Natural Beauty Routine

As spring turned into summer and beyond I’ve found myself drawn towards a lighter, more natural beauty routine. While I still don a red lip when in a Parisienne mood, I’m gravitating towards enhancing my natural features. Not only does it save time in the morning (says she who is perpetually late) but it feels more me. Getting all glammed up for a night out is part of the fun, but for my day to day I love something simpler. So, if you’re tired of staining your pillowcases, or just want to go au naturel (with a little help) here’s are some of my skincare staples & makeup of the moment.

Skincare Staples

The foundation to natural beauty is a skincare routine that you can practically do in your sleep. Consistency is key and though at the end of the long day it takes a herculean effort to resist the siren song of my bed, I always make sure to run through a basic cleansing, hydrating and moisturizing routine. I like to rotate and test out different products throughout the year, so some of these are new finds and some are old loves.

Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse

Though I keep my makeup light nowadays, removing it is the first order of business. Previously I used wipes, but they are apparently less than great for your skin and not exactly environmentally friendly, so I switched to a washcloth and Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse This one was part of the marvelous basket of goodies sent to me by the team at Dermalogica and it smells divine. Apricot and Kukui oil baby.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

Gentle cleansers are the way to go for me, previously I adored Vichy Purété Thermale One Step Cleanser, which is super creamy and moisturizing. Currently I’m testing out Dermalogica’s lavender & balm mint soap-free gel with happy results.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

After cleansing I spritz this on my face & neck. It smells marvelous and has soothing & hydrating qualities. Mostly this aloe & rosewater spray makes me feel fancy without doing too much damage to my bank account balance.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

This super hydrating serum has made a world of difference with my skin. I have a touch of redness has helped loads in balancing my skin tone. No scent, but a little goes a long way. I’m incapable of artfully dripping it on my face a la beauty bloggers so I just slather it on with my hands.

Moisturize

I’m using the super affordable (what up student budget) Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Shine Control Day Moisturizer & a facial oil at night. I adore Caudalie’s Vine Oil but have also borrowed my mum’s Sunday Riley U.F.O. (When shooting this in my mum’s bathroom I noticed she has far more cult beauty products than I do- but I dare not touch the La Mer cream).

Eyes

Clinique’s is my absolute favourite for eye cream and it lasts for ages (about 2 months, using morning and night). Most of my days are spent staring at screens, and my poor eyes get poked far too often with a makeup brush or mascara wand, so I like to give them a little extra love.

Makeup of the Moment

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

I could write epic poetry about this tinted moisturizer. Bad poetry, so I’ll spare you but safe to say this is my go to base. It gives the perfect amount of coverage for ‘no makeup’ makeup and just ensures an even skin tone. Always, always SPF!

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze

My bring-to-the-desert-island product, the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick is a bronzer/highlighter/eye palette in one. Perfect for light contouring, dusting a pale gold across cheekbones, browbones & the cupid’s bow and adding a touch of colour to the eyelids.

Glossier Boy Brow

First off, I don’t touch my brows. Meaning I don’t tweeze, pluck, thread or wax them or pay anyone to do so. I just don’t particularly fancy it and luckily fuller brows are on trend so my brow quirk works to my advantage. To create a neater line and add some definition when wearing a makeup, I love Glossier Boy Brow in brown.

L’Oréal Voluminous Mascara x 5 Lashes in Carbon Black

I loathe spider eyes with a passion. You know when mascara clumps and it makes eyelashes look like hairy spider legs. *Shudders* As a brunette, I find a true black mascara is a must and this shade is that perfect jet black. I’ve used several mascaras, from Benefit to Chanel and this one by L’Oréal is so far my favourite. With the highly scientific ‘wiggle’ technique, I first apply it to close to my top lash line to create a pseudo eyeliner. Then two generous coats on my top lashes. Again in a highly professional move I blink in order to transfer some mascara onto my bottom lashes. I don’t like to apply it straight on the bottom lashes, for fear of looking more like a demented doll than the goal of Brigitte Bardot.

Charlotte Tilbury ExaggerEyes Palette

When the evenings require a little more glam factor, I like to add some bronze shimmer and sparkle from this palette from Charlotte Tilbury. This is what I used to create my look for my 21^st as I wanted something that still felt like me but on an appropriately fabulous level.

Lips

The sexiest yet understated lipstick is one that is just a shade pinker than your natural lip colour. I vary between Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillowtalk for a true nude and Bobbi Brown Semi Matte in Brownie for a slightly darker shade. I apply this directly after my lip balm of the moment (currently Lanolips strawberry) to create a sheer and natural look.

To me  ‘no makeup’ makeup and a natural beauty routine is a way to grow self-confidence. At the end of the day, the beauty industry should be about uplifting women. And what can be more empowering than feeling beautiful in your own skin?

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