This summer's makeup bag

We're mid-August and the new exciting A/W collections are beginning to appear at beauty counters everywhere. Before I get too wrapped up in all things autumn and lots of new products I thought I would show what I've had in my makeup bag this summer. I don't think it has escaped anyone that we have had an amazing summer in the UK, with temperatures soaring above 25-30 degrees - not bad for a country infamous for it's rainy weather. Since my skin has been very bronzed, I've worn a lot of coral and peach colors to bring out my tan with the occasional pop of color to emphasize my eyes but most of these hot days I've been very bare faced and kept makeup to a minimum and it's not until the evening that I would have done something with a bit more coverage.

When I came back from holiday a few months ago I had to get a new foundation to match my tan, and since I find it a bit tricky to get a shade that works with my skin I took the opportunity to use the No 7 Match Made Service to find the perfect match. I wanted a formula that gives a lot of radiance, but still with a little bit of coverage so after having had my skin color measured I ended up with No 7 Instant Radiance Foundation in Wheat. Since I don't like applying foundation all over my face, unless it's needed to correct uneven skin I usually only apply over my nose, cheeks and chin and blend in. I've been very pleased with the foundation and it's felt light, sheer and pleasant to wear, unlike some foundations where you feel as if you're wearing a mask. It's also blended nicely with my Collection 2000 Concealer Lasting Perfection in Beige. I've mentioned this concealer in my July favourites, and I think it's such a brilliant affordable product that truly is longlasting - it will stay on until the end of the day when it's time for your evening routine, perfect!

I've mentioned before that I love that healthy sun kissed look so there's not been a day where I've been without a bronzer, and my current product is the Bourjois Bronzing Powder - Délice de Poudre in shade 52. I mentioned this bronzer already in the Bronze Age, so I won't talk too much about it except to say that it has a lovely soft texture that makes it easy to work with and it does actually smell a little bit like a powdery chocolate bar. I'll use this as a blush, and also on areas of my face that the sun would naturally hit like my brow, chin etc.

Having done my face, I'll move on to eyes and although I love blending different eye shadows and experimenting - this summer I've really kept it simple by using mainly one shade all over my eye lid - MAC Eyeshadow in Rule. This is a lovely coral shade, with hints of burned orange, that can either be a subtle coppery highlighter or a very vibrant statement, depending on how much you blend. It's very pigmented, so I would recommend starting of with just a tiny bit and then build it up.

To add some depth I've used Avon Glimmersticks Eyeliner in Blackest Black on the outer half of the upper waterline. It won't actually show very much when you've applied your mascara, but it gives a fuller eyelash look and is a nice detail I think. Avon has some great eyeliners in a range of colors, but for some subtle pen work, Blackest Black is perfect. It's a lovely creamy texture that doesn't water your eyes, and since it's waterproof you could easily apply to the lower water line as well if you wish. In addition, the eyeliner wears really well throughout the day with no, or at least very little smudging.

From left to right

MAC Eyeshadow - Rule

L'Oréal Color Riche Le Khol - Breezy Lavender 114

Avon Glimmersticks Eyeliner - Blackest Black

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon - Peach On the Beach

Going out, or on days where I've wanted to add a pop of color, I've used L'Oréal Color Riche Le Khol in Breezy Lavender 114  to the lower waterline. It's a lovely intense and slightly shimmery clear lavender shade that I just fell in love with as soon as I saw it in Superdrug. I've used this a lot over the summer and it's buildable as well as long lasting - another great eyeliner!

I don't know if this is just me, but I am the most fickle person in the world when it comes to mascara and have tried almost every brand (and may also have loved the products), but it's still a rare thing for me to re-purchase a mascara. And when I do eventually go back to the brand, I'll find that they've changed the formula ever so slightly, but enough so that it won't work for me anymore. I've got almond shape eyes and like to work that effect as much as possible, so at the moment I'm using the Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara in Black. I've tried other Maybelline mascaras before and they all seem to be completely different. This formula is fairly dry, but not as dry as the Rocket, so it's still easy to use without having to build lots of layers. It has a wonderful thick and shaped brush that helps to give that flared effect by shaping them up and slightly out. Other selling points are that it doesn't flake or smudge and despite the thick brush you can easily use it both for the upper and lower eyelashes. I really like this mascara, and might even break my own habit and re-purchase it again!

For some reason I always leave my eye brows til after I've done my eyes. In the summer my eye brows go even blonder and seem to disappear completely, which Him indoors always tease me mercilessly for, so I need a little help to bring out the shape. I've tried using powder or eye shadow, but I find it easier to work with a pencil - to each their own right? I've always wanted to try the amazing products from Anastasia, but until my next pay day at least - I'll be using Collection 2000 Eyebrow Definer Pencil in Blonde. I got this mainly because of the color since it's not easy getting a shade for blondes that isn't too harsh, but this has turned out to be another little gem from Collection. It's a slim stick that gives sufficient color without it looking like pencil strokes. It enhances and frames the face really well, and the only minus I can think of is that it tends to fade after a few hrs so you may need to fill in your brows again throughout the day.

 

To set the make up and help prevent any shiny patches, I'll use a tiny touch of  Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent on my T-zone. To be honest I use very little powder, so for me this Rimmel product is great. I bought it about 5 months ago, and there's still so much left of it and what I like the most is that it doesn't feel cakey or heavy on the face.

Since I discovered Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayons I've almost only used these during the summer. I have all the shades now, but as I've mentioned before I love Peach On the Beach. It's an amazing soft salmony coral that looks so fresh and healthy and it gives a glossy sleek finish to any makeup look.

I already know that I'll introduce some new colors in the autumn and I'll probably do an updated post in a few months time, and show you what has changed. What have you got in your makeup bag, and do you think you'll mix it up a little now that A/W is coming?