Foundation Routine

In faces of the days I have posted and in real life I have had quite a few compliments on my flawless skin. Well my skin is far from flawless! I have lots of spots, large pores and an impossible nose clogged with blackheads but after a lot of trial and error I have finally found a foundation routine I am truly happy with.

The first thing I do is apply the Nivea Express Hydration Primer (full review here) which I don't really like so I'm trying to use it up. Then I put one pump of Estee Lauder Double Wear in the shade ivory nude on the back of my hand and mix it with Bright Here Bright Now (full review here). I love this combination because on its own Double Wear can stick to dry patches and be difficult to work with as it is so thick.Once I've applied this with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush it is a dewy full coverage foundation that lasts all day. The next thing I do is cover up nasty spots with Collection Lasting Perfecting Concealer in Light and pat it in. For under eye bags I take a little of Benefit Erase Paste on my ring fingers and warm it up before gently smoothing it on. It does an amazing job at covering and brightening under eyes. To finish it all off I set the center of the face and any areas of concealer with the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Peach Glow on a Bare Minerals Flalwess Face Brush. I hate the brush because it is so scratchy but I love the powder for hiding pores and the shade adds colour without being at all orange.

Do you use any of these? What is your current foundation?

♡Collective Haul♡

I've picked up quite a few make up bits and some skincare recently so here is a collective haul to show you all the pretty things I treated myself to and some gifts too!

Sephora Full Effects Mascara, Sephora Miami Pink Lip Gloss,
Sephora  Purple Glitter Eye Liner

We don't have Sephora in the UK so my very lovely American Aunt and cousin sent me over a few little bits for my birthday. One day I really want to do a make up swap with someone from across the pond! I love the lip gloss because it reminds me of being a kid- pink & glitter! (Swatch further down). Plus the formulation isn't too sticky and the wand is a really cool shape. The purple eye liner is packed full of amazing multi-coloured glitter too. Sprinkle Of Glitter would be oh so proud! I haven't tried any of the other products yet but if there is anything you would like a full review on let

me know.

Nail Rock Designer Nail Wraps £6.65, Batiste Wild Dry Shampoo £2.50 

The other day my Mum went to the opening of a new Simply Be shop in Manchester Arndale. She got a great goody bag and gave me these bits from it! Batiste is a brand I have tried before and I know many people love it but I don't seem to get along with it. I find the scents  unpleasantly powdery and the white powder on the hair can be difficult to brush out. Since I got it free I'll give it another try! Once again late on the craze, I actually have never tried nail wraps before. I love leopard print so I am excited to use these very soon.

  

MUA Cream Blush in Bitter Sweet £2, MUA Blush in Shade 2 £1

Swatches from left to right: MUA Powder Blush, MUA Cream Blush
and Sephora Miami Pink Lip Gloss

MUA is a brand I have talked about before. If you're selective you can find some great products so it''s fantastic for people on a budget! The blushes are soft and blend-able although the powder blush is much more pigmented than the cream blush. If you want to read a full review on the new cream blushes click here to see what AThriftyMrs says.

Good Things Fresh Start Cleanser £4.99, Good Things Five  Minute Facial Mask £5.99
( When full price)

I bought this face mask and face wash after hearing Zoe, Cole's Mum, talk about them on youtube. She said that her daughter gets under the skin spots (sort of like little colourless spots) and another skin care blogger recommend that she tries out Good Things products. It is an affordable brand especially for teenagers which is exactly what I need! And they are currently half price in Sainsburys so I had to buy them. Apparently they have been effective for Zoe's daughter so I am looking forward to giving them a go. Both the mask and face wash smell gorgeously fruity!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Ivory Nude £27.50,
MAC pump £3.50

Expensive I know but I can justify it! I have very pale skin with yellow undertones and anyone who is the in the same boat will agree it is very difficult to find a foundation to match. I got sick of using the wrong colour foundation because it is after all the base so you need to get it right. After a bit of thought, I figured it would end up more economical to splash out on a high end foundation than keep buying lots of high street foundations that aren't right. The woman at the Estee Lauder counter was very lovely and matched me up to the shade Ivory Nude. I did a lot of research before buying it and one of the reasons I chose it is for the wide colour range which makes it more likely to get a better colour match. I really like it so far but I haven't used it enough yet to give any fair opinions so expect a full review in the not too distant future!

Thanks for reading! x