Beauty On Location: Formal Lunch

Formal lunches can be a two to three hour affair, iPhones are left unattended, emails get disguarded and running to the bathroom for a touch up isn't an option. In terms of makeup, of course lunch means little lip action going on, there's nothing worse than a ring of pink lipstick on your glass. I kept my makeup pretty simple, my routine when-in-doubt face with nothing too fancy going on. Same goes for my hair, no poofy volume or ringlet curls, just good old simple blow-dry.

Skin

- I wanted my skin to look as natural as possible so started of with Estee Lauder Matte Perfecting Primer as a base to ensure shine stayed at bay. I then followed with Dior DiorSkin Airflash Foundation for a luminous finish that provides coverage.
- Under my eyes I used a combination of L'Oreal Lumi Magique with Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
- To define my cheeks I used the Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder and a touch of Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Lush Nectarine

Eyes

- The shade Pale Barley by Burberry is the perfect all over the lid shade that doesn't crease, is really pigmented and lasts throughout the day. I added a little colour to my socket with Mac Cork and smudged some of the darker shade Mac Carbon along my lash line.

- Pixi Lash Line Ink added some extra definition as I lined my eyes and finished off with Origins Ginesing Brightening Mascara

Lips

- I left my lips pretty nude throughout the lunch but before I arrived swept a coat of Benefit Ultra Plush Gloss in Dandelion as it doesnt last long on the lips and isn't sticky at all

What's your routine face?

Beauty On Location: Backstage At LFW

After being invited to come along backstage at LFW with L'Oreal (post here), the thought of numerous professional makeup artists seeing my mishap smokey eye, when I'm no professional myself, is a little intimidating to say the least. In the interest of team spirit I used mostly L'Oreal here, lucky the infallible eyeshadows are ones I can't get enough of and their Super Liner is another firm favourite!

As I was going to be around all day, I had to find a balance between comfortable and presentable. Heels were ditched after around five minutes of standing on my feet, luckily a pair of backup pumps were squeezed in the corner of my handbag.  I don't consider myself a fashion forward person so black and plain it was, blending into the background bag that didn't have to hold, but big enough to fit my notepad and a couple of snacks in it, pass around my neck, and off I trotted!

Skin

- Of course being a 12 hour day a primer was a necessity, Estee Lauder Matt Perfecting Primer covered my face, followed by YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation. To conceal and highlight under eye bags By Terry Touche Veloutee was blended under my eyes. 

- As I had quite a bit of eye makeup I opted out of blush but used Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder instead as a bronzer

Eyes

- Using the Infallible Eyeshadows the shade Sahara Treasure all over the lid, followed by a mix of Endless Chocolate and Burning Black in the crease and lined my eyes with L'Oreal Super Liner. A coating of L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara to finish off.  

Lips

- L'Oreal Rouge Caresse in Nude Ingenue and L'Oreal Glam Shine Fresh in Aqua Grapefruit

Did you get up to anything in Fashion Week?

Beauty On Location: Work & Post Work

One of those busy bee days, up really early, home really late. Clothing needs to be comfortable yet presentable and makeup needs to last - all day. Which I'm sure you know isn't the easiest task without any touch ups throughout the day. I've been keeping work makeup simple this week, some liner, sweeping of eyeshadow, base products and mascara. Nothing too interesting or experimental goes on at 7am!

The trousers from Topshop (here) are perfect for daily duties, comfortable enough for work, roomy enough to eat and formal enough for events, especially when paired with a blazer. Post work activities are all about having a change of clothes, a higher pair of heels and some extra makeup but here I decided to combine the two, work & post work!

Skin

- Started off with a primer as I wanted to ensure the longest lasting base possible. Currently using Gosh Foundation Primer, which I haven't quite reached a verdict on yet so I'll keep you updated

- For foundation I've been using YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat (post here) followed by Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (post here) both of which are really long lasting 

- I'll slap some blush on my cheeks, here it was Mac Style which was paired with Une Mineral Powder

Eyes

- Burberry Pale Barley eyeshadow (post here) swept all over my lid with L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in 41 Taupe Royal in the crease to add some definition. 

- I lined my eyes with Pixi Lash Line Ink and applied Avon SuperShock Max mascara

Lips

- Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in 015 Cherish Devotion (post here)

Here I was running around to work, Vogue Fashion Night Out and an extremely exciting launch...stay tuned!

My Makeup: Back To Basics

The point of beauty products is something I often forget - how they are made purely to enhance natural assets.  Lets face it, there's nothing natural about my often intense smokey eye makeup or an orange lip.  In all honesty, I feel weird without looking like I've got some sort of makeup on, heavy mascara, lipgloss or some peachy pink blush. During my lazy days I tend to take it all back to basics, no blush, no fancy pants eyelashes just me and a couple other products.

Skin

Using the Dior Airflash Foundation (post here) followed by By Terry Touche Veloutee with Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder (post here) as a bronzer to add a little dimention to my face

Eyes

For my eyes I simply used a matte black eyeshadow to line the outer corners. I wanted to make my eyes appear less round so brought the line quite far out - helping to elongate my eyes. I then went on to apply mascara - Max Factor False Lash Effect

Lips

Sticking with the natural theme I used a matte nude coloured lip liner all over my lips which was a recent purchase, L'Oreal Infallible Lip Liner in 708 Always Toasted

It's not often my lips aren't coated with lipgloss or my eyes with eyeshadow, but here's the rare occasion that it did - don't expect to see this happening anytime again soon      

Budget Buy: Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder

Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder H07 £14.49

You may have seen this pop up before here as it's something I've been loving recently that was recommended by another eagle-eyed beauty like you and me. As soon as she told me it reminded her of Nars Laguna I knew I had to have it!

Une isn't a brand I'm familiar with but one that if all of the products are as lovely as the powder, I'll be in good hands. First of all, let me start with the packaging, which isn't something I describe too often as it's usually pretty self explanatory but I absolutely loved this! It's a sliding top with a mirror outside as opposed to the usual flip top, which I loved as it didn't get dirty with powder like most of my mirrors do.

Left - Nars Laguna Swatch Right - Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder in HO7

I chose a darker shade I could use as a matte bronzer, as the colour was a little darker than my usual shade I often applied a little too much, but this was never a problem as it was very easy to blend out due to the creamy formula. It's mineral which is always a plus as I feel it won't cake up my skin, clogging up pores and even though I've been using it religiously it doesn't seem to be running out anytime soon!

Have you tried anything from Une? I've got my eye on the blush next!

My Makeup: The Summertime Face

I've been reaching for different products in this heat over the past week, my beloved tinted moisturiser, some long lasting concealer that's slightly more coverage and a beautiful eyeshadow palette I've raved about a hundred and one times. Something really strange happened this week - I didn't reach for blush. I think that's partly because I've been slapping on more highlighter than usual and trying to embrace some summer glow. Don't worry I haven't totally ditched powder, that still goes down the centre of my face where I get a little shinier. I've also rediscovered one of my all time favourite lip glosses, as there's no way I can carry around a lipstick in this heat, it would just melt away!

Skin

- To avoid having a makeup meltdown I've been applying some primer, my sister has ran away with my beloved Estee Lauder Matt Perfecting Primer so I've been using another favourite, Insitut Estederm Pure System Shine Control Fluid (post here)

- I've then reached for my favourite tinted moisturiser with slightly more coverage, Chantecaille Just Skin in the shade glow with some Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer around my nose, under my eyes and on any redness with a quick dusting of Bare Minerals Matte Powder down the centre of my face 

- For cheeks I've been applying some Une Healthy Glow Mineral Powder in H07 with some Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in a new shade, Moonstone, but more on this at a later date!

Eyes

- I've been applying some gold shimmer shades from the Estee Lauder Bronze Sands Palette followed by some L'Oreal and lashings of Lancome Hypnose Star (post here)

Lips

- Fallen back in love with Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Lucky (post here) It's the perfect summer shade!

What have you been loving this week?