Sunday, May 14, 2017

Quick, Full Face Makeup

I don't know about you, but I'm fairly hopeless when it comes to fast makeup. Fast for me is 10-15 minutes (and let's face it, it's always more 15 minutes). Lately, I've been trying to simplify my routine so I can get away with less effort as I'm getting ready, all the while maintaining a full face approach, using few brushes as possible and placing a premium on products that will last the distance. Here's what I've been reaching for:


I start with a cleansed face and one pump of my current daytime moisturiser, Botani Boost Balancing Moisturiser. I purchased this moisturiser during Priceline's last 40% off skincare sale and have been liking it so far. Consistency-wise and in terms of application and how it dries on the skin, it reminds me of a more fluid, less tacky Trilogy Balancing Face Lotion. It's not as rich, instantly hydrating and soothing as La Roche-Posay Toleriane Riche, my favoured moisturiser for this time of year as the weather starts to cool down. However, the Botani has its advantages in that it is almost primer-like once absorbed into the skin, with a slight stickiness and no oiliness whatsoever which helps to prolong whatever foundation is placed on top of it.

Speaking of foundation, I've been squeezing a dollop of Bobbi Brown BB Cream in Fair into my hand, pressing my palms together and slapping the product onto my face. It's the quickest way to apply my base and does away with brushes entirely. When I first tried the Bobbi Brown BB cream in summer, I was disappointed with it as it sat on top of the skin and transferred/moved around crazily. But now that it's approaching winter and my skin is getting drier, plus with the primer-like Botani applied before, the BB cream just blends into and sticks to my face marvelously. In fact, I have to work relatively quickly to get it all on and blended evenly with my fingers before it starts to set. I'm most pleased with the product not balling up or getting blended away to nothingness even with fairly vigorous circular and smoothing hand actions, as has been my experience with similar products like Garnier Miracle Skin Cream. It gives a truly natural, soft focus and brightening finish, but is a light veil rather than anything heavier or more effective at hiding blemishes and perfecting skin tone. Occasionally, if I need a boost in coverage, I'll go over areas of redness or in need of highlighting (mainly T-zone and under the eyes) with my trusty NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard, still the best concealer I've tried.



For eyes, I've been also doing away with brushes and using just one product for eyeshadow, Maybelline Color Tattoo in Creamy Beige, supposedly a dupe for MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork which I've been meaning to buy for years. The midtone mushroom/taupe/putty shade provides just the right amount of definition, particularly for glasses wearers, without appearing too heavy or unnatural. The colour leans neutral enough that it doesn't drain the complexion like a lot of grey-leaning shades can. Next comes the hardest part which is doing my eyeliner with Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner, the results of which vary on a daily basis (not from the product itself which is brilliant, just from my unreliable hand). I'm back on an old fave, the tragically discontinued KIKO Eye Pencil in Glamorous, to define my lower lash line. The bright metallic copper complements deep brown eyes and contrasts well with the matte greige eyeshadow. I've been loyal to Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara, featured in my last makeup menu. I've already purchased a backup and can't picture myself using anything else. It's so affordable, very black, long lasting, lengthens, curls, adds volume, doesn't flake, serves margaritas and gives back massages.



l-r: Maybelline Creamy Beige, Clinique Nude Pop, KIKO Glamorous, Dolly Wink eyeliner

Finally, for cheeks, I've been rotating between NARS Madly, Benefit Rockateur, and Clinique Cheek Pop in Nude Pop, with the latter receiving the most love. Since the rest of the face is fairly minimal and dull, the warm peachy-beige Nude Pop perks the complexion right up and injects enough colour without being too red or orange. This is the only product I apply with a brush, being the angled, synthetic Morphe E4. It's natural, flattering, lasts longer than most blushes, and the spongy, bouncy Cheek Pop formula melds invisibly into the skin rather than sitting on top of it.

13 comments:

  1. Glad to see a new post :D I'll have to try that mascara, seems like great value for the price!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fankss :) And yes, I've been using it almost exclusively for the past few months!

      Delete
  2. I hardly use any brushes for my morning make-up routine either. I put on my base with my fingers too. Hmmm, I'm not entirely liking the Essence mascara that I have. It's quite clumpy and smudges easily.

    Jessica || Of Purity and Simplicity

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh really! Which one do you have? That's a shame :(

      I've switched back to my Real Techniques Buffing Brush since it really is simply the best :p

      Delete
  3. Glad to see you back!! I still need to try NARS Creamy Concealer! I have that KIKO liner too, can't believe it's been discontinued, it's so good!

    Emma x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My post frequency is atrocious but hey, it hasn't stopped indefinitely :p

      And you do!

      Uggghhh right? It's so good - the colour/application/longevity etc. are all superb for the price!

      Delete
  4. I'm happy to see you back!! I always look foward to read your post :)

    To be honest you sold me that mascara, when I run out of my actual Colossal from Maybelline (my all time fave), I will give it a try because what can I lose? Is really cheap anyways. I declare my eternal love for the Dolly Wink eyeliner, it's expensive and takes forever to arrive from Japan but I always go back to it when I try other eyeliners. I just love the brush-type tip!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! :)

      It is cheap! I hope you manage to try it as I'm really impressed with it especially for the low price.

      I absolutely love Dolly Wink as well - it's probably the best eyeliner I've tried.

      Delete
  5. where did you find the clinique nude pop in australia???? xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Monika,

      I bought mine not in Australia but in the US while on holidays. The post where I mention it first as part of a Sephora haul is here if you're interested :)

      http://sleepandwater.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/sephora-haul.html

      Delete
  6. Oh Dolly wink Eyeliner one of my favorites~
    xx

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...