Off Duty Makeup

I’m about to voice a slightly strange confession, given the topic that I write about 75% of the time, but I wear a full face of makeup far more often than I’d like. My skin really behaves itself most of the time, so a base is rarely needed and (although I naturally gravitate towards it) I don’t need to wear liquid liner every day. Working my blog photos around my job means that I’ll often experiment and shoot a look before work to make the most of my time. This plus days weekdays where I actually need to wear makeup PLUS weekends when I’m usually filming give my poor face very little opportunity to take a break. But this past week I’ve been ahead of schedule and plan on giving my face a vacation from makeup. Most days. But the “off duty but need makeup” days currently look a little something like this:

YSL Touche Eclat Concealer (1): Because my dark circles are hereditary (thanks, Mam) and this cancels out the darkness in my inner corners like nothing I’ve ever used before. I’d kneel at it’s feet if it had any.

Clinique Neutral Territory 2 Palette*: I’m not normally one to wear eyeshadow without mascara, but my lashes are naturally dark on their own, and the second lightest shade in the palette is my perfect nude. It’s a sheet, light yellow based, white shadow with a slight shimmer. No glitter involved though, it just has a beautiful (almost wet look) glow-y sheen.

Benefit Gimme Brow*: A new addition to the stash – the brow gel clings to the tiny hairs that normally don’t have any colour and makes things look a little thicker – perfect at the front of my brows where things can look a little sparse.

Clinique Cheek Pop Blush (Ginger Pop)*: A natural, peachy pop, the new Clinique spring shades are a powder formula with the sheen of a cream product. Perfect for no makeup days as they’re pigmented, but easily blended out for a sheer, barely there look.

Maybelline Colour Sensational Shine Gloss: I don’t think I’ve been anywhere without this since I picked it up in January. Cashmere rose is a beautiful, nude-nothing-y shade with a non sticky, non gloopy finish. I love.

And for the real no makeup days? I hide behind my sunglasses and hope no one notices my crazy dark circles and “second cousins twice removed” eyebrows…

49 Comments

  1. geehawkes
    24 Feb 2014 / 1:45 pm

    You look beautiful both with, or without makeup Suzie! I remember when you visited me at Topman ages ago barefaced and you still looked absolutely stunning! xx
    fiveonecouture.blogspot.co.uk

  2. Charlotte MacDonald-Gaunt
    24 Feb 2014 / 1:49 pm

    That Maybelline lipgloss looks amazing – you look gorgeous :o) Xx

    Makeup by Candlelight

  3. Chelsea Leigh
    24 Feb 2014 / 1:58 pm

    I can't wait to try the Maybelline gloss!

    http://www.chelsealeigh.ca/

  4. Zandra May
    24 Feb 2014 / 2:24 pm

    This looks very similar to the make up look I sport to work as I wouldn't feel comfortable without any make up so just use about 5 products in order to look respectable! I'm not brave enough skip the base like you though, not that you need it 🙂

    Zandra // AZTEC DOLL Fashion & Beauty Blog

  5. Claire
    24 Feb 2014 / 2:31 pm

    Ok, I need that lipgloss asap! Plus the Clinique blush is stunning, gorgeous packaging 🙂
    xxx Claire
    http://wwwclairabelle.blogspot.co.uk/

  6. Victoria
    24 Feb 2014 / 2:50 pm

    I've just re-ordered myself the YSL Touche Eclat after having a break from it over the last couple of years. I was the most loyal fan ever, then one day just went off it. I can't remember why. But having tried a million other under eye concealers, I've reverted back to the original holy grail!

    I also have awful dark eye circles too. I hate them, but since mine are hereditary too, there's not much I can do other than cover them. When my skin is being good I often think that if I didn't have these dark circles I could sometimes get away with no make up at all! But alas, that's not the case. We all have our cross to bear….!!

    Victoria, x shabby-chic-home.com

    • Sarah Linda
      24 Feb 2014 / 10:40 pm

      Hi Victoria,

      I find Touche Eclat doesn't give me much coverage, I usually use it over concealer to lighten up my face – how do you apply it? I too stopped using it and am currently using MACs Prep and Prime pen instead. Wondering whether I should go back too?!

      Sarah
      www.daisychainsanddreamers.wordpress.com

  7. Brittany Seel
    24 Feb 2014 / 3:10 pm

    You still look gorgeous 🙂 very natural! Looking forward to trying out Gimme Brow myself
    Bea x
    Bea's Beauty Blog

  8. Ana Céline
    24 Feb 2014 / 3:10 pm

    You look beautiful 🙂 Gimme brow looks like such a good product! I'm planning on buying the YSL concealer as well because I've read so many great reviews 🙂

    Ana xo anacelinelabod.com

  9. Tash Johnson
    24 Feb 2014 / 3:22 pm

    Have you done a review of the Benefit Gimme Brow? If not, I would love to see one!
    Tash x
    http://pompombonbon.blogspot.co.uk

  10. vicki
    24 Feb 2014 / 3:40 pm

    Lovely fresh makeup! Perfect for Spring. I love the look of that Clinique Neutral Territory 2 Palette, lots of wearable shades
    http://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk/

  11. casuallyawkward
    24 Feb 2014 / 4:02 pm

    I am still lusting over that palette hardcore, it's so beautiful!
    Stefanie | Casualllyawkward | Bloglovin'

  12. Roshni K
    24 Feb 2014 / 4:07 pm

    You definitely are dedicated to be wearing makeup almost daily for us! I myself refuse to put on makeup even if theres a post I want to write, I always wait until I'm actually heading to uni or work to put my makeup on
    Roshni’s Journey

  13. Sara Chergui
    24 Feb 2014 / 4:15 pm

    Very nice makeup look, I have days quite often when I just don't feel like doing my full makeup routine !
    Free giveaway on my blog ! win a Vichy skin care product !
    http://thecrimeofashion.blogspot.fr

  14. Emily Golding- Beauty By Emily
    24 Feb 2014 / 4:30 pm

    I find doing this job and being a make-up artist I have the same problem.

    Emily xx
    www.beautybyemily.co.uk

  15. Amy
    24 Feb 2014 / 4:35 pm

    I wish my sin got more of a break but I wear makeup at the weekends and I can't go to school looking like a zombie, haha! xxx

    Amy | http://amysbeautyjournal.blogspot.co.uk/

  16. Charlotte Willetts
    24 Feb 2014 / 5:12 pm

    Love it, I think I need to get myself one of the new Clinique Spring blushes, it looks beautifully natural.

    http://charlwilletts.blogspot.co.uk

    xo

  17. sofia grigoriadou
    24 Feb 2014 / 5:18 pm

    perfect
    http://sofikasthoughts.blogspot.gr/

  18. Bethany
    24 Feb 2014 / 5:47 pm

    I so desperately want to try the Clinique palette and the Maybelline lip gloss looks gorgeous!

    Bethany // Lots of Sparkle

  19. CatrinTeleri
    24 Feb 2014 / 6:04 pm

    Every day is practically a no makeup day for me, I feel as if I need to make wayy more effort.

    CatrinTeleri

  20. Maddy
    24 Feb 2014 / 6:05 pm

    Love this no-makeup look, so pretty and natural! x

    Maddy from UNSTITCHEDD

    

P.S. I don't want this to be spammy but I am also hosting a £50 Giveaway at the moment if you wanted to enter here

    ♥

  21. Emily McCue
    24 Feb 2014 / 6:13 pm

    I rock this kind of look most days too. I don't like wearing make up every day.. despite loving make up!

    www.emandthem.co.uk

  22. Ciara Pollock
    24 Feb 2014 / 6:17 pm

    your brows look amazing! I love the maybelline glosses x

    http://ciarapocket.blogspot.ie

  23. Holly
    24 Feb 2014 / 6:41 pm

    I am constantly steeling my mum's Touche Eclat, maybe it's about time I bought my own! I was hoping you'd maybe do a full review on Gimme Brow? I'm interested in trying it out.

    Holly // hollylikestoblog

  24. Phanee M
    24 Feb 2014 / 6:46 pm

    I like giving my skin days off, too! I think the products you've chosen aren't really all that heavy… Just enough to give a bit of colour on a day without makeup! Love the lipgloss!

  25. Talisa Tossell
    24 Feb 2014 / 7:10 pm

    LOVE this barely there look!

    http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/collection-2000-does-it-all-waterproof.html

  26. Michelle
    24 Feb 2014 / 7:19 pm

    lovely..so natural!

    http://pomegranateandcoffee.blogspot.co.uk

  27. Mélane x
    24 Feb 2014 / 7:44 pm

    Well, you still look gorgeous with or without make up 🙂

    xo Mélane
    Selfhelp | Inspiration | Motivation

  28. Sophie
    24 Feb 2014 / 8:28 pm

    That Clinique blush… Oh my. Sometimes there are just no words.

    www.sophiemakesup.blogspot.com

  29. Lucy
    24 Feb 2014 / 9:21 pm

    I really want to try gimme brow, you look beautiful with and without make up 🙂
    Lucy xx
    Sailor Speak

  30. Hope Butler
    24 Feb 2014 / 9:24 pm

    You look amazing both with and without makeup. I usually try to limit the amount of days I wear makeup but my skin has been misbehaving a lot lately! H x

    www.hopesgone.blogspot.com

  31. Ellis Rose
    24 Feb 2014 / 9:47 pm

    The Clinique blush looks so pretty! I'm so glad it's nearly March now so we can start digging out the spring shades. You look lovely 🙂

    Ellis / ELRBX – beauty, fashion & lifestyle blog xo

  32. Emma W
    24 Feb 2014 / 10:12 pm

    This is a great idea. I wear makeup a little more often than I would like as well 🙂
    emmasbeginning.blogspot.com

  33. Almeida
    24 Feb 2014 / 10:49 pm

    I had no idea the YSL concealer cancelled out darkness that great. Must add it to my (never ending) wish list then.. / almeidas.se

  34. Jessie Ho
    25 Feb 2014 / 12:59 am

    beautiful photos! 🙂 i hardly ever wear face makeup myself because I'm a student with early morning classes and I love sleeping in too much ahha. but I never leave the house without doing my eyebrows and mascara 😛

    i.e.; Jessie

  35. Bethni Y
    25 Feb 2014 / 7:14 am

    I probably put too much makeup on my face that I need too. I need to ban the full face and start going for light makeup! Thanks for this post Suzie!

  36. Cloud Esmé
    25 Feb 2014 / 7:59 am

    The clinique blushes look so cute! You are so pretty:)

    Esmé // CloudEsmé

  37. Leanne Van Breda
    25 Feb 2014 / 8:25 am

    I also try to have a make up free day wherever possible. It feels as good as a detox!

    Love from South Africa

    Arum Lilea

  38. Aerin Downs
    25 Feb 2014 / 10:18 am

    I love days like this 🙂

    Berrie-Blogs |Beauty Blog

  39. Biancarosa
    25 Feb 2014 / 2:49 pm

    ysl touche eclat concealer needs to be in my life right now. love the natural face.

    Biancarosa // xoxo

  40. Simplybeautifulelegant
    26 Feb 2014 / 12:16 am

    beautiful!
    xx
    daniella
    simplybeautifulelegant.blogspot.com

  41. Celina
    26 Feb 2014 / 1:09 am

    The Clinique blush is quite lovely! I love the design on it and I've had my eyes on the brighter shades.
    xx
    Celina | The Celution | Bloglovin’

  42. Styla Petite
    26 Feb 2014 / 9:22 am

    Gorgeous natural look!! 🙂 xxx

    www.stylapetite.com

  43. Samantha Mariko
    26 Feb 2014 / 9:32 am

    the less, the better:) you look amazing with little makeup! love the photos too!
    www.lettersimpromptu.blogspot.com

  44. Zazie Bibi
    26 Feb 2014 / 11:36 am

    The blush looks gorgeous! x

    A Little Treat | Beauty & Fashion Blog

  45. Amy Liddell
    26 Feb 2014 / 12:32 pm

    You're such a natural beauty!
    xx

    Salted Roses // UK Fashion Blog

  46. Victoria
    01 Mar 2014 / 8:35 am

    If I had clear skin I'd go without makeup all the time, but sadly I need it to avoid scaring people! You look lovely either way.

  47. Megan Close
    05 Mar 2014 / 11:16 am

    I absolutely love the maybelline colour glosses, they are amazing! I have done a review on my blog, would love it if you could check it out? www.myprettyapparel.blogspot.co.uk

    xxx

  48. Livialinette
    30 Jan 2015 / 8:49 pm

    the palette is soo pretty!!! <3
    http://livialinette.blogspot.co.uk/