The Effortless Beauty Edit
SKIN PREP
We all know by now that skin prep is E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. When makeup just isn’t sitting right on my face and the glow ain’t giving – then I crack out the Youth To The People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Mask* – it basically sloughs away a layer to reveal a fresh layer and helps get rid of any dry, flaky skin. I’ll use it before bed and keep it simple by following it up with an eye cream and a face oil mixed with a few drops of self-tanner – I like the combo of the Drunk Elephant Marula Oil* with the Beauty Pie Awesome Bronze Drops*, and come the morning I am glowing with a capital ‘G’. In the morning I’ll do my routine as usual, but it’s all about the finishing step and for that I love the Ultra Violette Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial SPF 50+* – oh my word does this stuff look incredible on the skin. I have quite dry skin, so I love the sheen this gives but they have different textures in their line-up depending on your need. But for me it gives the juice that means my makeup just glides on.
BASE
I could write a whole essay on this, but perfecting that polished ‘I woke up like this‘ base, is basically my life goal at this point – and I think I’m getting close. If you like a lower coverage look, then I’d recommend MAC Face & Body Foundation* (I use the shade C2). Apply it with your fingers and really push it into the skin for a real no makeup, makeup look. If you feel like you want a bit more coverage, then use the same technique but use the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation* (I use the shade Salzburg). The same goes for concealer – if you’re after something on the lower end of the coverage spectrum then there’s nothing better than Glossier Stretch Concealer* (I still use my old one in the shade Light), or for something with a bit more oomph give the KOSAS Revealer Concealer* a go (I use shade 3). If it’s ease you’re after the MERIT Great Skin Serum*, with their Minimalist (I use the shade Linen), swiped and blended over the top, is what I’m wearing in the picture above and takes about two minutes to do.
COLOUR
As a dry-skinned gal it’s alllll about the creamy textures when it comes to cheek products. If you feel like you need something with a little more stick, then go ahead with creams and then do a light dusting of a thinly-milled powder over the top like the KOSAS Cloud Set Setting Powder*. I’m starting to get back into contour again and the Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit* helps to sculpt without ever looking muddy or being too tricky to blend. Then I truly believe the Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer* (I use Light Medium), is a wonder product. It gives the skin warmth and glow and is genuinely a product I feel like I’ll never be without – I’ve hit pan already! Apply it with the Beauty Pie Pro Angled Contour Brush* and thank me later. For cheeks I’m all about the MERIT Flush Balms* these days. The dome application means you can get stripe it on and the gel-like texture means you can blend it with your fingers and it never look heavy or over done. My top colours are Beverly Hills for an everyday pinky peach, or Fox for that ‘just got out the sun’ feel. Back in the day I would have finished it off with highlighter, but these days the finished look is so radiant anyway I just leave things as they are (if you do want go in you can’t get more natural looking than the CHANEL Baume Essentiel in Sculpting*).
EYES & BROWS
There is great news for loves of the Armani Beauty Eye Tints*, because it looks like they are back! 20M looks like the closest dupe to my beloved shade 23, but I have it on order so I’ll have to report back on that one. But the formula just provides the lightest, non-budging wash of colour on the lids that looks like you have nothing really on (it’s what I’m wearing in the photo above). If a powder formula is more your vibe then you can’t go wrong with the Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Palette*. I apply both of these with the Makeup By Mario EF2 Brush* for a light finish. I’m personally all about the lash lift these days, but you can’t go wrong with the Surratt Eyelash Curlers* – they are the best on the market. Then for mascara there are two that I love for a barely-there finish – the MERIT Clean Lash* and the Armani Beauty Eyes To Kill Waterproof Mascara*. The former gives a beautiful fluttery effect and thanks to the tubing finish is far easier to remove, the latter has a slightly smaller wand so I find it a little easier to apply, but obviously requires a bit of elbow grease to get rid of it at the end of the day (and is pretty hard to get hold of!).
LIPS
There are about 1678 products I could mention in this category, but I’ll try and cut it down. If it’s a straight up balm that I’m after then I do enjoy the ridiculously overpriced Augustinus Bader Lip Balm*, although the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Pink Sugar* is a nice option if I fancy a little bit of tint. Speaking of pricey the Hermés Rosy Tint Lip Perfectors* are madly priced, but do actually look gorgeous on the lips and last forever. For something between a gloss and a balm the new MERIT Shade Slick Gelée’s* are lush and feel like heaven on the lips – Jeté is my favourite (and what I’m wearing in the picture above). Then for actual lipstick I have two favourites. Again it’s MERIT but this time with their Signature Lip* in Baby or Millennial, which is such a light and slippy formula it feels like you have nothing on. Or the Beauty Pie Futurelipstick Luxe Shine in Nude Blush* for a glossy wash of peachy pink.
