A Good Base

A few of my readers have asked me what makeup products I use to make my skin look "flawless" and if I have a secret that I'd like to share. Although I don't think my skin ever looks "flawless" (but gosh thanks so much for the compliments!) I do my best to take care of it and don't skimp on quality skincare products, primers, concealers or foundations for my face which gives my skin the illusion of being flawless. And I guess my "secret" isn't really a secret: it all starts with a good base. And lots of products! (For me anyway. It takes work, ladies!) Here are the makeup products I'm currently using daily before I apply all the fun stuff like eye shadow, blush, lipstick, etc.

1. In the morning before I put on my "face" (like my Mother used to say) I slather on Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with SPF 45. I always use a moisturizer that has an SPF of at least 30 to protect my skin from the sun's harmful rays, even if the only time I'm outside is walking to and from my car to and from work ; ) Which is usually in the Winter. When it's minus 30 degrees celsius outside and I'm freezing my arse off. I wait a couple of minutes to let it sink in. (The moisturizer.)

2. I then apply Smashbox Photo Finish Targeted Pore & Line Primer around my eyes to erase "imperfections" (don't we all have these?) like the damn fine lines I am starting to develop around the eye area (Boo!) It helps prevent concealer from sinking into said lines and making them more pronounced. I just started using it a couple of months ago and I love it.

3. Right now I'm using MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage for my face before I apply my foundation. It goes on nice and smooth and minimizes my pores. I don't wear it all the time, only when I know I'm going to be photographed, like for this blog : }

4. Next I use Benefit Erase Paste to cover up my dark under-eye circles. (And I have VERY dark circles, seriously, people ask me if I'm sick when I don't wear concealer which is hardly ever!) It gives great coverage, I highly recommend it.

5. I use Revlon Colorstay Foundation with SPF 6 in 240 Medium Beige for my face. I find it's just as good as MAC's Studio Fix Fluid Foundation and lasts much longer. You can read more about that here.

6. I finish off with MAC Studio Fix Powder in C2 which sets my foundation quite nicely. Then I apply the rest of my makeup.

I took these photos before I left for work; my makeup is quite minimal during the week. I used:

• on my eyes - MAC Velvet Eye Shadow in Vanilla, Covergirl Eye Enhancer in Shimmering Onix (crease), The Body Shop Liquid Eyeliner in Black and Lancome Hypnose Drama in Excessive Black
• cheeks - Josie Maran Blush in Passion
• lips - Lancome Le Lipstique Lip Coloring Stick in Charme, Blistex chapstick and Lancome Color Design Cream Lipstick in Love It

As you all know you can definitely make your skin look healthier and more beautiful with the right makeup (makeup = magic, am I right?) but I think more importantly the way you take care of your skin obviously plays a HUGE factor in achieving a nice complexion. That's a whole other post and I don't want to bombard you today so if you guys want me to share with you what kinds of skincare products I use please let me know in the comment section below. Also, I'd love to hear how you guys prepare your skin for make-up.

Oh, and speaking of MAKEUP, have you entered my Urban Decay/MAC/Sephora/OPI Giveaway?

I hope you're all having a great week! I get the day off tomorrow in honor of Remembrance Day so I'm only working 4 days this week. Woot, woot!