Lockdown doesn’t provide a mass of opportunities to wear makeup, so recently I have got used to wearing it less than usual. When I am, I tend to reach for the same products, creating a sense of consistency and routine.
MY EVERYDAY MAKEUP ESSENTIALS
I keep an everyday makeup kit in my bathroom, away from the rest of my collection in my bedroom and this system has two key benefits for me. Firstly, when I am in a rush, in my usual, non-lockdown life, it is super easy to grab and go without getting distracted. Or, nowadays, it’s a simple way of applying makeup without too much thought.
BASE
I haven’t used foundation since lockdown began and can’t see myself using it for the foreseeable. I had started to only use it for events while at uni anyway, because everyday it seemed like too much effort. Skipping that step we go straight to concealer which comes in the form of the L’Oreal True Match. I’ve been using this for years and go through them pretty quickly, so like how affordable it is. I pop this under my eyes and on any pink areas around my T-Zone, then blend it in with a damp sponge.
I then follow with transparent powder, the Rimmel Stay Matte. I’ve been using this for as long as I remember; for only £2.99 it is a truly trustworthy product. It minimises the oil on my forehead while keeping the concealer in place.
CHEEKS
I absolutely adore the Too Faced Chocolate Matte bronzer. It has a huge pan; it has been my everyday essential for two years now and there’s still plenty in there to go. For me, this is the perfect bronzer shade, not too orange, or too light or too dark. It’s super easy to blend out too.
I love a good highlighter, and right now it is the Glossier Nite Shine in ‘Pale Pearl’ that you will find in my kit. The liquid highlight is so easy to use, because the applicator ensures the perfect amount of product is applied – you don’t end up with a huge sparkly splodge on your face!! I apply this to the high points of my cheeks with the applicator, then use my fingers to blend in. It’s such a natural glow.
BROWS
Right now, my brow routine simply consists of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade in the shade Ebony. I apply it with my Morphe M158 Brow Brush to perfect my brow arch and fill in sparse areas towards the inner edge of the brow. I’ve used a few brow pomades but nothing lives up to the ABH product, it lasts all day and the product doesn’t dry up in the tub – a win win.
EYES
My eyeshadow is generally more minimal than usual these days, but I still always begin with my Morphe Eyelid Primer. I mentioned this in a recent post; it is amazing to keep your eyeshadow in place all day without creasing. I apply this all over the lid, then pop a bit of Rimmel Stay Matte over the top, so that my eye base isn’t too tacky and the shadow can still blend.
I usually grab the Modern Renaissance palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills – this is a go-to for me because of it’s gorgeous range of shades. I can either create a pinky, mauve toned look, or go for oranges and reds, depending on what I feel like. Today I’ll be using the shades Raw Sienna and Burnt Orange in the bottom left for a simple, matte orange look. I use a couple of Real Techniques brushes to achieve this, along with my favourite Spectrum B06 brush.
I add a little of the Bare Minerals Lash Domination mascara to complete my eyes – it’s a very natural mascara, adding some lovely length and curl.
LIPS
My everyday lipstick favourite is from Charlotte Tilbury’s matte revolution range, in the shade Very Victoria. It’s very much a ‘your lips but better’ shade and has such a comfortable formula. I love how it is matte and long-lasting while also feeling hydrating too.
What are your everyday makeup essentials?
