everyday makeup look // mac pigments

I've been experimenting with makeup a lot more lately and I've come to love it! I've been meaning to incorporate these MAC pigments into my routines lately because a) the colours are absolutely beautiful and flattering for my eye and skin colour and b) my Aunty was kind enough to gift them to me, so I had to put them to good use! I've never had the natural "eyeshadow application" talent that my sister's were bestowed with, so I started out with something quite subtle and simple.

I think this look is absolutely perfect for day as well as night because it's just the right amount of sparkle without looking heavy or overpowering. The great thing about pigments as well is that they are great for people with sensitive skin. Pigments are really concentrated, they blend out beautifully and there's none of those extra nasties that'll irritate sensitive eyes.

I went and saw my dermatologist on Thursday and he was beyond happy with how things are going in the skin department. My scarring is minimal and I have zero active acne, and I'm currently just waiting for my skin to heal and for the last of the breakouts to come through. I feel incredibly happy, lucky and blessed and doing makeup is so much more fun when my skin looks healthy and healed! For every day, I've been using my brightening primer by Napoleon, followed by Nearly Naked foundation by Revlon in "Ivory" and The Body Shop powder in No.2. I've found that this combination of products has worked really well for my skin and tends to last all day, especially in this horrible Summer heat! 

For the eyes I started with MAC's pigment in Your Ladyship and did a light wash all over my eyelid, bringing it up to the brow bone as a highlight. I then followed with my favourite pigment - Mauve-ment - and applied that to the crease and brought it out to the outer corner of my eye. After that it looked super harsh so I blended with a clean, fluffy brush and voilà! The perfect subtle smokey eye. 

The biggest tip I have for eyeshadow newbies is blend, blend, blend! It's also a good idea to invest in a brush kit to get all your essentials sorted. I bought a set by Nude by Nature and applying eye makeup is so much easier. The brushes are of exceptional quality and the application of makeup is so even. The bristles are also synthetic - so no animals were harmed! :) 

No makeup look is complete without a fabulous mascara and/ or eyeliner! I used my trusty Colossal Volume Express mascara by Maybelline, followed by the Master Precise eyeliner. I curled my lashes first (because they're stubborn and silly old things!), then applied two generous coats of mascara followed by a thin line of eyeliner (p.s. I'm getting better at the cat-eye every day, yay me!!). I applied the awesome HURRAW! lipbalm before putting any makeup on so they were all soft and supple when it was time to apply lip colour. I used Burt's Bees lip shimmer in Watermelon for this look and I think it went perfectly with the subtle purple in the eyeshadow.

All done! Have a lovely week everyone! xo