Sort it out | The 5 minute make-up routine

We all try to be there in time. To work, to school or to meet a friend. Sometimes, I get up earlier and think "oh, I can take my time to get ready today". But somehow, I end up being late. Again.
I always have a "Plan B" for those days when I gasp, whilst staring at the watch unbelievably. "What? But...how? Argh!" Don't panic. Just cross those non-essential steps off the list, to get you out the door as quickly as possible.

I usually style my hair at night, so that's sorted — I just need to comb it through, which takes about 5 seconds. I also lay out my outfit and accessories. But, when it comes to make-up, there's not much you can do, besides making sure that the usual suspects are easily accessible.

What you can do, is choosing foolproof products. Opt for the ones that don't require a lot of blending or layering. Cut out all of those steps that aren't really necessary to look presentable to the world, like curling lashes or contouring. Oh, and this selection should include items that you absolutely trust. New products are fun to try, when you have the time.

Considering that these products should fit in the category "pop on and go", opt for a tinted moisturizer or a BB/CC cream that's easily and quickly blended with your fingers. I personally think this is the best way to apply these kind of products, anyway. I'd go for the Estée Lauder Daywear B.B Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Creme, which offers a bit more coverage than your standard BB cream.

If you're having a good skin day and just need some brightening in the inner corner of the eyes, opt for a pen highlighter, like the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat. They're precise and don't require a separate brush to apply.
On the other hand, if you have dark circles and/or blemishes, pick a good pigmented concealer, to avoid wasting time layering until you get the right coverage. Obviously the ideal choice for this is the Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil. So easy!

For a little something something on your cheeks, go for a powder blusher if you have oily skin — nothing too pigmented though, let's not take any unnecessary risks, people! Burberry Light Glow blushers are ideal to use when time is of the essence. If you have normal to dry skin, opt for a cream formula instead — perhaps the Too Faced Full Bloom Cheek & Lip Colour, since it can be used on the lips as well.

If you like to rock a bright colour on the lips, don't even bother with lip liners or matte lipsticks and a brush. A tinted balm stick like Clinique Chubby Stick Intense will be your new obsession. Such a brilliant product!

To all the fans of defined eyes out there, put aside that gel liner and bring on your Rimmel Scandaleyes Stick. It is ridiculously easy to use and sets in place. Apply close to the lashes, just in the outer corners and leave it as is, or smudge quickly before it sets. Of course, you can just opt for a few lashings of mascara. Choose a formula that provides both volume and curl. Join the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara club. It's fab!

One last advice, if you get shiny on the T-zone: always keep a compact powder and blotting paper in your make-up bag, to touch up during the day. So, there you have it: an edited make-up wardrobe, to transform your face in under five minutes! Now, go!

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What's in my bag?

A sneak peek inside my bag today. This is a large mint bowling bag that I got from Topshop, last Summer.

Starting of, the basics: keys, purse, train pass, phone and tablet — mostly to read on the train. Currently addicted to some Sherlock Holmes.
I usually have some random rings from ASOS to pop on, after moisturizing my hands. Speaking of, my hand cream is the Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream, which has a gorgeous scent. And I also carry around a mini Beauty Elixir.

Now, the make-up bag. It's mostly full of lip products, because I like to change during the day and I need options. To touch up the face, I have a Japonesque Blotting Paper Pouch, a Chanel Poudre Universelle Compact (in 30 Naturel), the ever so practical Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil in DOD and a Guerlain Terracota Touch highlighter in 02 Brunettes.
In the lippy category, I have a shameful amount of Clinique Chubby Sticks, 2 regular ones (in Two Ton Tomato and Mega Melon) and 2 Intense versions (in Heftiest Hibiscus and Roomiest Rose), and if you think that's a lot, let me tell you, I've carried more. To prime the lips, especially for some matte versions ahead, I use the Guerlain KissKiss Liplift. From Chanel, I usually pack a lip balm (Rouge Coco Baume), a nude option (Rouge Coco in 05 Mademoiselle) and a matte burgundy or a bright shade, depending on the season (currently opting for the Rouge Allure Velvet in 43 La Favorite). Some other favourites that usually hang around in my make-up bag are Burberry Lip Velvet in Pink Azalea No.308 and Dior Addict Lipstick in 437 Charmante, from the Cherie Bow Spring Look. *Breathes*
For the eyes, I always have this Yves Saint Laurent Long-Lasting Eye Pencil (in 01 Velvet Black) and my favourite mascara of the moment, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara in 090 Over Black. In my black Travalo I have some Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne right now. Oh, and my precious Model Mirror, a lighted compact double-sided mirror, with eight battery-powered LEDs, that has a regular side and a magnifying one. That's about it!

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Review | Clinique Chubby Stick Intense

I finally got my hands on a Clinique Chubby Stick Intense last month, when I was supposed to be shopping for a birthday present instead. Makes sense, right?

(Wearing as a stain)


So, this is a moisturizing lip colour balm, like the original Chubby Stick, only much more pigmented. After a long deliberation, I got the shade Roomiest Rose, a dark berry rose which is more vibrant than it shows on Clinique's website. One layer is enough to provide a nice colour pay-off, though it's possible to build it up, resulting in a more opaque and shiny finish.
Obviously that, being a balm, it doesn't last all day — up to three or four hours — so it's essential to carry it around. Having the same crayon-like packaging and moisturizing properties, it continues to be very practical and can be applied on the go. But, since it has a higher coverage, you should check in the mirror just to make sure it's in place — especially if you're not great at applying lipstick.
The formula with shea butter, jojoba seed butter and mango seed butter remains very nourishing and comfortable to wear. I'm desperately trying to preserve the pointy tip on this one, because I think it really helps with this kind of (more) pigmented lip products. We'll see how that goes. Meanwhile, I need to get more shades, starting with Mightiest Marachino. And Grandest Grape.
I'd say this is ideal for someone who might be scared of super opaque and bold matte lipsticks, but wants to wear a bit of colour on the lips.
I'm just hoping to see the colour range grow — I'd love to get a perfect peach that's not too orange, nor too pink.

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Favourite red lipsticks

For my first post, I want to start by introducing my favourite red lipsticks, including different shades and textures. I always loved the look and feel of a red lipstick, but I don't really know the reason. It might be because it reminds me of old times, very vintage and modern at the same time... It just completes the look and makes you look put together! I remember when I was little, I used to take a peek in my aunt's heavenly make-up drawer, and when I opened it, the smell of lipstick was just so divine!

I'll start with a true red. This liquid lipstick from Sephora's own brand is called Rouge Velouté Sans Transfert and this is shade 01 Always Red. It has a truly matte finish, but it's so, so comfortable to wear. I love it! It's very velvety and has an amazing lasting power. Leaves a bit of a stain as well, so bare that in mind. It comes with a doe foot applicator, which makes it easy to apply. Reminds me of Giorgio Armani's Lip Maestro in the shade 400 The Red, in case you can't get this one.

Next, I have here the most amazing gold packaging. This is DIORIFIC Grand Bal High Fashion Lipstick, from Christian Dior's Christmas 2012 Collection, in the shade 040 Marilyn. I absolutely love this! It was the most amazing pressie I got this christmas, from a very good friend – thank you, dear! This shade of red is slightly blue toned, which suits pretty much everyone and has the bonus of making your teeth look brighter. Just brilliant! Again, this has a matte finish and is very long lasting. It's not as drying as some matte lipsticks, but I would still advise you to put some hydrating balm first and let it sink in, then apply it. You'll feel very luxurious with this on, pretty much the queen of the ball – yes, I said it.

Now, onto a more summery and casual version of red, I present you MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick, in the shade Full Speed. This is a coral-red toned, very glossy, hydrating and truly comfortable lipstick. Just gorgeous! Ideal for those casual days, when you don't feel like making a big effort, but want to look nice. Plus, the application is so easy, because you don't need to be too precise with it. Oh, and smells really good!

Onto something different, this is Boots 17 Berry Crush Lipstain, in the shade Cherry Berry. I have some other shades of this product, but I find this shade to be more pigmented than the others – or maybe the more light/neutral shades don't show up as much in my lips. It's more sheer than other lipstains I've tried, like Benefit's Benetint, but I like the deeper, berry shade on this. And, also contains a lipbalm on the other end. The applicator is like a marker, so you can define your lips really well with it, like you would with a pencil, and then fill them in. But it's like you have nothing on! Doesn't rub off, once it's dried.

Last, but certainly not least, it's Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm, in the shade Two Ton Tomato. I'm addicted to the Chubby Sticks ever since they came out. I love their formula and it's truly great to put on when you don't have a mirror nearby. Yes, you do have to apply it quite often – about every two hours or so – but, its really hydrating. It has mango and shea butters, which actually healed and nurtured my lips last winter. Can't leave the house without them in my make-up bag. I'm curious to try the new intense version of it (has more colour pay-off), but I wasn't able to find it yet. Still on the look... I'll keep you posted!

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