My Makeup Must Haves...

I wasn't sure exactly how to start this...but I guess sharing my makeup must haves is probably the best way. I have also posted pictures at the bottom of this page with the look I created using all the products mentioned.

I have many must haves (as you do) but if I think about what I couldn't live without as my daily go to products it would have to be the following:
(on the back it states)

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Oil Free

"Perfect for all skin types, Laura Mercier oil free foundation primer creates a smooth and invisible layer to prepare and protect the skin. Your foundation will stay fresh all day"

Ok so let me tell you, this primer works WONDERS on my combination skin (Oily T-Zone-rather dry elsewhere) If I am honest I wasn't too sure on this initially because its pretty creamy compared to say the Nars Pore refining primer or the Makeup Forever HD primer (although I still love those). But it quickly turned into one of my Holy Grails. I even have one in my kit for when I do brides, it is the perfect base for a full on makeup look or even a subtle natural everyday look.

Next is my Concealer by Laura Mercier
Now for my under eyes I use a corrector as well as my concealer both from Laura Mercier.

Left- Orange/Yellow
Right- Secret Concealer No.4

First I use the Orange/Yellow Under Eye Perfecter and this just evens out my dark circles before I apply my concealer. It evens out my under eye area, and those of you who know your colour wheel will know how it works.

Then I will apply the tiniest amount of concealer (I use Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in No. 4) if needed on top, sometimes I just go over the Orange/Yellow with my foundation or tinted moisturiser when I don't really need the concealer (Yes thats how good the Under Eye Perfecter is).

For my everyday makeup I use a tinted moisturiser unless I am going out after work, in that case I will put on a foundation. But because this is a must have's blog, and because I love this product and wouldn't go anywhere with out it in my makeup bag I will stick to talking about my tinted moisturiser by Laura Mercier in Caramel with an SPF 20. (Oil Free)

Now when I first got this I was like OMG this is way too light for my skin, but I put it on and again OMG but this time a good OMG...it blended and adapted to my skin tone so well. It has the consistency of a cream/moisturiser but has also got great coverage, enough so I have even worn this out on a night out and it didn't budge!!

I then set this with the Laura Mercier Translucent Powder, which is great at helping set the tinted moisturiser and controlling shine. It's loose powder and a little goes a long way with this product!!! It's also a keeper for my makeup kit!!!

And to add a bit of colour to my face I turn to one of my oh so favourite brand Nars. I LOVE LOVE LOVE their blushes and this one "Love Joy" is so pigmented yet not overly shimmery that I can get away with wearing it during the day.

FACE DONE...NOW FOR EYES!!!!

I use the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette simply because it has all the colours I need for a simple everyday look.
The shadows have great pigment, and blend really well. This palette only really has one shimmery colour and I use that mostly for highlight on the brow bone and in the inner crease. (I plan to do a blog review of all three of my UD Naked Palettes so keep a look out for that if you want more info on this palette and swatches)

Then comes this cult beauty product, the highly recommended, award winning gel liner (Long wear) by Bobbi Brown in Black Ink

This has to be one of the best; if not THE best gel liners I have used and believe me I have used many. I love the consistency of it, I love the application of this product and if I am honest the only fault I can find in it is that when you start to get to the bottom of the jar the product drys out a lot quicker. BUT this isn't anything a little mixing medium can not fix (please note using a mixing medium with this may effect the"Long Wear" of this product as you will be thinning it out) I also use this on my waterline for a more intense look and it doesn't budge, I highly highly recommend this, its such an easy application with any eye liner brush. I love it!!!

Finally for my mascara I use MUA (Makeup Academy) Xtreme Curl Mascara. Its cheap, I think £1 or £2 from Superdrug and does the job for an everyday look. I don't tend to wear heavy makeup during the day when I am at work but even if I do want to have more fuller eyelashes, this is buildable and works great AND get this it doesn't clump up like most cheap branded mascara does!!! I like to wear this just on its own with a bit of foundation powder and blush on those "I can't be bothered to wear makeup' days (yes it often happens with me mostly because I get up late in the morning and end up running around like a headless chicken)

I think thats it...oh and for my lips which I forgot to put in the initial picture. (Ooooops) I tend to mix up my "Lips Looks" sometimes I like to go bright with Pinks and Reds and sometimes I tone it down with nudes, it really depends on how I am feeling on the day.

This is a beautiful sheer pink nude LIP BUTTER, and honestly that is the best way to describe it as its not a lipstick nor is it a lip balm. Its like a mixture of both, it keeps my lips moisturised with a hint of colour. The smell is lush, and its great to use on a matte lip colour to add a glossy look.

Here are a few shots of the look I created using everything mentioned in this post.
If you have any questions about any of the products mentioned, just leave a comment below and I will reply back. I will be posting more product reviews with swatches soon especially the UD Naked Palettes, the Revlon Lip Butters and a few new products I have picked up recently!!