Are You Ready For Your Close Up?

“I woke up like this… flawless” – Beyoncé

I would say that I’m not alone in thinking that it is pretty impossible to wake up flawless. That does not mean to say that people cannot look flawless, after having a personal trainer, make up artists, facials, spa treatments, expensive hair extensions, a private chef and millions of dollars. However for me, the way I look when I wake up is pretty different to how I look when I leave the house for work, and immensely different to how I’d look on a night out. Further, as a self confessed selfie taker, I know that good angles, good lighting and good filters can transform a girls face, sometimes beyond recognition. Therefore I’m always on the lookout for products that at least try to give the illusion that I’m edging towards flawless, in real life as well as on Instagram.

One thing I am happy with beauty wise is my skin. However, it is not merely Luck or Nature, and there are various lotions and potions that I use in order to create a smooth canvas. 

I start by exfoliating my face in the shower (but using a sink of warm water can work too). One of the best exfoliators on the market is St Ives Apricot Facial Scrub, costing around £3.

There are a few varieties but my favourite is the Naturally Clear version, and although it may sound obvious, there is a LOT of ‘scrub’ in there – my pet hate is using an exfoliator that feels like a face cream with a few bits of sand and stone mixed in (I’m looking at you Superdrug Vitamin E Scrub). It always leaves my skin feeling smooth, soft and fresh.  If you want something a bit more gentle for everyday use, I recommend Flake Away  by Soap & Glory which I reviewed HERE. Having dry/combination skin means having to use a thicker than average moisturiser before applying foundation. Otherwise, the foundation can emphasise dry patches and can even make them worse. I personally swear by Nivea Visage Rich Moisturising Day Cream. 

Choosing the right make up brushes is also key to achieving a flawless look. I love using the Real Techniques brushes. They are quite expensive to buy individually so I suggest buying a set for value for money. I chose 'Sam's Picks'. 

L-R - multitask face brush, contouring brush, buffing brush, pointed foundation brush, eyeshadow brush, liner brush.

The buffing brush is fantastic for putting on foundation, using light, circular motions. I recommend putting blobs of foundation onto your skin and then buffing it in, rather than picking it up with the brush.

The buffing brush works so well with one of my favourite foundations, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24hr. It's well worth the money and lasts for ages. I normally save this foundation for going out in the evenings.

Maybelline has always been my go-to drugstore brand for daily wear foundation. Their newest product, Dream Flawless Nude, has had mixed reviews.

Some people love the light matte finish whereas others have slated it, especially those with dry skin. However, I really like it. Its super fine, and you are meant to apply it by letting drops fall off the applicator onto your finger. Clearly I have no time for that, so I normally just blob the applicator onto my forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. As long as you exfoliate and moisturise properly, and apply it to the drier areas first (with fingers, nothing else will work) then you can get a great finish. This will be a great summer foundation.

Another great Maybelline foundation with fuller coverage is their Superstay 24hr Better Skin foundation. 

This one works well when applied with the Real Techniques buffing brush. It does take a while to 'settle' into your skin and can look streaky at first. I applied a layer of Maybelline 'Fit Me' face powder with the Real Techniques multitask brush and it did give great coverage. It can feel slightly heavy for everyday use, but it depends on what you're used to.

Not entirely sure of what my face is doing here, but #nofilter

I went shopping with my friends on Friday and was amazed to discover that Primark have been doing some fairly decent makeup. While I would never wear their foundation, the eye palette and swirled bronzer (worn above) are gorgeous, and at £3 each are way cheaper than any other brand.

Talking of inexpensive brands, Make Up Academy London(MUA), available in Superdrug, is quickly becoming one of my favourites. Their eyebrow pencil is amazingly waxy and lasts forever. Most recently I picked up their Velvet Lip Lacquer, an amazing lip product that goes on like a gloss and dries matte, with intense pigmentation and long lasting staying power, even after food and drink.

The colours I chose were Reckless (the bright red worn above) and Dare, a deep pinky purply burgundy. 

I really would recommend all of the products I have written about in order to achieve a flawless, insta-ready look.

Lots of love,

Yaasica Lucia Xxx

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” – Marilyn Monroe