Beauty: My daily make-up routine

I have a fairly simple daily make-up routine...I get ready within half an hour and applying make-up only takes about 10 minutes max. I prefer to keep this really low maintanance, but also have that naturally tanned look with one strong feature such as the eyes or lips. Sometimes I apply a darker lipstick, or smokey eyes which obviously takes a little longer, but my usual daytime routine is a lot simpler with the usual products you would expect.

Over time, and as I have gradually been able to afford better quality brands, I have learned what I like and have been able to test out a lot of different products. Some of these are a little pricey, but are well worth it and last longer than 2 months. I find it better to invest into good quality make-up which in return means I will buy it less often, and so the costs work out about the same. Here are my favourites which I use every day...

BASE
Clinique Superprimer Universal Face Primer, £20
Clinique Stay Matte Oil Free foundation, £22.50
No7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder in Translucent, £11.50

EYES
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal, £3.99
Eyelash Curlers
Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Black, £24.50
Body Shop Slanted tweezers, £4.50
Nars sharpener, £6

CHEEKS
Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna, £27
The Body Shop Bronzing Blush, £17
Nars Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross, £25.50 (For under the eyes and over the nose)

LIPS
Mac Lipstick in Russian Red, £15.50
Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, £18 (stays on all day/night!!)
Dior Rouge Dior Nude, £26
Laura Geller lip brush (Similar here)

The Body Shop blusher is great, but I wish it came in better packaging as it's really hard to hold sometimes...I apply this over my bronzer, and add extra on the bottom/inside of my cheeks.

I've never been into lipsticks until I got a little bit older, and my go-to shades are dark purple, dark red and shiny nudes. I mostly wear nude during the day and let the bronzer and eyeliner talk, and then I wear the darker shades in the evening or nights out to turn it up a notch with my usually simple outfits.

I've been using Diorshow for years - it really elongates my lashes and this new-ish curved brush with the Overcurl mascara is perfect.

A good brush makes a huge difference, I've only come to terms with this after years of denial because I didn't want to spend a lot of money on brushes. Once I started using this one from Body Shop I understood why they are so important...the distribution of the blush or bronzer is so much better, more even and lasts longer. I have yet to invest into a powder and foundation brush but they are next on my list!

This is my most recent purchase - the highlighting powder in Albatross by Nars. It has a lovely subtle golden shine when applied, and it looks really nice on top of my mostly matte make-up. I apply it under the eyes, on my forehead, above my lip and all over my nose!

Beauty: Clinique Super Primer

If like me, this is the first time that you will be trying a make-up primer, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised! I never really believed in these, and didn't see the point in using them when I found foundation that was good anyway. At the end of the day, I found that my foundation was coming off, looking patchy and oily but I never thought there was such an easy fix. I just assumed it was the way it was, and that everyone's make-up just comes off like that. Well, I was wrong!!

I was persuaded by the Clinique lady to try their new Super Primer, and now can't really imagine not using one. It creates an ideal make-up canvas, prepping your skin and almost placing a layer on top of your skin which basically closes the pores (in a good way) so that your makeup stays on and doesn't budge all day. It's very lightweight, and super soft so feels just like a moisturiser. It glides on evenly and easily, and feels great.

It contains silicone polymers to fill pores, blurs the appearance of fine lines, and creates smoothier skin. I love Clinique as the brand makes perfect products for sensitive skin, and this primer is also oil free. I use their foundations as well, and their products are all fragrance free and formulated to be allergen free.

The range has six different types with the same formula but different colours too. I HIGHLY recommend this, the first bottle is already lasting me over a month as I don't use it every day. Well worth the money.

For best results, apply the primer after a three step skin care system, or just before applying make up. Smooth over entire face with fingertips or with a sponge and feel how silky smooth the cover is! It's like a second skin!

Clinique Super Primer/Universal face primer, £20

Other primers in the collection are...

Last image from Clinique's website