Now everyone has a different routine, different products and a different style... It's all about doing what is best for you!
Here is my step by step for everyday make up.
1. You need to make sure you have a clean surface to work on, yes I am talking about your skin, but also your bench top. I find it so much easier to lay out my make up in the morning with nothing else in the way so I can see all my products, and I put them away as I go - which might seem a bit OCD but I find makes it very easy to see what my next step is/minimises cleaning up time.
a. Lay out make up products
b. cleanse your face with warm water and the cleanser of your choice - pat your face dry and moisturise.
2. It is important to use a primer based on what type of skin you have, and is also a good idea to buy one that has SPF in it. My skin gets oily at the end of the day and my make up tends to move so the lovely ladies at Mecca Cosmetica recommended the perfect primer for my skin. I use Hourglass Veil Primer.
a. use a small blob (about a 10cent coin size, depending on how liquidy the primer is) and rub into your skin gently.
3. Using a foundation brush, evenly spread your foundation into your skin. Tip: My foundation comes in a pump pack, so I unscrew the top and run the brush along the inside tube in order to not squeeze out excess amounts and waste it. I use Stilla Illuminating Foundation.
4. Using a liquid concealer, cover up blemishes. I used to use a dry cream concealer but found it stuck to creases and bumps under my eyes which ended up making me look like a cake face rather than fresh. I use Ellis Faas concealer.
5. Setting your make up with a compact or loose powder is a good way to ensure it will stay put all day. I use a round Bronzing Brush with a blunt end to apply my powder. Tip: Don't brush it on like you would bronzer, actually push it into your face for a better, longer lasting result. I use a NARS Bronzing Brush, and a NARS compact powder.
6. The amount of bronzer used is different for every occasion and is also seasonal. In summer I use a small amount as when you sweat/get warm your make up melts and moves much more easily than in winter, a lot of people who tan their faces won't need bronzer in Summer and at night I tend to use more bronzer as I want a darker look. My secrete to bronzing is to bronze in the shape of the number 3 down each side of your face. So you start with your forehead, in a large half circle motion come down to your cheek bone, then back towards your temple and down to your jaw line. I don't bronze my nose, chin, or upper lip, this creates a highlight affect and helps define your cheek bones. I usually put a light layer of bronzer just under my jaw line as well to avoid any lines. I use NARS bronzer.
7. Blush is not for everyone, some people find that as they have coloured their cheek bones with bronzer they may not need blush. I use a light layer of NARS blush with a little bit of gold shimmer in it.
8. Mascara - my favourite part! I lightly curl my lashes using an eyelash curler at the base of my lashes, then again in the middle and again at the end of them, this gives them a nice curve. I then apply 2 coats of a black volumizing mascara. Tip: Don't use waterproof, it is hard to get off and scrubbing it off can damage your lashes/pull them out, if you are going to use it, you should buy a gentle oil based eye make up remover.
9. (Optional step) Highlighting - I only do this at night, using a highlighting stick, highlight just under your brow bone, along your cheek bones and in the v of your top lip (also optional). I use a NARS cream highlighter.
10. Lastly eyeliner. I use a nude coloured eyeliner on the inside of my bottom lash line to help brighten up my eyes and give me a very fresh and awake look. For night time I use a white eyeliner, this really makes your eyes pop, especially if you go along your lash line with a very light layer of dark liner as well (grey, black or brown).
Big Tip: Remember ladies, less is more! A more natural look is much better than an over done look especially on a hot day if your make up moves slightly we dont' want streaky lines along our jaw lines or upper lip at the end of the day!
Enjoy xx
