I haven’t done a makeup roundup in ages, mostly because I haven’t been buying much – or been that excited about makeup, for that matter. Lately, however, I have found not one but two looks that I really like and bought a few new toys for trying them out. The timing is somewhat unusual, as I tend to find autumn/winter beauty looks more interesting than spring/summer, but who am I to argue with the Muses.

First, a couple of words about a personal meta-trend: I’ve been gravitating towards much warmer colours than I used to in the past. I’ve always been a dusky-pink cheek and mauve-y lip kind of a girl; suddenly, all I want are terracottas and apricots and brownish roses. This was already evident in my last makeup story, but my passion has only intensified.

This brings me to the first look that I’ve been doing, which is very simple: bronzy, sun-kissed skin and smudgy eyes. I am pretty pale naturally and I don’t really sunbathe or self-tan, so there is a limit to how bronzy this can get, but even a little bit of colour has a noticeable effect on me. I’d use as little foundation as I can get away with, as the skin should appear as natural and healthy as possible and a blusher/bronzer that makes you look like you have maybe been in the sun for a little bit too long. If you’re adventurous, apply it in the ‘sunburnt’ placement: tops of the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose. That’s skin done.

Then I’ll smudge black pencil along the lashline in what is hopefully an effortless but still flattering manner (I only do the outer half of my eyes; what works for you depends on your eye shape) and use an enormous amount of mascara. The lashes should look big, black and clumpy. I love this contrast between the dark and clearly makeup-y eye and more natural skin. I either leave the lips bare or use a little bit of lip balm or lip tint.

PRODUCTS
Armani Maestro Glow foundation. I’ve just found out this is discontinued, which is a pity, as it was a beautiful summer foundation. Anything sheer and somewhat glowy would work, though. I accidentally bought a shade that’s too dark for me, but in this case, it’s a good thing – it gives me a bit of colour and warmth and as the foundation is so sheer, I can pull it off.

Kjaer Weis Cream Blush (in Sun Touched). One of my favourite shops in Brussels, Kroonen & Brown, has started carrying Kjaer Weis products. I’ve lusted after this Danish-American organic brand for a while: not only have they taken sustainability seriously for a long time, their colours are beautiful as well. This cream blush is exactly the shade I want to wear now. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick No 20 is a good alternative, or you could just use bronzer.

YSL Waterproof Eye Pencil (black). I’ve just bought this and haven’t fully made up my mind yet. But it’s very black and easy to smudge.

L’Oreal (Lash) Paradise Mascara. Gives a lot of volume and a bit of clump. YSL Faux Cils would be good, too.

Lipstick Queen Belle Epoque Tinted Lip Balm (in Belle Pink). A nice peachy pink with very little pigment, so looks very natural on its own. And I bought it on sale!

Kjaer Weis Lip Tint (in Passionate). When I want a bit more colour on the lips, I add a little of this. The web site says it’s a ‘classic berry’ shade. I say it’s a burnt rose. Whatever it is, it’s a good summer colour (I prefer it with something balmier underneath).

The other look is trickier and probably best left to the professionals, but I’ve been cautiously trying it myself as well. It’s the infamous red eye. As you can see on the pictures, if done well, it can look great with my eye colour. Obviously, I’m not capable of this level of wizardry, but a ruby red stick eye shadow, carefully applied to the lids in limited amounts? That is feasible. In my case, I feel I need a pretty serious base to pull this look off and in this heat, I’d even use some powder (!!!) to keep everything polished. I also find that contrary to conventional wisdom, I cannot pair this statement eye with a very modest lip, it just looks unbalanced. I like to match the lipstick to the eye colour, it ties everything together. I will not go very full-on, though: I take a wine-red lipstick and blot it down to a stain, so it looks harmonious, but not very intense.

PRODUCTS
Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation (in 02 Ivory). Still one of my go-tos when I need to look polished. Almost out of it by now.

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder. I hardly ever use powders, but this one I really like. It’s a new launch and while not cheap, definitely worth checking out if you need something in this product category.

Tom Ford Eyebrow Sculptor (in 02 Taupe). I’m not good at doing my brows, but this helps.

ILIA Silken Shadow Stik (in Take On Me). So this warm cranberry cream eyeshadow is what I’ve been using in my experiments. The performance is probably too early to judge, but I love the colour. Also organic.

Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara. Another new purchase for me, this is a really nice for both length and volume if you are going for a more classic look and don’t want any clumps –it separates the lashes beautifully.

Tom Ford Patent Finish Lip Colour (in Exposed). I love this deep, wine red both in its intended glossy finish and when blotted down.

I’ve been delaying publishing this post, because I don’t have a photo of the new makeup items. As I couldn’t make the photo happen this morning either (dark forces are conspiring against me), I’m going ahead now and will hopefully update with an additional photo later.

MUAH Grete Madisson, photo Laura Nestor, dress Riina Põldroos, necklace Tanel Veenre.