What's in my Everyday Make-Up Bag?

Since my last 'What's in my make-up bag', I've switched up a few products. As I'm going to the gym during the week, I've tried to keep everything to a minimum so I can quickly put on my make-up before rushing to work!

Tools & Brushes:

Avon Angled Blush Brush.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush.

Avon Angled Eyeliner Brush.

Real Technique Contour Brush.

No7 Eyelash Curler.

Bourjous Sharpener. 

Skin Care:

Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser.

Soap & Glory Make Yourself Eye Cream.

Make-Up:

Daniel Sandler Waterbase Foundation and Concealer.

No7 Intense Volume Waterproof Mascara.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. 

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder.

Bourjous Bronzing Powder. 

Benefit It Stick.

Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner.

Avon Eyeliner.

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil. 

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo.

Revlon Lip Butter (Not shown). 

What products are essentials for YOUR everyday make-up bag? Let me know in the comments section below!x

Lumi MAGIQUE ?

I really am finding it difficult to find a foundation or any type of base that I'm completely satisfied with. The closet I've come to is Bourjois's Healthy Mix, so your thinking why not use that ?
When I see girls with 'dewy' looking skin I always think they look so healthy, natural and radiant. As someone who gravitates to matt finishes I thought I'd give L'Oreal's latest release a go to see if I could sport the look. 

Right to left: Concealer Pen with a touch of highlighter: £8.49 / Base Pure Light Primer: £9.99

The LumiMagique foundation claims to 'infuse skin with rays of light, illuminating complexion as if lit-from-within'. L'Oreal have also released other products to go along side its newest foundation to perfect the dewy, healthy finish. 

Right to left: Concealer Pen with a touch of highlighter: £8.49 / Base Pure Light Primer: £9.99

Admittedly the packaging is what swayed my decision to purchase the foundation more - I love everything about it, especially that its a glass bottle and that it has a rose gold pump - it just makes it look a bit more expensive. The shade range however is not the greatest, and doesn't really accommodate for darker skin tones which is a big let down! 

Shades: Rose Beige, Rose Sand, Gold Linen, Pure Beige, Rose Pearl, Gold Sand.

The one annoyance I have with 'drugstore' foundations is finding the right shade. There's no one to help you, the artificial lighting doesn't help and I don't always feel confident to go out without make-up to starting testing foundations on my face! I definitely champion investing in a 'high end' foundation.

Khila aka MissBudgetBeauty has described the LumiMagique to being similar to Nars Sheer Glow. She also said that if you don't like the LumiMagique you won't like the Sheer Glow so rather than wasting £29.50 I settled for spending £10.99 to see if I liked the drugstore equivalent. I much prefer this price, especially because you get the same amount of product(30ml)as Nars's Cult Foundation.

Have you tried Nars Sheer Glow & L'Oreal's LumiMagique ? How do you compare them ? 

So like I said the shade range isn't the greatest and although I was lucky to find a shade I could work with (C5 Rose Sand) its not a complete perfect match. Had I chosen the next shade up that would have been too dark for me but hey we can't always win! The base on the other hand has a super light formulation that goes on the skin effortlessly. I've found it goes on best with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush as it gives you a flawless and natural finish, however recently I've much preferred using my fingers for application.  

I would describe the coverage as light to medium however as I've never tried to build it up I can't say wether it would be a good foundation for those who like a more heavy coverage. I'm more partial to saying that 'heavy coverage' lovers wouldn't get on too well with this one. When I wear this foundation, it feels like a second skin which is a must have in a foundation, for me personally. I hate anything that settles on the skin and looks cakey ... it's just not a good look!

As for smell, its a pleasant grown up 'lady like' scent but to be honest the smell of a foundation doesn't bother me too much unless its really, really bad. Although I like a light-weight foundation, with the LumiMagique you still need a concealer to cover up any blemishes or dark circles under the eyes and a good powder is essential to set it.

 Despite using the Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer and the foundation looking nice in the Mornings, I've found that the LumiMagique doesn't last a full working day and by the time I've got Home I have a really shiny t-zone, the foundation seems to have collected around my nose, my face looks patchy and my skin in general looks quite ashy. 

Despite using the Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer and the foundation looking nice in the Mornings, I've found that the LumiMagique doesn't last a full working day and by the time I've got Home I have a really shiny t-zone, the foundation seems to have collected around my nose, my face looks patchy and my skin in general looks quite ashy.

I will continue to use this foundation till it's finished but repurchasing it will be highly unlikely. In order to find a perfect match I would have to buy at least two different shades and mix them so I may as well splurge on a 'high end' foundation, right? The lasting power is poor and the love / hate relationship I have with this foundation confirms I'm just not sure about this product! I appreciate the effort L'Oreal have made with this foundation and the other products that coincide with it but for me I wasn't completely satisfied, and I definitely won't be wasting money on the Sheer Glow foundation now!

Has anyone tried this foundation? Did you think it was 
(Lumi) Magique ? I'm waiting for YSL to release their Touche elat Foundation to see if this will suit me better. My ultimate foundation has got to be out there somewhere! 

I've Got the Real Techniques

Although I probably didn't need to buy any more make-up brushes I couldn't resist purchasing the Real Technique brushes by Samantha Chapman from Pixiwoo on youtube. I was drawn to the Core Collection purely because of the Buffing Brush people have been raving about however I am pleased to say that I love all the brushes in this set. One thing that makes this set an even greater product for me, is that its perfect for travel!

Considering one M.A.C brush is around the £16+ mark, this set is a bargain at £21.99. You get 4 brushes for perfecting a flawless base, a handy carrier that doubles up as a nifty brush stand and the carrier also has space to add other brushes if you wish.  

In the set:

Detailer Brush:

'Precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas; or use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition'. 

I personally prefer to use this brush for lipstick application as you can really get sharp, defined lips, the brush is petite, compact and very easy to use. 

Pointed Foundation Brush:

'Use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage'. 

I find that my foundation is left streaky looking when using a traditional foundation brush like this, however I use this for concealer and it works perfectly to disguise dark circles under my eye area. 

Buffing Brush:

'Ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation'.

This brush is so soft and light on the skin, I use it with my liquid foundation and it gives me a natural, glowing finish to my face. 

Contour Brush:

'Delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish. 

Not one for applying blusher with I've found, but definitely a great brush for contouring  as it gets into the hollows of your cheeks.

* Literature taken from Real Techniques 

The quality of these brushes cannot be faulted they are incredibly soft due to the talkon bristles, and just glide on your face. I am so glad I bought this set because I love all the brushes and like I said its perfect for travel. I've not had a chance to wash the brushes so I don't know how well they do wash but as soon as I do I'll let you know. 

Real Techniques brushes are available from Boots or www.realtechniques.com 

Have you got your brushes from  Real Techniques ? If so what's your verdict?