Update: My Everyday Makeup Routine

I have decided to write an update on my step by step makeup routine based upon the products I use on a day to day basis. I wrote a post on this almost a year ago however I have since changed the products and techniques I use. I often get asked what I am using so here is a detailed description of what is currently in my makeup bag.

In this picture I am wearing all products listed below with my favourite easy go-to eye look; MAC 'Mulch' eyeshadow blended all over the lid, crease and lower lash line and my statement feline flick. 

Before applying any makeup I apply a moisturiser, I am currently using Nivea 'Light Moisturising Day Cream'. I always prefer my makeup when my face is tanned, I have a spray tan once a week but it fades on my face quicker than any other areas, so I will reapply the tan to my face half way through the week. 

Charlotte Tilbury 'Light Wonder' (Shade 8) - This is still my favourite foundation to date, if you have read my previous posts you will already know I love this product. Read my full review on this foundation here.

Real Techniques 'Expert Face Brush' - I use this brush to apply my foundation, I find that it blends foundation flawlessly leaving no brush marks or harsh lines. It is a fantastic brush to work with and my favourite from the Real Techniques collection, I always recommend their brushes because they are superb quality at very reasonable price. Read 'My Top 10 Makeup Brushes' post here.

BH Cosmetics 10 Colour Camouflage and Concealer Palette - This is a new addition to my makeup kit. I started using this a week ago and I love it. I am running low on my foundation so I have been using this as an alternative. On my first use, I applied the concealers over my foundation but I realised it is unnecessary to use any foundation if you want to create the contoured and highlighted look and this is the perfect palette to do so. The concealers are very smooth and creamy when they are warmed up on the skin, they blend beautifully and the range of colours is brilliant, the lightest shades have helped to cover the dark circles under my eyes and brighten the area and the darkest shades warm up my skin and give my face more structure and definition. I was worried the concealers would be too thick and look heavy on my skin as if I was wearing a mask of makeup but I have been so impressed with the results.  I would definitely recommend this palette because it is great value for money and so much cheaper and better than my small MAC concealer palette. Look out for an in depth post on how I contour and highlight with this palette. 

Real Techniques Core Collection 'Contour Brush' - I find that Real Technique brushes are multi purpose and I often find my self using them in different ways to what they are labeled. When using this brush I firstly apply a light concealer under my eyes with my finger to warm the product up making it applies smoothly, I then use this brush to flawlessly buff the concealer so that it blends in with my foundation or the darker concealer I use to contour. 

Real Techniques Core Collection 'Pointed Foundation Brush' - Up till recently I had never found a purpose for this brush but I now use it to apply the dark concealer in the areas I want to contour; my cheek bones, jaw line, temples etc. The pointed brush is great for marking precisely where I want to contour and create a shadow effect. I then buff in the product with the 'Contour Brush' and 'Expert Face Brush'. 

MAC Pro Concealer Palette (Medium) - I have been using this palette for over a year and it is something I have repurchased. I think this palette is great value for money because you are getting 6 quality MAC concealers for only £35.00 and I am a big fan of their concealers, they give good coverage and they are easy to work with but surprisingly I find that the BH Cosmetics concealers are an all round better product and much cheaper. I'm still using this palette but I don't think I will be repurchasing it for a third time. 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder in Medium Plus - When I have applied all liquid and cream products to my face I use this powder to set them in place and take away any unwanted shine. If necessary I will reapply through out the day in the areas where my skin produces the most oil in particular the T zone. This is a good product, it is long wearing and the colour matches my foundation and concealers. 

Real Techniques 'Powder Brush' - I use this brush to apply setting powder. This brush is also good for applying bronzer in larger areas such as my neck and chest. 

Charlotte Tilbury 'Filmstar Bronze & Sculpt' Face Sculpt and Highlight - This is a new favourite of mine! This products works as beautifully as it looks. The bronzer blends effortlessly with my foundation, it really warms up my skin and creates natural shadows, giving my face more dimension creating those sculpted cheek bones we all lust after. I particularly love the highlighter it gives me a stunning golden glow. Read my full review on this product here. 

Real Techniques Core Collection 'Buffing Brush' - This brush can be used for different purposes but I use it to apply bronzer and to contour. 

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek & Chic 'Swish & Pop' Blusher in 'Ecstasy' - Since I started using this dreamy product I have put my MAC blushers to the side. Charlotte Tilbury has hit the jack pot again with this blusher and you can find out why in my full review here. 

Real Techniques Duo Fiber Collection 'Face Brush' - This brush was created for lightweight application which makes it perfect for dusting a little blusher on my cheeks and giving me a healthy pop of colour. 

HD Brows Pro Eye and Brow Palette - This palette includes 6 colours, there's a brow shade for everyone and the other powders can be used for eyeshadow. This was a great purchase I have been using it for a year now and I still have plenty of product left. This powder formula gives me high definition brows all day long. 

Real Techniques Started Set 'Brow Brush' - This is the perfect brow brush  its distinctive shape easily defines my eyebrows.

MAC Liquid Eyeliner - For me winged eyeliner is a must, it opens and brightens up my eyes and I feel bare with out it. I have almost ran out of this eyeliner and when I do I will be going back to MAC Liquidlast eyeliner because it is longer lasting and smudge proof. 

MAC 'Painterly' Paint Pot - I don't alway use this but it is a must before applying any shadow to ensure it lasts through out the day and I wouldn't consider using any other eye primer. 

Barry M 'Lash Vegas' Waterproof Mascara - Barry M must have changed the formula of their waterproof mascara and its just not what it us to be. All though this is the only waterproof mascara I have tried that I would actually consider waterproof because it doesn't smudge and leave black rims under my eyes, unfortunately I find it doesn't give me the length and volume it use to. I also dislike the packaging of this product I think it looks really tacky. Someone help me find the perfect waterproof mascara?

MAC 'Pink Treat' Cremestick Liner - This long wearing lip liner is the perfect match for my favourite lipstick and it works a treat with nude and neutral colours. The creamy formula glides on making application smooth and easy. 

MAC 'Merh' Lipstick - This is my absolute favourite lipstick it is the perfect matte nude/neutral colour for every day use. 

My Holiday Beauty Essentials and Favourites

Of course I took all my make up and lots of toiletries on holiday but I have skipped the boring stuff and wrote a list of my favourite beauty products and must haves!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder in Medium Plus - I bought this just before I went to Ayia Napa because powder is a must have on holiday, I regularly topped up with this on my nights out as my skin became very oily as it is so hot. I always go back to MAC powders, they are my favourite because they are so light weight and long lasting. 

MAC 'Tan' Pigment - This was the first MAC pigment I bought and I have used it frequently, MAC pigments may seem very pricey but they last forever. When working with clients or creating makeup looks on friends I have used this many times as it is so versatile and can be used with a neutral or vibrant look. I found myself using this a lot on holiday with MAC 'Soft brown' in the crease and using various darker colours in the outer corners. For someone looking to try a MAC pigment I would certainly recommend this. 

MAC 'Candy Yum-Yum' Lipstick - I mentioned this in my recent MAC haul but only used it for the first time and holiday, I had wanted this lipstick for ages but was a little anxious to wear it as it is so bold but I was so pleased with the outcome and found it looked beautiful with so many makeup looks. I love the colour it is a fluorescent pink with purple tones. This colour is definitely in my top 5 MAC lipsticks, it is a must have pink but like all MAC satin finish lipsticks it can be a little drying on the lips. 

Victorias Secret 'VS Fantasies' fragrance mist in 'Coconut Passion' - This is my favourite body spray ever, I can't get enough of it. I love the smell of coconut it just reminds me of summer but I could cry a little every time I spray it now as it reminds me of Ayia Napa.

Victorias Secret 'VS Fantasies' hydrating body lotion in 'Love Spell' - Unfortunately before I went on holiday I could not get my hands on the 'Coconut Passion' body lotion so I bought this instead which is another of my favourite VS scents. This is the second bottle of VS body lotion I have and I have now decided I'm not a fan, as lovely as they smell I don't think these lotions are 'hydrating' I like a moisturiser to leave my skin feeling nourished and glowing but this product just seemed to disappear, next time I will try a body butter. 

Estee Lauder 'Bronze Goddess' Fragrance - I mentioned this in a recent post you can find here. Every girl needs a holiday perfume! I love this because it is so summery, now that I'm familiar with this perfume I would add to my previous description that is a very dusky and muted scent, the bottle is the perfect size and a little goes a long way! Grab it while you can as it limited edition for spring/summer.

Dove 'Summer Glow' in Medium/Dark - My face takes much longer to tan than the rest of my body so I applied this to my face daily to achieve a healthy glow which made me feel more comfortable when not wearing make up on a day time. I have used this a lot this summer, it is great because the colour is natural and it doesn't go streaky when used correctly however the smell is a big let down. 

Real Techniques 'Stippling Brush' - I often get bored of using the same products and tools so I began using this brush to apply my foundation instead of the Real Techniques 'Expert Face Brush'. I enjoy using this brush because I believe I am using less product than before which leaves my foundation feeling super light weight. 

Gelish in 'Make You Blink Pink' - This was one of the first Gelish colours I bought and it has always been my favourite colour in my collection but for some reason I never wore it myself till I went on holiday. I always have my nails painted pink on holiday but this is my favourite shade of pink, it is so bright and fluorescent which is perfect for holiday. 

My Top 10 Makeup Brushes

Listed below in no particular order are my Top 10 makeup brushes, of all my brushes these are my favourite and most used! 

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - This is the brush I use to apply my liquid foundation. The brush is really firm and broad making application easy and I can use the brush to really buff the product in to my skin so that my foundation feels really light weight and it doesn't feel as if it is laying on top of my skin. This brush makes blending in foundation easy and I'm not left with any harsh lines or brush marks. After using this brush my skin looks and feels flawless. 

Real Techniques Stippling Brush - I use this brush to apply my setting powder.  This brush picks up just the right amount of product, I use the brush to dust and buff the product lightly over my foundation, concentrating on the T zone area and under my eyes to set my concealer. This brush could also be used to apply foundation or other powders.

Real Techniques Contour Brush - This brush comes in the 'Core Collection'. As you can imagine I use this brush to contour, I use bronzer or a dark coloured concealer and apply around my cheek bones, temples, jaw line and down the sides of my nose. This brush is the perfect size for contouring. 

Real Techniques Detailer Brush - This brush is also part of the 'Core Collection'. The detailer brush has many uses it can be used to conceal problem areas, to apply lipstick for long lasting shape and definition or for eyeshadow application. I apply my brow bone and inner corner highlight with this brush, its the perfect size for fitting in those small areas. 

Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush - This brush comes from the 'Starter Set' which consists of 5 eye brushes. I have 2 of the starter sets so I use my 2 deluxe crease brushes for different purposes. My favourite way to use this brush is for concealer, I use it to really buff the concealer in to my skin instead of having it lay on top of my foundation. I use my other brush in my crease which is the main purpose of this brush. 

Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Eye Brush - This brush is part of the 'Duo-Fiber Collection'. I have a selection of brushes which I use in the crease and to blend eyeshadow. I like to use this brush for a light flush of colour in my crease when I am going for really soft smokey eyes or a day time look. 

Real Techniques Shading Brush - This is my favourite brush to use in the crease when I am going for a more defined look. With this brush I can get right in the socket to create definition which is great when I am creating a 'cut crease'. I will then blend out the colour with a blending or shading brush. 

MAC 217 - This is the ultimate blending and shading brush, a makeup artist must have! This fluffy brush blends eyeshadows together flawlessly allowing the colours to transition smoothly. This brush, along with other MAC brushes are on a bit on the pricey but a pleasure to work with! 

MAC 275 - I use this brush to apply my base eyeshadow, this brush really packs on the product giving me a beautiful and even base colour to work with. This brush can also be used for shading and blending.

MAC 212 - This is a flat liner brush, it can be used with powder, liquid or cream products. I like to this brush to apply liquid liner on clients but for myself I use this to apply colour under my lower lash line, usually with eyeshadow. This brush provides colour in one stroke and gives instant definition. 

I cannot recommend Real Techniques enough, I have recommended these brushes to so many people. They are by far my favourite brand of brushes. Real Techniques have a huge selection of brushes which is always expanding. The brushes are fantastic quality, they are so soft and feel gorgeous on my skin and I have never found the brushes shedding, even after washing the brushes several times. I would say these brushes are a very reasonable price and great value for money. The brushes are created by makeup artist and one half of YouTubes 'Pixiwoo' Samantha Chapman. I am subscribed to Pixiwoo on YoutTube, I love to watch Sam and her sister Nic who is also a makeup artist. They do gorgeous makeup tutorials and are 2 of my favourite youtubers. Its good to know whose behind the products I am using! Find all these brushes at www.realtechniques.com and check out Sam and Nics tutorials at www.youtube.com/user/pixiwoo

I am not a fan of MAC face brushes as I find the hairs shed and after I have used these brushes I find my self picking the hairs from my face. However I can't say the same about the eye brushes. These brushes are more on the pricey side and I'm sure I could find of dupe for these brushes which are a lot cheaper, but I have had some of my mac eye brushes for a long time and they are still in great condition after being washed and obviously the products are made from high quality materials. Overall the brushes do the job they're suppose to do and they do it well. Find these MAC brushes at www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Don't forget to clean your brushes!