For June’s instalment of ‘The Beauty Bag’ I’ve roped in one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out. Jasmine Akiwumi ladies and gentlemen. Jasmine and I met back on the first day of University, but had been chatting on FaceBook in the weeks leading up to move-in day bonding over our love for The Hills and our unfavourable feelings towards Spencer Pratt. Both studying Psychology we walked to every single lecture together (aside from Biological Psychology, our only 9am lecture which we either missed or turned up in our PJ’s to) chatting about everything from boys to beauty. I just knew you had to meet her. What’s the secret to her ridiculously glowing complexion and gorgeously glossy red lip? I’ll let her tell you that…
“I don’t wear foundation, so I go straight in with my trusted MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW45. I use this under my eyes and on any blemishes – don’t look too closely! – and then I blend, blend, blend with my fingers. I used to use that egg shaped sponge thing, the BeautyBlender, but I didn’t find it to work too well, so I stick to fingers. Then I smooth it all in with the MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Dark and a Topshop Powder Brush. I use this all over and in the summer especially I find that it gives me a nice golden, almost shimmery glow. The compact lasts forever, because I only use a few dabs a day, but I’ve gone through three in my lifetime. I’m saving them all for a Back To MAC swap. For cheeks I love MAC’s Powder Blush in Razin. I apply it with the No.07 Blush Brush and as it’s so pigmented, you literally need one sweep. I’ve used this colour since I was 18 – I never migrate from it.
When it comes to eyes I keep it simple everyday with just liner and mascara. I use the Natural Collection Liquid Eye Liners in Black and do a little line across my eyes for a more natural look, or do more of a wing like today. Every Friday I get the wing out! This one has quite a long applicator though, so I have to be careful for things not to get too messy. You know I don’t have any eyelashes? Well take a look. The Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara really does work. It somehow magically extends them and makes them look longer. I only found it a few months ago, but it’s a great brush and it removes clumps too.
I used to use Nivea lipbalms, but now I’m a Carmex convert. The one in Cherry smells amazing. It kind of stings my lips, but it’s really good and if I’m not wearing lipstick then I always put some of this on. If I’m am wearing lipstick though, then the chances are that it’s probably a red. I start off with the MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry, outlining my lips and then I turn the pencil on its side to blur it out and give the lipstick a bit of a base. I pucker my lips and then I’m ready for the next step which is Sleek’s True Colour Lipstick in Stiletto. You can’t go wrong with this. It’s a really good, more moisturising version of MAC Ruby Woo. I do like glosses though too and usually use this double barrelled one from H&M, their Lipgloss in Red/Red Glitter. There’s the same shade inside but one has shimmer in and the other doesn’t. If I’m wearing it on top of a lipstick then I wear the shimmery one, but for an everyday red option I use the shimmer-free version. It’s great on its own as a little tint.”
Comments