Makeup I'm currently loving and using....

I want to be one of those girls who's loyal to a particular skincare brand and follows the steps religiously but I don't think it's ever going to happen.

It's the same with make up: I often decide that I have finally found the best mascara/foundation/eyeliner brush that has ever existed and swear to be faithful to it forever more until I see a great (completely photoshopped) advert of some very beautiful model with flawless skin and big fat lashes and realise that's the product I need to urgently get my hands on.

But anyhoo, this is what I'm swearing by at the moment:

Foundation: Chanel Vitalumiere - love the lightness and how you can build coverage, plus it lasts.

Concealer: skin is pretty good at the moment but worshiping as always at the altar of Bobbi Brown eye brightener for under eye circles.

Powder: keeping most of my face powder free but am using a touch of Laura Mercier Mineral Powder across my nose.

Brows: Absolutely love the Armani Eyebrow pencil in Blond - it's a really good ashy colour, no redness in it and it lasts.

Cheeks: Bobbi Brown Blusher in Blushed - has crazy levels of pigment like all BB products so I only use a tiny amount on the apples of my cheeks.

Liner: I'm actually using a Smashbox Eyeliner brush (amazing!) wet with Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in forest, really close along my upper lash line.

(if I'm feeling a little ropey I'm also popping a bit of taupe Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in my crease)

Lashes: Well clearly I'm obsessed with mascara so I'm using Cover Girl Lashblast for volume which I got on-line from the US and Armani Maestro Obsidian for definition.

And that's me. x x x

Smashbox relaunches in the UK!!

Amazing News!

Smashbox, one of my most favourite make up brands is relaunching in the UK after a too long absense!

It will soon be available in select Debenhams stores across the UK.

They have so many brilliant products: their brushes, primers, and eyeshadows are all great. And they always have special offers where you can get a group of products to create a certain look (i.e smoky eyes) for a brilliant price.

www.smashbox.com

Primers - whether to bother?

I always thought primers were a way of cosmetic brands selling you another product and would add another time consuming stage to my already too long make up regime.

This is until I tried Smashbox Photofinish Primer. It is truly a superstar product! You only need a small amount, maybe 1 small pump.

I have combination skin with a slightly oily t-zone so i concentrate it on my cheek area and take it right up to my lower lash line and right down to my jaw line with a miniscule amount on my forehead and nose.

I leave it to set for a minute then apply my foundation/tinted moisturiser over it. I find my make up goes on really really smooth and even over the primer. Where it really excels though is in photographs (hence the name!). Your skin just seems to glow and looks incredibly flawless. I used it on the bride and bridesmaids at my best friend's recent wedding and it went down a storm.