Hi everyone, happy Monday!
This is a really quick one, prompted by an unplanned make up bag clean-up and de-clutter. Some smokey grey shadow of unknown origin must’ve exploded in there at some point, making everything look dusty, and I’ve always been running late/too bleary-eyed to sort it out.
This morning, frustrated that the box-fresh Jones Road Face Pencil I bought at Liberty the other day looked like it’d been languishing in the depths of the bag for months, I tipped everything out and went to town with the baby wipes. I also took the opportunity to have a bit of a re-edit—this is the bag I keep in the bathroom, and reach for every morning. I thought it might be fun to share what’s earned its place.
I was thinking about filming a short video for you, but I had one of the weird, visual migraines that come out of the blue (as these things do) from time to time, so I think I’ll spare you that. I’m really lucky that I only get a light show, and not a horrid headache that wipes me out, as many do. But I do like the idea of perhaps including some video in the mix here at some point.
But it does mean I had lunch at the kitchen table wearing sunglasses.
What’s stayed in my makeup bag, post-edit:
Lancôme Airbrush No2 - Foundation & Concealer Brush (£36, on offer right now at Boots)
Base one end, smaller one for concealer at the other. SO good, super-soft but just firm enough to make blending a cinch. I even use to speedily blend tinted moisturiser, it’s so handy. (Not an affiliate link, I just happened to spot it’s on offer today, for those in the UK. As so many friends are Stateside and elsewhere, I think I may switch to linking to brand websites, which will detect where you’re browsing from. Hold that thought!)
Chanel Baume Essentiel In Golden Light (£38)
My friend
got me onto this. It just leaves the most lovely, glistening, bronze-y colour (and comes in others).And it’s a “baume” (say it with your best French flourish), so what’s not to love?
Jones Road The Neutralizer Pencil (£24)
Like Tippex for dark circles. Almost. (The closest thing I’ve come across, anyway). Get advice with this one on the right shade — I had to do this at the counter, and try a couple. It’s great for covering up those pesky dark/purple-ish shadows in the inner corners of the eyes, too. Tip: applying a smidge of eye cream beforehand will help with the glide.
Jones Road The Face Pencil (£24)
OK, so this looks identical, but it’s not. This one is for concealing blemishes, redness, and uneven skin tone - it’s got a creamier, denser pigment. At a push, you could get this one and it would cover you for under-eye shadows, too.
Laura Mercier Eyebrow Pencil in Ash Blonde (£25).
The best I’ve found for adding a touch of natural definition, and filling in areas which have become sparser in recent years. And I am disproportionately happy it comes with a sharpener, which I think every pencil over £10 should (but it actually stays sharp for days). Use short, gentle strokes, to feather in the colour, for the most natural result (this calls for a sharp point).
Jones Road The Brow Gel (£23)
Clear, does what it says on the tin. I whip it on after the Laura Mercier pencil.
Clarins Lip Comfort Oil in Raspberr y (£21.25, on offer)
Only love this more and more. It leaves the best shine, without gloop and feels really conditioning. I just wish it lasted longer.
Stila Convertible Color (£18) in Camellia and Peony
I’ve been buying this in both shades FOREVER. They are a repeat Amazon purchase, but you can get Stila widely at M&S, Boots and elsewhere. One of those best-kept-secret products, and loved by beauty editors, I’ve got so many friends onto this cream blush. It’s perfect for midlife skin, easy to blend with fingertips and lasts well, too. I apply the bronze Camellia first, followed by a pop of peony, a more reddish-brown. And there’s no shimmer in here, just dewy-freshness.
In theory, it’s for lips, too, but honestly? I’ve never found that works for me (in general, really, with cheek and lip colours. Maybe you’ve had more multi-tasking success?).
[Not listed, but used daily: eyelash curlers—picked up from T.K. Maxx I think?— and a black mascara, which, for speed, I apply on the outer edges of the top lashes only — currently Jones Road, simply because it came as part of the kit (and not an affiliate link). Also, Jones Road What The Foundation (£42)—ADORE!—but won’t fit into my make-up bag, ditto my Miracle Balms (£36 each) in Sunkissed and Pinched Cheeks.]
Hope your week gets off to a good start, and sending love!
So fun to see what’s in your bag! Isn’t that Chanel Baume fabulous? I’m away on vacation but made sure to bring mine along. I get compliments all the time on the dewy freshness it provides 😍