Welcome to ‘The Makeup Tag’
I’d seen a few of these ‘The Makeup Tag’ posts flying around Twitter, but until the lovely Annabelle from Beau Bella tagged me in it, I wasn’t 100 percent sure what it was. Once I’d read her post about it and how it’s a great way to let your readers know a bit more about you, I couldn’t wait to get involved.
In case you’re wondering how Annabelle and I know it each other, it’s because she joined this year’s Blogger’s Beauty Brawl, a 10-day collaboration that I run twice a year. This time around it was a lot of fun and I met some really lovely bloggers.
Time to get started…
Do you remember your first makeup item?
Yes, I do. It was a pastel rose-hued, glittery pink lipstick. I’m not sure where it was from but I must have got it when I was about 11 or 12 in my Christmas stocking. I loved it because at that age, I was glitter mad! Thinking back, the colour pay off wasn’t great, it gave my lips a subtle rosy tint. Perhaps that was the look my mum wanted me to achieve, nothing too grown up…
Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found ‘The One’?
This is a hard one because I go through stages. I have two favourites right now, however, one isn’t a mascara as such, it’s a primer. For a natural day-to-day look, I love Benefit They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer because it subtly enhances my lashes without being too OTT. For special occasions and nights out, I’m a big fan of Maybelline the Colossal Go Extreme! Volum’ mascara. Its’ fantastic. For day time, I like a mascara that gives my lashes that subtle boost of colour they need. For night time, I love a mascara that creates a false lash effect.
What coverage do you like in a foundation?
I’m lucky in the fact that my skin doesn’t tend to get many blemishes or breakouts, so I stick mostly to low coverage products. Right now, I am loving Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick. It’s a foundation that offers buildable coverage, is beautifully creamy and easy to blend, and lasts for hours. My foundation pet hate is coverage that looks cakey.
What’s your favourite high-end brand?
This is such a hard one, however Smashbox would have to be the winner. I am a big Smashbox fan, I love how beautifully pigmented their products are. I also love the natural look their highlighters create.
What cosmetics brand are you desperate to try but haven’t yet?
Oh there are sooo many. Right now, I am lusting after Jeffree Star, ABH, Too Faced and Tarte. These are all brands that I’ve heard great things about but has yet to try. Mostly because of the high price tags that their products come with.
Favourite drugstore brand?
Hmm, most probably Makeup Revolution, purely because their products are budget friendly and high quality. Plus, their eyeshadow palettes are to die for, I am crazy about them.
Do you wear fake eyelashes?
Not on a daily basis, I don’t. I used to wear them all the time on nights out while I was at university, but now that I’m old and boring, I don’t tend to wear them. I would wear them for a special occasion like a wedding, but that’s about it.
Is there any makeup you can’t leave the house without wearing?
Actually, no. I love wearing makeup but I don’t have to wear it. That being said, my skin is prone to redness, so on makeup-free days I still apply a little concealer or beauty balm. My favourite beauty balm is Collection BB Secrets Beauty Balm, it’s so wonderfully light.
What is your most cherished beauty product?
It has to be my Smashbox Soft Lights Duo because it’s been discontinued.*Sobs*. I honestly don’t know what I’ll do when it runs out.
How often do you buy a makeup product?
Umm, probably about once every few weeks. I don’t shop for makeup every week because I’m an adult now – gulp, and I have bills and rent to pay. But when I do go makeup shopping, I never come out with just one product.
Do you have a monthly beauty budget or spend freely?
I don’t set myself a monthly beauty budget as such, but I don’t tend to spend more than £20 a month on beauty products. Unless, of course, I’m in need of a pick-me-up, then I might have the occasional more expensive splurge.
Do you utalise coupons, reward cards and sales for your beauty products?
Absolutely. I love my Boots card and always have a search online for coupons and deals before buying new makeup.
Which beauty product do you buy the most of?
Highlighter, for sure. I have an unhealthy obsession with highlighter. I currently have nine highlighters I use on a daily obsession and I plan on buying more soon. Yep, I am obsessed.
Is there a brand that you really don’t like?
No, I don’t think so. There are some brands that I’m not keen on but I wouldn’t say I really don’t like any brands.
Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulphates?
I have sensitive skin so I do have to be careful of what I use but I don’t really check the backs of things. I just give them a try and see whether they work for me. I’ve never had a bad reaction to a product or anything like that, apart from the odd breakout.
Do you have a favourite place to shop for makeup?
Superdrug, for sure. I used to be a Boots gal through and through, then I realised how many brands Superdrug stocks and fell madly in love. If I’m buying online, Beauty Bay or Cult Beauty would be my go-to places.
Do you like trying new skincare products or sticking to a routine?
I have products I wouldn’t be without but I don’t mind trying new things. I’ll always keep my favourite old products as well but sometimes I do swap up my skincare routine.
What’s your favourite Bath & Body brand?
I love L’Occitane because they’re products are cruelty-free and smell amazing. Their shower gels are incredibly and their body creams are so beautifully buttery.
If you could only buy from one brand, who would you pick?
Most probably, Benefit. Just because I’ve used a fair few of their products and always have great results.
What do you love about makeup?
Everything. I love the fact that it makes us look and feel better and can give us girlies the confidence boost that we need. I also love playing with my makeup and testing out lots of new looks.
Right then, now it’s time to pass it on. I nominate the lovely Beth from Beth Eleanor Beauty, Kara from Kara Elizabeth Beauty and Hannah from The Mermaid Life. Have fun ladies and don’t forget to tag me in your posts! I can’t wait to see your answers.
