Biotherm, Aquasource BB Cream
Benefit, Erase Paste concealer in "No 1 Fair"
This BB cream was kind of forced on me by a sales rep in a duty free shop. I've been using cheap brand BB creams in the past and really prefers a BB or even a CC cream on an everyday basis instead of a full coverage foundation. However I never really found one that felt good on my skin or lasted throughout a busy day. I really loved the result of this cream as the woman demonstrated it for me at the airport - it's really smooth, feels like a moisturiser and smells heavenly. It also gives the skin a healthy glow which is cute in itself for your everyday makeup, but also gives a nice base when used under foundations for bigger events.
I use the Erase Paste both as a concealer and as a cream to highlight areas of my face that needs a bit of brightening up. It comes in a small pot, but it lasts forever.
I use Hoola for contouring. It's a light bronzer that goes well with light/fair skin tones and it doesn't contain any shimmer - which is something you don't want in a contouring colour as it kind of ruins the effect you want from contouring (matte - shadow, shimmer - highlights). The brush it comes with is a bit poo, but look for a slim detail brush and the bronzer itself is beautiful.
Marc Jacobs, Shameless - Bold Blush in "206 Reckless"
Benefit, Posie Tint
I was introduced to the Shamless blushes through another sales rep, this time at Sephora. She presented it to me as my previous favourite blush/face powder from Benefit (Dandelion) had been cancelled and therefore not stocked anymore. The colour is very similar but the texture is different - Reckless contains a very discrete shimmer opposed to Dandelion that is face brightening powder and therefore shimmers quite a lot. I'm really glad I got the Reckless one, as I love it. I don't really get the brush that comes with it and instead apply it with a small kabuki brush, but you get a really cute little set with a brush, a little bag and the blush itself. The blush box has a neat little mirror as well.
If you want a blush that sticks all day then Benefit's tints are for you. I have fair skin and so the Posietint sits best during the months of the year when the sun is more or less never seen - it gives a nice flush to the cheeks, making it look like you've been out enjoying the fresh weather. In the summer and as a tan builds up, I move on to the Cha Cha tint. Cha Cha is a coral tint and sits nicer on tanned skin. All tints can be a bit difficult to apply if you're not used, but it really does stay on all day and is worth the practice.
Helena Rubenstein, Lash Queen in "01 Wild Black"
I have quite long lashes naturally, so I don't really like mascaras that immediately builds up thick volume at the very first stroke - it looks clumpy and unnatural for me. This one gives really fine volume - adding definition and length. However you can build thickness by adding more layers. It's a really versatile and 'easy' mascara.
Urban Decay, Naked 3 and Naked Basics palettes
The Naked 3 palette is all rose hued and can therefore be quite difficult to work with. I've noticed that if you don't match your colours right, you tend to end up looking sick or really tired. The colours, each on their own, though are beautiful and the shadows are of a very high quality (as per usual with the Naked palettes), making them easy to apply, blend and play around with. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of the double-ended brush that comes with the box as well. Thumbs up!
The Naked Basics palette is just briliiant in all it's tinyness. 6 colours - 4 matte, 1 shimmery - ranging from bright lights to dark coffee and even black. I keep this with me when out and about as it basically contains at least four different products I use daily: highlighter, brow colour, shadow eyeliner and, of course, eyeshadows. You can create anything from really discrete, natural everyday makeups to really smoker dark ones.
Sephora, Nano lip pencils in "04 Candid Candy" and "08 Brilliant Berry"
Kicks, Lipstick in "Black Caviar"
Lypsyl, Lipbalm
The lip pencils speak for themselves - evening out the natural line of the lip and adding a slight tint. I use the lighter one either under a pink lipgloss like the one in the picture, under a lipbalm or together with a dab of the Posie tint I use for my cheeks. The darker one goes well together with my favourite lipstick, which is a dark purpley burgundy colour. It's my favourite based on colour only as the quality is good, but not brilliant.
I'm still looking for a good powder, a nice eye primer (currently trying different Urban Decay ones) and a full cover foundation for long nights out. I'm always on the lookout for pretty lipsticks and glosses of good quality. If you have any suggestions, please let me know - can be anything from high price to low cost ranges. I'm happy to try anything.
