“No hay mejor maquillaje que la confianza”

I could have all the make up in the world, and still not have a clue. I don’t know how to contour, I don’t spend hours on my make up, I have never used a setting spray and I’m not really sure what the point of primer is? I remember after we got broken into on Christmas Eve and my make up bag was stolen. I didn’t even notice for about a month, granted we did have everything we owned stolen, but still. I think most girls would notice straight away, right?

I remember walking into MAC, because everyone told me that there was the best place. I was sold a dream that MAC would fill up my make up bag and my life would change. I walked out £200 down with nothing but three make up brushes, (three! What’s the need?) one mascara, an eyeliner that I never touched, some highlighter cream and a lipstick. I didn’t even know what to do with this stuff. Plus, I told her I had nothing but she made sure I had three brushes, but not any products to apply. You should’ve seen my face when she told me the amount. Honestly, I was mentally counting how many Ryanair return flights I could’ve got with that (it was four, for anybody wondering). So there I was with my new replenished make up bag, yet I felt far from fabulous.

I had all these products that I didn’t know what to do with!

I tried to copy YouTube videos for a while, but it just didn’t feel like me. I have never been one to wear make up. When I was at high school, I was left out. I wasn’t cool. I didn’t talk make up. I didn’t know how to do plaits, still don’t, even now it’s my boyfriend who curls my hair.

So what do I use?

I sometimes get messages, ok like two, on Instagram asking me what products I use. So here goes. Here is what is in my extensive (haha) make up bag. Now that we have an actual bathroom, with lights, I will see if I can attempt to work a bit of magic and wear make up daily, but for now, here is my current stock.

Giorgio Amarni Bag

I am not as cool as the impression that this make up bag gives out. I found this bag inside a box that came free with my perfume, when we were moving. Pretty ideal considering I was on the hunt to find a new one. Little did I know one was hiding in my bedroom all along. I love the simplicity of this bag. It would’ve been the style I’d have gone for whilst searching! It holds everything I possibly need, plus it fits perfectly in the cupboard under our sink.

Giorgio Armani Sì Perfume

Two weeks ago, I was stood at the perfume counter in East Midlands Airport deciding what valentines present I was getting for myself. Romantic, I know. I was dragging my suitcase trying perfume after perfume filling my arm with as many scents as I possibly could, apologies to the man who had to sit next to me on the plane. The sales assistants asked me what fragrance style I like and when they were met with a blank face they asked me what I already have. Apparently, Ralph Lauren, Heavenly, Tommy Girl, Million and Narcisso Rodriguez are not the same sort of fragrance and liking such a wide variety is uncommon. Who knew? Anyway, I picked Sì Passione which has a sleek bottle, a striking red and a sophisticated fragrance. Here’s where I wish this was a magazine and you could rub the screen to appreciate it.

Benefit Eyebrows

There has to be something said for a person who refuses to let anybody touch their eyebrows except benefit, right? I wait until I go back to England to have my eyebrows waxed and dyed. I’m sure that proves that I hold Benefit at Boots in high esteem. So, if there’s any products I’m trusting and buying, it’s Benefit. Funnily enough, I find eyebrows incredibly easy to do, perhaps that’s because I have the right tools, or perhaps I just hope for the best and they look alright to me. Either way, when my eyebrows are done I feel like I’m ready to conquer the world. I love how the pencil fills the gaps perfectly, which I struggle with. The high brown provides coverage between waxes when those pesky hairs poke through. KaBrow is so sleek and goes on so smooth, it’s so close to my natural colour and is so easy to apply. I love the shape of the Good Proof pencil and it’s so simple to use.

Soap and Glory Puffy Eye Attack

The catchiest of brands. The marketing team at Soap and Glory really do deserve a raise. I am always drawn to Soap and Glory products. The aesthetic of the containers, the catchy product names, the vintage look. After a bad night sleep, I always reach for this. Not only is it soothing and revitalising but it actually brightens dark circles. I have always suffered with such dark circles around my eyes, it doesn’t matter how much sleep I get, or how much water I drink, the darkness fights back with a vengeance. I have tried product after product, but this pot of heaven is the only one I’ve found to work.

NYX Illuminator

NYX is another favourite brand of mine. Whenever we book a trip, I make a point to see if NYX have created a lip colour for the city. When I wore “Budapest” in Budapest, I felt like I had my life together. The NYX counter is less intimidating than other counters and I’ve always found the sales assistants to be helpful. The prices are good and affordable and the products are of a high standard. When we go out or when I want a fab boost, I add some illuminator to my face and watch my cheeks sparkle. It’s the only illuminator I have found that matches my skin tones. I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of glitz and glam once in a while?

Palmers Cocoa Butter

Palmers really are the MVP’s of the beauty product game. Since moving to Spain, I have upped my self care game, from non existent to slightly less embarrassing. I carry one for my handbag, one for the make up bag and one in my bedside table. The wind from the mountains, the sea, the sun, it’s all so damaging to lips, and if there’s something to make you feel miserable in the sun, it’s chapped, bleeding lips. I love the smell, the texture, the instant results! They’re also SPF 15, which is super handy for the summer. Palmers are the only brand that has worked on my lips and if it can battle the elements of winter in England and summer in Spain, then I think they’re doing something right!

Simple Spot Zapper

Teaching is stressful. The sun is damaging. That time of the month is evil. Those pesky spots are just inevitable. I get them on my forehead and it’s a nightmare every time. Luckily, I found this spot zapper by Simple. It’s the only spot zapper I’ve found that I can feel working and doesn’t bring my super sensitive skin out in a huge rash. It instantly starts to work and most spots disappear the same day! Result!

Beauty is found within

So that was my minimal make up bag. There is no better make up than self confidence, self care and learning to love yourself. I’m not perfect. Nobody is. I have blemishes and flaws on my skin that I used to try and hide. I used to edit my face to make it appear smoother. But, not anymore. Beauty isn’t found in a bottle. Learn to love yourself and your body will love you back. But for the little boost that everyone needs every so often, the contents of my make up bag are pretty perfect to me.

Until next time,

Lauren xo