Minimal Effort Make Up

I alluded to the fact earlier this week that I've been changing my make up habits recently due to my time at home following my redundancy. Whilst I'd often spend times at the weekend make up free because I've now find myself heading out perhaps for a coffee with friends and wanting to look like I've made some effort but not needing to go all out on make up. I appreciate that there are a number of products in this line up and it's by no means a no make up make up but its essentially the bare minimum effort I can make and look like I've made one.

Starting with the base and not wanting to waste my favourite foundations on a few hours wear and preferring not to pile on the slap there have been three products I've tested recently. First is the new to me brand and product IXXI Skin Enhancing Daily Defence Care Light Elixir* which is similar in design as La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Unifant* in that both products are designed to even skin tone whilst offering skincare benefits. Where the Unifant from La Roche Posay is a lighter coverage I'm surprised at the extremely and almost flawless finish IXXI gives me that it has become my preference. The La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Unifant has been saved for the real 'no make up days' and I've found myself throwing IXXI into my make up bag for overnight stays when I need make up the next day but simply for heading home.

The disappointing product has been the Physicians Formula Mineral Wear All in 1 ABC Cushion Foundation which I have since passed onto a friend to try out.  Whilst it does offer many of the qualities that Physicians Formula suggest; flawless skin-perfecting effects, blurring fine lines and the like unfortunately whilst I didn't think my skin was too dry of late it clung to any hint of dryness especially around my nose. I tried on a couple of occasions, using heavy duty moisturisers to combat any dryness and hydrate the skin but this cushion foundation sought them out so it was the oilier skin friend that has benefitted.

I've fallen a little out of love with the Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer in recent times just from boredom more than any faults. It's a light coverage so works better with the heavier coverage from IXXI or on nights I've had a good nights sleep. It doesn't crease nor settle in fine lines and it's sponge applicator makes it easy to apply and blend with fingers which is great when in a hurry.

Sometimes I might reach for a dusting of a bronzer but usually I rely on a little blush and to compliment the red lip I'll get to later is the Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Rose Champagne. I picked this up in Las Vegas last year and it must of been on my radar for some reason or another. The first couple of times I used it I found it a little understated as a blush being a very pale dusty rose with a slight shimmer. I was almost ready to move it into the pile to pass on when I started developing this quick and easy look and tried it one last time and found I enjoyed it with this look. It's a blush you won't necessarily need a highlighter for, certainly for a shopping trip or drive home from a mini break but in the right light there is a shimmer there.

Brows are simply brushed over with a product such as the Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Mascara which is becoming a new favourite and I forgo eyeshadow and instead just rely on mascara, the choice for a minimal make up look has been L'Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes So Couture Mascara. I picked up this mascara along with the L'Oreal False Lash Sculpt Mascara, a duo recommended by Lydia Elise Millen and they do indeed work together to create a long false look but on it's own So Couture Mascara is more of a natural appearance but an enhanced one.

And the final step for me is red lipstick, as long as I have a red lip I feel happy and confident in my appearance. Two recent favourites I've been enjoying are the Chanel Rouge Allure Ink in Libre and Maybelline Vivid Liquid Lipstick in Orange Shot. Both products are similar in finish although the Chanel has a less matte look but I find I can easily pop these on and paired with the other products I look like I'm more put together and if I bump into someone I'd rather not have seen I have a war face on.

What products do you reach for when you're wanting a quick and easy make up look?

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