My Beauty Staples & Everyday Makeup Routine as of Nov 2010

Hi everyone! I'd like to share with you my staple products and my current daily beauty routine that's working well for me so far. It's very quick to do (takes me 10minutes every morning) and my skin seems happy with it, ie. it doesn't seem to break me out. I hope this is useful somehow! ♥



FACE

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1. Tinted Moisturiser. On the back of my hand, I make my own tinted moisturiser using 2 drops of Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer with SPF30 and 1-2 drops of MAC Face & Body Foundation in C3. I quickly mix these two with my finger and quickly apply to my face and neck. The mixture I made is usually enough to cover my face. I usually get dressed at this time while waiting for my tinted moisturiser to dry. I love the Aveeno moisturiser since it minimises any visible redness on my face as well as giving SPF30.

2. Concealer. Using a MAC 224 brush or the Sigma brush equivalent (Tapered Blending Blush E40), I apply Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Peach on my undereyes and on my spots as a concealer. Peachy colour works well to counteract blue shades on the undereyes, however its not really meant to conceal redness in spots, but it works well for me anyway - I'm also usually too time-constrained to pick up a different concealer. The MAC 224 blending brush is the perfect brush for blending. It applies but especially diffuses products well and ensures no harsh lines. This is a must-have in anyone's makeup collection!

3. Face Powder. Next, I set my face with MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC25. This also gives a more matte finish and helps the concealer and tinted moisturiser last longer. I do this using MAC's 187 duo fibre brush or the Sigma brush equivalent (Duo Fibre F40). These brushes are so soft and gentle to your face, at the same time provide an airbrushed finish.

4. Contour. I apply MAC Refined Golden bronzer on the hollows of my cheeks by sucking my cheeks in and using the MAC 138 large tapered face brush. This is the PERFECT brush to apply bronzer! It is so soft and it diffuses product nicely. You wont see any harsh lines if you use this brush. I have tried the MAC 109, 168 and 169 brushes for this purpose, but none of them comes close to the 138! Sigma makeup also has a dupe for this brush, the Tapered Face Brush - F25. I'm sure this will function well too. ♥

5. Blush. I don't have a 'staple' blush as such, as I tend to rotate my blushes. I apply this to the apples of my cheeks using a MAC 109 brush.

6. Highlight. I use MAC Pearl cream colour base, which is the perfect white gold, to accent the bridge of my nose, the brow bones, and the cupid's bow of my lip.

EYES

7. Eyebrows. My eyebrows are pretty thick, but they can be patchy at times. I use MAC Lingering brow pencil to trace the upper border of my brows, and then fill sparse bits. Be careful not too over-apply as brows can be too dark and overpowering! (unless that's the look you're going for)

8. Upper Lash Liner. I love using the MAC Greasepaint Sticks to line my upper lash line. I just apply them directly, kinda placing the sticks at an angle to make a thin to medium line, and then flicking on the outer corners. These are amazing products, as they dry quickly and last all day despite my greasy eyelids! I have several of them but my favourites are Slick Black (black) and Dirty (taupe with subtle sparkles).

9. Mascara Combo. I've never had a mascara combination (or a single mascara) that performs as well as this! I apply L'oreal Double Extension Mascara with Serum Inside, the Primer bit only to extend and thicken my lashes, and then I apply Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara in Glam Black. I don't use the mascara bit of the L'oreal Double Extension Mascara as I find that it doesn't come out too black, rather it is a bit grey, and it can clump a bit. However if I use Colossal Volume, it applies very black and doesn't clump at all! The primer makes it stay on longer too, smudge-free!

LIPS

What I do on my lips is pretty variable. If I have the time, I use a lip liner as it really defines your pout, and it is a must when you use dark or vibrant lipstick shades. I tend to skip liner when I use more muted/nude shades. However most of the time, I just tend to grab a lip balm and quickly apply it on my lips before I leave the house!

I hope this was useful somehow. Thanks for reading! ♥