MAC Rebel & A Neutral Eye

 Summer is officially ending and the season of bold lips is beginning. To start this season off the right way I've decided to take the 'go hard or go home' approach to lipstick starting with Mac's Lipstick in the shade Rebel.

For the face...
To keep it nice and minimalistic looking I used Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in shade 110. A quick under the eye conceal with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in shade Fair. A touch of pressed powder across my T-Zone using Rimmel Stay Matte and finally a hint of warmth into my ever pale skin using the Rimmel Natural Bronzer.

For the eyes...
I decided to add a little cat eye to this look to help bring it all together using a normal black liquid eyeliner followed by a mixture of mascara to bring some detail to the eyes.

For the lips...
Rebel Mac lipstick applied liberally all over. I should note that this lipstick bleeds quite a bit and would be best paired with a lipliner in a similar shade to ensure that crisp line.

Boots Cucumber Skincare

Skincare is something that my mum (and dad) have drilled into me since I started wearing makeup. I'm an absolute fanatic about removing all my makeup and ensuring that my skin is squeaky clean before I go to bed and as soon as I wake up. Due to having very sensitive skin I've tried hundreds and hundreds of products that claim to be 'sensitive skin friendly' that just leave my skin looking worse for wear. 

If you (like me) suffer from sensitive skin the amount of ingredients that go into some skincare is alarming and quite worrying. Why do they need seven types of alcohol?! Which is why I decided to go back to basics as it were and try out the Boots Cucumber skincare range. 

I picked up the makeup wipes because, let's face it, some nights I don't want to spend 15 minutes wiping cotton pads over my face. I decided to match this with the moisturiser as my skin has decided that it'd like to become more of a combination skin type and finally the clay mask, simply because I love face masks.

Why cucumber? It's natural, refreshing and moisturising with the added bonus that it smells incredibly fresh. 

Boots Essentials Cucumber Wipes...

These are a heavenly way to remove makeup quickly and effectively. Anyone that has used Double Wear foundation will know the struggle of removing it from your skin, it almost becomes your skin it's that hard to remove. However, with these wipes foundation (even the stubborn ones) glide off. Think it as being as easy as one-two-three. 

They leave your skin with a cooling sensation that has the added benefit of smelling super fresh.

Boots Essentials Cucumber Moisturiser...

Moisturiser is something that used to scare me when my skin was at its oiliest, now my skin craves it and this one does just the job. It's cold to touch and soothes the skin once applied. You've got to wait a couple minutes before applying any makeup/primer but that's the norm with most moisturisers.

Boots Essentials Cucumber 3 Minute Clay Mask...

I love clay masks but they don't usually love me back. I honestly believe that my skin panics when a mask is put on it, it doesn't know how to react so it decides to breakout. With this mask however (touch wood) it's done the exact opposite and reduced any pesky blemishes as well as any redness. It feels like a normal clay mask and dries to a semi-hard texture that you could scrap away should you so desire. This popped on the face for 3 minutes while you make a cup of tea is perfect and a great way to end a day of wearing makeup.

Everyday Make Up

My everyday make up is kept to a minimal amount of products, it's a look that can go from start to finish in 10 minutes. It's not fancy, it's not daring but it works and lasts all day.

For the base...

I've been trying out the Estēe Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Foundation, for the days when I'm in a hurry or feeling less than inspired, this is perfect. It covers everything (seriously, anything) and reduces the time spent applying concealer or going in for a second layer. For the most part though, I thin it out slightly with L'Oreal Infalliable Matte Foundation. The mix of both of these helps me achieve a light enough shade to match my skin as well as the perfect medium coverage.

I mix the two on the back of my hand and then buff them into my face using a Real Techniques Stippling Brush. This achieves a flawless, even cover across the entire face that photographs beautifully and hides any imperfections.

If my skin feels particularly oily I'll set it all in place with the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in transparent.

For the eyes and eyebrows...

Eyes wise I like to keep it simple with a my-eyelashes-but-better approach. I use the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Xtreme Black mascara to separate and lengthen. Once this has dried briefly I follow it up with the Rimmel Rockin Curves mascara to add some thickness and depth.

I've recently converted back to the Benefit Brow Zings in the shade Bronzing Medium and love this stage of doing my make up. Applying the wax first over the entirety of my eyebrow and filling in any gaps/smoothing out my brow shape I follow it with the powder, creating my dream brows.

Before and After