Galway Races.... Makeup TIps Part One

So the races are coming up and appointments across Galway city are booking up fast already. Here's a few tips if you wanna DIY the makeup if you didn't get a makeup appointment or you just wanna keep the extra euros for the perfect outfit.
In this article I will just cover tan and foundation.

Fake Bake Tan

So to begin, lets start with the tan. I love Rimmel's sun shimmer in Medium matte.... but with Irelands weather we really cant trust that it wont rain and no one wants polka dot tan for the day... not attractive. (Even if it says its waterproof.... its not 100%) I LOVE Fake Bake Original lotion. Put it on the night before and wash off the next day. It looks really natural and it never leaves streaks. (Ensure it is completely rinsed under your arms, if the day gets hot and your wearing a light coloured dress or top, its not a good look to have orange stains) Once washed off I would use a shimmer lotion on your shoulders, collar bones and legs to give you a gorgeous summer glow. I recently bought Laura Mercier Body Bronzing Makeup and love it for this. 

For foundation, you want something that is long lasting. Do not layer on the foundation thinking it will last longer. You want light but flawless coverage. The tan will have given you a colour on your face (ensure you have makeup to match this darker colour if you don't usually wear tan.) 

Bobbi Brown Long Wear

I recommend Bobbi Brown long wear even finish foundation. I cannot praise this enough. It's not too heavy, easily blends, giving a slightly matte finish with decent coverage. When I'm wearing tan I wear the shade 3.5. Brown Thomas stock Bobbi Brown, I would definitely go in and try a sample for yourselves.

Moisturize and prime the skin. (I use Garnier moisture match and prime with makeup forever primer) Buff the foundation into the skin in light circular motions. Don't use too much product. A little goes a long way and you can always build up light layers. 

Conceal AFTER foundation. I begin with using a pinky/peachy tone concealer for dark circles. Now imagine a line going from the bottom of your nose going vertically to the outside corner of your eye. In this space we want to highlight with a light coloured concealer. (Almost like the Kim K contouring effect) don't use too much and just pat in with your ring finger. 

Remember to put all creams and liquids on BEFORE powders. I now use Benefit's Sun Beam on top of my cheek bones and just a little in the middle of my forehead and blend in using my fingers. 

Now its time for the powders. I use a pressed bronzer powder in medium colour from Bobbi Brown. Its matte, I just don't like too much sparkle and think it looks more natural. I use a medium size slanted brush to blend it into the hollow part under my cheek boons, bring it up along my temple and the edges of my forehead. 

For blush I use a peach colour from Catrice that I picked up in Penneys. Its highly pigmented so a little goes a long way. You really are getting more than your moneys worth on this one. I bring my brush a little bit past the apples of my cheek because I feel I have quiet a round face and this lengthens the look of my face. Really blend it though.... harsh lines are not nice.... keep it all flowing. 

To finish, pat a little translucent powder on your T zone. Again a little goes a long way. And then the overall key to long lasting makeup that will have you looking amazing all day long..... MAC Fix Plus. I only bought this recently and I don't know how I lived without it. Other brands stock these mists but I haven't tried any others. 

Mac Fix +

Brown Smokey Eye.... quick and easy

Hiya, so seeing as this is my first blog, I said i'd take baby steps and start off with something simple. This is my routine pretty much every morning. It's quick and easy because I am not a morning person and the snooze button gets pressed at least five times.  For more photos  Click here to see my makeup Facebook page.  Hopefully with a bit more practise these will get better.

Smokey Eye for everyday. 

For this look I use (I'll post as many photos of the products I use but anything similar will do fine)

• Black gel liner 
• A matte bronzer 
• Mascara 
• A MAC 217  brush 
• A MAC 219 brush 
• Any gel liner brush

MAC 217 (Blending brush)

After my usual foundation routine, I begin by blending the matte bronzer in small circular motions along the crease of my eye. This is to define the crease of the eye and make it appear deeper than what it is. 

Gel Liner

Next I dip my eye liner brush in the gel eye liner and begin lining my upper lid, keeping it quite close to the lashes. Im not a fan of a majorly winged eye liner for everyday either but each to they're own. Bring out the liner to the outer corner to whatever you're used to. 

For the lower lash line, line 3/4 of the way from the outer corner. 

Now take the 219 brush and blend the bronzer over the gel liner. This will soften the look and stop the liner from smudging. Do the same on the lower lashes but blend it down so it is just under the lashes. No need to go buying new products but MAC have an eye shadow in the colour "Texture" which works really well here.

Apply a few coats of mascara and you're good to go. Ta Dah!!

MAC 219 

You can always take this look further adding false lashes, heavily lining the waterline, applying some sparkle to the lid. Possibilities are endless but if you just want a 5min natural look for everyday...this is what I do. Hope you like it. 

KEY TIPS

• You want the look to be soft so blend, blend, blend
• Let the lashes be the main focus to really define the eyes. Lash on the mascara. 
• On the outer corners of the top lid, blend in a sideways "V"