Ever since I was about 14 I’ve worn some kind of make up product every day.  I’ve realised as I get older was a stupid thing to do. If I want to go ‘au natural’ people assume I’m poorly and quite frankly, I do look quite the horror without a bit of slap.

Now I have hit 40, I’ve realised that less is more.  I’ve tried the ‘winged’ eyeliner look, it’s just not for me as I tend to rub my eyes leaving the look less than ‘on fleek’. I also have more wrinkles for make up to embed itself in, leaving the forehead looking more tyre-tracky, than if I wore none.

I’m a busy lady, and I don’t sleep brilliantly so (see why here!!)  these things are not conducive to the make-up routine I did 10 years ago. Over the last year, I’ve had a bit of make-up overhaul, and decided to embrace this new, less is more concept.

I thought I’d show you what’s in my make-up bag and why I chose it. Many people don’t know this, but I am a trained make-up artist and worked in the industry in the days when I had a bit of a life! I love make-up!  Hopefully, this post will give you a few ideas and hints along the way!

Moisturiser

Essential!!  I’ve given up on buying cheap moisturiser.  I don’t by a lot of products these days but when I do, I splash out on what I call ‘staple’ products. One of these is a moisturiser. Apart from the obvious benefits such as keeping your skin soft, it creates a fantastic base for your make up.  Making the finished effect look smoother and long lasting. I am currently using Clinique Smart Custom Moisturiser. 

I have also recently discovered Tropic Skincare products which I think are amazing too!

Fabulous Foundation

I always wear foundation – otherwise I just look so tired and saggy.  The purpose of foundation is to even out any skin tone imperfections, cover up redness and act as a base for other make-up. It isn’t used to add colour to the skin, so don’t go picking a shade two tones darker than your skin tone.  You’ll end up with an orange face and likely to get mistaken for Donald Trump – and no-one wants that. If you want a bit of colour, use a bronzer along the cheek bones, temples and jawline. Or of course, blusher on the cheeks.

I use Chanel Vitalumiere Satin Fluid – this is great for dry skin and if you want a ‘dewy’ effect.

Also make sure you chose a foundation for your skin type – if you have oily skin, a foundation for dry skin will just be pointless. It will just slide off your face like an oil slick!

Beauteous Brows

Ten years ago, I never really bothered with my brows, of course I plucked them but that was about it.  Now, brows are everything to me!  I can’t leave the house without my brows being ‘on’ my face. You see, as I’ve got older, I’ve realised that defining and shaping them with make-up gives me an instant face lift. Whoop whoop! Lovely ole’ job.

If I don’t work the brow magic, they are just non – existent and shapeless. I think at one point I was a bit plucky happy with the tweezers and I am now suffering consequences.

Here is what I use! Wunderbrow to define the shape and Sleek Brow Kit over the top and BOOM! It stays on all day!!

Concealer Magic

A must have if you want to look like you’ve had 12 hours sleep – which you probably haven’t. This one is brilliant for the dark circles and covering zits.  By the way, who else still gets zits? I do!! It’s so bloody unfair. I use Clarins Instant Concealer – a little bit goes a long way!

 Powder Perfect – Set That Make-Up!

To set the foundation otherwise you’ll find the make-up won’t last.  But I lightly dust it on with a brush, instead of pressing it in with one of those powder puffs. It pushes the powder into my wrinkles! I love Chanel Universal Powder – its really light and doesn’t leave you with that caked look!

Shadow Shenanigans

A neutral colour makes my eyes looks a bit brighter as it evens the skin tone out! This is Chanel Cream Eyeshadow  in Scintillance

Mascara

Now, I recently took the plunge and had eyelash extensions. I bloody love them and wish I had them done sooner. I think I just wanted to make the most of my best feature, which are my eyes! So I only wear mascara on the bottom lashes but Clinque  High Impact Mascara in Black is a great product.

Blush to Flush

Gives a bit of a dewy finish and is less drying than powder blush.  I use a pinky colour as I like that flushed ‘I’ve-just-had-a-glass-of-wine’ look. This one is my favourites from Bobbi Brown – it also comes with a shimmer type colour to add to the ‘apples’ of the cheeks for a dewy glow.

Love Lippy

I used to wear a lot of red lipstick prior to having my lashes done.  Now, I feel a bit ‘Bet Lynch’ if I wear them both together!  So now I opt to a pink, or a more neutral colour.

So, there we have it!  My revamped make up routine!  To be fair the bit that takes the longest is the eye brows!! The rest of it is quick. As you can imagine, I can’t be faffing about of a morning with primers, contouring and all that shizzle.  I usually have Theo climbing on me, trying to prize my brushes out of my hand so quickness is key!

Problem is, I can’t guarantee I take it off before I go to sleep – I often commit the cardinal sin as I’m so bloody tired. I go to bed without removing it. But don’t’ tell anyone……………….

If you have any questions, feel free to comment!

** Disclaimer. These are my own opinions – I have not been paid to test these products, nor are the links affiliate links.  As you were……………..