I feel like there was a point maybe two years ago where I kind of plateau-ed in terms of beauty and makeup: I figured out what finishes and products and shades I liked, and since then my makeup has been pretty consistently great. But that doesn’t mean I’m not still learning, so I thought I’d do a short post about three beauty plot twists that have occurred for me this year…

Cool tones look great on me

Based on absolutely nothing in particular, I got it into my head that I could only wear warm tones. Maybe it’s because of my green eyes and the way that warm, burnt reds and oranges look amazing on them. But I discovered this year that cool tones, especially highlighters, are totally delightful on me. On holiday in LA, I let a Sephora makeup artist put Becca Prismatic Amethyst highlighter on me (because why not) and I was totally taken aback by how well it worked on me. It blends into my skin better than warm-toned highlighters, and it feels like it really lights my skin from within. I’ve also got really into cold brown lipsticks like MAC Stone, MAC Antique Velvet and Illamasqua Moth (as I mentioned in my lipstick greatest hits post!)

The evidence: MAC Stone lipstick

Becca Prismatic Amethyst highlighter

 

I can deviate from my foundation

Once I figured out that I have dehydrated skin and that everything I put on it needs to be adding moisture, glow and radiance, I’ve really settled on wearing Nars Sheer Glow foundation. I repurchase it when it runs out and considered myself totally faithful to it. But I ran out recently and I’m trying to be more vigilant at living within my means. So instead of just coughing up for a new Nars foundation, I borrowed a foundation from my mum, who had ordered it online and not ended up liking it. Hers was from Beauty Pie, and if you’re a member, it costs less than £5. I was expecting to use it for a week and hate every minute until I got paid and could afford to replace my Nars. But payday came and went, and I was still using the Beauty Pie (which was one sixth of the price). It does everything I want it to: great coverage, never cakey, never drying, luminous, radiant, balanced. And for a fraction of the price that I was paying before.

The evidence: Nars Sheer Glow

Beauty Pie Everyday Great Skin foundation

I CAN wear liquid eyeliner

It took me a long time to figure out that the reason I have to work hard to make eyeshadow seen on my eyes is that I have hooded eyes. Maybe this was why I always struggled with liquid liner, but I also think most liquid liners are not ergonomically designed and are generally quite hard to use. As well as this, I find that having long nails means it can be hard to apply stuff accurately. All that changed when I bowed to pressure and tried the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. People had told me about it time and time again, and I just hadn’t bothered. Liquid eyeliner was for other people after all. But one day, again in Sephora, I picked one up and swiped it across my lid, perfectly ready to take the whole lot off when I made a mess. But I didn’t. In one stroke it gave me a straight, even line. I bought it on the spot and, out of 20+ applications, have only messed up once when I was particularly stressed and in a rush. I’m converted.

The evidence: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper

 

And that’s that! If there’s other beauty stuff you want me to write about, just tweet me!

Also going to do another plug for my podcast, which I’m just loving so hopefully you will do.