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
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! ♥

is the face and body foundation any good? im always curious to buy it but scared that i wouldnt like it lol xxx
ReplyDelete@Sammiebbz *- Hi hun, the MAC F&B foundation is my favourite foundation. It evens out my skintone without looking cakey. It looks quite natural on, as most of my guy friends don't realise I wear makeup when I'm use it! It also doesn't break me out like some others. It only gives light coverage though, so if you want heavier coverage, this wouldn't do the trick. Overall, I really do recommend it xx
ReplyDeletei want to try that foundation! thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this :) x
ReplyDeleteI really want to try that foundation, its also useful to know the different brushes that can be used! Im following!
ReplyDeleteCheck my blog!
http://tsaundersbeauty.blogspot.com/
Lol, Your such a MAC'ie! Looks very much like my makuep bag. Check out my blog, comment, follow ;)
ReplyDeletewww.msmadeulook.blogspot.com
wow you use MAC a lot! thanks for sharing your staples :) am always curious about what other people use!
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeletenice blog, I like it!
I welcome you to visit my blog, and if you follow me, I will follow you...
:)
hi Livia,
ReplyDeleteI just want to ask something. What about the bobbie brown? Is it good? I am thinking to buy it but i am hesitating. That's why i ask. Take a quick look at my blog too;)
Happy weekend!
Ginger
@gingerSnaps- Hi hun, if you haven't found your HG concealer yet, this bobbi brown corrector may be worth a try. I love how creamy it is to apply, but it dries pretty well. It has good coverage too, and it doesn't break me out. x
ReplyDeletehey,
ReplyDeletei like your blog and all the cute pictures!!
would you like to follow each other??
visit me:
http://ohwunder.blogspot.com/
<3
Thank you Livia. Ok, i will buy it.
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ginger
Hi Livia!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, It's great to see a fellow English beauty blogger doing so well <3
I would love it if you could check out & fellow my blog, I'm new to the blogging world & need all the help I can get!
http://www.xbeautygeekx.blogspot.com/
xxx
Lovely blog hun, please come visit me sometime :)
ReplyDeletewww.you-fashion-face.blogspot.com
Kirsty x
You don't use anything on you lips? I can see that you're a MAC person, i love mac!
ReplyDeletewww.bostonian-couture.com
Hi Livia! Just wanted to say hello! It's been a long time but back on the grind and miss everyone's posts! Hope all is well with you! :)
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing - on a scale of 1 - 10 how good would you say your nail varnish is? x
ReplyDeleteGot to love MAC, great prices and quality!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog btw...
Ahana xoxo
www.thesharpecorner.blogspot.com
very nice blog:)
ReplyDeleteThats such a good idea to mix your own tinted moisturiser:) please chack out my blog, constructive critism is welcome, i want mine to be as good as yours! xx
ReplyDeleteI like your makeup routine!
ReplyDeleteLove your make up routine, simple and easy :)
ReplyDeleteReally nice choice, all the products just go together! :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm following your blog! Check out mine and follow me if you wish! :)
http://theperfectpout.blogspot.com/
Nice. So many items & only 10 minutes a day. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteHope you must like to check this Spring 2011 collection
http://discoverlifestyle.blogspot.com/2010/12/shu-uemura-makeup-palettes-for-spring.html
I really wanna try MAC face & body foundation! BTW i am doing a MAC giveaway at my blog, enter if you want to :)
ReplyDeletehttp://obsessiveness4makeup.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-first-mac-giveaway.html
I tried 2 used the countor & Pearl cream base from MAC it's really natural for any time ...
ReplyDelete