As a mum, you want to look good but don’t have the time to faff around reapplying your makeup all day. Neither really, do you have the time to browse the cosmetics stands any more, or have the budget to buy lots of different products to try out.  Baby fingers want to touch your face so you need things that will last all day, are easy to apply and that can be left on all day with the confidence that by tea time you are still looking ok. You want to go swimming (yep, this stuff is even swimming-proof, just), walking, doing your MuTu exercises, baby groups and activities and not have to worry about retouching your face. In the last two years I have found my almost-perfect kit. so I thought I’d share it with you.

Foundation

I have always had fair skin that was prone to flushing but when I was pregnant it turned to rosacea.  I kind of assumed that it would vanish when I was no longer lugging that massive kicking bump around in my tummy but it continued.  I feel that it ages me, I don’t like it and so i choose to hide it with makeup.  I tried a few different foundations.  The Maybelline minerals foundation was good, and would probably suit most people because although it didn’t quite give the coverage I was looking for, it did seem to last well.  Keromask is especially for people with skin problems but it did seem to let the red through still, and didn’t apply so easily.  My out and out favourite is Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover camouflage makeup for face and body.  It glides on and hides everything.  You only need a tiny amount too, so although it is pricey, it lasts well over a year.  When I started using it i was worried that it would clog my pores, as i do have a spot-prone skin but I did not see extra spots and it washes off completely in the evening er easily with any cleanser used with water and a flannel.  (I use murad cleanser – it’s a godsend for spotty skin).

Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow just seems to disappear throughout the day, doesn’t it?  Not any more for me since my sister bought me some Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. You put a tiny amount over your lids and bingo! Eyeshadow sits still all day.

I use Accessorize Icon eye shadow and Vivo Pearl eyeshadow in gold leaf, a colour that looks a bit yuck in the compact but goes really nicely with my blue-grey eyes and fair hair.  I have reviewed Vivo, and so far have been very impressed with their products and their prices are unbeatable.  I won the eyeshadow in a champagne colour from Latest in Beauty and it really brightens and lifts my tired old eyes.

Eyeliner

Another great find is Urban Decay Glide on eye pencil.  I won a voucher from Beautybay.com and this as well as the mascara below were some of the products I bought.  It says that it’s a 24 hour liner and I can confirm that is true – I’ve sometimes woken in the morning after a too-hasty night time wash with its still on my eyes.

Vivo liquid eyeliner is just brilliant, and for the couple of quid it costs, it applies easily and does not smudge.

Mascara

Blinc mascara  is the find of the century.  Also from Beautybay.com, it puts tubes of colour around your lashes and does not come off until you wash your face with plenty of water and a flannel to apply slight pressure and remove it.  I have sensitive eyes, wear contact lenses and suffer from hayfever and this is the only mascara that I have found that can last all day with no smudging AND be completely removed at night so that you don’t wake up with panda eyes or stripy pillowcases.

The only slight disadvantage is that it doesn’t volumise or curl, but they do sell a primer and a heated eyelash curler, but I haven’t tried either.  This is another pricey one but again, it does last a very long time without drying or clogging, and if you’re not sure, you can buy a trial size one for £2.56.

A fabulous tip though is to line the upper inside of your eyelid with eyeliner.  I use a tesco one so old i cant remember its true name but it works a treat for making your lashes appear thicker, though it is uncomfortable to do sometimes, ‘specially if your eyes are feeling delicate.

I would really like to find a good mascara that volumises and curls in one go, for times that I feel the need for more dramatic eyes.   I recently bought Rimmel’s Scandal ‘eyes and was very disappointed – the brush is to fat to use easily and the mascara is thick and globby on the wand.  Vivo’s thickening mascara was too dry – it seemed to hardly go on my lases at all – a big disappointment after my success with other Vivo products.  I have recelty run out of Maybelline’s colossal express waterproof mascara which was ok with Rimmel Sexy Curves mascara applied afterwards. Together they make my eyes look brilliant, if a little spidery, but do not withstand swimming or hayfever and do not remove very easily.

Other
Vivo radiant boost Highlighter is my new touche eclat and at about £2.50 i will definitely continue to use this to brighten my under eye area that has been savaged by two and a half years of sleepless nights.

All about face bronzing powder was a cracking bronzer that I found on the cheapo hooks at tesco.  I was looking for an easy to apply bronzer because I’m not that keen on the shimmery ones – they seem to make my cheeks look not quite right.  This was about £1.50 and I love it.

Vivo pressed powder compact - I missed this off the photo but it’s a gorgeous chrome compact with a mirror inside and comes with a sponge too.  It’s only £2.39 and it looks like it should cost well over a tenner.

Disclaimer: I bought all of these beauty products, apart from the Vivo eyeshadow, which I reviewed in a previous post, and products that i won in competitions.  Mostly, were bought by myself.