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Summer wardrobe essential number three is a classic red lip; while this isn’t part of my every day beauty routine, it’s a little number I like to combine with a bronzed and glowing complexion, or on those days when I want to amp up my (basic) outfit a notch. As you can probably tell, I’m pretty partial to a red lip – even if it doesn’t seem to feature on the blog that often. I’m always one to have a few options, so it’s probably little surprise that I’ve got quite the selection of reds in my lipstick wardrobe; from bright orange-based reds to a deep vampy option which is perfect for that transition into autumn, I’ve got all my bases covered.

While it’s hard to pick a favourite red lip, Tom Ford’s Wild Ginger is one of my go-to picks. The formula is absolutely incredible; it’s creamy and doesn’t drag on the lips when applying, and it’s intensely pigmented – one swipe is all you need. My other favourite has to be Love Bite from Charlotte Tilbury. Aside from the fact that the Art Deco inspired rose gold packaging is an absolute dream, this is in my opinion a pretty universally flattering shade. Like the Tom Ford lippie, this packs a lot of punch (not that a red lip needed much help…); it’s one of those creamy one swipe wonders, and this is usually the one red I’ll pack when travelling, as I know it’ll work no matter my make up look (or my outfit). Usually I just like to apply these directly to my lips, but if I’m after a good lip liner, the one that can’t be beat is this one from MAC.

Do you have a go-to red lip?

Today I thought I’d take a minute to walk you through by everyday makeup routine; while I don’t tend to go through all the steps on a daily basis (eyes and brows forever take priority), I wanted to share some of my current favourite beauty products, which I’ve had on heavy rotation as of late. So, let’s start off with base and face…

BASE & FACE

I don’t tend to wear foundation on a daily basis, but when I do, one of my go-to favourites of late has been the Clinique Even Better Glow Foundation . This comes in a squeezy-tube style bottle, which I like to apply to my face either with my fingers, or using the Sigma 3DHD Kabuki Brush. I find the two application options give me the most even and natural looking base. This foundation has salicylic acid in it which I love – I like any products that do double duty and this has such a major skincare benefit which works to better the condition of your complexion over time. The foundation has a glowy satin finish once applied, which can be toned down with a good mattifying powder. It tends to wear well across the day; you get a little bit of slippage but I never find that it looks cake-y on the skin.

For the most part, I like a cream bronzer, but I’ve been mixing things up a bit with the Kate Moss for Rimmel Bronzing Palette. This palette has three bronzing shades in it, and is a really versatile product – you can use it to add a bit of colour to your face or to add some warmth to your eyes.I really love the hue of this; it adds a really nice warmth to the skin. There is a little bit of glitter in the powder, but it doesn’t appear too shimmery when applied, and it has a pretty good wear time.

Cream products always tend to look a little more multi-dimensional on the face, and there’s really only one blush that I won’t travel anywhere without; Bobbi Brown’s Glow Stick in shade Desert Sun. This is a really nice neutral and natural-looking blush, without any shimmer to it. I like to apply this directly to my cheeks and then blend out using a duo fibre brush.

Highlight isn’t part of my every day routine per se, but I do love the addition of a little bit of glow every now and then. I have a two-step product routine that I tend to reach for frequently; I start with the Glossier Haloscope in the shade ‘Quartz’, which adds a nice sheen to the cheekbone, and has a little bit of a ‘wet’ effect. This gives a gorgeous dewy and fresh looking flow. If I want my highlight to be a little more extra, I’ll top that with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Euphoric Strobe Light which I brush on with a fluffy angled face brush from Bobbi Brown. This is such a finely milled powder, which is a real pleasure to apply – it has a little bit of shimmer to it. I love the highlighter combination, it just really makes that glow pop!

EYES & BROWS

Eyeshadow palettes are a major weakness of mine, and one of my latest additions and current favourites is the NARS Narsissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette,It’s full of some absolutely gorgeous warm-toned shades that pack a real punch and blend out really effortlessly. This is one of the key components of my everyday makeup routine, but it’s also one I reach for when travelling too – there are some beautiful shimmers and glitters which would be perfect for a day out.

Not a day goes by that I don’t apply my signature cat-eye flick. My eyeliner of choice at the moment is the Clinique Pretty Easy Eyeliner, which literally makes applying eyeliner a breeze. It doesn’t have as much pigment as some of the other liquid liners I’ve used, but I’ve found it to be really reliable, and I like how easy it is to apply.

I’ve got a few favourite mascaras, but for one which doesn’t budge, I’ve been massively impressed by the Sigma Sinuosity Lash Mascara. This is a fibre mascara that gives you super long and separated lashes – exactly what I’m after on a day to day basis. It doesn’t smudge either; something I look for in a mascara (particularly given I tend to have oily eyelids!). My only complaint? It’s difficult to remove!

I like to keep my brows looking pretty natural and fluffy, and while I’ve got a couple of different products I’ll reach for to fill in my brows, my favourite has to the be the Superfine Liner for Brows from Clinique. I went to a master class last year where the makeup artist recommended that you opt for a brow shade that is slightly lighter than your brow hairs to keep them looking natural, and I have to say, her advice was spot on. I have this in the shade Soft Brown, which is perfect for my dark brown brows!

LIPS

I have a little confession to make, after giving the Glossier Balm Dot Com such a hard time, it’s actually become one of my favourite lip balms. I’ve come to really appreciate the thick consistency of the formula, which coats my lips evenly and keeps them feeling moisturised. I still don’t love the scent (I have the coconut one), but I’m almost at the end of the tube and have been carefully rationing out what I have left while I want to do another assisted order….

Because I have such sensitive lips, I don’t wear too much lipstick, even if it is one of my favourite beauty products. Really the only lippie that I’ve been wearing over the most over the last couple of months has been the Rouge Allure Ink from Chanel. I have this in the shade Amoreaux, which is a gorgeous neutral peachy-pink – perfect for every day. This is billed a little like a liquid lipstick but it has quite a lightweight formula that isn’t fully opaque – you’ll need to run the applicator across your lips a couple of times to ensure an even application. But, when it’s on and the product has set, it feels comfortable on the lips; essentially, it’s a winner from me and I’d definitely jump at the opportunity to try some of the other shades.

What are your current every day makeup essentials?

I’d like to think I’ve gotten my skincare and makeup routine down-pat. I’m still battling lack of sleep and free time, so making sure it is minimal, fuss-free and most important of all – easy – have been a priority. I still want to look after my skin, and also feel like me day-to-day.

It’s been a while since I last shared which products I have on rotation, so I wanted to do a little bit of an update, as there’s a couple of newbies in the mix.

SKINCARE

Korres Foaming Clean Cleanser | The best way I can describe this cleanser is creamy. You only need a little, as it foams up on contact with water. I find this to be really effective at removing eye-makeup, so love that I don’t need to double cleanse. My skin does feel a little tight after using so perhaps not one I’d recommend for dry skin types. This doesn’t bother me too much as I balance this out with some ultra-hydrating creams.

Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin-Brightening Eye Cream | Oh boy do I have so much love for this eye cream. When I apply this, I notice an instant brightening effect under the eyes. It has one of my favourite ingredients – Manuka honey – which is incredibly hydrating. Also a star ingredient is Kiwi (loaded with Vitamin C), known best for its brightening properties.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum | If my skin is having a “bad” day, this is one of the hero products I reach for at night. I find acid treatments work really well for my skin type, and despite being gentle enough for my sensitive skin, this is super effective. Red spots look calmer, and overall my complexion has more of a brightness to it. I’ll use this once or twice a week.

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum | There’s a common theme with my skincare; hydrating and brightening. If you’re a relatively new mum then you’ll probably have the same concerns as I find the lack of sleep and poor quality of it really dulled my complexion. Biossance is one of my favourites for hydration, thanks to squalane, which is a core ingredient across their entire product range. Combined here with Vitamin C, it’s a veritable powerhouse. I have quite a bit of pigmentation on my face – all genetic – and have noticed this looks less pronounced and my skin just looks… healthy. I apply both morning and night to double up on the effect.

Avene Hydrance Aqua-Gel Night Cream | I literally just finished this up, but wanted to mention it as it’s been a go-to in my skincare routine for the last six months. I love a gel moisturiser during the warmer months. It’s cooling and I find the lighter texture agrees with my skin better as soon as the humidity levels begin to rise. This is ultra hydrating as the name would suggest, and is infused with Avene’s incredible Eau Thermale. I don’t skimp on product at night, but I do love to apply this for day too. I’m a lot less liberal with my application though – for day, a little goes a long way!

Antipodes Halo Skin-Brightening Facial Mud Mask | Another one of those skin saviours when I’m having a break out has been this beautiful mud mask from Antipodes. The clay dries down but doesn’t feel constrictive on the skin. Great for when you want to give your complexion a mini detox.

MAKEUP

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit (Mini) | I know I’ve already mentioned just how much love I have for this palette, but it’s worth mentioning again. I love the compact size, the fact that it’s a four-in-on face palette, and the colours make a fully cohesive look. Not to mention that it can double up as eyeshadow in a pinch. Most surprising to me? That despite having little shimmer flecks through the bronzer, it doesn’t seem to translate on my face. I just get a beautiful glow. Win-win.

Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Palette | As much as I love playing around with eyeshadow, this is one of those solid players in my makeup stash that I love having on repeat. The colours are the perfect neutrals, they’re nicely pigmented, and blending them out is a dream. I’ve recently hit pan on the pale nude – clearly a favourite as a base shade when creating any look. The shimmers are really pretty too. A great all rounder for natural day looks, and smokey evening looks too.

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base | I have oily eyelids so an eyeshadow base is a must for me. I’ve tried others but this one from NARS is the best. It’s clear, easy to blend into the eyelid, and I find my shadows stay put after application. Can’t recommend it enough.

Maybelline Hypersharp Wing Eyeliner | This eyeliner needs no introduction. For me, it’s like an old friend; no matter how many eyeliners I try, I will always, always come back to it. It’s familiar, and I know it works for me. I do sometimes get the odd little bit of smudging if it’s a particularly humid day, but I generally have to keep an eye on my eye makeup anyway so this isn’t a dealbreaker for me.

Dior Pump ‘N’ Volume Mascara HD | Even when I find the “perfect” mascara, I can’t seem to help but try others. I had a sample of the Pump ‘N’ Volume HD Mascara from Dior and really enjoyed the way it made my lashes look, so splashed out on the full size. This coats your lashes in a really natural way. Not spidery, but gives them extra volume and length. I also appreciate the squeezy tube. Perfect for pulling excess product off the wand, while also using up every last drop.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer Brighten & Correct Duo | A good concealer is in every mum’s makeup bag, and the current one I have on rotation is a recent launch from Laura Mercier. This is a reimagining of their classic Secret Camouflage Concealer Palette, and I love how easy it is to use on the go; no need for brushes, the product blends out best when warmed up with your fingers. On one end is a brightening concealer, with I use under the eyes. This has little reflects in it which I think are what give it that ultra brightening effect, without looking glittery. The other end is a matte creamy correcting concealer – great for layering under the brighten end if you need extra coverage, or to pop over any redness. A little goes a long way!

Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion in Bellini | Blush of choice is this beautiful powder blush, again from Laura Mercier. I have the colour Bellini, which is a rich peach-toned pink that reminds me of spring. These plushes are highly pigmented, but what I like most about them is that they don’t have a powdery finish. My skin looks like skin. Perfect. I also have this in the shade “Guava” but I find it a little too pale/sheer for my complexion.

Jo Malone Fig & Lotus Flower Cologne | Finally I wanted to share a fragrance that I’ve been loving lately. I tend to gravitate towards my Jo Malone fragrances both for the exquisite scents, but also because I love the ability to layer my perfumes. For our trip down to Bangalay I decided to bring along Fig & Lotus. It’s bright and fresh, with sweet floral notes. Fragrances are always so hard to describe, but for me I wanted to create a memory attached to this beautiful perfume, and what better way than to bring it along on one of the first vacations since having a baby!

Nothing makes me feel quite as confident as a red lip does. It’s such a classic look; a touch of that old Hollywood glamour, that makes for the perfect signature beauty note or a bold choice for that special occasion you have coming up. But, with so many different reds out there, it can be tricking figuring out just which one is the perfect red lipstick to complement your complexion. So, to avoid seeing red – literally – these quick tips can help you to figured out which is the right red lipstick for you.

There’s just one key step; you need to identify what your skin tone is. Does it have cool, warm, or neutral undertones? If you’ve ever felt like a red lip just hasn’t worked out for you, it’s probably been because you’ve been wearing the wrong shade for your complexion.

Those with fairer cool-toned complexions should opt for a bright red with blue undertones to add a bit of vibrancy; Love Bite from Charlotte Tilbury is p-e-r-f-e-c-t for this and such a long lasting option too. If you have cool-pink undertones in your skin (think: girls who epitomise the ‘English Rose’ with porcelain skin), go for a raspberry hued red or anything with a bit of a pink undertone to it.

If you have a yellow-based undertone or warmer skin, then an orange-based red is the perfect pick me up to really brighten up your complexion – I especially love Lady Danger from MAC. If your skin sways more olive, then opt for an orange-based brick red, which will help to not only brighten, but reduce the appearance of sallowness in the face.

Finally, those with a darker complexion have a few different options. A candy apple orange-based red contrasts beautifully against darker skin tones, though if you’re hoping to make less of a statement, a plummy or oxblood-toned red is a little more subtle for a day-to-day look.

We’re smack bang in the middle of a heat wave, and while I’m melting at the thought of having anything more than eyeliner and a bit of mascara on my face right now, I wanted to share some of my favourite beauty products that I’ve been reaching for most days as of late.

I’m a creature of habit when it comes to base. In the summertime, I always, always reach for the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser; this is so lightweight and I love the way that it looks on my skin. I like to apply this with a flat top kabuki brush from Sigma, it’s just a perfect match (and their brushes are so soft!).

I tend to find myself getting a lot of redness around my nose – eczema that I just can’t seem to beat – so for those days when it’s really flared up, I’ll apply a bit of concealer to help mask the redness. I absolutely love the Urban Decay concealer but most days I’ll reach for one from Rimmel, either the Perfect Match or the Wake me Up concealer, applied with a tapered brush from Real Techniques. To set that down I’ll use the it Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Loose Powder, which is just one of the most incredibly mattifying setting powders I’ve ever come across.

When it comes to brows, there’s really only one product that’s been doing it for me lately, when I want a bold brow; the Precisely My Brow Pencil from Benefit. I went to a Benefit breakfast a few months back and felt inspired to pick this up after having a little play around with their products, and honestly, I haven’t looked back since. I used to be all over the Anastasia Brow Wiz but personally I think that this is – dare I say it… – much better, and it’s taken out the top spot as my currently holy grail brown product.

Eyes are definitely my favourite part of my makeup routine, and I seldom will leave the house without eyeliner on. I’ve been reaching for two eyeshadow palettes a lot lately – the Gwen Stefani X Urban Decay palette (limited edition, unfortunately!), and the MAC palette I put together when I was in New York. For eyeliner, I’ve been using my Tom Ford Eye Definer pen, which while it isn’t my favourite, I’ve come around to it a lot more than when I first picked it up. Given I tend to get quite oily eyelids, a good mascara that doesn’t smudge (and that isn’t waterproof) is a must for me. Lately, this has been the L’Oreal false lash wings mascara which truly makes your lashes look like no other.

Peachy cheeks are a must for me in the summer time, it just seems to go hand in hand with a good tan, and my go to is from NARS, their blush in the shade Gina. This is matte, has incredible colour pay off, and blends really beautifully on the skin. When I want something a little more glowy, I’ll reach for my Milani blush in the shade Luminous. And to highlight, I’ve been loving the Photoready Highlighting Stick from Revlon – this is such a pretty pink-toned pearlescent highlight, and it is so easy to apply. I’ll always pick a cream highlight over a powder one any day, and this is no exception.

I don’t always wear lipstick, and when I do, I usually like to go bold with a bright red. But, a formula that I have been absolutely loving since my wedding are the Lip Pops from Clinique. I have the shade Beige Pop which is the perfect cool-toned MLBB shade, and one that is really easy to apply (and forget about, and then re-apply). While I can safely say that I don’t really need any more lipsticks, I’d love to add a few more Lip Pops to my vanity come the new year…

What are your current makeup essentials?

If there’s one thing that is pretty much guaranteed, regardless of how long I’m travelling for, it’s that a quirky pair of flats will find their way into my suitcase. Wardrobe typically follows suit of some denim, a striped top, a sweater or cardigan in case in gets a little chilly, and my favourite midi skirt. Three years of capsule wardrobes have essentially taught me the fundamentals when it comes to packing.

Beauty on the other hand, is another story. The drawers of my vanity are bursting with some of my favourite eyeshadow palettes – I can never pick just one – and the shelf on my bathroom seems to have more facial cleansers than I can count. So when it comes to a short overnighter, or two-night stay away, I’m often at a little bit of a loss as to where to start, particularly where my skincare routine is involved.

With our wedding fast approaching, I decided to let Caileur do some of the work for me, and take the guesswork out of what I need to bring. My travel kit included a pack of Cleanse by Lauren Napier facial wipes, a Malin + Goetz facial moisturiser, a shower gel from Diptyque, and a toothbrush and toothpaste set from Marvis. The travel kit I ended up with (which all come in TSA approved sizes) has me only needing to add in a cleanser (in a pinch I’ll usually grab my Biore charcoal cleanser) and a toner (I’ve been following up my skincare routine with the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant).

So I guess the only thing left to do is narrow down the shoes. Two pairs or three?