The beauty bag | Summer heat update

Current location? Lisbon, Portugal. Temperature? Very warm. So, naturally, the contents of my beauty bag have changed.

First of all, I've decided to edit and simplify this group of products. Meaning, I'm not carrying around 10 lippies anymore. Whether you're going to a festival or just commuting in a crowded bus with broken air conditioner (lovely), you'll want to make an effort so that your make-up don't melt off your face.

The key to choosing the right products is testing their longevity. Usually, spotting the expression waterproof or long lasting on the label is a good sign. Some ranges I really like, especially for this type of hot and humid weather, are Urban Decay 24/7 and Make Up For Ever Aqua. They stay in place all day (and night), so you can just apply them in the morning and forget you have make-up on.

The current face division consists of Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil in NSA, to conceal dark circles and redness around the nose, and Chanel Natural Finish Pressed Powder in 30 Naturel, to mattify the T-zone. If I feel like wearing any sort of base, I'll go for MAC Face and Body Foundation in C5 — entitled as the perfect base for warmer months, thanks to its water-resistant quality. A teeny tiny dab of Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Cream Blush (in the shade 4 Walk of Shame) on the cheeks, provides a healthy glow. It doesn't contain shimmer, but gives a soft-focus effect.

To frame the face, I apply a bit of M.U.F.E. Aqua Brow in 25 Ash, using a slanted tip brush (like MAC 208). It is unbelievably good at filling in sparse areas or even drawing in full brows, when they fit in the very fair category or, even when they are virtually non-existent. Naturally, an essential part of my kit.

In the eye department, a swipe of Rimmel Scandaleyes Stick in Bad Girl Bronze on the lid, blended in with fingers or a fluffy brush, makes a good base. To define the lashline, a quick application of Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes does the trick. The shade Pearly Brown 2L gives a softer look, but you can just go for Matte Black 0L to intensely define the eye. For mascara, choose a formula that doesn't smudge on you. Usually, I don't have an issue with this, so I rarely wear waterproof formulas. Having said that, I really like Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash.

To finish off the look, a long-lasting lipstick does the job. My most reached for have been Burberry Lip Velvet in Rose Azalea No. 308 (love that shade) and Aqua Rouge liquid lipstick (in 2 Rosewood).
On dry lip occasions, I reach for Clinique Chubby Stick (in Two Ton Tomato), of course.

Some other essentials that jumped into my beauty bag are Caudalie Beauty Elixir (gotta have a refreshing mist on hand), Japonesque Blotting Paper Pouch (does what it says on the tin), Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream and a mini perfume atomizer or rollerball, in this case, Burberry Body.

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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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