EVERYDAY MAKEUP BAG

The first few things in my makeup bag are face products, because they usually wear off the most for me during the day. I have a foundation, a concealer, powder and a blush as well.  

For eyes I don't really tend to do much on the go, but I bring a handy travel size Benefit mascara and a pencil eyeliner if I'm wearing any. I also bring the lip colour I have on and recently it's been the Dior Lip Glow lip balm (I've been obsessed with it since I got it!)

I only bring one brush with me because it can apply most of the face products I have with me, so its going to save me a bit of room.

For other makeup bag essentials I also carry around a comb, and I particularly like this Body Shop one because it's FSC certified which means that it's made from legal wood sources, so it's Eco friendly. It's also quite thin so it doesn't take up as much room as a hair brush. I always have some hand sanitiser and hand cream as well as a compact mirror. The last thing that's handy to have is a couple of fragrance samples, because you have a bit of a choice and it's much easier than having a heavy full size perfume bottle with you.

Products pictured:

- Eco Tools fan brush

- Korres foundation

- Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer, shade 52

- Dior Lip Glow Colour Reviver Balm

- Benefit They're Real mascara (sample size)

- Bath and Body Works hand sanitiser, scent Sweet Pea

- Clarins moisture rich body lotion

- The Body Shop comb

- Rimmel Scandal eyes eyeliner, shade 005 Nude

- Nars  face powder

- Mac powder blush, shade Well Dressed 

- Fragrance samples

So that's all I keep in my everyday makeup bag, I'd love to know what your everyday makeup bag essentials are too!

Thank you for reading,

NV

xoxo 

REVIEW: BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX SERUM FOUNDATION

I think Bourjois is a great brand for face products. I haven't tried many of their eye or lip products, but the foundation definitely doesn't disappoint. It's the only liquid foundation I've repurchased so far, so that's already saying something. It goes on amazingly well, especially with the Real Techniques buffing brush (more on it here). 

The only little downside is that it does enhance any little dry areas on the face a little bit, however I exfoliate anyway so it's not a huge problem for me.
It gives a nice finish to the skin, not too dry and matte but not super dewy. It's worth noting that I do usually need to put some powder on top though, but that makes it last a little longer anyway. I'd say it gives medium coverage, but it is build able.
Overall an amazing foundation, one I'd definitely recommend!

Thank you for checking out my blog!

NV
xoxo

MY (SLIGHTLY EXCESSIVE) TRAVEL MAKEUP BAG

I do tend to over pack a little bit, and most of the time I bring twice as much makeup as I need, but hey better safe than sorry, right? I guess I'm going to show you what I pack anyway. 

For face products, I recommend taking a primer, especially if you're going to a hot location because it will make your foundation last a lot longer. I also take a foundation and tinted moisturiser because I like to have a choice, especially in the summer. For concealers I packed a palette because its very useful for travelling, and you can mix and match depending on what you prefer on the day, as well as the mac prep and prime highlighter to brighten under the eyes a little. Then a powder or two (see? told you I bring too much), and a few blushes and bronzers. I also packed an MSF and a Smashbox highlighting wand.

For eyes, I'm going to take my MAC palettes because I like to have a lot of colours with me, however if you're going away for a week or so, you only really need a few different shades for one or two looks. 

If you do wear eyeshadow on a daily basis, I recommend bringing a base to keep it lasting as long as possible. My Maybelline mascara is definitely coming with me too, as well a benefit they're real mascara (a small sample size so it's perfect for travel).

Eyeliners, for me, are a must because I wear them often, so I'm taking two liquid liners, a mac technakohl pencil eyeliner, as well as a Rimmel scandal eyes eyeliner. Archery brow marker is also a definite must as its one of my all time favourite products and makes my eyebrows look amazing.

I'm taking one lip liner, and a few lipsticks in different colours, so I can have a good variety of shades depending on the look I'm going for. 

The make up bag I packed everything in is from river island, it's one of those perfect make up bags that fits everything in but doesn't look too big. I take some brushes with me when I travel as well, and most of the time I put them in a brush roll so they're covered and safe to travel with. The brushes I take are just the basics and you can find them in my previous post here.

So that's all I take with me when I travel! Let me know if you have any travel must haves too!

NV
xoxo

EVERYDAY MAKEUP

My everyday makeup tends to be quite natural. I usually have around 30 minutes to do it and I find that this routine works well for me because it's quite quick and easy, so without any further ado, here is what my morning looks like!

I always start off with foundation (or a tinted moisturiser on a good skin day). This step probably takes the most time but makes the most difference. The foundations I'm using at the moment are two by mac, and I actually mix them together to get the shade that best suits my skin. I always apply it with a buffing brush from Real Techniques (my favourite brush ever!).

If i have any areas that need a little more coverage i apply concealer using a very small brush. I also put some on under my eyes to brighten up my face and look more awake! 

I then apply some powder on top to set everything, which adds a little more coverage. I usually go for the MAC MSF natural.

Then I do a little bit of contouring with the MAC bronzing powder and apply some blush, which varies day to day. MAC MSF in Soft And Gentle is next to hilight my cheek bones, and my face is done!

My eyes are usually very simple if i don't have much time, so just a light shade of eyeshdow quickly put on with a shader brush and then (if i feel like it) some winged eyeliner and a few coats of mascara. 

Eyebrows are also very important, they frame the face and they just make me look more polished. I love brow products like Archery by Soap and Glory or MAC's Penultimate brow marker. They both look really natural on the brows and fill them in well. 

After i've finished my eyes and brows, I put some lip balm on and usually a lipstick (which also varies day to day) and my makeup is done! 

Products and Brushes pictured:

• MAC Face And Body foundation
• MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 foundation
• MAC Pro Conceal And Correct palette
• Real Techniques buffing brush
• MAC 210 brush

• MAC MSF Natural 
• MAC Bronzing Powder
• MAC MSF in Soft And Gentle
• MAC 165 brush
• MAC 187 brush

• Urban Decay eyeshadow in Cherry
• Benefit They're Real mascara (mini)
• Barry M liquid eyeliner
• Soap And Glory Archery brow marker and pencil
• MAC 239 brush

• Korres lip butter
• MAC lipstick in Girl About Town

If you'd like a review of any of the products mentioned, please let me know!

NV xoxo