It's been about 8 months since my last make up post, which is strange for me seeing as I started this blog as more of a beauty blog rather than a lifestyle one, so I started to wonder why that was. I've mentioned in a few posts recently that while I don't wear make up every day, I do love to play around with it as a form of self-expression, and it does help me feel a bit more productive on the days that I do wear it.
Having said that though, I recently watched this video by Hannah Witton, (love her - I highly recommend checking her out!), and I wholeheartedly agreed with her when she was talking about how there is such a societal pressure for female-presenting people to wear make up, even though she loves it - just like I do. It really made me think about how when we think of someone male presenting, their entirely natural 'default' face is exactly what we expect to see, but when it comes to female presenting people, I feel like people expect to see a 'slight make-up'/'natural' make up look to be our default faces, and without it, we get asked if we're ill, or tired. If you know me well, you know that my favourite band is 'Against the Current', and one of my favourite songs by them is 'P.A.T.T' (Pretty All The Time), which I highly recommend listening to if you've ever felt the societal pressure that I'm talking about here. My favourite lyric from it is 'I don't need to look so perfect to make me feel like I'm worth it.' Preach it.
It also probably doesn't help that because I've been at home for a year and I haven't been wearing make up, I've associated the absence of it with a point in my life where I haven't been at my happiest, so now on the flipside of that, I associate wearing make up with times in my life where I do have my life together?
I want to be clear that I do still love it, however, I've absolutely grown up a lot since I first started this blog a year and a half ago, and I recognise that there's more of a nuance around make up now, whereas back then, I genuinely thought I needed it to feel good/looked better wearing it, but now, I really do think it's fun, and it's for myself when I wear it because I enjoy expressing myself through it. I mean, who wouldn't want cheekbones so glittery that you could guide ships to port? I welcome dressing up for Zoom calls because it gives me a chance to play with my make up which is otherwise sitting idly on my dresser, but that's very different to forcing myself to put make up on for work on days where I'd much rather be spending that extra 15 minutes in bed.
There's a lot to be considered here, but for now, here's what I've been loving on the days where I do want to wear make up. Spoiler: nothing will be too new, or surprising here - you'll probably have heard of these products from me before, but if it ain't broke...
I blogged about the Wet n Wild 'Primefocus Hydrating Primer Serum' here when I first bought it 3 months ago, and I was absolutely correct in predicting that it would become a staple in my make up routine, because I still absolutely love it. I love the non-sticky formula, and how dewy and radiant it makes my skin look.
On top of that, I apply another staple that I've loved for years - the Colourpop 'Pretty Fresh Tinted Moisturiser' is still my go-to. It makes my skin look so naturally dewy and fresh. I actually feel like my make up lasts longer when I wear this, especially when paired together with the 'Pretty Fresh Setting Spray' which just melts everything into the face so that nothing looks cakey. It's a dream. I haven't tried it personally, but I've read good things about the Urban Decay 'Stay Naked Hydromaniac Tinted Glow Hydrator', and it sounds quite similar if you don't want to pay the shipping charge for the ColourPop one!
Next up is the KathleenLights x Colourpop 'my sun and stars' blush - it's a stunning coral pink with golden reflects, similar to what I imagine the Fenty Beauty Shimmer Matchstix in 'Trippin' is like, if you prefer a cream over a powder blush!
I then use the Wet n Wild highlighter in 'Blossom Glow' as it's a little bit more pink than my usual stash of champagne highlighters, (I use 'Horse and Carriage' by Colourpop when I'm after that look), and it meshes really well with the pink blush.
For mascara, I tend to have a few on rotation, but currently, I love the Too Faced 'Better than Sex' mascara. I'm not sure that I've ever tried a mascara I didn't like as I'm not too fussy with mascara, but I have to admit, I absolutely love this one. it makes my lashes full and lengthened, without making them clumpy or dry.
I switch up the lipstick depending on my mood, but currently, my absolute favourite is the 'Monica' Lipstick by Revolution. It's the prettiest pink, and so perfect for the Spring.
I mentioned the 'Pretty Fresh' setting spray by Colourpop earlier, and I absolutely love it, but I also go between two for this: the Fourth Ray Beauty 'Dew It' Hydrating Mist which I don't think has an effect on the longevity of my make up, (it doesn't claim to), but it does add a refreshing dose of healthy glow and makes all of my powder products melt into my skin, leaving a gorgeous flawless finish, which I love. I also absolutely love the 'Ultra Glow All-Nighter' Setting Spray by Urban Decay, so I usually choose one of the above to finish off the look!
Let me know your thoughts on make up/if you feel the societal pressure associated with it!
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