My perfect base

I thought I'd show you the concoction of foundations I'm using at the moment to get my current perfect base. Mixing it up is working really well for me right now, even if it is a little bit of a palaver and a little painful for the purse!

I firstly apply MAC face and body really lightly all over my face. This is quite a sheer, low coverage foundation, almost like a tinted moisturiser (in fact, I've used some tinted moisturisers that have more coverage than this). I don't want to end up looking like I actually have face full of foundation  (even though I do), so this is a really good start just to even out my skin tone. 

Next I take the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick and with my fingertips, dab a little over the centre of my face, and on any blemishes. Essentially I suppose I'm using this as a concealer, and for a little more coverage, in a discreet way! (I've reviewed the foundtion sticks here incase you're interested!)

Next I take the tiniest amount of Chanel Vitalumiere in a slightly darker shade than the others (like the shade I'd wear if I'd had a hot summery holiday), and apply this with a small foundation brush just around the edges of my face, my jaw-line and my forehead. This gives my foundation a little more depth to it. 

Finally, the famous YSL Touche Eclat. This I just pop underneath my eyes and across my cheekbones, for an illuminated  awake effect.I blogged about it in more depth over on a guest post on Kayleighs blog here, and also on my own blog  yesterday here just incase you missed it.

Have you ever used any of these foundations? 

Which foundations do you like to use to create your perfect base? 

I'm having a lazy blogging day today :) Some of you might be interested to know that my husband very kindly bought me a new camera (spoilt little lady, thank you!) So I'll be back on my Youtube channel very shortly, just have to get over my camera phobia all over again :s 

YSL Touché Éclat

You may have seen this post already over on the lovely Kayleighs' blog yesterday. Just incase any of you who missed it, I thought I'd share it with you over here too :)

I know SO many people have blogged about this product and it's pretty old news, but I've rekindled my love for it this summer, and it's definitely a staple in my make up bag now.

I've had a very exhausting few weeks for one reason or another, late meetings at work, early flights, jet lag, early mornings getting up for the gym. You girls know how it is, right? Touche Eclat by YSL has totally saved my life. Or should I say, it's saved my face?!

If I had to pick a May and June 'favourite' this little beauty would be it! It is described as a 'complexion highlighter', and I would say that's pretty accurate. It really illuminates the areas it is applied to.

Now, I've mainly been using this under my eyes, after I’ve applied my foundation. I find it really makes me look fresh and awake, like I've had a really good nights sleep. Sometimes I'll use it as a highlighter too and just pop a little down the centre of my nose or on my cheekbones.

I've been reaching for this when all else has failed and I just need to make that last desperate attempt to make myself look awake. It manages to do this job every time, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone feeling run down, ill or if you just need a little brightening up. It helps give my face that glowy look.

I love the applicator; it has a little brush on it so no need to use your own brush. To load the product on the brush you simply click the end, (kind of like a biro pen). The formula is so light and creamy, it sinks into skin quickly. As far as longevity goes, I've always been really impressed with this.

And, as with all YSL products, I can't fault the packaging at all. It's beautiful, gold, sleek and classic. It makes you feel a little bit fancy whipping this out of your handbag. What’s not to love?

I love the Touche Eclat so much I'm thinking of getting my mitts on the Touche Eclat foundation too, I've heard good things about it.

Have you ever used Touche Eclat before? What are your little life saving products?

Thanks for reading girls :)

Here are a few of the products I am currently coveting. Surprisingly for me, they are all quite reasonably priced.

Anyway, it's been a week since payday and I haven't actually bought anything yet, how good am I?!

1. Urban Decay Naked Pallette, the original £32.40 (currently on offer)- I'm not even sure I would use this very much, I just want it because everyone in the whole blogging world seems to own it and constantly rave about it. I really like neutral shades on the eyes too, and this has lots of them.

2. Zara Boots £30- How cute are these? I do need to stop with the recent Zara shoe obsession though; I can see it getting quite out of control!

3. Benefit Bathlina £22.50- I've said it before, but I don't usually rate Benefit products. This body balm however, honestly smells of perfection; that’s what lured me in! You don’t even need to wear perfume with this, and it's super moisturizing too. Great for giving your skin that special little 'photoshoot ready' glow. I should have put this at the top of my list really hehe    

4. YSL Touche Eclat £25- An obvious choice, yes ladies? I've purchased this before a few times as a little treat. It’s one of those things I wouldn’t exactly call a ‘staple’, but it certainly is nice to use. It's an absolute lifesaver for waking up tired eyes and brightening up the complexion. Especially on those early shifts!

Have you tried any of these before? What’s on your wishlist at the moment?

Don't you know people write songs, about girls like you?

Hey darlings, I'm feeling a little fragile today. Amarretto sour cocktails on an empty tummy last night, I'll never learn. Are any of you going to the Vogue Fashion Night Out in London tonight? I'm skipping it, I don't think I can deal with the crowds of people who are going to be in town. Although its a school night, I'm heading to the opening of a bubble bar in South London. I know it sounds pretty weird, but there are free cocktails, it would be rude not too.

Today it's another one of my YSL beauties here for you, Rouge Volupte in 'Peach Passion 13'.

Unfortunately this one is a little too loved to show you the actual lipstick, it's in an embarrassing state to say the least. I'm literally getting every last scrap of lipstick out if it, that's how much I love it.

So instead, I've swatched it for you, and you can see what it looks like on my lips too.
For all of you who are a little afraid of brighter lipsticks, don't be, this is actually more of a gentle coral peachy shade than an orange. The pigmentation, as with all YSL lipsticks, is fabulous. It's so soft and easy to apply, and really compliments a tan. I find that it really brightens up my face, especially if I'm wearing minimal make up.
It's a great shade for the office to help brighten up the uniform too.
I've been wearing this lipstick all week, with Carmex mint lipbalm underneath, which I absolutely adore too, it's one of those that makes your lips feel a bit tingly and numb. These two are perfect in combination, they come together like lovers :)

The only downsides for this lipstick I'll mention are, it that it doesn't have the best staying power, you'll definitely need to re-apply throughout the day. It doesn't have the name of the shade on the bottom like most lipsticks, this is kind of annoying if you're looking to repurchase. Some people find the lipstick settles into the creases in your lips, it does tend to do this, but I find when teamed with Carmex it looks a billion times better, as it's being applied to a smoother surface.

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I really love YSL lipsticks, I blogged about another one here. I do think they are totally over-priced, but I just can't resist. For a start, theres just something about the packaging that makes you feel a little bit special when you pull it out of your make-up bag. And every woman needs a little luxery in their life, right? 

Oh, if you follow me, don't forget to enter yourself in my Topshop giveaway. Good luck!

Like no other, you can't be replaced

YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick, worth all the hype? Absolutely 110%. I know it seems like the whole world and their Grandma have blogged about this lipstick, but I couldn't not share my thoughts. Without a doubt it's my absolute fav.

I'm literally addicted to this YSL lipstick in shade 'nude beige'. I have no idea why they named it that though, it sounds terrible, but it’s actually a lovely light pink shade. I don't think you can see the shade that well in my photos, the lighting wasn't great, I apologize for that.

The first, strangest and best thing about this lipstick, is that it smells INCREDIBLE! Like some lovely fruity watermelon concoction or something. I literally want to eat it.

It's extremely pigmented and very buildable. It has this wonderful creamy texture like no other lipstick I've ever used. It can be a little drying, and the staying power isn't as good as you might expect, but over all, a great high end lipstick. Not to mention the beautiful packaging. I actually look forward to putting this on, how sad is that?!

I love this lipstick so much, I actually had 2 (at a whopping £23.50 each that's quite a lot to spend on lipstick), but clumsy old me dropped one out of the window when I was applying my make up. It rolled into next doors gutter and was unsalvagable :( sad times. Good job I had 2, hey?

Have any of you tried YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick before? What did you think?

What's in my make-up bag?

Good afternoon poppets,
how are you all dealing with this monsoon June?!
I donned the hunter wellies on my way to the office this morning, and snuggled up at my desk with a hot water bottle and a cup of tea. Wouldn't it be dreadful to live in a country where they didn't drink tea??

I know I said I would be a little more diverse on my blog (I promise I will), but I'm really enjoying make-up again at the moment.
I'm thinking of doing a make-up artist course, even though they are ridiculously expensive. If anyone could recommend any around central London, that would be great!

Anyway, let's get down to it.
I love peeking into other peoples' make-up bags, who can resist a good nosey, eh?! So...this is the contents of my every-day make-up bag... 

I'll walk you through it...

Face

Clinique Dramatically different moisturizing lotion

No.7 Concealer- shade 03 fair (I always like to have my concealer in a lighter shade than my foundations)

Chanel Foundations-

My crazy love obsession with Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation is still going strong. We are coming up to our 3 year anniversary... or so.

Chanel Vitalumiere (shade 20 Beige), which I Mix with Vitalumiere Lumiere (shade 30 Cendre Shell) £35 for 30mls, depending on how tanned I am.

 Mac Finishing Mist

Topshop Foundation Brush

Cheeks

Mac Sheer tone Shimmer Blush- Trace Gold

Illamsqua Cream Blush- Sob (I've hit the pan on this one, it's lasted over a year and I still absolutely love it)

MAC 109 Contor Brush

Eyes

Mac Mascara- Studio Fix Boldblack Lash

Mac eyeliner- Smoulder

 Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil- Shade 001 dark brown.

Lips

Carmex Classic Lipbalm (I use this as as a base for lipsticks)

MAC Satin Lipstick- Myth

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick

Randoms
Make up bag- Muji

Boots Eyelash curlers

Tweezer- Octopus

Bobby pins

 Cath Kidston mirror

Phew! It does seem like a heck of a lot when I list it.
This is my every-day natural make up look (excuse the hair, rain = bad hair day)...

What do you carry around in your make-up bag? is it as much as me?!