Let's be honest, most mornings I am certainly not aiming for "red carpet ready" I am aiming for "well rested" (even if I am absolutely not). Over the years, (and countless early starts), I have narrowed my daily makeup down to a reliable little lineup that helps me look and feel better...even when I am still mentally in bed.
Skin first, (because I am not 21 anymore)
Gone are the days of a bit of concealer and hoping for the best. Now, it's all about skin that is older but well cared for. I always take the time to do my skincare each morning and night, consistency is key. I enjoy this time to myself and the whole process. (because I know if my skin is well cared for, I will not need to spend as long on makeup or use as much, plus it makes me just feel better!)
I use a clean white microfibre cloth each day with a cleansing balm, (I like the Boots Oat one or the Skin Rocks Gel cleanser - which feels so luxurious and very nourishing, not like a gel at all). I sometimes use a CeraVe Hydrating cleanser in the mornings too. I use warm water, (not hot) and give my face a good old massage! I double cleanse in the evenings. Using a microfibre cloth means I don't have to work too hard to remove my eye makeup in the evenings, as my eyes can be a little sensitive. The cloth is very gentle.
Next I use an Acid toner, (about 3 times a week and depending on how my skin feels and looks). My favourites are The Gentle acid toner from Skin Rocks or Paula's choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant. Mornings I will then use either a Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin c serum and/or the Skin Rocks The Amplifier to increase the results of actives I am using. I have started to use an eye cream by Skin Rocks and it is great under makeup, I also love their Rich cream moisturiser but I do also use my TLC Organic Facial oil either on its own or with, depending on how my skin feels and looks. I always wear SPF and my go to is La Roche Posay, Invisible fluid Anthelios Fluid SPF 50 as it is very light and doesn't sting my eyes.
Evenings, (after double cleansing), I am currently using Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and will apply a few drops of my TLC Organic Facial oil once it has absorbed, just to add more moisture and to ensure no dryness.
Base - For day, I go for something light and enough to even things out without setting into places that I don't want. I rate the Erborian BB Creme for this, it's wonderful, not heavy and stays put, very natural too. If I am a bit grey looking or a bit dull under the eyes, I like the Beauty Pie Lilac Super-luminous corrector, as it brightens before I add any concealer. I will use the Erborian Skin Hero Eye here and perhaps a bit of MAC Studio fix concealer, (if I look really tired, I will use my trusty YSL Touche eclait in Luminous radiance as it has enough pink in it to brighten up this area.
I only tend to use a bit of powder strategically placed, (on the tip of my nose, sides of mouth and between my brows), or I will warm a bit of Trinny London Miracle blur and tap it onto these places. I find if you put this under the eye area, it can crease a bit. A bit of glow is good, I hate that, "mattify the life out of the face" look. Glow says healthy.
I thought I would try out some of the Aldi, (Lacura) products and I was pleasantly surprised with their Bronzing drops. Nice for a bit of added warmth, (apply sparingly on the outside of the forehead, on the top of cheekbones and down the front of the neck). No7 also do a good cream bronzer, (a lot cheaper than the Chanel one).
Brows - The instant face lift. Brows are magic. Truly. A few quick strokes or a swipe of eyeshadow and suddenly I look ok. It's the closest thing to a mini facelift, (without having to lie down or have any pain!) I was daft in the 90's and followed trends, (damn you Kate Moss!) I plucked my brows away and lived to regret it, so I have them micro bladed, (Carrie Fuell in Lincoln is the best in my opinion. Check her out on Instagram, but book in advance as she's very popular! and rightly so). Carrie gives me a suggestion of a brow and then I just add to, using what I need. Currently I am using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder duo in Ash brown,(there's a lighter and a darker shade in there and I just use the lighter tone on the inner part of the brow and darken slightly with the other shade). I then set with a clear MAC Pro locked brow gel. You can also use this as an eye definer, (just use it damp along the top lash line) and smudge in). NYX also do great brow pens.
Eyes - I don't want to spend three hours blending or applying eyeshadow, (even though I am sure I would enjoy it). A neutral wash of colour, bit of definition along the lash line and swipe of mascara and there I am!! For ease I love the Lisa Eldridge Liquid eyeshadows, I have most of the shades, and they are also great as an eye primer, (I apply it before any powder eyeshadows). For smokey eyes I love the Natasha Denona Mini eye sculpt (Cool toned), see photo above. Finish with a good, black thickening mascara, I love the L'Oreal Panorama one. Good pencils to use are from Beauty Pie, Lisa Eldridge and I love the Kat Von D Tattoo liquid liner ones. I also love the NYX Warm neutrals eye palette or the Delilah cosmetics one in Venus.
Blush - My secret weapon and one of the most underrated makeup products. It brings back life into the face faster than anything else. I love the Armani luminous liquid ones. You wouldn't think to buy a red one, but the number 41 one is excellent, (just remember we have that beautiful blood red colour underneath our skins, and we want to try and mimic that a bit, its super flattering and you can mix it with other shades, like Apricot). I do like to set sometimes with a powder one, I like the MAC Extra dimension ones as they have a nice amount of pigment and slightly sheeny, (I like the shade Cheeky bits). For highlight I like the Merit balm stick in Cava.
Lips - I don't have the emotional capacity for high maintenance lipstick, but I do love applying it, the whole process of popping off the lid and applying it. My go to is a MAC Macximal Silky matte lipstick in Kinda Sexy and use lip pencils from Lisa Eldridge - 1c/Fawn, or Pillow talk from Charlotte Tilbury. This is something I can apply without a mirror and keeps on really well too.
My daily makeup routine is quick, doesn't require perfection, (it's more about effect), and isn't about looking flawless. I just want to look like the best version of myself and feel better, it goes hand in hand.
I have been really enjoying working on my Makeup lessons. My Brush collections are also proving very popular and I am just about to make up another batch of my Organic TLC Super Nutrient elixir Oil! You can purchase these from my Online store https://tinabrocklebank.co.uk/online-store/or email me tina@tinabrocklebank.co.uk for more details!
Love, Tina x
