Photos: Wearing my 5 step makeup look.

Today I’ve decided to write about the beauty tips and tricks I have learn’t and developed on myself over the years. For me it’s about preserving what God gave me, and making the most of it! I definitely favour a natural look. I feel my best this way, and I’ve often disliked the way I’ve looked with dramatic or overdone makeup that I’ve worn for photo shoots or events. I think actually that too much makeup can be ageing, and unattractive even, so I quickly realised Mum was right when she said there was no need to “gild the lily” .

For this reason I have  mastered (I hope) the natural but still polished look that I always go to. I guess it’s what you’d call my go to look! For all of you ladies out there who don’t have heaps of time to spend getting ready in the morning (or ever) but still want to look presentable, fresh and pretty, read on!!

So this is it, my simple rules for a pretty visage!

It goes without saying that having good skin to begin with is key, and although this post is more about the makeup than the skin care regime, it is very important to make sure skin is clean, exfoliated and moisturised (including high SPF!!) before beginning to apply any type of makeup. That said, let’s talk makeup!

I personally am a fan of a more velvety matt finish than a really dewy one. I think it looks better. More polished. I also don’t like to be able to feel my makeup sitting on my skin, which is why this routine is so great, it really feels like your’e wearing no makeup at all! So here we go, are you ready? Just 5 easy steps…

1. The base I use changes from time to time, as I do get bored, and like to change it up, but currently, and I keep coming back to it is Nude by Nature’s Natural Mineral Cover. I use the colour ‘medium’ which I love, as it add’s just a hint of tan to my face, but depending on your skin tone, there are enough shades to find one for you. I apply it all over my face, even my eyelids (make sure your face is not sticky from moisturising when you apply or it won’t work well, and will look blotchy and horrible) with a big kabuki brush in big circular motions, until I have the desired coverage. NB: If I think I need extra cover for blemishes or dark circles I use YSL Touche Eclat in number 2.5 lightly under the Mineral Cover Powder.

I love that I can apply as little or as much as I need of the Mineral Cover powder. I don’t use much usually, as I like my natural skin to show through, but for more coverage, just build up the product gradually to the desired effect.

2. The blush I use is currently L’Oreal’s Le Blush in sandalwood pink. A soft pinky nude powder blush, it’s really pretty on any complexion. Smile and apply to the apples of your cheeks with an angled blush brush, and sweep up to your hairline at the highest point of your cheekbone. Repeat until you have achieved desired effect. I then apply a thin layer all over my face of Nude By Nature’s Mineral Finishing Veil with the Kabuki brush in light circular motions. (This step is optional, and I don’t always do it, but it helps to ‘set’ the base)

3. Eyes. I Simply fill in my brows with Chanel’s Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in number 10, just to make my eyebrows nice and defined, and if I want to I add mascara. I love Dior’s Diorshow mascara in black or Maybelline’s Full ‘n’ Soft mascara in very black. The two best mascara’s I’ve ever used.

4. Highlighting. I use a golden/pinky highlighter, as I think it’s the most flattering colour, currently I’m trying NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator in 01 Sunbeam and I simply pat it on with my fingers on my brow bone, just under my outer eyebrow, the inner corners of my eyes, across my eyelid just along the lash line and then on the top of my cheekbone where the light hits. Don’t use a lot, and blend it well. You want the effect to look natural.

5. Lips. For my lips, surprise, surprise I like a natural look! This means a pinky nude lipstick or gloss. My current favourite is my perfectly creamy pink/nude lipstick by YSL Rouge Pur Couture in 06. Apply quite liberally, but carefully, and Voilà! You’re now ready!

So there you have it! So easy, so pretty in less than 10 minutes! Please try it out for yourself and let me know how you like it! If you have any questions, ask me! I’ll be happy to answer you.

Your’s Truly

Fiola xoxo