Everyday Base

Lately everyday I'm finding myself reaching for the same base regardless of what I'm doing or where I'm going.  I love both of these foundations on their own, but together they're a bit of a dream team.

Staying Shine-Free

Thanks to my super oily skin I'm forever on the look out for mattifying products and I've manage to find one or two that actually work!

Glow Getters

For years I completely avoided all hint of highlight because I was petrified that it would just emphasise my oily skin, but this year everyone seems to be having a bit of a highlighter moment so I gave it a go and I love it! I do need to apply it sparingly but it adds a healthy glow to my complexion which I adore.  These are the products I've been reaching for to add a bit of a glow to my face.

All About That Base

Over the last year or so I have fallen for base make up.  For years I stuck to the same foundation, concealer and powder regardless of what I was doing, where I was going or how I was feeling, but lately that's all changed.

Beauty Review: Illamasqua Matte Veil

I was part of the crowd that read the hundreds of reviews surrounding Hydra Veil when it was released in 2013; I was sucked in by the unique formula and packaging, I was desperate to get my hands on a little black pot, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.  Surely anything with 'Hydra' in the name wasn't going to be a good match for an oily skin? My prayers were answered when earlier this year Illamasqua released their Matte Veil base - I was sold.  Then I read Sarah's review (here); 30 seconds later I had made my order.

Beauty Review: Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation - £31.00

Although for the past two years or so I've been using liquid foundation, I am 100% a mineral powder girl.  Before I entered the blogosphere, I used the L'Oreal True Match Mineral Powder foundation religiously (with the gross scratchy brush which I hardly ever washed. ew).  You may have seen in my review of the Bare Minerals Matte foundation that I wanted something with a bit more coverage bit with a similar finish - well, I think I've found it.

Beauty Review: Illamasqua Tremble

I feel like everything Beth from Birds Words recommends, I end up buying.  Since reading this post on a blush she's fallen in love with, I haven't been able to get it out of my head.  A few months ago I couldn't resist any longer and bought the Illamasqua powder blush in Tremble, and I've worn it every singe day since.

This is the first Illamasqua product I've ever bought and I'm so impressed.  The blusher it such a gorgeous pale pink shade which has no shimmer and gives my skin a natural flush.  It's so pigmented and finely milled - it's an absolute dream to apply and blend, and it lasts all day.

I adore everything about this blusher, I can't stop wearing it or lusting over other Illamasqua blushers - I've got my eye on Lover next!

Bare Minerals Matte Foundation

Between the ages of 15 and 18 I swore by the L'Oreal True Match Mineral Foundation and wore it every single day.  Looking back, it wasn't particularly finely milled, it didn't blend well and to say the included brush was scratchy is an understatement.  Back in May when the weather started warming up I couldn't cope with my high-coverage liquid foundations any more, and fancied trying a mineral powder foundation again.  I decided that the Bare Minerals Matte Foundation (the cheapest I found was £21.95 at Feel Unique) was the one for me and my oily skin.

I used the Temptalia Foundation Matrix (here) to find my shade which is so useful - if you haven't used it before it's amazing.  You choose your current foundation shade, and it matches you to hundreds of other foundations.  I popped in my Clarins Ever Matte shade, and was able to find the shade-match for this Bare Minerals one.  So useful if you don't have a counter for a brand near you!  Fairly light is a good match for my skin, and I didn't experience any oxidising which I know some people struggled with.

I apply this with my Real Techniques buffing brush and its really easy to buff into an even finish as it's pretty finely milled.  It feels so light on the skin and it's really comfortable to wear.  This is definitely a low-coverage foundation and for me it's necessary to pair it with a concealer.  For day-to-day wear I would like a bit more coverage but whilst I was on holiday this was perfect.  I wore it every single day, I loved that my freckles were visible through the makeup and it felt almost undetectable on my skin in the hot weather.  Although it's a matte finish it isn't dry looking at all, although if you excessively layer it it can look a little cakey.  However, if you're a seriously oily-skinned girl, this isn't going to keep you shine free all day.  Even when paired with a primer and set with a mattifying powder it still doesn't last a full 9-5 day without a bit of powder over the top every now and again.

A little tip I've found out is that when you're wearing a mineral powder foundation and you feel like you need a bit of  top-up, buff a product-free brush over your face.  The minerals are re-distributed and recharges your foundation.  It definitely works and saves you using up more product.  If that isn't enough for you, it's so easy to top-up this foundation, and the plastic packaging with a sifter makes it pretty portable.

Although I like this foundation and I'll definitely use it all up, I doubt I'll repurchase it in the future because I'd like something with a bit more coverage - any recommendations are welcome in the comments!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

As an oily-skinned girl, I'm forever looking for something to keep my skin matte as long as possible and banish the shine.  I always go for a matte finish foundation, at the moment it's Estee Lauder Double Wear and I set it with a mattifying powder: Seventeen Miracle Matte.  I tend to stay away from cream blushers and over-the-top highlighters because they just make me look greasy.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup - £27.50

I have finally delved into the world of high-end foundations after wearing offerings from the high street for around five years.  I am a huge fan of high street brands and there are some absolute gems to be found for amazing prices, but after getting paid and reading loads of good reviews of Estee Lauder Double Wear I just had to give in to the hype and try it out.