1. Â Make-up Forever HD Foundation
This oil-free foundation’s a staple in my kit. Â A small amount provides medium coverage that you can easily build up if you need more coverage. Â I prefer lighter coverage though so I always sheer the foundation down by applying it with a damp sponge. Â The finish feels lightweight and looks demi-matte, and I find skin still looks and feels like ‘skin’…not make-up. Â It’s long-wearing too, working well under the hot lights on-set and for the big day of a bride. Â When I use it on myself, I usually only need one powder touch-up throughout the day (i.e. an 8-hour span) and I have a seriously slick T-zone. Â Definitely a must-try for those searching for the perfect foundation!
2. Â Ardell Lashes
I always tell people that lashes are the one way to look enhanced without looking like obvious make-up. Â For instance, a believable pair of lashes can help you look more wide-eyed and awake, but isn’t as noticeable as wearing visible colour make-up like eyeliner and eyeshadow. Â The keyword here is “believable”. Â I love Ardell lashes; I have a few styles that I use on my clients, depending on their preference for naturally enhanced or big, bold lashes. Â One of these faves is Ardell Lashes in Demi Luvlies – it’s just the right amount of lash to add length, but it’s also not too full of volume that it looks fake (see below).
3. Â Shu Uemura lash glue
Of course, you’ll need a good lash glue to anchor those falsies down.  I’ve tried many lash glues and also used DUO for the longest time, but for me, nothing beats the lash adhesive by Shu Uemura.  I honestly don’t have the easiest time applying lashes on myself (it’s always much easier to do on other people!), but I find the right glue can help ease the process of applying them.  I like Shu’s as it doesn’t dry as fast as other glues but it dries fast enough, and that little bit of breathing room gives me time to nudge my falsies into place before it dries up, gets too sticky and I have to start over again (because goodness knows I never get it on the first try when applying them on myself!).  Also, Shu’s lash adhesive doesn’t stink…which is something I really can’t stand about other lash glues!
4. Â Shu Uemura eyeliner
Another Shu shout-out! Â I love this eyeliner for tight-lining. Â The self-sharpening and small tip of this pencil makes it easy to get in on the inner top lash line. Â It’s another one of those ‘doesn’t look like make-up tricks’, easily making your lashes look fuller without being obvious make-up. Â The gel liner consistency of the pencil also tends to last longer in my waterline than other ‘waterproof’ pencils that I’ve tried. Â Gotta love that!
Before and After:
Other Products Used
FACE || MUFE HD Microperfecting Primer and HD Foundation, Kett Cosmetics Set Powder, MAC Prep and Prime Highlighting Concealer in Radiant Rose, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC20, NARS Bronzer in Laguna
EYES || Â Bobbi Brown Long-Wearing Cream Shadow in Shore (as base), Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Darkhorse (lid), MUFE Eyeshadow in Matte Espresso (outer corner), Too Faced Eyeshadow in Espresso (lashline/outercorner), MAC Eyeshadow in Vanilla (under brow) and Phloof! (inner corner), Shu Uemura Gel Liner, MAC Chromaline in Black Black, L’oreal Lineur Intense
LASHES || Â Maybelline Great Lash mascara, brow wand (generic), Ardell Lashes in Demi Luvlies, Shu Uemura Lash Glue
BROWS || MAC Brows in Stud, MUFE Eyeshadow in Matte Espresso, John Frieda Fly-Away Tamer
CHEEKS || MAC Cubic, Cargo HD Blush in Pink Shimmer, MUFE Sculpting Kit in 02
LIPS || MAC Subculture Lip Pencil, MAC Faux, MAC Cremesheen Glass in Partial to Pink
HAIR || Babyliss 1¼ Straightening Iron, NEXUS Comb Thru Hairspray
