I’m honoured to have had my makeup bag featured into by the brilliant natural beauty site, No More Dirty Looks!
Here’s the makeup ‘snoop’ in full – I’d love to hear some of your product suggestions in the comments!
Name: Sarah Brown
Age: 38
Home: Chiswick, West London (UK)
My relationship with make-up: My relationship with make-up has varied a lot over the years.
In my late teens I never wore more than a slick of mascara — it wasn’t until I developed a skin allergy that I started relying on more heavy duty products!
I developed Urticaria out of the blue in my mid-twenties and then suffered with adult acne on top.
My skin was rashy, unpredictable, hard to manage and upsetting to live with.
I’d always hide behind a full face of foundation and concealer.
A decade on, my skin is calm and under control, so make-up is much more about enhancing rather than masking — a nice position to be in.
I still have to be careful about what I use, checking ingredients lists on make-up products is second nature to me now!
Bismuth Oxychloride is one to avoid if you have sensitive skin as is Methylisothiazolinone (MI).
I only ever wear a full face of makeup if I have a TV interview or photo shoot.
Otherwise I like to keep things simple (and speedy), relying on a few trusted and hardworking staples.
Skin: I have never got on with liquid foundations and prefer to allow my skin to breathe.
If I have a bit of redness or a persistent blemish, I use a bit of my RMS Uncover in 11.
It gives good coverage without being too heavy. I also use a mineral powder from Lily Lolo (not pictured) which is best applied with a Kubuki brush.
Eyes: I’ve yet to find a natural eye shadow with the same staying power as this MAC one.
I apply it to my lash line with a small flat brush, a great tip I picked up from a make-up artist who said to me “No hard lines Sarah. Blend, blend, blend!”
I’m still on the look out for a natural mascara — I’ve heard the Ilia one is good, but would welcome any recommendations!
I’ve tried loads on the market with fairly dismal panda eye results.
I also carry our Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream in my makeup bag — it’s a godsend for tired eyes and a brilliant base for under-eye concealer, something I need with a one year old son!
Cheeks: I really like Lily Lolo products and use their Mineral Blush in Surfer Girl — it gives a nice glow and brightens the complexion.
Lips: I love Ilia’s In My Room — it has great staying power and is a perfect pinky nude.
I don’t suit dark shades of lipstick at all. So wish I did!
Scent: I’m very sensitive to fragrance but I love the smell of this Pacifica Persian Rose perfume.
I rub it onto my clothes rather than directly on my skin to minimise irritation.
I love getting little wafts of it throughout the day.
Plus, it’s the perfect size for carrying around.