablend foundation is medium to full coverage and gives a slightly velvety finish without being too matte, a little also goes an incredibly long way so less is definitely more when applying.

For contouring I have been using a combination of my two favourite bronzers, the first is one of my most loved make up products - Nars Laguna, this just gives a very natural looking contour without looking muddy or too warm, I like to use my Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply this into the hollows of my cheeks and my temples etc, after I like to use a Kabuki brush to apply another matte bronzer - The Body Shop's Honey Bronzer in 03, the combination of the two create a subtle warmth to the skin and give that much needed definition of the cheekbone area.

The shimmer mentioned in the brief? Well look no further than The Body Shop's Shimmer Cubes, incredibly pigmented and bursting with shimmer these little squares of pure beauty goodness are perfect for creating all number of eye looks whether you want a light natural wash of colour on the lids or you want to go for a full on dramatic smoky eye. I have the Spring Bronze quad, this is packed with warm earthy tones that are very flattering.

To keep things in place and lasting all day I like to use a setting spray, The Body Shop's Vitamin E Face Mist is perfect for adding a little moisture as well as holding your make up in place - perfect if you have gone a tad overboard on the powder front and need to get things looking a little less cakey. This lightweight spray contains rosewater and is very refreshing, it is great for carry round in your handbag for on the go touch ups.

Let me know if you have tried any of these in the comments below:)

New Favourites - Beauty

You know the moment you try out a new product and fall instantly in love with it and want to tell everyone just how great they are? Well that is what todays post is all about - newly acquired instant favourites that have been added to my ever growing collection.

First things first though how perfect is my new clutch bag? Neutral shades with a pop of neon making it perfect for spring/summer, and this baby is from Primark and retails at £6... but before you run to your nearest store to grab this bargain have a read of what else I have been loving lately... let's start with the high end purchase, enter the Nars Eyeshadow Duo in the shade Silk Road, I had been looking for an everyday high end shadow but I didn't really want to go all out on a palatte, so I went for this neutral shimmery duo, Nars are famous for great shadows and these are no exception, really pigmented, long lasting, not a crease in slight. Both shades have a warm undertone which suits my skin tone really well. If you are looking to dip your toe into the world of high end shadows then these duo's are a great option. Next is the Karma Komba Solid Shampoo, although this looks a little unusual it is perfectly simple to use, wet your hair as you normally would then rub this onto the scalp in circular motions, then using your fingers massage the product in to create a rich, foamy lather. This shampoo is made with Lavendin Oil, which gives the bar its gorgeous smell, it also contains orange oil, pine and patchouli which all help to soothe the scalp. This is great at really cleaning the hair and getting rid of product build up, so I find it is great to use the day before a night out as it gives the hair lots of volume. Last but not least is my favourite of the bunch, the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick in the shade Frambourjoise, a stunning, deep raspberry red. These formulas are matte, they are incredibly long lasting and pigmented and the applicator makes it easy to be precise when applying. The collection boasts six bold colours with pinks and reds, this shade just caught my eye as it is a little different. It is also really wearable. I literally haven't put this down since purchasing it.

What are some of your favourite new beauty finds?

Creating a Flawless Base

A step by step guide on creating that flawless base...

It's a common problem when it comes to perfecting a flawless make up look, you find the perfect shade foundation, the right coverage etc but it just doesn't last ... fast forward a few hours and your on a night out starring at a pasty, flaky, patchy complexion and yes that is your reflection in the mirror of the ladies loos. How do we get our make up to last a little longer? I have a few essential products that are just the trick.

Step one: Prime! If you want your foundation to last then it is really important to prime! This key layer gives your foundation something to cling to, red skin? oily? dry? No worries, primers come in all sorts of types, so you can correct any flaws before you even start on foundation, you may even find you wear less, hello natural! My favourite primer is Revlon Skin Lights in Bare Light, this is tinted and gives the skin a radiant feel without making me super shiny.

Step two: Foundation, choose a foundation that works for your skin type, I prefer to go a little more full coverage when it comes to an evening on the town, my current go to is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk in shade 6, this baby doesn't budge, is sweat proof (we have all had a crazy moment on the dance floor) and doesn't contain SPF making it great for flash photos.

Step three: Highlight and contour! Bronzer is the secret weapon of woman without cheekbones, if like me your not blessed with amazing bone structure - fake it! A matte bronzer or one with minimal shimmer like Nars Laguna can create cheekbones to die for all with the help of an angled brush. Not a bronzer fan? Try applying your blush on top of your cheekbones instead of the apples of the cheeks, it is way more flattering, I have been loving Daniel Sandler Watercolour Fluid Blush in So Pretty, it is a gorgeous natural flushed shade, truly living up to its name!

Step four: Powder! A step I used to skip, but after discovering Soap and Glory's One Heck of a Blot, a super translucent setting powder, it is now the most important step in my routine. Use this one the T-zone to keep shine at bay and keep foundation in place.

What are your essentials for a night out? Any tips on how to make your make up last? Comment below!

Shaking Up My Make Up Routine

I recently changed up my everyday make up routine, it is good to try out different products and formulas once in a while, the purchase that convinced me to change my base was the L'Oreal Infallible 24 hour foundation, when it comes to make up for the day I like my foundation to be long lasting so seeing 24 hour in the product description got me hooked, I chose the shade 'Golden Sand' which suits me really well, It is a full coverage foundation that gives the skin a radiant look without being too dewy, it isn't too matte either so it sits right in the middle with a satin like finish. True to its name this foundation is long lasting, I can't say if it would last the whole 24 hours, who wears make up for that long? I have stuck with my trusty Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Medium Cool, this helps to conceal dark circles and blemishes.

For a natural eye look I have been using the MUA pallet in Undressed, this pallet is packed with pretty shimmering neutral shades for a subtle look. Benefit's Coralista has wiggled its way back into my make up bag, this is just about the prettiest blush I own and it has the right amount of shimmer for a daytime look. For the lips I have been reaching for Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in the shade 'Lovers Coral' this is super sheer and leaves my lips looking naturally tinted with a little shine, the formula is really nourishing too, the only downside is that it doesn't stick around for long but It is a delight to apply so I am not too bothered.

How often do you change your routine? Or are you stuck in a bit of a beauty rut?

On The Go Make Up Essentials

You know the feeling.. You have gone to work in a hurry, overslept, or just completely forgotten to do your make up, which may be ok with you but then you realize you have a lunch date and are looking a bit worse for wear? No fear.. the back up supplies are here!

Now we don't need to go overboard here, we want something that says natural and fresh so I am starting by a good brow tidy up, for this I use the Barry M Clear Mascara and Eyebrow Definer, this is great for neatening up those face framers. Looking tired? Try the Maybelline Instant Anti Age The Eraser Eye concealer, this brightens the eye area and covers any dark circles, it also doesn't sit in any of those little fine lines. This can also be used to conceal any redness or blemishes.

The next step is a little bronzing powder and my weapon of choice is of course the Nars Laguna powder, which gives a nice natural contour and warms up the skin tone. Need a little powder to banish un-wanted shine? I turn to the Ben Nye Luxury Powder in Banana, I find this is very light and not at all cakey if I apply it with the Real Techniques powder brush. Finally I apply the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous for a 'my lips but better' shade.

Now you can fully enjoy that lunch date knowing you look great!

What are your touch up make up staples?

Everyday Face

Just thought I would do a little post about the make-up that makes the cut for the 'Everyday Face'. I work five days a week and don't get home until after six so long lasting make-up is a must for me. I also go the gym after work and don't want to look too done up so this is a pretty basic "no make up" look.

For my base I start with Revlon's Nearly Naked Foundation in the shade natural beige, I apply this with my fingers and the Real Techniques Buffing brush for a my skin but better finish. This foundation is low to medium coverage and it is buildable. It evens out my skin tone nicely. If I am looking particularly tired then I like to use Rimmel's Wake Me Up Concealer which I find illuminates my under eyes and makes me look alot more human.

I like to fill my eyebrows in a little with the HD Brows palette using the shade Rich Brown, I find a stronger eyebrow look really suits me and helps to frame my face, on the lashes I just put a few slicks of the L'Oreal Telescopic Waterproof Mascara to make my eyes look bigger.

For contouring I love Nars Laguna Bronzer in the hollows of my cheeks, the colour of this product is perfect for intensifying the cheekbone area, it isn't too sparkly like other bronzers I have tried either. For that fresh awake look I think blusher is a must, like Kate from gh0stparties.com I apply this to the top of my cheekbones as opposed to the apples as it suits my face shape more. For an everyday blusher I am currently using Revlon's Baby Stick Lip and Cheek Tint in the shade Pink Passion and I apply this using the Real Techniques Stippling Brush.

To finish off the look I use Revlon's Balm Stain Just Bitten Kissable in the colour Rendezvous which is a peachy pink with a slight sheen, this product was also featured in my top lip products post 'On The Lips'.
This look takes only a few minutes to apply and it sticks around all day.

What's your daily make-up routine?

Danielle