MAKE UP FOR DUMMIES

 I have never professed to be any sort of beauty expert, or even a mild enthusiast. In fact, as a child, I avoided slumber parties like the plague, with the thought of cucumber facials and mud masks almost breaking me out in hives. Instead, I preferred to spend my evenings outdoors at my local youth club, rolling around in a very different sort of mud. In time, the notion of boys and "clubbing" became the prominent feature of my teenage years and although I began to see make up as a means to an end, I never really enjoyed the process. 

These days, my idea of beauty remains very much a "less is more" approach. Whilst I am the first to get excited by a new pair of shoes or a shopping trip to & Other Stories, for me, beauty products remain a "need" rather than a "want". 

Most of you will be aware of the powerful force of beauty bloggers, with their enviously crafted brows and their perfectly contoured faces. Whilst a part of me would happily give my left, un-contoured cheekbone to join them, deep down I know that it is simply not me. 

So I have dedicated this post to those of you who, like me, want to get the most out of their make up without the need for a Space NK loyalty card. 

Pretty much the extent of my make up bag.

FACE

Having suffered from mild acne as a child, I have this irrational fear that one morning I'll wake up covered in pimples. So during the day I prefer to keep my face fully moisturised but foundation free. 

However, after late nights or hormonal outbursts I opt for CC Creams to even out my skin tone and a concealer to tidy up any red patches.  

Estee Lauder - Revitalising Supreme CC Creme

Clinque - Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30

Laura Mercier - Secret Camouflage Concealer

Kevyn Aucoin - Foundation Brush

Real Techniques - Miracle Complexion Sponge

CHEEKS

Although my indian heritage carries with it the benefit of an olive complexion, in the cooler months I do find that my skin lacks a warm undertone.

Therefore I heavily depend on my go-to bronzing palette for an all over "natural" glow, which during the evening can be enhanced further by dabble of berry cheek tint. 

Guerlain - Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder

Jouer - Cheek and Lip Tint in Dahlia

Brush - Very old no.7 but I would recommend this Real Techniques number

EYES

No matter how many hours of sleep I get or how many glasses of water I drink, the dark circles under my eyes remain "excess baggage". 

Therefore under eye illuminators are the key to combating the bruised eye look that I do so well. Sensitive eye syndrome has led to the avoidance of any form of mascara or eye liner but instead I tend to play with shimmery eye shadows to add some evening sparkle. Oh yeah, and I love my brows bushy. 

YSL - Touche Éclat

Kevyn Aucoin - Medium Eye Shadow Brush

& Other Stories - Eye Colour Palette

Anastasia - Brown Wiz in Taupe

FINAL TOUCHES

My day to night look (mastered when pretty much heading out the door) usually involves a retouching of concealer, blusher and the addition of two products - a powder to hold everything in place and a lipstick in my favourite berry shade. Et Voila.

Soap and Glory - Luminizing Face Powder

MAC - Matte Lipstick in Diva