Mother's Day Make-up: All About The Lips

Good evening Stylicias! ☺

As promised, here is my make-up look for yesterday's Mother's Day outfit post - I've brought my red lipstick back out from deep inside my make-up bag this week for the first time since Christmas, but I honestly think I'm becoming addicted to wearing it!

I've usually been too afraid to wear such a bold colour during the daytime, and I've always wondered whether red lips suit me, but I'm totally happy with how this make-up turned out yesterday. I love it because the attention is all on the lips with understated eyes and slight contouring on the cheeks, but gives a lovely sophisticated, subtle look perfect for any occasion - so keep reading to see what I used (and how)!

• First thing's first - apply your primer! I never used to bother with primers at all but they do exactly what they say on the bottle - I used Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro in 002. I only bought this last week, previously I was using 17 Photo Flawless Skin Primer, but this one ticks all the boxes - perfect base for make-up and super moisturizing!
• I like to apply BB Creams before any foundation - I know, most people would use them as a substitute, and so do I on days when I don't bother with the whole foundation routine, but I think it adds maximum coverage and provides an even better base for all the other make-up! I combine a little 17 Blemish BB Balm by dotting onto my nose, cheeks, chin and forehead (supposed to improve skin condition within 4 weeks supposedly, I'm yet to see miraculous results!) and blending outwards. Then I'll apply a more generous amount of Rimmel London BB Cream 9 in 1 Skin Perfecting Make Up in 'Light'. I've bought this twice now because it's so good - it creates a shiny, satiny finish on the skin, whilst not being too thick or heavy! I had to have it again :-)
• Apply your concealer - it's best to do this underneath the foundation, again, and I used Maybelline New York Fit Me! in shade 15. I like this range as they create products specified to the undertones of your skin, yellow or pink, and since I have pink undertones I chose this one - it works pretty well with blending into your natural skin tone, and provides a nice coverage of any blemishes. Remember to dab lightly with your middle finger - don't rub! (I apply this over any spots, under my eyes, and a little on my nose to combat redness)
• Next thing, apply your foundation - it's up to personal preference, but I apply mine by stippling lightly all over the face with a stippling brush. Some people use their hands, foundation brush, sponges - do whatever works for you! (I find stippling to give the most optimum, long-lasting coverage. Seriously, it lasts for hours) I used Max Factor Facefinity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 in shade Warm Almond 45. Despite the name saying 'warm' it's actually a pretty light foundation and matches my natural skin tone well - good for fair-skinned people.
• Before it sets, I like to apply cream-based products - I dab a little highlighter on the top of my cheekbones, temples, a little on the bridge of the nose, in the centre of my forehead, under my eyebrows, and cupids bow. I use VIVO Highlighter (a little too runny and thick but definitely works at illuminating the face) and a second concealer under my eyes since I have pretty dark circles (due to genes, lucky me!). I dab a little Soap & Glory Trick and Treatment Under Eye Dark Circle Concealer under the inner corners of my eye, then blend outwards. The yellow tone in this product helps to counteract any blue/purple circles.
• Let your foundation set for 3-5 minutes, blot, then apply your face powder. I used Accessorize Face Powder in 'Soft Light' - good coverage, creates a soft finish, and good for pale-skinned girls again like me! It comes with a powder puff so I simply press and rub lightly into the skin all over my face.
• Next is contouring - (we're half way done, don't worry!) and I think this step is essential to creating beautiful dimension on your face! I use my Revlon Contour Brush for this step, and sweep a bronzer under my cheekbones, on the temples and sides of the forehead, along the sides of the nose and on the jawline. I used 17 Instant Glow in 'Light Bronze' - also new, but I love it, it's very subtle and not too orange/shimmery looking!
• For my eyebrows, I used Soap & Glory Arch de Triumph to create the shape I want, then the Archery Brow Tint & Precision Shaping pencil to fill in my brows and make them a little more dark and defined. If they end up a bit too messy and I wanna clean them up a bit, I'll dab a little of the Fit Me! concealer on my Revlon Small Shading brush and lightly blend underneath and above the brow - helps define the shape more too! Lastly, I'll use the highlighter end on the Arch De Triumph underneath the peak of my brow to lift up my arch.
• I applied a little kohl eyeliner pencil to the waterline of my eyes, making the line of pencil thicker towards the outer corners, and smudging lightly on the top lid to create a brief 'smokey eye'. I used Bourjois Paris Khol & Contour - slightly more grey than black but very easy and soft to apply!
• For eye shadow, I chose a very neutral colour as I wanted my lips to be the main statement - I use the white/gold shade in the H&M Hot Sand eyeshadow palette - I bought this originally to use the darker shade for a bronzer, but they work beautifully for eyeshadow, especially on blue eyes! I use my angled Revlon Eyeshadow brush to dab the shimmery gold shade on my lids, slightly under my brow to highlight, and along the bottom inner corners to open up my eyes.

The only picture of it I could find on the web - mine's nearly empty so couldn't really take a pic!

• Before applying mascara, I curl my lashes using the simple Boots eyelash curler - I blow my hairdryer over the curlers for 10 seconds to warm them up (helps to keep them curled for longer!) then apply 4, yes 4, different mascaras. I know what you're thinking, I must be crazy, but trust me, they all serve a different purpose and help me to get the full length I want! I first use Maybelline New York Great Lash in Blackest Black (doesn't add much length or thickness, but adds a nice deep, black colour). I'll then add length to my lashes with Rimmel London Lash Accelerator in 003 Extreme Black, add a little Avon Super Extend Extreme Mascara on the tips (also great for lengthening but thickens and darkens too) and finish with a smidge of Rimmel London ScandalEyes Mascara (perfect for extra volume!)

• Now for the lips! I used Nivea Pearly Shine Lip Balm as a base and allowed to set in for 10 minutes before applying any colour. I then applied Revlon Vital Radiance colour extending lip pencil in '10 Wine' over my lips as a second base of colour - it's slightly darker than my lipstick shade but it helps my lipstick to last longer! Then for the lipstick I used Barry M Pillarbox Red 121, and to clean any lip-stain up around the edges, I used my small shading brush again with the concealer lightly around the outline of my lips.
• To finish, I simply applied Rimmel London Royal Gloss in 801 Gourmet on the centre of my lips, and voila! Gorgeous red lips! 

And that is it - I hope you enjoyed the post, and even though it's quite a lengthy tutorial, it's well worth it for those special occasions!

What's your favourite lip colour at the moment? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Have an amazing week!

*My Revlon make-up brushes were given to me as a gift as part of a set, so I'm not sure of prices and exactly where to buy - but there's probably hundreds on the site!