Beauty: My Make-Up- My Routine

I'm still amazed when people comment on my blog and I'm always so incredibly flattered when a reader takes the time to email and ask a question. A few have inquired about my make-up routine and although I wear make-up every day, I keep it very simple and I do it in under 10 minutes. It is very rare that I deviate from this routine.

I shower every morning and use a facial wash. Once dry, I apply day cream which I leave to absorb while I blow dry my hair. 

My first step after that is foundation. I have used Lancome's Photogenic Lumessence for around three years. I have very fair skin so use the palest shade (01). This offers light coverage which I like. It evens out my skin but is barely discernible. It has an SPF of 15 which I think is incredibly important (being a fair-skinned redhead, sun protection is of paramount importance and this affords daily protection against incidental sun damage). It is lightweight, comfortable, easy to blend and seems to stay the day. I apply it with my fingertips. For me, I feel this has more control than using a sponge or foundation brush.

I then sweep powder all over my face using a Body Shop Face and Body Brush. I do think good brushes are a worthwhile investment. However, I have tried countless bands of pressed powder and have yet to find one as good as this Stay Matte by Rimmel London. I use translucent. 

Next, I apply blush on the apples of my cheeks and along the cheekbone. I love the soft pink of  the Dandelion by Benefit and find it is a very good colour match to my natural flush. It comes with a small brush but I prefer to use my Body Shop blusher brush. I wash both my powder brush and blusher brush frequently. I simply take them into the shower and wash them with shampoo. Once rinsed, I let them dry naturally then fluff them back up.

Then I apply eyeshadow. Almost without exception, I use The Body Shop's Colour Crush eyeshadow in Steel My Heart which is a lovely shiny grey. I can't think of an outfit colour that this doesn't compliment. I use a Barbara Daly eyeshadow brush and just apply it to my eyelids. 

In common with many women. my eyelashes and eyebrows make the most difference. So after applying eyeshadow, I use eyeliner and draw a line along my upper lid starting from the outer corner stopping about two thirds of the way along. I have greyish eyes and I have always found black eyeliner to be too harsh so I use navy or charcoal. Currently, I'm using an Origins one in a steel blue that, if memory serves, was gratis with a magazine. 

I brush my eyebrows, (up and out), and then, very lightly, run a pencil over them with light feathery strokes. I find Maybelline Mastershape in blonde is excellent for my reddish blonde colouring.

Without doubt, my desert island cosmetic is mascara. I use lashings. But, I can't over emphasise the difference a good pair of eyelash curlers makes. Mine are by Tweezerman and are brilliant. 

The mascara I use is Elizabeth Arden's Double Density in black. I think the secret to applying mascara is to really get into the root of the lashes. I apply several coats but I tend not to let each coat dry in between. I then pay particular attention to the top outer lashes which I stretch upwards and outwards. I only add a touch to my bottom lashes because  regardless of whatever I do or don't do, I always seem to end up with panda eyes.