What's On My Face: The Office Edition

Max Factor’s Instant Complexion Enhancer CC Cream (£9.99) | Paul & Joe’s Limited Edition Pressed Powder UV (£28) | MAC Powder Blush in Supercontinental | Maybelline’s Mega Plush Volum’ Expess mascara (£7.99) | Benefit Browzings Brow Shaping Kit (£23.50) | Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant (£25)

Every morning I’m faced with the same old predicament: get up and apply some makeup or have an extra ten minutes in bed.  You can guarantee I choose my bed every time.  However, I’m not brave enough to go to work barefaced so have to try to make myself look presentable with a limited amount of time and a few products.

When I don’t have time to sit and blend in my foundation, the Max Factor’s Instant Complexion Enhancer CC Cream comes in really handy.  It’s more like a tinted moisturiser than a foundation so doesn’t need as much work.  It’s light and refreshing yet gives me good coverage.  If needs be I top up with a little concealer.  I forgot to photograph it but no prizes for guessing which one I use (Collection’s  Lasting Perfection concealer - review here).

I have to add powder when I need my makeup to last all day and my current dusting of choice comes from Paul & Joe’s Limited Edition Pressed Powder UV.  It contains finely milled glitter which adds a sheen to my face - the perfect pick me up for when I’m at work.  Onto blush and my usual office choice is MAC Powder Blush in Supercontinental, a bright yet natural coral shade.  It’s perfect for giving me a bit of a flush whilst not being too OTT or girly.  Unfortunately it was a limited edition from a collection last year so you will find it hard to hunt it down.  I’m using it sparingly!

Now for the eye area.  I tend to keep my eyes really simple whilst at work because as you nine-to-five girls know, too much tired eye-rubbing will leave you looking like an office zombie.  I apply a good few lashings of Maybelline’s Mega Plush Volum’ Expess mascara to keep my peepers looking wide awake.  I didn’t get on with this mascara at first as I found the formula rather runny and hard to work with but I persevered and glad I did.  I fill in my browns using the amazing Browzings duo from Benefit.  As you can see, the wax (left) is my favourite but I stick to the powder (right) during the day for a subtle look.

Finally, the lips.  Whenever I wear bright lipstick during the day at work I’m often asked if I’m going out afterwards and I get sick of saying “no I just like fancy a change!”  Can’t a girl wear a bit of bright lippy if she pleases?  Jeez!  Most days I opt for a touch of lip balm to keep my lips soft but glossy.  I make sure I keep it on my desk and top up during the day, especially in the colder weather.  My all time favourite lip balm is the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant.  If you don’t have this in your makeup bag then why not?  It cures an array of ailments and I love how soft it makes my lips feel.

And there you have it.  This whole routine takes around 10 minutes and is so fool proof it can be done when half asleep.  I plan on doing a few more What’s On My Face posts so let me know other ‘faces’ you would like to see.

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Benefit Girl Meets Pearl

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl (£24.50)

If there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s that Benefit do good highlighters right?  Whether it be Sun Beam, Moon Beam, High Beam, the list goes on and we’ve all either heard of one of them, tried one one of them, or know someone who has.  I’d like to introduce to you one of my personal favourites: Girl Meets Pearl.  So girls, meet Girl Meets Pearl.  Okay, that’s confusing!  Described by Benefit as none other than liquid pearl for your face, this really is a must if you’re desperate for dewy skin.  

With a fun name and pretty packaging, this product looks just as good in your make up bag as it does on on your skin.  The twist-up function means that you get just the right amount of highlighter so there’s no waste and the product lasts for ages, making £24.50 a rather reasonable price.  Initially the highlighter looks very pink when first applied so I thought it may be better suited to paler, cooler skin tones however when you massage the liquid into your skin, golden undertones come through, which I think would suit most skin tones.  The different shades do remind me of a pearl, catching the light and changing colours as the sun glints off it.

The formula is water based so it’s doesn’t feel too heavy and blends perfectly into the skin, both with and without make up.  I often get carried away with this product and put it everywhere!  I begin with my brow bone, then dab some onto the top of my cheek bones, then the tip of my nose, then my cupid’s bow (the bits where your lips peak for those who don’t know) and then finally a tiny bit in the middle of my bottom lip.  I just can’t get enough of the stuff and before I know it, my whole face is glowing.  Highlighting these points really transform my face, giving it life and dimension.  If you’re a novice when it comes to contouring and highlighting, this product is great for beginners as you really can’t go wrong with it.  Try mixing it with your foundation for an all-over dewy glow or apply a little to your cheeks before blusher to really make them shimmer!  Regardless of how you use it, you will be shining brighter than a string of pearls.  Perfect!

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Benefit The POREfessional

Benefit The POREfessional (£23.50)*

My first experience with make up primers was awful.  I can’t remember the exact name of the first one I used but it was a drug-store, clear, gel-like product which made my make up look worse not better.  The primer appeared to have wore off in patches by the end of the day and all of my make up went with it, giving me a ‘leper-like’ appearance.  You can imagine why I therefore deemed primers a pointless product.

Oh how my opinion changed when Benefit The POREfessional came into my life.  I could no longer ignore the hype about this miracle product and had to give it a try.  It glides onto your skin effortlessly making it feel silky smooth and prepped for foundation.  My skin seems brighter when wearing the product and my make up definitely lasts longer - all day in fact!  I can certainly see the difference if I miss this step from my morning routine.  

The only thing that I don’t love is the price.  At £23.50 for 22ml, this little beauty is very expensive.  Benefit have recently introduced a value size version which is double the product for £29.50 but it’s limited edition and has been sold out for ages otherwise I would have stocked up.  You’d probably find me buying this product if it was payday or I was feeling thrifty but when I’m not, I will be looking for cheaper alternatives that do the same job.

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Benefit They're Real! mascara

Benefit They’re Real! mascara (18.50)*

I’m not normally too fussed about paying loads for wonder mascaras as I always rely on fake lashes when I want to enhance my eyes.  I’ve never used a mascara that really lives up to it’s claims...until now.  Benefit They’re Real! mascara is simply amazing.  It works wonders on my stumpy little lashes, making them longer, fuller and thicker.  This will sound like such a cliche but the first day I wore this mascara someone asked me if I was wearing falsies to which I replied “they’re real!” (cheesy I know.)  At £18.50 this mascara is so expensive but it works so well and I will definitely be re-purchasing it.  My picture doesn’t do it justice and please excuse the black and white tint.  It’s a cop-out but my skin is awful at the minute and my camera loves picking up every imperfection!

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