Quick & Easy Back To School/Long Lasting Make Up

Now I know this is slightly late but it is always useful!

September has arrived and that means it's back to school, for some! Some people might be starting high school, some returning to school, or some  going somewhere completely different like sixth form, college or even university!

I thought there wouldn't be a better time to do a very simple, quick and easy post on how to achieve a subtle look. I know in some schools they are very strict with makeup and others not so. In my school we are allowed to wear makeup but it can't be anything drastic! For me I don't like anything heavy on my face because I want something that is barely there and so I can't feel it whilst I'm working. There is nothing worse than having to do school work and you've got a cakey face, well for me there isn't! So I'm going natural!

Firstly, you want to use a primer, for me the one that does the trick is the Benefit Porefessional Primer, it lasts, it keeps my base on and your foundation isn't going to end up half way down your face when you get home!

Secondly, this is optional, but instead of using a foundation, use a BB cream because it is lighter and gives you some coverage but keeps it still looking natural. I would use the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream in Light. But to be honest, I hate wearing a base for school, I can't be bothered with it in the morning and I'd rather have those few extra minutes in bed than start buffing the BB cream into my face! Instead of a BB cream you could just use a concealer, if I was to use a concealer I would use the Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory, a good drugstore light coverage concealer! 

Next is probably one of the most important steps! Powdering. If you want your base (if you've applied a foundation or BB cream) to last, this is crucial. Again as I said you don't want your base to disappear throughout the day. Even if you aren't using a base you can powder your T-zone to control oils (if you tend to have oily/combination skin) and can top up during the day, its pretty simple! So for this, a good cheap and cheerful product is the Rimmel London Stay Matt Powder. This is best to get in translucent/transparent if you've applied the BB cream because then it wont add any coverage just will set your makeup, that way it won't look cakey.

Another face product I would use is a bronzer. Because I don't use a base a bronzer gives my face a bit of colour and definition. When it comes to back to school I either choose a bronzer to wear or a blusher, I tend not to use both because, lets face it, it's just school and I don't need to look good for anyone. If I was to wear bronzer I would use the Benefit Hoola Bronzer or if I wanted to give a little life to my face and ditch the bronzer I would use the Topshop Blush in Let Her Go.

For eyes again I'm keeping it simple. I just wear mascara, as I said, I'd rather have those extra minutes in bed instead of applying eyeshadow. But if you do want to apply some eyeshadow go ahead, a warm brown would be natural and also simple yet effective! You could also use the Benefit Thanks A Latte! Eyeshadow which is in the picture with the bronzer. Usually I just sweep some setting powder over them because I do have oily eye lids. I always curl my eyelashes then for mascara I use the Max Factor Clump Defy Mascara. I use waterproof mascara, I always have, I always find that if its not waterproof it comes off in like a powder, which I hate!

The penultimate step is brows. For school I don't fill them in as much as I would at the weekends, so I just fill them in with light feathery motions to create some shape but not much at all, remember we're keeping it simple! So I use the Bobbi Brown Eyebrow Pencil in Mahogany. Then comb my brows through with a spoolie. 

Finally lips. Lips is usually the step I always forget, but if I do remember I will apply some lip balm but the one I love to wear for school is the Vaseline Limited Edition No3 Paint The Town Red Lip Tint. Wow, that's a mouth full. This lip balm has a slight red tint to it, so sheer, but is really nice and natural for school. As well as it giving you the tint, it moisturises the lips too! 

Now I know this was quite a long post when it is a simple back to school look, but I promise it is so very natural! Try it out, adjust some of the products to suit you, I'd love to see what yours look like! Tweet me if you do! My handle is @elharriss. 

Good luck to everyone going back to school or is already back at school, I hope you have a nice year! 

I'll see you soon! 

Byeeee x

Camera: Sony NEX-5