TAG: Make-up and Skincare Essentials

Friday 13 January 2012

Many thanks to 'Beauty Fiend' whose great beauty blog I've just stumbled upon, who posted this tag originally at www.whokilledlola.blogspot.com.

How often do you wash your face? Twice a day. Once with tepid water to wake me up in the morning and last thing at night with warm water before I go to bed. Any more would be a tad obsessive, non?

Your skin type? Generally normal, but I lean towards oily in the summer and get drier in winter!

Which facial cleanser do you use? I've currently just started a bottle of Garnier Pure 3-in-1 Wash, but I usually use Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit or Multi-Defence washes, they really suit my skin.

Do you use facial peels? I haven't tried microdermabrasion or any chemical peels, but I do love peel-off face masks. I find peeling them off weirdly satisfying. I like No7 Pamper & Peel Radiance Mask. It's a fruity purple gel that you spread on with a little fan brush- beautiful!

What moisturiser do you use? Constantly switch around brands as I love trying out new stuff, but my old faithful is always Olay Complete Care Multi-Radiance. It has everything my skin needs and leaves a perfect base for make up.

Do you have freckles? Not really- very faint ones on the tops of my cheeks that are only visible when I'm tanned, nothing to write home about.

Do you use an eye cream? Yes. My eyes are my biggest skin woe- dark circles, bags, you name it. It's my skin battleground. I use-and love- Dr Nick Lowe Skin Solutions Correcting Cream, plus a caffeine roll-on in the morning.

Do you have acne? Spots have never been a problem for me, even when I was a teenager, so I've been lucky there.

Do you use an SPF? Yes, every single day. I believe it's the single most important thing you can do for your skin. I wear moisturiser and foundation with an SPF and if I know I will be out in strong sunlight, I also wear an SPF 50 facial sunscreen. I am THAT obsessed!

Foundation? I love Chanel Vitalumiere, it gives an amazing dewy finish. But I equally love Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse and am never without it. I also like Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Cream topped with some Clinique Superbalanced Mineral Powder for daytime.

Concealer? I'm currently wearing Maybelline 24hr SuperStay, after reading rave reviews, but I also like Bourjois Bio Detox Organic for dealing with my dark circles, and Benefit It Stick is the best for blemishes.

Do you know your skin tone? NW25- but although I love most MAC products, I never like any of their foundations, bizarrely. So I'm a 021 Nude in Maybelline terms and usually some kind of warm beige in other lines! I have a light golden, not quite olive skintone that hints a bit at my distant French and South American heritage!

What do you think of false eyelashes? I'm in love with them! I wear them everytime I go out in the evening to an event. So I'm a pro at applying them. I have a drawer full of packets of lashes in my dressing table!

What do you think of the rule of changing mascara every 3 months?
I'm not particularly germ-phobic, but it's probably common sense. Mine only ever last a couple of months due to drying out or me wanting to try something new.

Your mascara? I really prefer mascaras with plastic brushes to those with fibre ones, as I think they define much better. And I like a volumising formula. My favourite ever mascara was LancĂ´me Fatale which they discontinued a couple of years back *sob*. Now I always buy Maybelline Volum'Express One By One (in the coral tube)- it's fab!

Sephora or MAC? I love both- don't make me choose! Although where I live in the UK, we don't have a Sephora (probably thankful for my bank balance) so the MAC shop is my poison!

Which make up tool do you use the most? My Benefit Hard Angle brush- I'm obsessed with cat eye liner and getting arched brows, so it's an essential!

Do you use shadow base? Not really- for big events, I sometimes use Urban Decay Primer Potion, but I think with quality eyeshadows you don't really need one.

Base for face? I really like Rimmel Fix & Perfect but a lot of shops don't seem to stock it.

What is your favourite eyeshadow? Im never without MAC shadows in Phloof and Satin Taupe. I like a slightly pearly finish as well.

What is your favourite eyeliner: liquid or pencil? I prefer liquid for day as it gives a neater, more durable finish. But for evening, I'm all about gel creams- Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Sepia or Urban Decay Ink for Eyes in Zero.

Have you ever had a mascara accident? Ummm... If stabbing yourself in the eye or getting it on a strand of hair that then smears all over your face counts... Then yes!

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? I'm not a fan- they're too
messy for my liking!

What about mineral make up? When they first all came out, they were all I'd use! Now, I prefer them in the summer, when my skin is oiler. But sometimes they're too messy (see above!).

What is your favourite lipstick? I like a
nude lipstick with a slightly glossy finish, so my holy grail is MAC Sheen Supreme in Bare Again. I also won't be without- Benefit Full Service Lipstick in Lady's Choice, 17 Mirror Shine in Beehive and Mac Lustre in Lovelorn.

Lipgloss? Hands down best is Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Imaginaire- well worth the price.

Your favourite blush? Daniel Sandler Watercolour blush in Cherub or Hail Mary.

Do you buy make up from eBay? I'd never try something for the first time from eBay, but it's great for finding discontinued products if you know what shade you need.

What do you think of drugstore products? I think the formulas are amazing these days and no one should be shy to try it. I'm a big fan of Sleek make up and I really think the quality rivals any of the high end brands. I also love Maybelline!

Have you ever considered taking a make up lesson? I worked on several make up counters while studying for my degree- Clarins, Givenchy and Benefit. So I know a bit about application. I'd secretly love to be a make up artist if I was to retrain, so I would consider lessons for sure!

Are you clumsy at putting on make up?
No I'm pretty decent.Friends often ask
me to do their make up for nights out- one even asked me to do her wedding
make up- but I wasn't keen in case I got it wrong! I'm always watching tutorials on YouTube to learn more techniques as well.

Whats the worst make up disaster for you? I haven't made any personally since I was young and liked pink glittery eyeshadow really! But I think the worst sins are badly done fake tan- I never use the stuff- and overdone black eyeliner!

Do you like bright or natural make up? Natural, definately. Occasionally like a bright purple on my eyes or a bright pink lip in winter though!

What celebrities make up is your favourite? Alexa Chung- I love cat eyes and she nails that. Or Candice Swanepoel, although she's just stunning anyway!

What would be your one and only make up material to use life long if you had to choose one? Eyeliner. I always play up my eyes! It's my desert island product!

Do you ever go out with make up? Only if I'm going straight to the gym in the morning, then there's not much point.

What do you think you look like without make up? Anything from hideous to just 'nothing special'. I don't like all this 'hiding the real you' argument, as I feel far more myself with make up on- the real me wears eyeliner!

What cosmetic brand do you think is the best? I hate to choose just one as I don't like being tied down! I like MAC, Maybelline, Sleek and Chanel the best overall though!

What do you think of make up in general? Its one of the passions of my life. I never get tired talking about it- hence the blog- and love trying new products! I love how it can transform a person completely!

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