HOW TO ACHIEVE A GLOWY 'NO MAKE-UP' MAKE-UP LOOK

Shoutout to my cousin Harriet for inspiring me to write this blog post! You got this girl x

If you're like me, make-up is fun, exciting and explorative. But sometimes I haven't got an hour (or more) to sit down and do a full beat. And sometimes a pop to Tesco doesn't really call for a cut crease or Kardashian contour. So, my 'no make-up' make up look (NMML) was born.

Desperately trying not to look moody because the sun was BLINDING me

To be honest, I've been battling with the NMML for years, changing it up nearly every time I did it. This was because I'd end up using waaaay more products than I needed and it wouldn't be quick and easy like I had promised myself. I wanted something fresh, glowy, minimal and EASY. Something that wouldn't take many tools. No wetting of a beauty blender required. And I THINK I've come up with my best one yet.

I didn't give these a wipe over because, hey, make-up is messy

So these are the products I used! Just five products!? I know right!! A few of them can be used in different ways, we all love some versatility boo!

So firstly, I always start off my face with skincare - let me know if you'd like to see my skincare routine! But after that is done I popped on my winning glowy skin combo - the No7 Skin Illuminator and No7 Match Made Custom Blend Foundation Drops.

How do they work? Well you pop dollop of the liquid highlighter on the back of your hand and then mix a drop of the foundation into it. The foundation itself is very concentrated and pigmented so only a drop is required to give that lightweight look. But, if you wanted more medium or full coverage you'd just add more of the foundation. Just think of it like fruit squash! The more you put in the stronger or more coverage it'll be! I think it's pretty cool actually. Also if you were concerned about eye bags or wanting to conceal any areas, this wonder product can do that for you too! Because it's highly concentrated, use a tiny bit on your finger and pat into your skin and it'll hide anything and everything! Told ya... it's versatile.

My shade 'Calico' - £16

You don't have to use it just with liquid highlighter either. Super dry skin? Try with a rich moisturiser. Super oily skin? Try with a matte cream. After that HD look? Try a smoothing primer. Find what works for you and I promise you won't regret it! It also comes in 25 shades which is pretty decent.

I applied the mixture I had created all over my face, with my fingers, and blended down my neck too. I blend down the neck, not to stop the orange line - because if you are wearing the right foundation shade for you, you shouldn't have that orange line - but because I think that if someone is looking at your face and your neck isn't as glowy or covered as your face it's just going to look a bit off ya know?

THEN, if the liquid highlighter wasn't enough in the foundation, I use it to highlight the face on the high points of my cheeks, the inner corner of my eye, brow bone, nose, cupids bow and chin. Seems like a lot of places right?? But because I'm not wearing bronzer or blush I have to define my face in other ways. Especially with wearing glasses too, urgh. By using this liquid highlighter, it will not only enhance the glow but also not look as obvious or metallic as using a powder highlighter. Fake that glow from within honey!

Shade 'Nude' - £12.50

Now, I feel like my oily skinned brothers and sisters are screaming WHAT ABOUT THE POWDER!?!?!?! I know. By having oily/combo skin setting powder is usually my best friend, my saviour and my lifeline when I'm wearing make-up. BUT, the foundation and highlighter concoction did not make me anymore oily and sank into my skin rather than sitting on top playing 'Who Dares Wins' with my natural oils. I wore this make-up for about 10 hrs and it stayed on really well. And with no powder? Unheard of right!? If you're like me and love the glow but have oilier skin, just try it.

Although it can be a life saver for oilier skin types, for my drier skin or more mature readers, skipping out on powder might be an absolute necessity. Powder can make dry skin feel crusty or caked on when wearing make-up, which is probably something you or your skin doesn't really want. And for those of us who feel the age lines and wrinkles are chilling and here for a long time not a good time, then powder can fall into those lines and make them look more prominent and obvious. If that's your gig then girl own it, aged skin is only as ruthless as you allow it to be. But if you're not into it, my advice is leave off the powder and try out my liquid highlighter/foundation trick, you'll see a big difference!

Shade 1 - £21.50

Benefit's Gimme Brow. A legend. An icon. She is the ultimate CBA of brow products. This is a volumising, texturing, tinting brow gel that applies to the brows with it teeny weeny mascara wand. It coats every brow hair with product and makes the brow look fuller and like you've actually spent time on them. The way you brush them can determine whether they look sharp or fluffy. I personally prefer a more fluffy/natural brow but sis, miss Gimme Brow is VERSATILE! I have tried a number of Gimme Brow wannabes but nothing can beat the O.G. in my eyes so definitely worth the steeper price.

Shade 'Black' - £14

Next I used the newest mascara to No7, The Full 360. I feel like no matter if you're wearing a vat full of make-up or the bare minimum, mascara is always a must. It opens up the eyes and finishes off the look. So finding a good mascara is so important. Luckily this mascara is incredddddile. Basically it has zero fibres in it so it doesn't give that clumpy looking volume, but instead gives a curled, lengthen and volumised look. The amazing curved fat brush is going to help grip the lash from the root and curl your lashes while giving them volume at the same time. With having the bristles close together on the brush gives that lengthening effect that everyone desires. It really is a an all-rounder!

Shade 'Pink Latte' - £9

It has to be said that I was a matte lipstick queen for many years. But over the past year six months I've done the absolute unthinkable and switched to a... gloss... *GASP*! Not only is this because the trend of the moment is juicy glossy lips, but also because damn sis matte is D R Y I N G! Having to wear it for hours is just a killer. Don't get me wrong, I still love a matte lippy when the time is right, but these days, 9 times out of 10, you'll find me in a nude gloss. This No7 High Shine Lip Gloss is beautiful. It has a slight sparkle to it so it intensifies that shine. Also, not sticky whatsoever and is really comfortable to wear. Winner winner, glossy dinner.

So that's it! Versatile products that will make the NMML simple, easy and take 10 mins. Overall I'd say that this is my favourite NMML I've ever done for those reasons really! If you have any questions about this look or anything else then hit me up on the socials: @evie_brooks on both Twitter and Instagram. Hope you enjoyed my first proper blog post back! x