Face of the Day with Charlotte Tilbury The Vintage Vamp Eyeshadow Palette

I have rediscovered a lot of my old favourite products this month and have really been enjoying switching up my makeup on a daily basis. Going from a very conservative, corporate company to the Cosmopolitan offices has been a dream come true, not only for me but also for my makeup collection.

Base

Foundation

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation

I have been loving this foundation. It lasts all day on my skin without feeling or looking heavy, its just flawless skin in a bottle. If you have oilier skin, this will work much better for you than Luminous Silk.

Concealer

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Lets not talk makeup expiry dates but I have had this concealer for years and finally finished it today! Is there anything more satisfying than finishing an item of makeup? This concealer is holy grail stuff for me, its industrial strength and will cover anything. I'm going to miss it but I have other concealers which I should use before repurchasing this....

Bronzer

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder

Pretty much the only item I have tried from The Body Shop's makeup range and I am seriously impressed. If you have pale skin you should check out their shade range as they go pretty light. If I had to compare this to a Guerlain bronzer, which is three times the price I couldn't spot the difference.

Blush

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush in Natural

And the award for longest blusher name goes to.....

I can't comment on the mood boosting but this is a very pretty colour with shimmer, which acts as a blush and highlight in one. 

Eyes

Eyeshadow Primer

NARS Pro Prime Smudge proof Eyeshadow Base

My favourite eyeshadow primer.

Eyeshadow

Charlotte Tilbury The Vintage Vamp Colour Coded Eyeshadow Palette

I hardly touched this eyeshadow palette in the Summer but now we are back in the colder months I have been reaching for it a lot. These Charlotte Tilbury palettes are expensive but the quality and shades are beautiful, definitely worth the splurge. I would describe The Vintage Vamp palette as wearable purples and the shades are so easy to transition from day to night.

Eyeliner

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

I can vouch for this lasting all day and the fine nib allows you to draw a really precise line, one of the best liquid eyeliners I have tried.

Mascara

Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara and Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Still absolutely loving this mascara combo, on my second tube of Lights, Camera, Flashes now!

Lips

Lipstick

Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie

My Revlon Lip Butter obsession has died down in recent years but whenever I use one again I'm reminded of why my obsession began. Berry Smoothie is a really pretty pink, its also really glossy and looks more like a gloss than a lipstick.

Bridal Makeup - My Sister's Wedding

Last month I had the amazing but also nerve wracking job of doing my Sister's wedding makeup. 

Beforehand we did go to a Bobbi Brown makeup trial, which I would highly recommend. The trial gave me a lot of tips and tricks to help achieve a flawless, yet natural base. For the eyes we both preferred a more gold/bronzy look so I got to experiment a little! 

I thought I would share the products I used, along with a few tips and tricks you can use if you are doing your own, or someone else's makeup on the big day!

Can you see the concentration on my face?!

Although we were pushed for time and I did have a major panic that I was going to have to turn up with no makeup on my own face, I was so happy with how Emma's makeup turned out. She looked absolutely beautiful, I may be bias but I don't think I have ever seen a more radiant looking bride! 

I put that down to a combination of my makeup and of course all those sequins!

With Wedding makeup one of the biggest things you have to consider is photography. Flash photos and SPF don't work well together. The SPF causes a flashback and you end up with a really pale ghost face. This was one of the reasons we went for NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. It has no SPF, provides a good medium coverage, lasts well and photographs beautifully.

As we wanted the base to be flawless, I also used the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick on any areas that needed extra coverage. I have never tried these Foundation Sticks before but I was impressed at how well they cover, whilst still looking very natural.

Primer

MAC Prep & Prime Skin (this primer is amazing!) and Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (sprayed before I applied any makeup and again once I had finished)

Foundation

NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji and Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Warm Sand in areas which needed more coverage (cheeks, chin, round the nose)

Concealer

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque under the eyes with the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit over the top.

Powder

Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Finish Powder in Medium

Bronzer

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow

Blusher

Benefit Dandelion Blush and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Pink Quartz

Highlighter

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light

Eyebrows

MAC Eyeshadow in Omega, used very lightly just to fill out the ends of the eyebrows

Eyeshadow Primer

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Eyeshadow

MAC shadows in 'All That Glitters' all over the lid, 'Mulch' in the crease and outer corner and 'Embark' smudged over the top of the eyeliner. I also used 'Blazing Star' from the Bobbi Brown Sand palette for a little bit of sparkle on the centre of the lid. 

Eyeliner

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink. I applied a thin line of this along the top lash line and smudged out with MAC Embark eyeshadow. A tiny bit was also applied underneath the lower lash line.

Mascara

Benefit They're Real and Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara. I also used some individual lashes by Eylure to add volume.

Lips

Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Colour in Peachy with L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick in Nude Ballet. Throughout the day we touched up with Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in Nectar

Out of everything I used, these are my three must have products for any bridal makeup. 

The Urban Decay Setting Sprays really extend the wear time of your makeup. I was super impressed at how long Emma's makeup lasted and I definitely think this was a big part of that. 

Lashes wise, I think individual lashes are the only way to go. Whilst they are a bit more fiddly than strip lashes, they are so much more natural looking and just add some fullness without anyone knowing you are wearing them.

For the radiant Bride look, a good highlight is a must. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light is my new favourite product and I have to say my favourite part of the whole makeup. This just makes your skin look like its glowing from within and photographs beautifully.

As well as doing Emma's makeup, I also did my Mums makeup. Like my Sister, I wanted her to look natural and radiant. My Mum has always been a big Bobbi Brown fan so naturally we used some of her favourite products. 

For foundation I used the Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation, which like NARS Sheer Glow has no SPF. The Marc Jacobs Lolita palette was the perfect neutral eyeshadow palette to use and those Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks give some serious wedding glow! Just like my Sister, my Mum looked beautiful.

Primer

MAC Prep & Prime Natural Radiance in Radiant Pink and Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (sprayed before I applied any makeup and again once I had finished)

Foundation

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

Concealer

Estee Lauder Double Wear Brush-On Glow BB Highlighter used under the eyes to brighten

Powder

Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder

Bronzer

Bobbi Brown Brightening Blush in Bronze

Blusher

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nude

Eyeshadow

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Sand Dune, I used this cream eyeshadow as a primer with the Marc Jacobs Lolita Palette on top.

Mascara

Maybelline Falsies Mascara (Waterproof)

Eyebrows

MAC Lingering Eyebrow Pencil

Lips

Edward Bess Defining Lip Liner in Natural with Marc Jacobs Lip Gel in Role Play and Revlon Super Lustrous Lip gloss in Snow Pink

I would share with you the makeup that I wore but I honestly have no idea as it was rather hurriedly slapped on! 

It was an unforgettable day and I'm so happy that I got to be a part of it. 

Face of the Day with Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

I am still running behind on my Face of the Day posts! This was a quick, natural look, with a few coral tones thrown in for good measure now its Spring. 

Face

Primer

Smashbox Photo Finish More Than Primer Blemish Control

Full review here

Foundation

MAC Face & Body in N3 mixed with NARS Copacabana Illuminator

I really recommend mixing some form of highlighter/illuminator in with your foundation. It gives you beautiful, natural glowing skin.

Concealer

Estee Lauder Double Wear Brush On Glow BB Highlighter in 2W

I have been really enjoying using this under eye concealer. Its got a good amount of coverage and the lasting power is really good. I do wish I had got this in maybe one shade lighter though.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC3

I'm on a bit of a mission at the moment to use this up, as Ive probably had it for 4 years at least! This is the best spot concealer known to man!

Bronzer 

Guerlain Terracotta Moisturising Bronzing Powder in 00 Makeup Artist

A really, really lovely natural, matte bronzer. If you are looking for a new bronzer and don't mind splashing a bit more cash then check our Guerlain.

Powder

MAC Prep & Prime CC Colour Correcting Compact in Neutralize

Full review here

Blush 

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar

There are no words for how much I friggin' love these Illuminating Face Powders by Milani!

Eyes

Eyeshadow 

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

I always forget that I own this palette but every now and then I remember and dig it out. As the name suggests, this is a very basic eyeshadow palette with 6 everyday matte neutrals. For this look I kept the eyes very simple and just used W.O.S all over the lid, with Naked 2 and Faint in the crease.

Mascara

Benefit They're Real Mascara

This is the perfect mascara for when you want a natural but defined eye look. This doesn't give crazy volume like it suggests but defines each and every one of your lashes. 

Eyebrows

Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium

It genuinely pains me to say I like this, due to the ridiculously extravagant price Benefit are charging for  3g of product. But I do love that I can use this on its own, without a pencil to fill in my brows.

Lips

Lipstick 

Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya

Remember my Revlon Lip Butter obsession?! I know its Spring when they come out again! Juicy Papaya is one of my favourites, a very pretty, subtle coral. 

A Few New Purchases

Boots is such a dangerous place for me, especially when they keep sending me those Advantage Card coupons! I picked up a few new makeup bits and thought I would share some quick reviews.

Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish in Ginger Melon

I wasn't keen on the idea of scented nail polish but I thought I would give it a try. Like all Revlon nail polishes the formula is great and I love the colour. I have been a bit obsessed with Mad Men lately and this is the perfect bright coral. However the scent is horrible, very synthetic smelling and every time I itch my nose or brush my face I get a waft of it. Nope, not a fan. Its all a bit too 14 year old girl for my liking.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Brush On Glow BB Highlighter in Shade 2W

I heard a lot of good things about this new under eye highlighter and I was intrigued to try it. I have to say I am impressed, this has a good brightening effect but also gives a good amount of coverage. 

Before and After

Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium

Gimme Brow is a fiber based brow gel. As well as holding your brows in shape, this adds colour and volume, filling in any sparse gaps in your eyebrows. 

Gimme Brow only comes in 2 shades, Light/Medium or Medium/Deep. I ummed and ahhed for a while over which colour to get, but as your brow colour should always be a couple of shades lighter than your natural colour, I went for Light/Medium. I actually really like this brow gel, it gives me enough colour and volume that I can use this on its own without using an eyebrow pencil first. 

There are a couple of downsides though, one being the extremely limited shade range and two it costs £17.50 for 3g of product. 3g! 3g! I'm sorry Benefit but that is plain greedy. 

So although I like this, I'm really annoyed that I do!

Before and After (with only Gimme Brow used)

Benefit They're Real Mascara

This a tried and true mascara, one of my personal favourites. Ive had a bit of mascara trouble this week (more on that later) so I wanted to go back to something I know works.

Ignore the picture on the box, your lashes wont look like that. I actually think this mascara gives quite a pretty, naturally defined effect. The torture ball wand gets to all your eyelashes, especially the outer corner ones giving a beautiful wide eyed effect.

Face of the Day with Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 210 Unapologetic

I have been sitting here debating whether to put a 'u' in Colorburst, it just doesn't look right but as Revlon went to the trouble of trade marking it, Colorburst it is!

As much as I love a matte lip, I wasn't overly excited about these new Revlon balms. Sometimes I get caught up in the beauty hype, other times I get a bit tired of it all but when I was in Boots I swatched this colour on my hand and it was so beautiful I caved!

I chose the shade "Unapologetic"which is a bright pinky red colour, out of all the shades this is the only one that really stood out to me. I just love the colour and its cool to see bright, matte shades like this available on the highstreet.

The balms are matte but don't feel overly drying and have a pleasant minty scent. I would wholeheartedly recommend trying this shade.

Face

Foundation

NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji

I have been loving this foundation, full review here

Concealer

MAC Prep & Prime Highlighter in Light Boost

Perfect for brightening under the eyes and the centre of your face.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Whilst i love my MAC Highlighter, its no good for blemishes. Lasting Perfection is one of the best concealers for redness and spot cover ups!

Bronzer

Givenchy Terracotta Moisturising Bronzer in 00 Makeup Artist

Adds just the right amount of warmth to my face without being orange.

Powder

Ben Nye Luxury Loose Powder in Banana

I will have a full review of this powder on the blog this week so will save my thoughts for then!

Highlighter

Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in Candelight

Simply the best natural looking highlight, I would seriously struggle to use any other highlighter now.

Eyes

Eyeshadow

Bobbi Brown Eyeshadows in Bone and Camel

I have got a lot of use out of my Bobbi Brown palette this month. For this look I used the lightest colour, Bone all over my lid and then used the darkest colour, Camel through my crease. 

Eyeliner

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Intense Black

This eyeliner is amazing for creating a really subtle flick, which is a look I have been loving lately, plus it doesn't budge!

Mascara

MAC Extended Play Lash Mascara

I didn't want loads of volume from my mascara for this look, as its all about the lips so I went for MAC's Extended Play, as its a great lengthening mascara.

Eyebrows

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette

My favourite product for filling in my brows

Illamasqua Brow and Lash Gel

Another favourite. I love this gel as when you brush your brows up and use this it actually keeps them in place, all day.

Lips

Lip colour

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 210 Unapologetic

So, I really did not need another lip product but I'm glad I got this #sorrynotsorry (get it?!)