How to create a flawless base

I really like my base today. I have a few spots on my chin and my dreaded dark circles are in full effect thanks to my cranky, teething toddler that doesn't seem to need any sleep! 

It's quite a few steps so not a quick morning routine but worth the time and effort for a big event where you want a flawless base. This won't work for everyone, if you have particularly dry skin for example you may want to set the foundation lightly with a translucent powder instead and start with a hydrating primer.

After working a matte No7 primer into the skin, I lightly apply MAC's Painterly Paint Pot over my dark circles and a tiny amount of green corrector to my spots. 
Then I lightly apply MAC's Soft Ocre Paint Pot to my eye lids up to my brows plus any areas that I sweat or my makeup tends to slide around and wear off. Paint Pots dry to a powder finish and don't budge so act as an extra primer. 
Next I apply MAC's Radiant Rose Prep & Prime Highlighter under my eyes down to my orbital bone and then I apply Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation. I work this into my skin with the same brush that I used to apply my matte primer. 
Next I apply MAC Studio Sculpt concealer and finally I finished up by dusting MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation over the top to set it all and add extra coverage. Though I set the under eye area with translucent powder.

So, yeah a few steps but this combination gives great coverage and doesn't budge!

Follow me on Bloglovin...

Summertime makeup

After a stressful and, frankly, crappy day yesterday I woke up today wanting to do a more colourful and simple look. This is my summer holiday night out makeup - a light base, definition around the eyes and bright glossy lips.

I can't wear too much makeup in the summer as my face sweats it all off. Yuck! I was so worried about having embarrassing sweat beads on my face throughout my wedding and carried blotting papers with me all day. It was mid summer (in England mind) and I was sure I'd be saying 'I doooo!' with a sweaty top lip but, looking back, I don't think I sweated at all. Amazing!

Follow me on Bloglovin...

Easy, Breezy, Bridal

My look of the day today is a classic & popular bridal look that will never date. It's all about enhancing your natural features and creating a polished version of yourself so that you feel comfortable on your big day.

A few tips for long lasting make up are:

• Prep your canvas (face) well by exfoliating skin & lips once a week beforehand and on the day cleanse, tone and moisturise before applying any make up. 
• Give the moisturiser time to sink in before applying a foundation primer which will create a smooth base and hold foundation in place all day. Use a mattifying primer if you have oily skin.
• Blend blend blend. You really want the make up to look as natural as possible, as if you're not wearing any make up.
• Once you've applied foundation & concealer, add a thin layer of cream blusher to the apples of your cheeks then set it all with translucent powder.
• Consider appling your eye make up before the foundation to avoid having to remove eyeshadow fall out.
• When you've finished, spritz your face lightly with a setting spray.
• There are many more tips but I didn't want to go on and on. If you'd like some more advice then feel free to comment below with any questions or contact me via my website!

During your make up trial, whether you employ a make up artist or do it yourself, it's important to check the look in as many different lighting situations as possible.

I've taken pictures of the same make up in daylight, indoor/ artificial lighting and with the flash (below). I also wore the same make up look out last night (with a brighter lippy) and took photo's at the end of the night to check the make up's durability. It's not such a pretty sight but the make up held tight.

The first photo below shows the finished make up look. When I looked at the image though I could see a little white around my nose. This is the translucent powder which needed to be blended in more. It's undetectable with the naked eye so it's worth taking a picture (ideally with flash) to double check this on the trial and before you head down the aisle.

The above picture shows the finished look however translucent powder can be seen around nose.

Powder blended, I then took pictures in natural daylight and in the same room with the lights on.

Natural daylight

Artificial lighting

Again with the flash and also check the sides to make sure the blusher, contouring and foundation are blended well and as symetrical as you can make it. You can either take photos as I have done below or have a friend check for you.

Same make look in a darker room with the flash.

Check the sides to make sure the make up is blended well

Finally, if possible test the make up's durability by taking pictures later on. I applied the make up in the early afternoon so double checked it about 4 hours later (after a bath, washing my hair and running around my 21month old toddler) and again at the end of a night out. Not a pretty sight I warn you but the make up held very well.

Same make up 4hrs later, only difference is the lippy 

Same make up 4hrs later, only difference is lippy

And finally, same make up at the end of a night out about 8hrs after application...

Follow me on Bloglovin...