Underwear for the Face

 

I'm a big believer in what lies beneath when it comes to makeup. I've touched on primers and dewy glow givers before, but today I want to mix things up a bit. While I often go straight from moisturiser to foundation, there are days when my face needs a little something extra to bolster it.

This line-up includes gems that help even out my skin tone, add a little colour, smooth things over and add radiance.

Kinda like spanx for makeup. Underwear for the face. A base for my base...

RADIANCE: Pixi Glowtion Day Dew is an illuminating lightweight moisturiser. I might use this on its own in a rush, but usually add it to moisturiser or apply over a hydrating serum. It has a pearly pink gleam which adds radiance through foundation... I sometimes pat a little extra as a final step for a pretty cheekbone highlight.

EVEN SKIN TONE: Paul & Joe Protective Foundation Primer does a lot more than your average primer. It's slightly tinted to instantly even skin tone, has a subtle glow (much more subtle than Pixi, but it's there), moisturises and protects with SPF30. Oh and it helps foundation stay put for longer. I use shade 02, which is just enough to make my skin look slightly perfected, like a light tinted moisturiser with built in glow.

COLOUR: This Works Energy Bank Sun Flash contains vitamins, hyaluronic acid and natural caramel for a moisture boosting golden glow. I use this under foundation to match my face to a self tanned body or mix a drop to deepen a pale Winter shade. I've also applied it on cheekbones as a cream bronzer, with fingers or a brush. It looks quite deep in the swatch but is very natural looking when blended on the skin... you could even use it to make your own tinted moisturiser.

SMOOTH: Hylamide HA Blur simultaneously hydrates and blurs the appearance of skin using hyaluronic acid powders rather than the traditional silicones, making it suitable for all skin types and compatible with all makeup. I'd describe the texture as a cross between a primer and balm, which evens the skin's surface, blurring the appearance of pores and fine lines. It can be applied under/over or mixed with foundation (I go for under). This genuinely does make my skin look smoother and foundation looks extra WOW on top. It's the latest release from The Abnormal Beauty Company aka Deciem, who you've heard me rave about before; the science behind their products is second to none. 

I know it's odd to show swatches of non makeup products, but I felt it was the only way I could illustrate the texture and how they look on the skin. Not easy to capture but hopefully gives you some idea of what to expect if you're thinking of trying one of these.


Products featured on Strawberry Blonde Beauty include press samples. See my full disclaimer here.

Currently Using: Show & Tell

I've gathered up some of the beauty products I've been reaching for lately for a bit of a show and tell, including new releases, a limited edition and a blogger-inspired purchase. I'll chat about them in the order they appear above, just to keep things tidy...

I first heard about Fairydrops via fellow mascara enthusiast, Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup. This Japanese best seller has quickly risen to cult status, egged on by the cutest product name ever and that gorgeous pink metallic packaging. So what about the contents? This mascara gives me good length, volume and curl with impressive lasting power. The formula is quite thick, so I remove any excess from the wand before use or keep a lash comb at hand (I use this Makeup Atelier one). Originally hard to get hold of in the UK, Fairydrops is now in stock at BeautyMart.

Soap & Glory has a pretty impressive line of brow products to suit every style and I'm really enjoying their newest, Archery Brow Putty, for a naturally groomed look. A double ended wand, the brush is dipped into a mini 'pot' at the bottom (like a second lid), filled with solid 'putty'. The flat side of the brush can be used to quickly fill in large areas, or fine, hair-like strokes can be drawn on with the firm, sharp edge. Soap & Glory Archery Brow Putty is currently on offer here (I use the middle shade, Brownie Points).

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer is (yet another) blogger-enabled purchase and totally deserving of the hype. A twist-up mechanism releases product into the brush to brighten the under eye area, tops of cheekbones and brow bones. An illuminating concealer, this isn't for use on blemishes, but offers light coverage and a more awake effect where needed. I use the shade Light, which is perfect for me. It doesn't disturb the foundation underneath and gives similar effect to much pricier alternatives (YSL Touche Eclat I'm looking at you).

By Terry Rose de Baume has forever been on my radar as my friend Val raved about it long before a gazillion beauty bloggers did. I couldn't justify treating myself to such a luxurious lip balm, so was over the moon to receive this as a press gift. Gold Baume de Rose Parure Lip Balm is infused with 24K gold, Rose Flower Essential Wax, Rose Water and Vitamin E. It contains particles of fine pink and gold shimmer which look so pretty on the lips - alone or over a nude lipstick - while keeping them beautifully soft and literally smelling of roses! This was a limited edition but there are still a few available at Net a Porter and Very Exclusive.

I've been loving Bee Good Lift & Brighten Eye Cream in the mornings or when my eyes are feeling particularly tired and sensitive as I find it very soothing to use and love the chubby pump bottle. Part of the Youth Enhancing range, this is particularly aimed at mature skin to plump, address circles and improve elasticity. I love that it's also available in a 5ml travel size for just £8, a perfect way to try it out. I noticed that Bee Good suggest adding this to fine lines around the lips, something I always do with any excess eye cream on my fingers.

I'm a fairly recent Jessica Nails convert and love every shade I've tried by them so far. Blue Moon is a delicious deep navy with sapphire shimmer running through it and looks very sophisticated on the nails. You can see me wearing it on Instagram here. One half the Truest of Blues set, it's paired with a gorgeous cobalt called Blue Skies, which I'm wearing in this pic.

Pixi Beauty has mastered the art of glowing skin and Glowtion Day Dew is my newest obsession. A lightweight moisturiser that delivers instant glow, this leaves my skin with a pretty, non sparkly sheen... think healthy looking skin in a tube. A tube with a pump - win! Worn under makeup, this gives a similar effect to radiance primers for that lit from within look (sorry, no better way to describe it). I reach for this on days when I can't be bothered with two steps of moisturiser + glowy primer or for an extra boost, with a small pump mixed into my regular moisturiser. I need to do a post comparing Pixi's Glow Wonders. Everybody needs at least one in their life.

Which product(s) do you keep going back to?