If you can't beat 'em, join 'em

After last night's winter-themed post, I have decided that I need to shut up and put up: as the saying goes, 'you can't fight City Hall'. Yes, I felt like the only way to go with my makeup today was forth into the sunshine, hence I am a walking pallette of gold and bronze. See below: hello, sunshine girl!
I looked in the mirror this morning and saw that the freckle party has well and truly begun, and that there's no point in having a face full of cool-coloured makeup when I've got the ginger brigade running rampant on my face. I started thinking about 'summer chic' and as I'm not quite the natural, surfy, boho babe who always looks so effortless in the warm weather, there seemed only one way to go: Riviera Glam. The photo has washed my brows and eyes out slightly, but they're both quite strong today. The lipstick is Chanel's Bali, which is where I'd like to be for the rest of the month: guess the lipstick is the best some of us can do!

To create this warming, sunny look, I used:

-Maybelline Pure Liquid Mineral foundation in Cameo
-Body Shop Tinted Glow Enhancer in 2
- MAC eyeshadow in Era
-Bourjois eyeshadow in Marron Glace
- Jemma Kidd I-Silk in Vintage
- Rimmel kohl pencil in Brown
-MAC Blush Creme in Lillicent
-Maybelline The Falsies mascara in Black
- MAC brow pencil
- Chanel lipstick in Bali

What are your favourite summer products?

Looking fierce while yawning...A 'How To' guide!

After the makeup and the products used. Still looking sleepy, but it's an improvement!

*Inserts match sticks under eyelids and stifles a yawn*

Good morning, all. I hope you're feeling a bit brighter than me today. I got about four hours sleep last night and my Bliss-face has been replaced by something altogether less desirable. Make up application on days like today feels extra special, as it's sole purpose is to hide and disguise what lies beneath, so I always let myself go a little more experimental with colour than I would do on a normal day. I also like to treat myself very nicely when I'm tired: so a large sushi lunch is already on the cards. This all makes being tired a lot easier (and actually maybe incentivises it somewhat!)

Now, I must point out that a dedicated blogger would probably post a 'before' makeup shot, but I am not going to do that. Why? Because my tired, pre-makeup visage is something that MI5 and the CIA are probably looking for to aid them in extracting top secret information during interrogation. Maybe not that bad, but I don't want to risk you seeing this before you've had your Cornflakes.

So what's my tiredness makeup routine? Your key words should be; conceal, brighten, define. Your base should provide coverage, but must still have a sheer/radiance enhancing component. Greyness should be covered, and your face needs definition today like no other day! Also, look to warm shades - anything that can make you look a little more healthy is always a plus.

I started with Bliss Triple Oxygen energising mask. Before I found this product, I'd never do a pre-work mask, but as this only takes five minutes, it seems crazy not to. It's also the first time I've used it when I've really needed it, and I am pleased to say, my skin looks so much brighter.

Now onto the products. I prep my skin with my usual moisturiser (at the moment Crema Nera by Armani), and then start with my number one brightening product, Benefit's Lemon-aid,a yellow concealer which is perfect for covering grey. I mix Clinique's City Block Sheer SPF 25 with the Body Shop's Tinted Glow Enhancer in 2 and apply this as my base (you can add some foundation if more coverage is needed). I top with a MAC cream concealer where needed (under eyes, around nose and chin) and we're starting to look human.

Eyes can often look heavy so it's essential that you open them up as much as possible. I use an eyelash curler, and if needed, you can line your waterline (inside your lower eyelid) with a flesh toned pencil (don't use white: it's too harsh and looks unnatural). I apply Jemma Kidd's I-Silk in Vintage and then Maybelline's The Falsies to boost my lashes.

Now for colour! MAC's Blankety lipstick topped with their Big Baby lip gloss. MAC's Mineralize Warm Soul blush on the cheeks and their brow liner in the lightest shade to bring out my very fair brows and that's it! Now you should be able to tolerate the pic, although the eyes are still a little heavy!

Hope this helps you on your sleepy days! Do you have any brightening beauty tips, and what are your favourite 'comfort' products when you're not feeling quite yourself?

Jemma Kidd Firming I-Silk Long-Last Colour

Hmm, I really like this product, but something is holding me back. For the past year, I've been loving Rimmel Colour Mousse Eye Shadow in Glitz, a lovely burnished gold, and it came time for a repurchase. Shopping on the King's Road last week, I was disappointed to find that I couldn't lay my hands on it. Undetered, I wandered to Space NK and fell in love with this gorgeous looking shadow in Vintage and my memories of Rimmel faded into the background. But then I put it on. It's gorgeous, and has a nice sheen, but I don't quite like it as much as the Rimmel shadow - the colour doesn't last as long, and it looks a little scaley after a few hours. And at four times the price, I am favouring Rimmel.