Elegant Touch Stiletto nails in Totally Bare, £4.65
I’m believer in either matching lips to nails, or at least being on the same shade card. As these are stick-ons, they’re not thick like some acrylic versions and I can do them at 6am, should I need to (which is most of the time).
Nails Inc VVB nail polish in Judo Red, £20
This is what I’ve been wearing on top of the Elegant Touch falsies. It’s an orangey red that’s taken me through summer to Halloween perfectly. I might relinquish it for a true red soon, as Christmas is coming (yay).
Avon SuperShock Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Black, £4
I will wear literally any soft black eyeliner from any brand. At the moment I’m using this. It’s super intense and like nothing I’ve ever used before – not pencil, not liquid. I was a bit freaked out when I first tried it, but now I love it.
MAC Penultimate Eyeliner in Black, £16.20
For a night look I also use a liquid liner. I like a hard pen nib to get a decent line, and my fave so far is this. Great tip I learned from a tutorial at Smashbox: always lean your head back and apply make-up to your longer, flatter lids.
Pat McGrath Gold 001, $40 (currently sold out and awaiting stock)
I have golden brown eyes and find that wearing gold brings out the gold. Plus, as we know, more is more. I love Topshop Crayon in Sun Shower (currently unavailable), but for an even bolder look, try Pat McGrath’s Gold 001. I did a similar look for my wedding. I’m so into it.
Benefit Sun Beam Golden Bronze Complexion Highlighter, £17.35
Did I mention I like gold? This is like molten Botox for my undereyes.
Bareminerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener, £19.80
Every so often, I freak out about the stuff I put on my face needing to be more natural. I would like to get better at this, so I’m giving this a whirl. Watch this space.
Smashbox Full Exposure Palette, £38
Now I have a LOT of Smashbox. I believe in them so much that they’re one of the sponsors of my new project, The Graceful Goddess. When I turned up to shoot the first portrait with my collaborator, Wilma Mae, I’d forgotten my entire works. It turned out Wilma had my favourite Full Exposure palette with her and I just knew that this was meant to be! I also love their Bronze Lights bronzing powder, £25.
L’Oreal Nude Magique Blur Cream, £9.99
I have quite enlarged pores and as I’m a freelancer, my budget goes up and down. When I’m flush I swear by having stuff like derma roller/pen treatments that harness technology to promote natural regeneration in the skin. When I’m a bit more skint I fake it with Nude Magique!
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow in Fair/Medium, £49
I don’t necessarily spend that much on make up so this was a big jump for me, but has been worth every penny. I really love the highlight powder – they say it’s like your face as if lit by candle light, and it’s true! When I wear it in photos it’s pretty, subtle and clever enough that you don’t get that tell-tale highlighter look, where you stumble into the wrong lighting and suddenly resemble a startled bush baby.
