I don’t know about you, but I am LOVING this unusually hot British summer... unfortunately I can’t say the same for my face. The shining, the sliding, it’s never a good look! Especially on a night out. I created this look last Saturday. I wanted to look done, but NOT TOO DONE, bronzy and most importantly, sweat proof.
Base
To avoid my face sliding off mid dance routine (yes I think I’m Beyonce when I dance) I started with Benefit POREfessional Primer. It’s not my usual primer of choice (I’m more a dewy primer gal) but this one is perfect for shrinking pore, which naturally open up in the heat and mattifying the skin. I’m in the market for a new foundation so I’m slowly working through my stash of samples (recommendations more than welcome). On this occasion I went with YSL Touche Eclat Foundation shade BD50. I loved this when it was launched but found it made my face too shiny as the day went on.. so quite why I picked it for a balmy Saturday night I don’t know? But coupled with the primer and touch ups of MAC Blot Powder, it went the distance.
Bronze/Blush/Highlight
I actually skipped contouring and highlighting. I didn’t want this look to be “heavy” plus the warm weather tends to yield a natural glow so I didn’t wanna over do it. I dusted some Guerlain Four Seasons Bronzer (mainly the darker quarters) to the areas that usually catch the sun –forehead, cheeks, nose before adding a subtle sweeping of Sephora Powder Blush in Apricot.
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Eyes
You know smoky eyes are my thing, but for a summer nights look I didn’t fancy sporting a heavy dark eye. Instead I went for some golden shimmer. Eye primer is essential in hot conditions. Benefit Stay Don't Stray is the daddy of eye primers – aint nothing budging when this is in place! No creasing, eyeshadow lasts so much longer and I dab a little under my lower lash line to prevent liner and mascara smuuuudge. I reached for the NAKED palette (of course) to help me create an effortless golden eye. Using 'Naked' as a base colour all over the lid, 'Smog' at the outer crease to add some definition and a little dusting of 'half baked' to the middle and inner eye to create a pretty golden shimmer.
Liner I went for Lancôme Le Crayon Kohl in Noir – not a waterproof eyeliner per se but a tried and tested non-budger. Again because I didn’t want a heavy eye so avoided smudging and winging. Just a simple line up top and some tight lining along the upper and lower lash lines. Finished off with lashings of Chanel Volume de Chanel Mascara.
Brows
Stop the press... I DIDN’T use my HD Brow Palette. I fancied a lighter, less structured brow on this occasion so went with L’Oreal Super Liner Brow Artiste in Blonde.
Lips
Lip liner, I often skip, but given the heat and humidity my lipstick needed something to “cling” to. I picked up L’Oreal Lip Liner in Honey, which is allegedly a dupe for MAC’s subculture. It’s near enough a perfect match with my lips. Followed by Rimmel Moisture Renew Let’s Get Naked lipstick. The liner definitely reduced the need for touch ups.
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