Get Ready With Me

I went out last night to celebrate a friends birthday and thought it would be a nice idea to share how I like to get ready for a night out as for me and most girls I know it's one of the best parts of going out! I really like to take me time to get ready as it makes a change to in the week where I'm rushing to get ready to work.

Firstly I have a long shower and shave my legs etc. I love baths but I find that I get too relaxed and sleepy and want to stay in so a shower is great for waking me up and putting me in the party mood! 

When I get out I like to have a candle on and some music on in the background. Last night I used a new Yankee I received from a friend at Chistmas called 'Pink Sands' which is citrusy sweet and exotic. I put on Annie Mac from Friday on the iplayer and pour myself my first drink of the evening. 

I am looking pasty at the moment so I've been building up a gradual tan over the last few days using the Garnier Summer Body! I love that it's subtle as a dark tan would look unrealistic on me this time of the year. This has no nasty fake tan smell- it actually smells qwite nice and it doesn't stain your clothes! I covered myself in this and then put on my dressing gown. 

I use my normal Boots tea tree moisturiser which I have reveiwed in a previous post as I feel no matter how much dancing I do my face stays matte!  

I've been using Crest strips on and off for around a year only once a month but I noticed that they left my teeth sensitive so I just use them now as a treat for nights out. I apply the strips to the top and bottom and leave on for around half an hour. I really think they make a great difference and love how easy and cheap they are! 

I then paint my nails using a lovely Barry M varnish that I've been loving lately in the shade 'Almond' it's a greige colour that matches anything I wear so it means I don't have to change it too often! 

For make up I start on the base first. I use my trusty MAC studio sculpt foundation in NC40. I know MAC foundations have a bad rep but I've been using this foundation for about 5 years and always try new ones and end up going back to this! It's great for coverage and as it's gel based I find that a little goes a long way! I apply using a Real Techniques buffing brush to really buff all the product into the skin. For concealer I use MACs pro long wear concealer in NC20 (I always buy a lot lighter shade to provide a highlight). For contour I have been using and loving the LA Girl Pro concealer in Beautiful bronze I got this on eBay as recommended by thatpommiegirl who's contour is always on point! In order to blend I use a damp Real Technique Miracle Complextion sponge. Under the eyes down the nose and cupids bow I use YSL's touché éclat in number 1 which works by reflecting light to banish dark shadows and provide highlight. 

To powder I use my Maxfactor Creme Puff in Translucent. I've been using this for about 8 years and I love it! I apply to my T-zone and anywhere prone to oil. I go over my contour with my Bourjois bronzer! In my opinion this is the best bronzer and I have converted all of my friends! It suits all skin tones and just gives a gorgeous glow without being too shimmery! For blush I use MACs Peaches and for highlight MACs Soft and Gentle. 

Eyes are simple lashes and liner using Avon's black Glimmerstick in the waterline and the Benefit They're Real to create a cat flick. Mascara is Wonderfull by Maybelline. Lashes are Pixie Luxe by House of Lashes. I use the shade Virgin from my Naked palette by Urban Decay on the brow bone to highlight and the shade Naked to create a shadow and definition in the crease and blend using a fluffy brush I picked up in H n M to blend. Brows are a mixture of the Anastasia Dip Brow Promade in Ebony and MACs Dipdown gel which is lighter. I use the darker gel to get my shape and for the length of my brow. For the part of the brow nearest the nose I like it to be a shade lighter to give a gradual light to dark ombre effect so I use my Dipdown gel.

Lips are kept nude starting with an Avon pencil in the shade Simply Spice to line my lips and then Rimmel Kate in 03- the perfect matte nude! 

Hair is simple half up, half down. I start by applying my Matrix Oil Wonders to damp hair and then the Matrix Express Blow Out Créme which I use for heat protection and as a plus it reduces blow dry time! After blow drying I tong my hair with my Babyliss glamour waves wand for a loose curl an then simply split my hair into two sections, back comb the top section and tie up into a high pony and then spray with some Bed Head Masterpiece. 

For perfume I've been using YSL Black Opium which I am in love with! This is a sweet, vannila fragrance but also has a slightly spicy edge in my opion. I also have the handbag version so I ensured I took this with me. 

This was a picture from last week but I followed the same routine so this is the finished look.