Face Style Part 2

Many moons ago in August 2014 I did a post about what went on my face to help me greet the world of a morning (click here for the original post). Eczema, acne, sensitivity - I've had the pleasure of it all so to say I'm careful with what I put on my face is an understatement. I was all about the Clarins foundation, waxing lyrical about it's oil absorbing qualities and how it saved me after a horrific allergic reaction to Clinique foundation. Then Natalie Willingham rocked my world by recommending Illamasqua Skin Base foundation for my wedding day.  Bless Natalie when her suggestion squared up to a big wall of make-up shaped resistance on my part...

"erm...yeah...so I'm really scared of a new foundation...sooooo....can't we just use what I've used for the past billion years and be done with it? Who said change was a good thing?" 

She, all business, dispenses a little tub of wedding foundation for me to try and off I pootled home. The next day it's fair to say my face-life changed. The foundation Natalie had given me was IMMENSE - no hardcore blending necessary, glided on and covered all my scarring. I actually took a photo of my FACE and sent it to her I was that pleased.

As well as committing to Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation I have also entered a monogamous relationship with Dermalogica - namely the Special Cleansing Gel and the Daily Microfoliant. I tried to commit to Liz Earle - I was seduced by her Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - but it aggravated my skin. My right cheek looked rank - like I'd binged on dairy and it was coming back to say 'hello' in the form of massive spots. About 6 months before my wedding I re-purchased a Dermalogica set from my beautician and within a week my skin was back to normal.

As ever my lipstick remains the same - Maybelline 24hr Super Stay in 501. Now for a disturbing shot of me wearing said lipstick. You're welcome.

Til next time... x

The Wardrobe Angel

Face Style

The clue is in the title - it's what I put on my face to stop unwelcome comparisons to swamp donkeys. And to cover acne scars.

First up we have Ever Matte foundation from Clarins. Ever since an allergic reaction to Clinique a few years ago I have been a Clarins convert. This foundation soaks up grease (of which my skin has tonnes) and lasts for AGES - I've had this bottle since February.

Benefit Pore Professional - sent from the gods. I have crater sized pores, they map them from space, and this covers them up giving me awesome skin. On an office day I'll just pop a bit of this on my face and be done with the rest of the make-up routine/rigmarole.

GOSH eyebrow kit from Superdrug. The wonderful make-up artist Natalie Willingham got me on to filling in my eyebrows about a year ago. It makes such a difference!

MAC Strobe Cream or Sleep In A Bottle as I call it. Awesome for early mornings, late nights and when I require a dose of radiance.

I spent my teens and early 20's hacking at my eyebrows. Who knows, maybe if I'd left well alone I'd be rivalling Cara right now in the eyebrow stakes. For plucking the pesky hairs I have found no better tweezers than Tweezerman.

My red lips used to be achieved through a mixture of Lipcoat and Revlon and then I found Maybelline 24 hour Super Stay. It does exactly what it says on the tin. Won't come off when you eat or drink. Just awesome. And mostly always on 3 for 2 in Boots. Go wild.

And last but not least Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde mascara. I used to forgo mascara in preference for the lipstick but then I felt the fringe was dominating the top half of my face and the eyes weren't getting a look in. After an allergic reaction to the Benefit They're Real mascara (it is so chemically thick - like an oil slick - and nigh on impossible to take off) and a clumpy, flaky experience with Maybelline Rocket Volume Express I turned to Boujois Volume 1 Seconde mascara. Easy to apply, easy to take off and it works!!! One coat and your eyes instantly 'pop'. You can see why it won a Grazia beauty award.