I love getting all of my makeup out in front of me and really going to proverbial town on myself. For the last 15 years I’ve tried trends and all sorts of colours. I’ve made mistakes (black lipstick what) but also had some wins. I’ve had makeup professionally done on shoots and been thrown around on the tube while creating a feline flick of eyeliner. So I’ve had practice. 

These days, I rarely wear makeup but when I do, I need it finished and looking good in five minutes max (I have two kids, have we met?). I’ve also learned about angles mostly thanks to all the photographs I’ve had taken over the years for the blog. So I’m going to share my quick tips and best products with you.

Disclaimer:
This post contains affiliate links but this does not influence my choice of products.

Base

A smooth face instantly makes my makeup sit better so I always cleanse and moisturise first. My goal is to reduce uneven texture as much as possible so I’m left with smooth skin (be gone dryness). Whenever I have a shoot I always use Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and then a good rich moisturiser. My moisturiser depends on what my skin needs (I swear by Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream). It leaves my skin looking like I’ve just had a facial, removing layers of dead, dull skin.

Face

I use 5 face products; concealer, foundation, bronzer, blush and highlighter. I start with concealer (Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer) under my eye and the sides of my nose. I’ll also whack it on over any blemishes. Then I use foundation; KVD Good Apple Skin Perfecting Foundation Balm gives incredible coverage, but use extra moisturiser underneath because it can be quite drying. I like to bring the foundation down to my neck – lightly blended downwards rather than built up in layers for a seamless finish. If you’re concerned about wrinkles on the forehead, go very light with the foundation. Too much build up can age you.

I prefer a matte bronzer and I use the cheap as chips MUA Matte Bronzing Powder. It’s good to be strategic with your application and use a large brush. I violently bronze my double chin and bronze just near my side burns (or something a bit more feminine), my temple and a little to contour my nose. I swap to a smaller fluffy brush for my blush. I prefer a bright pink for my skin tone because I find that anything with a purple tinge will enhance my natural-purple shade of lip, making me look cold or ill. The Cheek Pop in shade Pink Pop by Clinique is brilliant.

Highlight makes the world of difference especially to tired skin. I’m up with my baby most nights so my skin needs all the help it can get to look fresh and dewy. A great anti-aging trick is to use something like the Honest Beauty Magic Beauty Balm on cheekbones, above the highest point of your brow up to the hairline, inside the corners of the eyes and finishing off with a tiny line at the top of the nose.

Brows & Lashes

One of the best makeup pieces I’ve discovered in the last few years is the NYX Lift & Snatch Brow Tint Pen. It’s a game changer. I have shade Espresso; it’s the darkest brown with no red/orange/light brown wear. It creates a similar effect to brow tattooing or microblading. It’s honestly amazing! I also love to finish with their clear Control Freak Brow Gel to keep hair in place. I’m wearing lashes in these pictures but my go-to mascara combo is the KVD Epic Curl Lash Primer and the KVD Go Big Or Go Home Mascara. I’m fairly new to this brand but already use these and the foundation as staples so I guess I’m converted!

Lips

Charlotte Tilbury along with Honest Beauty are two of my favourite lipstick brands. Right now, my go-to is Charlotte Tilbury’s Hyaluronic Happikiss in shade Enchanting Kiss.