MY EASY PEASY MAKEUP ROUTINE

I get asked ALL the time what makeup I use so I figured I’d pull my finger out and write an actual blog post with actual pictures on what’s lurking in my makeup bag. Now I wasn’t always confident in the makeup department but I knew enough to get me by. I have dolly magazine to thank for that plus I learned a thing or two in my hairdressing days and of course taking on recommendations from friends.

I have made some woeful purchases over the years too, foundation was the one product that was consistently an expensive mistake lesson! I am sure the fancy makeup ladies at the Myer/David Jones makeup counters saw me coming with my flashing neon sign plastered across my forehead…that said SUCKER, take all my money!

Then a few years back I lost my lashes and brows courtesy of chemo and makeup became kinda a necessity for me, I needed it to give me some confidence to face the day but also some expression. Fat, round steroid face really needs some contouring. I was a bit clueless as I had always had pretty ace brows and suddenly finding myself without any meant I had to ask for help. So I did.

I stood into a MAC store and the lovely Jess sat me down and the rest is history. I’m now a bit of a makeup junkie, flights interstate aren’t complete unless I’ve been to a MECCA Cosmetica or a MECCA Maxima store.

These days I have no qualms in asking store assistants for help, I even sit down and let them plaster some product on my face and I’m not shy about asking for samples…always ask for a sample!

I’m also fortunate to have done several professional photo shoots with ‘actual photographers’ with cameras that make cool clicking noises and real makeup artists that know their way around a palette and are a whizz at applying false lashes. Can I just say that makeup artists are funny as fuck, how I don’t end up with lipstick all over my face from laughing so much while they are applying I do not know.

When I’m in the makeup chair I ask ALL the questions, grilling them about what they are using and why, what their fave brushes are, how to get a smokey eye and just what the actual fuck is contouring anway? (I still don’t understand it) They are more than happy to oblige with tips and some even hand over a lippy at the end of the shoot because they are nice humans and we had fun together…or maybe they were desperate to palm off that bright fuschia that never got used. Anyways, being in the makeup chair is fun!

Now I know not everyone gets to grill a makeup artist but you can totally book an appointment at a makeup counter ( I suggest Mecca or Mac) and have your makeup done. There will be a fee of around $80 but it’s redeemable in product and trust me, after a makeup artist does the most wicked smokey eye you are gonna want to buy that eyeshadow palette and the brushes and the liner and the mascara and…well it’s hard for me to stop 🙂

This is your chance to learn all the things that challenge you in the makeup department so ask all the questions and don’t be afraid of trying new things. Speaking of new things I’ve added a few new things to my makeup case lately so let’s take a look at what gets slapped on my face most days shall we.

The base

Moisturiser matters-start with a good serum and moisturiser.
Urban Decay primer
Chanel foundation ‘Perfection Lumiere’ (40 beige)
Illusion Hourglass foundation (sand and golden)
NARS concealer (medium custard)

The eyes

Stilla palette (soul) unfortunately customs dropped my palette and shattered two of the colours…assholes!
By TERRY Ombre Blackstar colour fix cream eyeshadow Pens (my 2 fave day to night ones are Bronze Moon,third one along and  Misty Rock, far let)

Brows and Lashes

Lancôme hypnosis mascara (black)
Maybelline Tattoo brow, not really a tattoo but a great home tint product that works.
Anjali brow powder (01) OR an Hourglass brow pencil

A few extras

Nars Blush (adoration)
Mac highlighter (soft & gentle)

Lips

Endota or Natralis lip balm
Lipstick/lip gloss (assorted, have fun!)

And let’s talk about my favourite makeup brushes.

Now brushes are something I’ve always invested a bit of money in. Sure I’ve had some shit ones when the budget was tight but a good brush really makes application easier and the end result looks more professional. I actually still own and use some MAC brushes that I’ve had for around ten years…worth the investment.

Foundation brush
Blush brush
Highlighter brush
Eyeshadow
Liner
Angled Brow Brush

Some other handy makeup tools I use

Beauty blender-teardrop shaped latex sponge for applying foundation, great for removing eyeshadow fallout.
Brush cleaner-‘Brush With Success’ from Mecca Cosmetica is my favourite, fast drying and smells amazing.
Lash wand-purchase in a multipack from priceline, great for stray brows
Tweezers-for those pesky stray hairs
Sharpener– essential for sharpening lip and eye liners.

Some fast n easy makeup tips for you

⇒Apply moisturiser then go and iron your clothes, clean your teeth or have brekky, give yourself something to do for five minutes while the moisturiser sinks in.

⇒Apply your primer and while its settling into your skin lay out the items you want to use on your face.

⇒Right you’re ready to start with your base, if you’re in a hurry or after a light daytime look apply with a beauty blender or hands. If you have more time use a foundation brush, light strokes though.

⇒Hydrated skin gives a better finish so I exfoliate 2-3 times a week and use a hydration mask a couple of time a week. This mask can stay on overnight or for just 20 minutes. If you wake up and feel you need some help then slap it on and let it work it’s magic while you get your clothes ready.

⇒Now I move onto the eyes, you could apply a specialty primer to stop your eyeshadow creasing and disappearing or you could do what I do and use the ByTerry eye pens. They basically are a primer and don’t budge, they even withstood the humidity of Bali! To turn you day look into night just grab your eyeshadow palette and add some deeper colour to the outer socket and blend, blend, blend.

⇒If you want to brighten your eye add some shimmer (gold or a lumininisor) in the inner corner, just remember to blend.

⇒After my eyes I move onto brows, these are the face framers and give us a more youthful appearance. Once done I can get a feel for what lip I want/need. If you aren’t confident with brows then get yours tinted, the result fades out and last 2-3 weeks. You can also use a brow gel, powder or pencil to add depth of colour and fill in the gaps, I love a powder.

⇒A little lip balm dabbed on your lips right at the start will hydrate them, hydration is good! Remove the excess before applying your lip colour. Personally I’m all over the shop when it comes to lips, I only use a liner for big events don’t prime and love mixing a lipstick and a gloss together. It’s a fun way to create new colours, use a little luminizor on the centre of your pout to give the illusion of more fullness in your lips.

⇒Matte will age you. Matte lips, matte shadow and matte skin..all are flat and there’s no light bouncing off the face. Personally I almost never use a powder as it makes my skin look dry and flat. I like a matte lippy but tend to steer clear, with my small lips it takes skill to get the look right and I find they ball up on my lip throughout the day or when I eat or drink ewww.

⇒Mascara matters! I apply to my top and bottom lashes and always apply a few coats. From time to time I have lash extensions so don’t need mascara when they are in. You could also try heated lash curlers, a lash lift or have your lashes tinted.

⇒When travelling I use an eyeshadow in my palette as my highlighter, it gives the same effect and means I have to pack less. Depending on your palette you could also do this with blush. A lip stain can also double as a blush. Instead of eyeliner if you have a black or dark grey shadow in your palette then use that applied with a brush or cotton tip and smudge a little.

⇒A little blush  on the balls of your cheeks and extended up gives my face some colour, I’m not into contouring at all. After blush I sweep on some highlighter powder, I apply above my cheek bone, on the bridge of my nose, a little on my chin and on my cupids bow. Apply where the sun would naturally hit (think about those parts of your face that go pink when you get a little too much sun) and start with just a litle. Highlighter just makes me look fresher, and who doesn’t want that!

And there you have it, that’s how I put my face together each day. It seriously takes five minutes but the way a little makeup makes me feel is priceless. How did you go, learn anything?

If you have any questions or tips please leave them in the comments.

Til next time

Jen x