Whether you work 9-5, run a corporation or try and control your household why not look fabulous while you at it? You don't need makeup to be confident of course, but knowing you look glam can have your confidence boosting. Whatever your style, there's a routine to fit it and today I'm sharing mine. I work long hours in the office so I stick to trusted formulas to ensure my makeup looks as good at 9 am as well as 5 pm and here's how I do it.
'I woke up like this'
I'm all about the long lasting base. I've been super into Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear because it's awesome! It lasts all day, doesn't cake up on dry skin and that's a lot to say about a mattifying foundation. I feel like I've talked about it so much already but I really love it! It's important to trust your base products when you're stuck at work all day long. I work really long hours lately, so I demand longevity from my foundation. However, I also like light bases and my new The Ordinary Serum Foundation is invisible on the skin, it lasts for at least 7-8 hours, so I tend to use it on my 'shorter days'. It gives that 'I have nothing on' finish, which sometimes I prefer. The formula is super light but buildable to medium coverage. I picked mine in two shades (1.0P pink and 1.0NS neutral-silver) and I tend to just mix and match. I apply it with my fingers first and then blend it in with a beauty blender. It's dewy but without going overboard and I tend to powder it down in my t-zone a bit to ensure it lasts all day. It's super watery and the whole pump is too much product for me, so I tend to use half a pump first and add on concealer if I need to cover any redness or dark circles. Given the price you really can't go wrong. Get it, if you're a patient person, as I waited for nearly 5 weeks for it to be delivered!
Concealer is a must and every girl's best friend. I don't like showing sleepless nights and with anxiety, I get plenty of these. Thankfully my Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair is there to pick up the pieces. I know I know. I think I featured this concealer in every one of my posts since I got it. I can't help it, it's this good! It gives superb coverage so it's perfect for days I choose lighter foundation formulas as it covers all the imperfections. I also use it to contour with. I apply it under my eyes and on the bridge of my nose and a little on the chin to cover up any dark circles and redness. Definite love!
Another holy grail is RCMA No-Color Powder, but it's been a while since I talked about it! It deserves all the shoutouts so here it is. It's by far the best powder I have ever used. I have dry and dehydrated skin usually and it never sets on any dry patches or in fine lines. It doesn't cake up. Even in warmer months where my skin's borderline combination, it works great at keeping t-zone shine at bay. Can't fault it. It's so cheap and lasts forever. I had it for so long and I'm only half way through it! I love baking with it and I find it's best applied all over with a damp beauty blender, which is a weapon of choice for me.
Cut those cheeks
I don't know about you, but it's been bloody ages since I went to work without full contour on. I have a full face and feel more confident with defined cheeks. And if I can look just slightly less chubby cheeks then I'll do it! Lol!!! Inglot HD Sculpting Powder in 504 is one of the best contour shades I own. It's difficult to describe, as it's very ashy with slight purple undertones, but somehow it works well on my super pale cool tone complexion. I can't imagine leaving the house without even a slight contour and the Inglot powder may not swatch well but blends beautifully onto the skin.
I've spoken about Maison Jacynthe Blush in Juliette 02 before and I still love this for my everyday needs. It's super light but gives enough of peachy-pink flush to my cheeks. It's also natural and cruelty-free and that's always a bonus! It's either this or Benefit Dandelion for me on days that I want to add a little colour to my cheeks but not go overboard.
I am not used to loving highlighters that don't burn a hole in my credit rating (looking at you Becca!), so Primark's PS... Pure Glow Highlighting Palette has been a shocker!Having seen everyone raving about it, I couldn't not try it. I'm pleased to confirm the hype was justified! Other than Firefly which is a little too dark for me but I can probably make it work if applied lightly once I'm a little tanned, I love and wear all the shades. Sometimes I just swirl a brush and mix all the shades or go either Glimmer (champagne gold) or Eden (rose gold) first then add a little of mind blowing Desert (white silver) at the very tip of the nose, cupid's bow etc. For £5.00 this palette is a true must have. I even love the marble-like packaging with rose gold details. I rarely like the non-luxury packaging so it's an all rounder for me. Get it while you still can!
Smoldering looks
I'm all about that daytime smokey and it's my go-to look. I must admit, contoured eyes give me a lot of confidence! It's been a while since I talked about Makeup Geek matte eyeshadows and Duo Chromes but they're still one of my favourite eyeshadow formulas. I have few of my everyday favourites such as White Lies (matte white) to set my primer with, Baby Face (beige taupe) and Creme Brûlée (medium camel) in the crease and Frappe (warm medium-dark brown) & Cocoa Bear (warm dark brown) in the outer corners. Depending on my mood I also add either I'm Peachless (pink beige duo chrome) or Rockstar (grey, lilac and pink duochrome) all over my lid. I can create a multitude of looks just by using these shadows, but I also have 20+ more to play with.
Another 'will you stop, you're being boring' kinda product is my mascara. I don't think L'Oreal Miss Baby Roll is the best mascara, far from it, but I choose it over and over for its longevity. It doesn't crumble or smudge and believe me when I say it, that never happens to me! I wish it was more like Better than Sex and gave me incredible volume and length too, but I think it's a great everyday mascara nevertheless. I am little bored with it myself now and I'm looking forward to testing a new mascara. What would you recommend I pick up next?
Statement lips
I wouldn't be myself without a lipstick. I tend to go statement lip over a nude any day but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy both. I feel confident with a statement lip on and lately, I've been into orange reds again, fuchsia pinks and good old rose. Jeffree Star Checkmate is my favourite shade + formula combo. It lasts literally all day, doesn't crumble and look at that vibrant red. Be that work or going out, I go Checkmate over anything! I picked up a gorgeous pink from MAC Fruity Juicy collection and it's gorgeous. Love at First Bite is not too neon but certainly not muted either. It's not the most lasting finish but it's easy to top up throughout the day. But you know what they say, once you go MA, you never go back ;) I recently picked up my one and only Chanel La Raffinée, which is a gorgeous rose dark nude. It almost looks statement on me, given how pale I am, but also super wearable. I tend to stick to it on days when I'm in meetings or any other professional capacity as it's easy to wear and top up and suits any look well.
Confidence becomes her
Forget makeup for a second. Let's talk about being yourself, about being respected and holding your head high. Us women, don't get it easy. In most jobs, we have to fight to get our point across or to even be heard. I am sick and tired of seeing girl-clones. You know the type, I'm sure. We call them Yes-Girls. It seems that to get ahead you have to become that version of 'never original, saying yes to everything and everyone' kinda professional woman. So please please please, don't ever turn into one. Wear your opinions comfortably, don't lose your integrity because, in the end, you'll find yourself with no personality left. Be yourself, even if yourself means being a nasty woman. That nasty woman any insecure man or woman disrespects because they're afraid of you. Be her. Shatter glass ceilings with you, the pure, the original, uncensored you!
What are your current work everyday makeup obsessions?Let me know in the comments section below. I hope you have a great week my Queens. Remember, don't let anyone dim your sparkle!
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Thank You For Reading,
Love
