My '5 minute, 5 product face'

 Gym Makeup

Not everyday is glamorous and not everyday do I wear makeup, however when I go to the gym in the mornings there's a few products I slap on to make me look more awake, and feel more comfortable. It's not that I can't leave the house without any makeup on (though I prefer not to) but at the gym especially I feel 'on show' more than if I was walking through a supermarket, for example. With my fair features and pale skin, I can look really washed out very easily (it's at times like these I'm envious of those with deeper skin or naturally dark eyelashes and brows.) so I do the '5 minute, 5 product face' to make me feel a bit more alive and ready!

I only use five makeup products and three 'tools' so I thought I'd take a quick snap before going to the gym the other day and show you what I use:

L'Oreal Lumi Magique concealer (click) ; I use this under my eyes and on any other areas where I want my skintone evened out. It's so sheer that it doesn't feel like you're really applying makeup and offers that minimal, natural coverage that you'd want, to allow your skin to breathe when exercising. I blend it in using a buffing brush so that it becomes part of the skin rather than just sitting on the surface.

MAC blush in 'Harmony' ; I use this to gently contour my face. I miss out blusher all together because I feel it can make me look a bit overdone just for the gym, plus I'll be flushed naturally within a matter of minutes on the treadmill!

MAC eyeshadow in 'Showstopper' ; This is the shade I've been using to fill in my eyebrows recently. If there's one thing I will not leave the house without doing, it's filling in my brows. I'm obsessed, they make the biggest difference to my face; they lift cheekbones, offer definition therefore making me look more alive...

 

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara (click) ; One coat of this on my upper lashes instantly brightens and widens my eyes. I avoid using it on my lower lashes to avoid sweaty smudge marks later, just in case! 

Benefit's 'Benetint Lip Balm' (better known as BeneBalm!) ; this is a lip balm with SPF 15 that is soft and shiny (yet not too shiny!) It has the rosy colour of the original Benetint cheek and lip stain which is made from crushed rose petals, so this balm also has a delicate rose scent which actually makes such a refreshing change to the standard sweet or vanilla scents on most of my lip products. The tint brightens my complexion and adds a bit of colour that is lacking in the overall look, a great product to put on and go.

Tools used ;

Real Techniques buffing brush

She Uemura Eyelash Curlers (these are getting a review of their own later this week)

Illamasqua Contour brush

Do you wear makeup to the gym? What products can't you leave the house without?

17 'Instant Glow' Bronzer Review & Instagram!!

 17 Instant Glow Powder Bronzer in 'Medium Bronze', £4.59 for 10g

17 are my favourite line for cheap cosmetics products, it's very rare their products disappoint me and items such as their eyeshadow or their BB Cream are more often than not incorporated into my daily makeup. Granted, I've not tried every product in the range, but the fact that they are constantly revamping and creating new products to sell is pretty refreshing and exciting.

They've released a new bronzer which is part of the Instant Glow range and it comes in two shades, I opted for medium bronze.

The packaging is palm- sized and circular, with black and clear plastic casing. The lid lifts easily and clicks shut into place, you are able to see the product through the packaging. When new, the pan has a shooting stars style embellishment. You get a whopping 10g of product!

I really like the fact that this product is matte, and in terms of it's texture, shade and consistency it reminds me so much of the ever famous Benefit 'Hoola'. Similarly to 'Hoola' it doesn't seem to contain any orange pigmentation- a definite plus +++++ !!

The powder picks up onto my brushes really well and I find it blends pretty well as it's soft, but it is better to start with a little and build this one up. It's suitable for an all over sun kissed look or as a contour powder. I find that it doesn't tend to look muddy, which so many bronzers can do (though this is usually due to bad application, over application etc) and the medium shade isn't too dark for my pale skin.

Overall I am really impressed with this product, I've used it a lot over the past couple of weeks. Some factors I like the most are that it is matte, it gives a natural finish and that it is so cheap. I would recommend this!


I joined Instagram this week (username is emilylaurenbethxo), I've only had it a few days but I'm really enjoying it so far, I just need more people's photos to look at, so if you have it give me a follow and I'll follow you straight back! Here's some pics I've posted so far;

Follow me! emilylaurenbethxo