Happily Stuck in a "Rut"

We all get in a rut right - but why be so negative? Sometimes we're in a "rut" because we're happy with the way things are. Especially when we're talking make-up and beauty, find something you love and hold on to it for dear life! (And hope it'll never get discontinued.. I probably just jinxed everything now.)

For years I've been going for the natural matte finish with relatively strong brows, thick winged liner, neutral eyeshadow, spider lashes, heavy contour and nude lips look.. and it doesn't look like they're going anywhere any time soon! At the end of the day, you've got one face (my make-up drawer would suggest otherwise) and there's going to be certain techniques and products that work best for what you've got. I've found the journey to my "rut" quite exciting, actually, and while I do sometimes contemplate trying new techniques - I always come back to this. Call me boring, but I think you're at your best when you're happy with who you are!

A cheeky way to cover chin-cne..


These are the things on my face in the photos, and all of them are some of my favourite products of all time - the Clinique Cream Liner (review here), Maybelline Instant Age Rewind (review here)and the Sephora Jumbo Liner (review here) are things I will recommend to anyone and everyone. But there are a handful that I use everyday and therefore slip under the blog radar that I really must tell you about, and some that I just have never found an alternative for!

HD Brows Palette in Foxy
One such product is this HD Brows Palette in Foxy. The thing I don't think many brow products cater for are black haired-gals. We are no longer in the 90's where it is acceptable to have blue-toned grey browssssss *breathe in*.. am I correct. (And yes, the full-stop is deliberate, there is no question here).

So when I see a hint of ash in a dark brown brow product, my heart leaps with joy, no joke. But the first product to make me do that was this palette from HD Brows, and since then I haven't strayed one bit. Although over time, companies seem to be catching up to the 21st century and catering a bit more for the post-blue/grey brow generation by making ashy grey or ashy brown shades (off the top of my head, Anastasia, Shiseido and Shu Uemura), my loyalty remains with HD Brows.. at least until I finish this pot, because £20 for a full palette of which I will only use 1/4 of is a bit wasteful.

Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte
If you watched my monthly favourites, I apologise (if you haven't.. ahem. Not really, but here's a link if I've sufficiently guilt tripped you), but this powder is the best powder on the market - in my humble opinion. A virtually untraceable layer of powder that both sets your make-up without making it matte and softens the minor imperfections on your face. It's like soft-focus in real life.. Chanel says you're welcome.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight
 3 years. 3, long, YEARS I've been going on about this lipstick and my love for it is still going strong. I mean, that's longer than some marriages.

This sunscreen-smelling tube of pigmented creaminess is not only the perfect formula, but the perfect shade. A peach-based nude for the medium skintoned girls is hard to find, whether you're in Superdrug or Harvey Nics. Tried and loathed all of Barry M Marshmallow, MAC Creme de Nude and YSL Rouge Volupte Nude Beige? If this is you, I encourage you to pop to a Rimmel counter, and see if this is the one!

When I heard there were new Moisture Renew lipsticks coming out, I was in a flurry of panic and excitement - would they be coming out with a better version of my Nude Delight? Or would they completely scrap it and replace it with the new line? To my knowledge, there is nothing like Nude Delight in the new line up so.. off to Boots I go - "Your whole stock of Nude Delights please.. yes, the whole thing. Thanks."

MAC Studio Finish Concealer
3 years? Pfft, please. This one's been around in the Yu Camp for even longer. A nifty packaging with a formula that is longer-lasting than liquids, and better coverage than powders. This is the only pot-based cream concealer I have seen, and while packaging may not matter too much to you, I like the amount you get in a pot as opposed to a stick, and I like the colour range that MAC has to offer. (Although I'd quite fancy comparing it to the NARS stick concealer.. they look better for larger areas!)

There is little else I'd recommend to anyone for covering blemishes, and I still stand by what I said in 2010 - this product made the biggest difference to my confidence whilst recovering from my acne-infested teenage years. And even for that alone, this product is a rut I'll happily be stuck in for even longer!



<3yu

Comments

  1. How do you find the studio fix fluid hun?

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    1. I absolutely love it! I know a lot of people say it's cakey, but if you use only a little and apply it correctly (I prefer the Sigma F84, beauty blender or a stippling brush), I think it gives the most flawless natural-matte finish :)

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  2. Loved your September favourites and adore this post! Its so true you have to find what fits and works for you and how you feel your best. Rather tempted to try Studio Fix Fluid again..... You look absolutley gorgeous in these pictures. x

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much that's very sweet! :) Yes, do! I know it gets bad press sometimes but I love it, especially on a spotty day!

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  3. Love this little positive post so I do ;)
    xx

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  4. Amazing look :) Very beautiful :))

    I follow you beautiful blog. I hope you will follow me back and I will wait for you in my blog www.gabusiek.blogspot.com

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  5. I'd make a joke about your lipstick love being longer than Kim Kardashin's marriage but not only would that joke be stale but it would prove no point because 72 days ain't that long.

    Either way IA, I like ruts, it's very nice to have a no-pressure routine that makes you feel good.

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  6. Beautiful photo! And love your posts! Found you on shesaidbeauty! :D :)

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  7. You indeed look gorgeous, Yu :) I'm happily stuck in a rut myself! Sort of killed my blog, though ;)

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