A Week Without Foundation : How Did I Cope?

You may have spotted over on social media that for 5 days this past week I decided  to test myself.... can I live without foundation?

I have worn foundation more or less daily since I was about 14. Yes.... that is a long time, 12 years in fact, of slapping on a face full to hide bits and bobs about my face that I'd rather others didn't see.

I am lucky with my skin (*touches wood*), I've never been a big sufferer of spots or blemishes but I still use foundation like a security blanket, hiding redness here and there and creating an even toned base to work with.

As I'm getting older I'm slowly becoming more confident with my skin and the thought of going without foundation isn't actually that daunting or scary anymore. And after having a few of these thoughts last Sunday I thought I would give it go..... head to work and spend my week totally foundation free, how bad could it be?

Lets start of by talking pros.

1. Time Saving. Holy moly I didn't realise how much time cutting this step out of my make-up routine would save! I did cut down the products I use by half whilst going foundation free and it cut my make-up routine to just 5-10 minutes - perfect for when I'm running out the door each morning. 

2. Saving on products. Because I wasn't using foundation I also cut out my primer and bits and bobs for contouring and highlighting! The perfect way to save on my expensive products that I do like to use daily, not just foudantion. Plus.... it takes alot less cleanse and polish to remove the few products I was wearing, making that end of day ritual alot less of a pain in the butt!

3. My skin got to breathe! It was quite nice knowing that I didn't have a face-full of make-up just to go to work. Don't get me wrong if I still worked with the public I probably would feel a little different about this experiment but now I'm in an office with 3 other lovely ladies (1 of which I've known since I was a teen) I felt like it wasn't a big deal! My skin wasn't clogged to the brim with slap, it was nice.

Now.... a couple of cons.

1. My redness. The number one reason I wear foundation. I don't have rosacea (I don't think) but my skin does have red patches and it does have a tendency to go red - at the most annoying times!
 Our new office seems to be like a greenhouse so I have been SO warm and my skin has definitley been resonating it haha! Going to gym classes and on runs have really been showing aswell haha - my boyfriend couldn't believe how red I was the other night and all I could say was - this is what it's like with no foundation! Saying this.... it does feel alot nicer breaking a sweat without a face full of make-up clogging up my pores.

2. PALE. I felt SO pale.

My Foundation Free Routine
So I suppose you all want to know what products I WAS using? So let's chat.

I started off each morning with my using cleansing routine then popped on some of the Madara Ultimate FaceLift Day Cream (I thought if I wasn't going to be using a foundation I might aswell try and improve my skin in a different way.... I was aiming for ten years younger!).
I then used my Recover concealer which is made for redness to tackle around my nose and my eyes. I have to have a bit of a glow/shimmer as my dull skin is totes boring so I then dabbed a bit of MAC strobe cream on my cheek bones, down my nose and on my forehead. It was then just my eyebrows, which I use MAC eyebrow pencil and my lashes - Maxfactor Masterpiece Max mascara. They are two things that I definitely couldn't go without. 
That was it, my morning routine done and dusted - seriously.... so much time saved.

The Verdict

From now on I think that for normal work days and just day to day life.... I don't need foundation - I can't believe I'm saying that!
 If I'm off out with friends or spending the day somewhere then yes I will feel alot more comfortable with it on but for work int he office/the gym/popping out here and there - I'm going to go foundationless! (Bring on summer when I have a bit more of a tan though!)

What do you think? Could you go #FoundationFree for a week?

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My Current Everyday Make-up

I wear make-up more or less everyday. It is something I love and something that always makes me feel 100% better about myself as soon as applied (I look like a pale, tired child without the slap)!
 The only times I don't wear make-up is when I have a day off at home or maybe if I'm just popping to a shop. Most days I am at just at work at my normal 9 hour a day job and if I'm not there I'm just hanging out with friends, family or the boyfriend. And these all usually call for the same make-up look - my plain old, everyday, bog-standard make-up. 

This is a look that rarely changes and although I switch up products now and again it never changes drastically.  I could probably do all these steps in my sleep I'm so used to d0ing it! You might think this is alot for a daily make-up routine or you may think it is nothing but nevertheless here it is - my current everyday make-up routine.
I've split it into various sections to make it a little easier to follow!

First up - the base. For good make-up you've got to have a foundation to start  on (and I don't mean literal foundation!) These products create the best surface for my make-up and help keep it lasting all day.

Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer

I've been using this stuff for a good few months now and I love it so much I've just started my second jar! No need for a thick moisturiser every morning this is a day cream and primer all in one - keeps my skin hydrated and helps me avoid getting those horrible dry patches around my nose and chin. The perfect first step.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer (Review)

As we all know this stuff is a newbie to both me and my make-up bag, but it has flown straight into my daily routine with ease! This stuff reminds me slightly of Benefit's POREfessional which is a product I save for big nights out where I want to look my best (can't avoid to be whacking that on my face everyday... especially if I'm just going to work!) Great results and at a cheaper price - fab!

Seventeen Skin Wow 3 Way Highlighter (Review)

One of my top products from 2013. This is a gorgeous pink shimmery highlighter which I dab onto my cheek bones once my skin is primed. Very much like Benefit's Highbeam this stuff helps you get a gorgeous radiant glow in seconds! Highly recommended! 

Here's my favourite part - the part in which my dull, boring skin gets rid of those patchey red areas and bags and becomes fresh, bright and clear!

Seventeen Pwhoarr Paint Concealer -Fair

Recently I have had the most hideous bags under my eyes and this stuff has been a god send. I apply this to my under eye area and around my nose with my Real Techniques Expert Face brush. I originally bought it in the shade 'medium' back in the summer/autumn months but after a while as my tan faded I realised I needed to step down to 'fair'. This stuff is fantastic, heavy duty stuff - it really works! 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - 52 Vanilla

For years I had been stuck using the same old foundation (L'Oreal True Match) too scared to try others as I never thought anything could compare! Well I can tell you now since the day I bought this my True Match has taken a back seat and I have worn this stuff everyday! Again like my concealer when Winter hit I had to drop down a shade (which is totes understandable!) but the next shade down matched me perfectly anyways - score! I dab this onto my face and then buff it into my skin with the Zoeva 102 Silk Finish brush.

Seventeen Miracle Matte Pressed Powder - Silky Beige

This is just a quick step I do to help set my foundation - Zoeva powder brush, a once over my face. Done.

Eyebrows are really important to me when it comes to my make-up, they frame your face and can either make you look alot better or alot lot worse!

I get HD brows done every couple of months so I like to keep them as neat and symmetrical as I can - although you always have to remember...... unless you are a fabulous celebrity your eyebrows are normally sisters not twins!

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil -Hazel

Have used this badboy for years and years, same pencil, same col0ur - if you are looking to start penciling in your eyebrows this is the pencil to get -only £2.99 aswell, bargain!

HD Brows Powder Palette

I actually got this in a Glossy Box years and years ago! It was the first time I'd heard of the brand (as it had just come out) and I am so so glad I kept hold of it as it is the perfect eyebrow pallete for me! I use this after I've penciled in/on my brows and use an eyeliner brush from ELF to apply which gives them the perfect finish!

You can't do your make-up without adding a bit of colour. These products give me a healthy, glowing look - not sure how I live without them!

Sleek Contour Kit - Light

Another product which was new to me last year but I have used more or less everyday since it came into my possession!

 The bronzer is a fab matte colour and I use this on the hollow of my cheeks (you know when you do that sexy sucky-in face?) with my Zoeva Luxe Sheer Cheek Brush and then place the highlighter just above it. I then grab my powder brush from Real Techniques and blend it all in!

Fake Bake Bronze Shimmer - Light

This is a product I bought years and years ago (and it's still going) because I read that Billie Faiers had said she used it - and I am obsessed with her flawless make-up! I just pop this onto the apples of my cheeks with my blush brush from Real Techniques to give myself a gorgeous shimmery glow - I get so many questions asking what product it is all the time! I'm dreading the day this stuff runs out!

I have the shortest lashes and the smallest eyes so whatever I can use to make my eyes seem bigger - I do it!

Maxfactor Masterpiece Max Mascara

So far my favourite mascara of all time! I have used this for years and even though I tried out countless amounts of other mascaras - this is the one I always grab.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

Along with my masterpiece max mascara I have been using the Hypnose mascara from Lancome which I bought in a gift set just before Christmas! This helps my lashes look fuller and thicker and I always use this after I've used the masterpiece max to separate and lengthen.

Maybelline Master Kajal Khol Eyeliner

Another fairly new product to me. Eyeliners are something I never really stick too - I'm always switching them up and trying all different makes, brands and styles. I apply this to just the outside of my lower lashline to help open up my eyes a little.

As for lips.... that is something which changes daily. Lip balms, lip glosses, lipsticks - I use whatever I feel like on that day, I don't have a staple daytime piece. ( I have so many I don't know what to do with them all really!)

So there we have it, my current everyday make-up routine! Are there any products there that you use? Do you think this is alot to wear on a daily basis? What do you wear everyday?

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Empties #2

Yes, my 2nd empties post is here already! Not long since my first I know but like I said in that, I always seem to run out of things at the same time - typical! 

This empties post has a variety of products from body to hair to cosmetics, some have lasted a long long time and some a things I use daily!

1. Soap & Glory's The Scrub Of Your Life - I have talked about this before, it is one of my favourite ever scrubs! 
This stuff is fantastic - I love the classic Soap and Glory scent and a little goes a long way! I had been using this probably once or twice a week and it has lasted months! The main reason I love this scrub is because it helps target those annoying red bumps on the back of my upper arms ... come on I know some of you must have those too, it has basically cleared them for me - a miracle product! (I already have a replacement bottle in my shower)

2. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic - This is one of my daily skincare products. I use it both in the morning after my shower and in the evening after removing my make-up! It leves my face feeling revived and refreshed whilst maing sure it is super clean before I add any cream, serum or make-up to my face. A product I couldn't live without, I probably get through one of these per month.

3. Lee Stafford Argan Oil Deep Nourishing Treatment - I bought this along with the matching shampoo and conditioner from the collection (which I am also nearly out of)!
As you all know I'm a major Lee Stafford fan girl! So when these products were 3 for £20 a little while ago I had to pick them up! Of course they are fantastic on my hair, I love how strong, smooth and silky it feels after using this treatment - especially after recently having a full head of bleach highlights done, it is so important to look after your hair and even more so if you abuse it with colour like I do!

4. Maxfactor Masterpiece Max Mascara - By far my favourite "drug-store" mascara! If you like brushes which are comb-like then this is the mascara for you. I have used this for years, I've tried so many others and I always seem to come back to this old faithful beauty!

5. Soap & Glory Hand Maid Hand Gel - I'm not sure how many of these I've ever been through. I am a serial hand sanitiser user, I use this stuff like it's going out of fashion! I love this soap and glory one as it smells so nice and does last for a good while even if you use it like crazy like me!

Have you run out of anything lately? All of these products are going to be repurchased! 

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