Base Face

I don't know about you, but I totally had the theme tune to 'Brace Face' in my head when I wrote this title.

Throwback Thursday: Estee Lauder Illuminating Gelee Powder in Heat Wave

Ah, just look at that beauty that is the Estee Lauder Illuminating Gelee Powder in Heat Wave. Isn't it just a beauty. I picked this up last year using my Boots points and used it constantly for about 6 months, then remembering it's limited addition I put it away for a bit, wanting to save it.

Then a couple of weeks ago I got it back out, and I'm glad I did. I love this highlighter, it goes on so smoothly and really makes you look glowy and healthy. At the moment I'm loving applying it with one of the brushes I got with a Benefit blusher and I think it lets you put it on just the right way.

Do you have this product? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Let It Glow

Another Frozen reference, I know. Sorry for not being sorry; it just fit so well. For someone who was always scared she looked really shiny and believed a face full of powder was the best way to hide everything and keep things hidden all day, over the last year I've defintiely gravitated toward a glowly look.

To get the base off to the right start I began with the Bourjois Happy Light primer to get my skin all ready for my base which here is the Bourjois CC Cream as I wanted to give it a test, but to be honest, though it's more expensive I much prefer the Dior BB Cream, it lasts better throughout the day and adds an extra glow.

Before powdering with my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, which is the peferfect powder to set make-up but leave you with a glow, I worked in my Jemma Kid Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Cream which is sadly discountined but I say pick up Topshops Glow Cream Highlighter for the same effect. Once that is worked in with the base I like to apply my cream blush, which just so happened to be my Nars Multiple in Portofino.

Eyes and lips I kept quite simple. Eyes was a MAC staple Naked Lunch which deposits a slight colour with a nice shimmer to boot and lips was a your lips but nicer/better colour from No7 BB Lips in Coral Rush.

What are your glowy skin staples?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Stila In the Light Palette

The other night I was going out for dinner and actually had some time to get read and thought I'd bring out my old Stila In the Light palette. As much as I love this palette for some reason I never really find myself reaching for it. I think it's 'cause of the shimmery shades rather than more mattes which I find myself gravitating more toward due to my oily lids. 

Here I've decided to go all over my lids with the shade Bare, then add Bliss to the crease with some Golden across the center with some Luster in the outer corners.

I think this blackened gold is really nice and would make a great smokey all over the lid. It isn't too overpowering but is also really sultry too.

What do you think of this palette?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Fast Face

As I've stopped wearing make-up to work a couple of weeks ago I went out after and ended up using a few 'quick' products to make me more presentable.

For a base I used my Dior BB Cream as it's good coverage and easy to blend. For cheeks and lips I used by trusty NARS Multiple in Portofino. For eyes, I used the Rimmel Scandaleyes in Rich Russest as it gives lovely definition to the lids.

What are your fast face products?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: The 4 Product Face

Sleep has completely and totally won out over make-up! I just really can't be bothered in the morning and make-up just isn't my priority anymore (skincare on the other hand...) 

Therefore I now present to you, the four product face!

So, what am I wearing I hear you ask? For base, I take my Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch under my eyes and taking it quite down my face in a V shape. I then have to fill in my brows, although their quite full I have to fill in the fronts where the sparseness is, an for that I use an Avon Glimmestick. Mascara I used here is the Origins GinZing and depending on how dry my lips are I either use some sort of lip product (here is No7 BB Lips) or other days I use a light dusting of powder.

I also have to say, my skin clearing up, thanks to the products in yesterday's post, has made a big contribution to this minimal make-up.

What's the minimum products you use?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Pull it together

Some days you just don't have the time to do a full on make-up look, but at the same time you still want to look put together. When I'm in this situation I like to reach for something easy to define and add colour to the eyes, and also add a pop of colour to the lips. Everything looks better with a lipstick!

For the base I kept it pretty simple, BB cream, concealer, powder and a bit of a contour.

For a quick wash of colour over the eyes I choose either a cream or liquid based product. Here it's Rimmel's liquid paint. Lashings of mascara always help too.

For lips I choose Rimmel's Rose Sorbet which has a great pink colour to it, but is also easy to apply.

What are your 'pull it together'  items?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Get Up & Go

So I may have mentioned that I now have a job!!! Grown-up times aye? Anyway, by the end of the week sleep wins out over make-up time and I go for this, my get up & go make-up, and I thought I'd share it with you!

Base:

Dr Jart BB Cream

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer 

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Eyes:

Max Factor Brow Pencil

MAC Painterly

Max Factor High Definition Mascara

Cheeks:

Clarins Bronzing Duo in Light

Lips:

No7 BB Lips in Coral Rush

What are your grab and go products?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Simple Summer Smokey Eye

In case you weren't aware, it's summer here in England. Whilst I'm all for minimal make-up when the heat hits, I do also love a good smokey eye. This meant swapping out my dark browns for more lighter colours. 

Before applying any shadow I prepped my lids with the Smashbox lid primer. I then went and put MAC's Era all across the lid with Sable blended into the crease. Instead of black liner on my lashline I used a brown pencil by Rimmel, and on the water line a scandaleyes in Taupe. I realised after how well Powersurge would've worked as a waterline liner. Mascara was my Max Factor False Lash Effect.

What's your summer smokey eye faves?

Laura xoxo

Also #bbloggerproblems

The Five Product Face

When this feature did its rounds on many a blog, I really enjoyed them, but knew I wouldn't be able to do one, as for a start, I like to use two concealers. Whilst I'm all for a minimal look, I don't really use minimal products, but a couple of weeks ago that all changed.

Stopping at someone else's house, thinking I would just head home the next day turned into going out for a meal; and me being me, needed to make a bit of an effort. So alas, I had a five product face.

For base I used my Dr Jart Water Fuse BB Cream which I'd packed, along with my Healthy Balance concealer and BB Lips. I then delved into my handbag make-up bag and whacked on some High Impact Mascara and Head Over Heels Blush. 

A bit less polished than I would've liked, but definitely acceptable enough to enter society.

Have you done a five product face?

Laura xoxo

Stila Natural Eyes: One Palette - Three Looks

Remember this time last year when everyone and their wife was banging on about this palette? Well it was with good reason, as the palette is gorgeous; and I'm bringing it back for this post.

There is so many gorgeous colours in this palette and I thought I'd show you three different 'smokey eye' looks that I like to create from this palette.

Look One: The Neutral Smokey Eye

I started by blending Kitten all over my lid. I then placed Bliss in the crease with a bit of Sandstone in the outer corner. For a bit of lash definition I ran and smudged some Damsel into my upper lash line and outer corner of my lower lash line.

Look Two: The Bronze Smokey Eye

For this look, I took Sunset all over my lid then place Gilded Gold in the outer corner, crease and lower lash line. I then took Bliss to blend the crease colour to my brow bone. To define my lashes I added some Ebony and ran Damsel onto my waterline. 

Look Three: The Dark Smokey Eye 

I started with Luster along my upper lash line, and up to my crease. Across the rest of my lid I added some Sandstone and blended the crease and brow bone with Bliss. I then Luster underneath my eye, and placed Damsel on my lower water line. For a bit more definition I added Ebony onto my upper lash line.

Do you have this palette? What looks do you create?

Laura xoxo

Throwback Thursday: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

I'm sure you've all seen plenty of reviews on these balm stains. They took the beauty world by storm for being the first 'dupe' of the beloved Clinique Chubby sticks; however now you can't turn a corner without some sort of crayon calling for attention.

As usual, I used this loads when I first got this and then it got left behind when something newer and shinier came along; but it really is a gem of a product. Easy application, good lasting time and quite moisturising too.

Colour-wise, Honey is the perfect everyday, your lips but better colour.

Do you have this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Trying Something New

If you have a quick scroll through this blog, you will see that I'm a lover of natural colours. Simple, subtle, browns and neutrals. That kind of thing. However, for my birthday (have I mentioned it much?) I recieved a Collection palette full of colours: greens, purples, blues etc, and I thought, why not mess about a bit.

I've seen that blue liner is quite 'in' right now, and found myself with a little time on my hands, and decided to mess about; and I'm quite impressed with the result!

I began with my liquid liner (which again is new for me) and set a thinish line on my upper lash line. 

I then wet my RT angled brush and dabbed it in the lighter blue colour of the palette. I placed that above and on top of the black liner. I then took the deeper blue (which wouldn't pick up as well) and placed that on top as a kind of 'ombre' effect.

I'm really pleased with how this turned out, and who knows, I may even brave it out of the house. Who knows!

What do you think?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Interview

I am now, unfortunately at that time in my life where I need to enter... THE REAL WORLD!!! It's crazy, and I really don't feel ready for it. However, I've put my big girl pants on (not the Bridget Jones kind, the metaphorical ones) and applied for a whole boat load of different jobs. I've heard back from hardly any, and I'm realising getting to the interview stage is going to be hard enough. However, I have now had one proper assessment day (scary and intesnse) and one informal interview (not that scary) and whilst I haven't got a 'grown-up' job yet I am doing a few odds and ends and earning a bit of dough. Anyway after the worlds largest intro, here is my 'interview' face. (I doubt you're are surprised I have an interview face...)

Bare Minerals Original Foundation

Bourjois Stick Concealer

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concelaer

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer

MAC Brun/Omega - Brows

MAC Painterly

Urban Decay Pistol/Blackout

Rimmel Kate Scandaleyes in Nude

Max Factor False Lash Effect

Benefit Hervana
Estee Lauder Illuminating Gelee in Heatwave

Rimmel Matte Lipstick in 101

No7 Lipgloss in Smile

What would your interview face staples be?

Laura xoxo

Video: Summer Make-up Look

So I watched a lot of old YouTube tutorials and decided to make my own. Yes, I'm fully aware that I have too much time on my hands.

Also, I'm sure you are all aware of the whole GFC hoo-haa, but just to let you know, you can follow my blog through bloglovin' using this little link here:

 http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/3519536/call-of-beauty

Laura xoxo

Video: Get Ready With Me: Evening Meal

As mentioned in Tuesday's post, my friend and I go out for dinner once a week to catch up, chat and moan about life. As you do. A couple of weeks ago I decided to film a get ready with me video, and that is what you're viewing today!

Hope you enjoy.

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Dinner Time

Once a week, me and my bestest make sure we have a meal out and spend some time catching up. It's one of my favourite nights of the week, and makes me grateful to have such a lovely friend in my life (eugh, too soppy right?) As lovely as it is catching up with her, it also brings me excitment as it means I can experiment with different looks. Win win!

Base:

Mix of Dr Jart + BB Cream + Laura Mercier Silk Creme

Bourjois Healthy Balance Concealer

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

Eyes:

MAC Brun/Omega - Brows

MAC Club/Carbon

Stila Bare

Rimmel Scandaleyes in Taupe

Max Factor False Lash Effect

Face:

Estee Lauder Illuminating Gelee in Heatwave

Benefit Hervana

MAC Harmony

Lips:

Rimmel Moisture Renew Rose Sorbet

Do you and your friends do stuff like this?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Work #2

So although I've finished uni now, I'm still doing two days a week work experience and thought I'd share with you what I wear on my face for it, as work make-up is something I've never really had to delve into.

Base:

Bare Minerals Orginal Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer

Eyes:

MAC Brun/Omega - Brows

Avon Glimmerstick in Dark Brown

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

MAC Carbon

Rimmel Scandaleyes in Nude

Cheeks:

The Balm Cabanna Boy

Estee Laude Illuminating Powder in Heat Wave

Lips:

Revlon ColourStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in It Girl

What's your work go-to?

Laura xoxo

FOTD: Barely There

I'm sure we've all been there; you don't want to wear a full face of make-up but don't want to bare all for the world. This is what I go for, especially now the weather is finally getting warmer (or was.)

For a base, I just whack on a load of Origins Vita Zing which at first, I didn't like, but now can see myself re-purchasing. It isn't a tinted moisturiser, but it evens out my skin tone, and gives a bit more ommph to my skin.

I then just conceal major blemishes and under my eyes. I have to conceal under my eyes.

My favourite highlighter of the moment is the new Estee Lauder Illuminating powder Gelee, in HeatWave. This just gives the skin the most amazing healthy glow. I am in love with it.

For a bit of definition I use a sprinkling of Nars Laguna.

The tiniest sweep of Revlon's 3D Volume mascara alongside a little bit of MAC's Painterly to even out my skin tone is all the love my eyes get.

For a natural lip colour I put on some Blistex or Vaseline and gently blend  in some of MAC's Brick-o-la.

What are your 'barely there' make-up faves?

Laura xoxo