Make up is Easy – Basic as it can get

I took all the photos with my Samsung S3 mini to see how they edit BUT also falls into the easy theme of this blog. Recently I assisted a first time make up user to purchase her first items.

Now a lot of people think they have to buy the whole, Dischem, Clicks, Edgars AND Woolworths' make up, when all I need for basic face make up is this:

Garnier BB Cream

Essence Matt Fixing Powder

Powder Brush

Maybeline Great Lash in Lots of lashes

Lip Balm

First moisturise your face. I bought Clicks’ own brand Rooibos day Cream SPF15. It’s got sunscreen in it but isn’t greasy at all. Remember your neck needs some too.

Then apply your BB Cream. For first time make up users this is just the easiest. No need to test colours on your jaw line. It isn’t heavy. This specific brand blends so easy. I’ve bought a more expensive drug store brand that also changed shades to suit your skin before and it turned orange. What a disappointment.

I simply use the back of my hand to dispense the BB and apply it with my finger tips. Here you can throw your money at sponges, stippling brushes, foundation brushes, beauty blenders or what ever magazines tell you is the new must have foundation applier. I know each has their own merit but I’m just stripping everything back to basics. When I need to get my make up on quick I use my fingers. Natures applicators. 100% organic. Dispense a little at a time. You can always squeeze more out of the tube but you can't put it back.

Next is one of my favourite products. Essence all about matt loose fixing powder. With my Palladio powder brush I press the powder into my T-zone as well as the areas right next to nose on each side. Don’t dust, press it into the foundation. Dust the rest of your face lightly. This helps blending the BB cream as well.

Stop, It’s mascara time. As a teen I was IN deep deep LOVE with BLACK EYELINER. I didn’t have a boyfriend, I had an affair with black Kohl eye liner. Especially inside the waterline. I did not feel made up unless I had eye liner on. My mother always tried to steer me towards brown but how can I cheat on my black eye liner. These days I barely wear the stuff. I brush some mascara on my bottom lashes and that lines my eyes. Also read what the mascara manufacturer on application. With Maybeline I don’t have to wait for it to dry. I know some brands prefer another coat after it's dry. First time mascara buyer? I won't recommend buying waterproof. It's a real pain to remove. I also experienced that it got tacky and all my lashes would clump up together,

É's top tips:

• First time make up user? Buy a BB or CC Cream. It's light and super easy to apply. They aren't just beauty buzzwords. Every company has it's own little things it does but every one is easy to apply and match your skin.
• NEVER BUY A FOUNDATION WITHOUT MATCHING IT TO YOUR SKIN. Just don't. Weird orange glow, too pale, too dark. Please people, we need to stop this.
• Blend the foundation. Especially around your jawline into your neck. Make up is about looking natural with a touch of flawless. It shouldn't look like a mask.
• We all know the Moisturiser, Foundation, Powder routine. Try the moisturiser, Powder THEN the foundation. I know it sounds unnatural but check out Wayne Goss do it.
• Don't brush the powder on. Press it into your face. This is a trick to really set the powder to the foundation.
• Mascara your bottom lashes first then the top. I found it just works better that way around.
• Made a mess on your eyes with mascara? Take a small brush or cotton ear bud and dab a little foundation on it and correct your mistake by dabbing on the spill over.
• Remove your make up every night. Trying to put fresh mascara on yesterday's coat is impossible. It's just not good for your skin. If you enjoy break outs . . . be my guest and say hi to you wrinkles for me.

Higher Grade tips:

• Whip out your eyelash curler. Heat it with your blow dryer and curl away.
• When I have spare time I like to apply my foundation with a stippling brush. I don't have the cash to buy one so I bought a cheap make up brush set and use the blush brush to stipple and blend it.
• I sometimes line my eyes on the waterline with a white eye pencil. Especially when I feel tired. So I can at least look awake.
• Gel your eye brows. Seeing as it's on trend at the moment and I'm lazy. I just shape my eyebrows with Essence eyebrow gel.

What's your 'easy make up' game?

é

That time I went to . . . travel on the N3

I had the privilege of going on a vacation this year with my family. Because of the high cost of flying down and renting cars and tradition, we drive down.

Here are my items I need for a road trip:

Full charged cellphone:

On this you can update your social media, listen to music, Candy crush. OR when you get stuck or lost it an invaluable tool.

Jacket: I love my Woolworths leather jacket. I use to be a huge hoodie wearer but the jacket is just more on point.

Hair clips or ties: With the tropical climate form about Pinetown it's pretty humid. I like to keep my hair out of my neck. It's easier to deal with when it's out of the way.

Sun Glasses: I can almost guarantee you that if you drive as early as we do (04:20 get up at 04:00) that you will look crappy at 10:00. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun, it protects your identity.

Sunscreen: I don't want my arms burn even before I hit the beach.

Lip balm: Pictured is my trusty Zam-buk. I just love the stuff. I use it on bite marks, scratches, what ever.

Camera: I charged all the batteries and cleared the memory card.

USB Stick: I added a whole bunch of music on it for everyone to enjoy (Be sure for everyone because we had an awkward situation with Jay Z a few years ago.)

Hand cream and Hand sanitizer: so needed. My face and hands feel so dry coming back up to GP. Going down to KZN everything seems to get a bit greasy. We always a have some snacks so it's always awesome to clean your hands.

Water and Snacks: I made the mistake of not drinking enough water and the next day I felt hung over. That's exactly what dehydration does. Drink water regularly. Have a snack or few as well. For some unexplained reason I'm always hungry at 5 when I wake up at 4. Some dried fruit or energy bars.

é's top tips

• Follow @n3route on Twitter. They update weather conditions, road works and accidents.
• Stretch at stops and stop regularly. We have the most fun at stops. Drink a coffee, buy a magazine.
• Remember that your vacation started! Breathe deep and relax.
• Take photos. My best funniest vacation photos are ones we've taken on the road.
• Remember to drink water. I did say that above but I can't stress it enough. I didn't and I felt hung over the next day.

What do you do/ need for an excellent road trip?

é