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As the seasons change, much like my wardrobe, my breakfast routine (normally a gentle porridge to granola switcheroo) and my desire for wanting to go for a walk around the park during lunchtime opposed to tucking into an ITV quiz show; my make up bag also likes to have a happy quarterly refresh.
Admittedly, I am a woman who likes what she likes; a creature of habit when it comes to what I put on my face. My own personal shop front! But knowing the way the industry moves, adapts and the marvellous things it comes out with month after month; it’s nice to get a little creative every now and again (even if that means switching up a blush shade or diving in the deep end with a plumping lip gloss rather than hydrating balm- I know, who IS SHE)! But I thought I’d share a handful of my favourites that are coming out every morning around 8am; showing up and giving me a lift, some life and a whole lot of glow too.
(I’m trying to not do that thing that recipe books do when they give you a whole biography about a holiday to Italy with their grandmother when they were ten before they get to telling you about the carbonara you MUST MAKE, and instead just tell you about why these products are brilliant so I will try my very best!)
SKIN
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation: I’ll be honest here; every NARS foundation I’ve tried becomes a staple. Although I’ve been a Natural Radiant Longwear girlie for most of my life; the Light Reflecting foundation is also an incredibly hard worker at giving glow, great coverage and lasting all day.
By Terry Hyaluronic Serum Concealer: The one concealer I am happy to spend over thirty British pounds on because it is that good. Often I am reluctant to spend that on a takeaway, so I’m sure that must be saying something. It works in a way that a foundation does; a little goes a very long way and often if I’m using this my ol’ friend NARS is taking a day off. It’s the perfect cover-up and because of the hydrating qualities steers it away from being drying too.
Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm: The Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm is a new addition to my make up routine, and when all is well on my face this is the absolute perfect base. It’s thicker than I expected but in a very good way; it feels substantial upon application (I use a sponge) but blends to feel light and glowy in the way that Vieve products have the magic touch to do (honestly, if I can get that Jamie Genevieve glow than SIGN ME UP).
BLUSH
Pixi On-the-Glow Blush: This stick blush might be the longest serving item in my make up bag, but also the easiest to use, most failsafe and effective too. You cannot go wrong using this- it’s swipe and go and *always* adds the right amount of sheen and colour, always. It makes me feel like Lisa Eldridge when I use it because I can apply it with all my rings on very quickly and the pay off is always perfect; she’s a MUA guys!
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush: A little more for the delicate handed, a little goes a very long way with this- but when it goes OH she shines. This collection of contour, highlight and blush are serious bang for your buck and I do worry with the minimal amount you need I could have this well into the 22nd century. But! If it gives my a Hollywood healthy ‘rogue’ (as my dad would say) then it gets a big tick from me.
EYES & LIPS
Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm: The perfect antidote for colour and moisture; the ‘Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balms’ have an almost theatrically dramatic name (for the faint hearted, do not be put off by the use of Phantom here); but are the perfect throw-in-your-bag lippie for gentle colour, intense hydration and a very glossy pout (does anyone say ‘pout’ anymore in beauty writing? Did we leave it in the nineties??)
Pixi Lip Lift Max: I very much have my suspicions with plumping lip products; and trust me, I a not expecting a miracle when I use one. But Pixi do do plumping, great glossy lip products very well for a dewy, natural finish.
Blink Brow Bar Combo: I will admit it, I am very very late to the Blink Brow Bar party and I hang my head in shame because their products are, as everyone has said, really really good. I’ve been using a combination of their Ultimate Arch Definer for filling and Clear Brow Gloss for grooming and have already repurchased. Nothing makes filling in and shaping my brows quite so easy.
Victoria Beckham Vast Lash Mascara: I’m sure I’ve spoken about this mascara before, but she’s just SO. GOOD. Lengthening, flirty fluttery lashes that don’t smudge and look remarkably natural (this is not the mascara if you’re after a chunky sixties lash); but it is the perfect every day ‘are they really your natural lashes???’ mascara.
SCENT
Ffern: If you’re after a truly special seasonal scent, there really isn’t anyone else who creates magic and moments like Ffern. Everything about the way they story tell and create their fragrances feels like a time capsule for the current season and time we are living in. It’s the way I imagine perfume was meant to be created, and has something nostalgic and magical about it. Each of their four yearly scents are released at the equinox or solstice, and are created using natural, sustainably sourced high quality ingredients sympathetic and aligned with the seasons. This spring’s scent is a floral violet scent; with green notes of jonquil daffodil and a softness from ylang ylang. it’s got an encompassing warmness to it whilst also smelling fresh and light. magic.
Jo Malone Beach Blossom: There’s something about a Jo Malone summer fragrance which wraps you up in a sandy beach towel, kisses your skin with a coconutty warmth and hands you a sparkling mojito as you watch the sun start to settle on the horizon; and Beach Blossom is here to sweep you to faraway shores (even if the longest journey you have planned this spring is a slow train home from Victoria at 18:09). This scent is exactly what I love in summer; it’s transportive, feminine and makes me feel like I could be staying somewhere with Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins (admittedly, with a bit less drama) (I haven’t caught up yet).
Miller Harris Rêverie de Bergamote: Perhaps I haven’t mentioned, but in summer, or spring, or actually winter or autumn in fact- I really favour smelling like a bowl of fresh zesty citrus fruit. The kind of smell that lingers after you’ve ripped open a tangerine, all juicy and sticky. That’s what I want to be the human version of! Admittedly, this feels a little bit sexier and grown up. It’s the kind of delicious scent I’d also say smells ‘clean’ too (which somehow always sounds a bit clinical, but is meant in a delicious fresh way) and is perfect for adding a little spritz of sunshine to the every day.
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