My Everyday Summer Makeup

Since the weather in the UK is absolutely scorching today, I thought I'd share with you the makeup I've been wearing almost every single day. It's a really simple look that takes me around 10 minutes to apply, and lasts really well throughout the day. 

Products used
Base Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream (Light-Medium) Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer (Fair Neutral) Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder (52 Vanille) Brows Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel Cheek Nars Multiple (Orgasm) Benefit Watt's Up! Highlighter Eyes Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer Nars Outer Limits  Mac Cosmetics Eye Kohl (Teddy) 2True Wow! Mascara Lips L'Oreal Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick (Rose Melody) Bloglovin' / Instagram

June Favourites

It's that time again! Here's what I've been loving throughout June: 2True Wow Mascara

I heard about this from TalkBeckyTalk, she said it was a dupe for Benefit They're Real, which is a mascara that I really like. Given that this mascara costs £2.99, I had to give it a try. It's so good! Really similar to the Benefit one, giving plenty of volume and length. It can make your lashes a bit clumpy if you're not careful, but it's quickly solved by combing through them with a lash comb. I'll definitely repurchase this. Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream

  My mum passed this on to me, and I recently pulled it out, Despite the fact that my skin can be quite oily, I've really been enjoying having glowy luminous skin. This product is so creamy and hydrating, and leaves my skin with a beautiful natural glow. It evens out my skin, and provides a light coverage with SPF 30. It's going to be my go-to base for the summer.  Soleil Tan de Chanel

The much hyped, super expensive cream bronzer from Chanel finally made it's way into my collection this month, thanks to a gift card from my brother. I'd heard really mixed reviews about it, some people saying that it looks too orange on their skin. I took the plunge, and I'm so glad I did. First of all, it is very buildable, meaning that it doesn't look too harsh. It blends beautifully and really does look like I've naturally caught the sun. It also has that divine Chanel scent, which adds to the luxury feel of the bronzer. I've literally been using this every day on the places where the sun would naturally hit, instead of contouring. I'm so happy with it.  Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

This month I've gone back to my beloved Dipbrow Pomade, after trying other things for a while. Using I fine angled brush and hairlike strokes, it can fill in the brows naturally and last all day. Love it. Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

My brow hairs can be quite long and wayward, so this has been a hero product for me. I comb through my brows with it after I have filled them in, and it holds them in place all day long. It isn't crunchy or heavy, but it really works. I'll always repurchase this. Benefit Watt's Up!

As I mentioned, I've really been enjoying having dewy and luminous skin, and this cream highlighter has been my fave. I apply it with my fingers to the tops of my cheekbones, then a bit on the bridge of my nose and my cupid's bow, and it just looks so summery and pretty.  What are your favourites this month?  Bloglovin' / Instagram

Strobing??

Everybody and their grandmother has heard of contouring and has seen that photo of Kim Kardashian's HEAVY contouring routine. Although Kim K's standard isn't really every day achievable, a bit of contour and highlight can really add dimension to the face and just make you look more polished. Almost all cosmetic companies and makeup brands have released their own contouring products, and everybody seems to be trying it.  So, when I heard about a French makeup technique called Strobing, I was intrigued. Basically, this is the process of adding dimension to the face using light and light alone. Highlighting products are applied to the higher planes of the faces: the top of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, brow bone. All the areas where the sun would naturally hit. 

I have to say, I really like it! It's so low maintenance, and gives a 'lit from within' look to the face. It's faster without having to blend that contour, and still adds shape to the face. Don't get me wrong, I'll still use contouring for more dramatic evening makeup, but this is great for my every day routine. Especially for this time of year! For this look I used Benefit Watt's Up cream highlighter, cream products add a natural dewy look to the skin, but any highlighter will work.  Have you tried Strobing? 
Bloglovin' / Instagram

Review: L'Oreal Infallible 24H Matte Foundation

I picked up this foundation a while ago after seeing a few US reviews, but I've only really got around to testing it out throughout June. I've worn it all day long, from very early in the morning, without setting it with powder. My skin type is normal to oily, swinging more towards the oily side in the warmer months. 

L'Oreal claims about the foundation: A matte result that lasts up to 24 hours. Clinically proven; waterproof, steamproof. All the comfort, none of the shine. Perfect coverage, no cakey effect. Easy to apply, enriched with perlite technology, and reduces the appearance of shine up to 24 hours.  Here are my thoughts: The texture of the foundation is pleasingly light. It blends seamlessly and provides medium buildable coverage, enabling you to add extra coverage anywhere you may need it. I absolutely love the finish, it controls my oil without being too matte. It actually looks quite glowy on me! Here I am wearing the foundation, no filter.

The foundation really melts into my skin, and leaves me with an even, natural finish. It lasts all day, doing a good job of controlling shine. I do find that my t-zone can get slightly shiny after around 6 hours of wear, but it takes the merest touch of powder to touch it up. I can't believe how good this foundation is for the price! I wholeheartedly recommend you try it.  L'Oreal Infallible 24H Matte Foundation is available at Boots and Superdrug for £7.99.
Bloglovin' / Instagram

What I Wore Wednesday

As I've already mentioned, I've been using my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette a lot lately. So I thought I'd show you my go-to look, which I've been wearing almost every day. 

Products Used
Base L'óreal Infallible 24h-Matte Foundation (Porcelain) Bobbi Brown Corrector (Light Bisque) Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer Soleil Tan de Chanel Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder (52 Vanille) Brows L'óreal Brow Artist Genius Kit (Medium to Dark) Anastasia Clear Brow Gel  Cheeks Urban Decay Afterglow Blush (Obsessed) Eyes Mac Cosmetics Paint Pot (Soft Ocre) Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (Tease, YDK, Busted, Bootycall) Mac Cosmetics Eye Kohl (Teddy) Makeup Revolution Awesome Lash Mascara Lips L'óreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire (Rose Melody) Bloglovin' / Instagram

Some Naked (2) Admiration

I have always been a big fan of Urban Decay eye shadows, even before I knew a lot about makeup. I enjoyed the vast range of colours available, as I did used to be much more daring with colour in my younger days. Now, however, I'm definitely a neutrals girl at heart, so the Naked Palette became my best friend. I used it to death. I can't even show you, it looks so battered. I should really re-purchase it, but I've never used an eye shadow palette up completely before! I got the Naked 2 and the Naked 3 when they came out, but the least used has definitely been the Naked 2. I've barely used it, reaching for the warmer toned first and third palettes far more often. However, having pulled it back out this week, I really don't know how I've over looked it for so long! It has some absolutely stunning shades.

These shadows are gorgeous! One of my favourite looks is YDK all over the lid with Tease through the crease, then Foxy on the brow bone and Bootycall in the inner corner. Such an easy look that would flatter anyone. If you've got this palette in your collection and have been neglecting it like I have, bust it back out! You won't regret it. Bloglovin' / Instagram

J-Lo Inspired Makeup Look

My jaw dropped when I saw Jennifer Lopez's Instagram photo of her look at the Tony Awards last week. I mean, she can do no wrong in my eyes. She always looks absolutely flawless, but this was something else. Her makeup really inspired me to do a similar look, using a mixture of high end and budget products.

Products Used

Base

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (4)

Bobbi Brown Peach Corrector (Light Bisque)

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer (Fair Neutral)

Soleil Tan de Chanel

Brows

Mac Brow Fluidline (Deep Dark Brunette)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

Cheeks

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (Light)

Milani Baked Blush (Luminoso)

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Opal)

Eyes

Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

Makeup Revolution Redemption Palette 

Rimmel ScandalEyes Nude Eye Liner

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara 

Lips

Mac Diva Lipstick 

Rimmel Apocalips (Big Bang )

I felt so glam! I would definitely wear this to an event or a big night out. Which celebrity is your #WCW?

Bloglovin' / Instagram

An Ode to Mac Club

Being something of a makeup hoarder, I own rather a lot of eye shadows. Well, rather a lot of makeup in general, but that's a conversation for another day! Having a substantial makeup collection does often mean that items do get forgotten, and this happened with Mac Cosmetics Club eye shadow. I've owned this since some time last year, but I have barely used it. I just hadn't been drawn to it! However, in an effort to 'shop my stash', I recently gave it a go. This little shadow has now become my new go-to. 

It's described by Mac as a red-brown with green pearl, and it really does have a duo-chrome effect. In some lights it looks green, and in others it looks warm brown. It's so tricky to capture the multi-tonal element in a photo! 

 By packing this onto my lid with a flat brush, then blending it up into the crease with a fluffy brush, it really shows off the duo-chrome effect. The green shows on the lid, then the warm brown shows in the crease. What I love about Club is that it really is a one-step easy smoky eye. Just the shadow and and mascara on the eyes is such a pretty look, smoky without being overdone. However, it really be deepened up for an evening out, even just by adding liner and maybe lashes. 

  

I've worn this look for days in a row, and I can't see this love affair ending any time soon. Really smoke out the lower lashline with this shadow and you've got yourself that Olsen-esque look in one simple step. What's not to love?! Which Mac shadows are your faves? Bloglovin' / Instagram

Taylor Swift - Bad Blood

It's fair to say that I've got a bit of a girl crush on Taylor Swift. I know I'm not the only one! Her video for Bad Blood was much hyped, so I was looking forward to seeing it. It's a really big production with lots of big names making appearances, such as Cara Delevingne, Cindy Crawford and Jessica Alba. They all look absolutely amazing, and Taylor rocks some fierce makeup looks in her role as Catastrophe. I've recreated one of them, and I love the way it turned out! 

Products used
Base Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (Gobi) Bobbi Brown Corrector (Light Bisque) Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer (Fair Neutral) Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder (Vanille) Brows Mac Cosmetics Brow Fluidline (Deep Dark Brunette) Eyes Mac Cosmetics Paint Pot (Soft Ocre) Loreal Colour Infallible Eye Shadow (All Night Blue) Mac Cosmetics Fluidline (Macroviolet) Mac Cosmetics Eye Kohl (Smolder) Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara Lorac Pro Palette (White) Cheeks Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (Light) Urban Decay Afterglow Blush (Obsessed) Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Opal) Lips Mac Cosmetics Soar Lip Pencil Make Up Revolution Amazing Lipstick (The One) This is certainly a bold look, but I would definitely wear it to the right occasion. Which is your favourite look from the video? Bloglovin' / Instagram