During the winter months, I tend to go into hibernation but as soon as the warmer weather and sunnier days hit, I like to get up early and make the most of the day. So far this spring, I have packed my days full of activities, I've become a 'yes' woman and I've been getting out there, working and playing hard.
With a busy lifestyle, I have needed a quick make up and hair routine to match, so that I can get up and go in the mornings. Today I thought I'd give you a quick overview of my routine and share with you a couple of products that have been really rocking my world this spring.
When I wake up in the morning, I complete my morning cleansing routine which I'll show you in a post shortly before scraping my hair back into a high ponytail. I use a large bun ring in my hair and after I've pulled my bobble over it into place, I plait the two sides of my hair and wrap them around the bun. If anyone would like a tutorial on this then do let me know. Then I move onto my make up.
My base is simple- Garnier Nutritionalist Oil Free BB Cream in Light (Buy Here), followed with a light dusting of the Pur Minerals 4 in 1 Pressed Mineral Make Up Compact in light (Review Here, Buy Here) and some serious contouring and bronzing with the Bare Minerals Warmth (Buy Here). I dust some of the beautiful Cargo Blush in Tonga (Buy Here) over my cheeks and run some of my Make Up Academy Eye Brow Pencil in brunette (Buy Here) through my brows and brush on one of my favourite budget mascara's, NYX Doll Eye Mascara in Black (Review Here, Buy Here) before slicking on some of the Cargo Lip Gloss in Big Sur (Buy Here).
You may notice a couple of additions to my make up collection here- the blush and lip gloss from Cargo who are a cosmetics company than have newly launched in the UK. Cargo Cosmetics have been around for a long time, some 15 years in the TV and film industry and in the make up bags of women in other far away countries and now they're finally available in the UK in Debenhams. The brand aims to take everyday make up essentials and turn them into easier to use, smarter and all round better products.
The first product I've been using is the blush in the colour Tonga which is a gorgeous dusty rose shade. Very traditional, English rose in colour and it looks absolutely beautiful on the cheeks. It looks pretty matte in the pan but it leaves a gorgeous satin finish on the skin. I could liken this shade to another blush, I'd say its beige pink tones are pretty similar to MAC's Blushbaby, only a little pinker.
Whilst being a powder, the blush is pretty finely milled and feels super smooth and silky, almost creamy when swatched. This makes it apply really smoothly and evenly, allowing it to blend very naturally into the skin. The colour pay off is great for a light coloured blush and I found that it is much more pigmented than I had expected. The beautiful pink colour lasts all day on the skin without fading or sliding off. I've found the blush to be pretty buildable too so if I am heading out quickly for work, I'll apply a light sweep across my cheeks but if I'm going out after work I'll just add a little extra to build it up into a more vibrant pop of colour.
I'm quite fond of the packaging of this blush too. It comes in a brushed metal tin that you have to pull the lid off to gain access to the product. It feels really secure which I love as I travel quite often and like to make sure that the products I'm using aren't going to break and smash in my bag.
The other product I've been applying regularly is the Cargo Lip Gloss in Big Sur.
The first thing that struck me about this lip gloss is that it is so comfortable to wear, it is ever so tacky but not sticky in texture so it sits really comfortably on the lips. It feels beautifully moisturising, almost like a lip balm and even looks hydrating. The applicator makes the lip gloss really easy to apply and it literally glides on to the lips. When swatched, it looks like a glossy lipstick, I absolutely love it. Big Sur is a neutral toned gloss that looks great alone during the day or over lipstick for a glossy evening look. It packs an awesome amount of shine and leaves lips looking illuminated and perfected with a hint of colour.
The staying power of this gloss is pretty good too. I find that the lip gloss lasts a goof 2.5/3 hours before I need to reapply which is great for a lip gloss in my opinion.
The lip gloss packaging is small and compact so it fits into my small purses, never mind my clutch bags which I love as it encourages me to take a gloss out with me and to touch up when needed for that continuously put together look.
Cargo products are available direct from the Cargo website and also from Debenhams, where the blush retails for £19 and the lipgloss for £7.50. I'd definitely look to purchase some more products from the range.
What Cargo make up have you tried? What products feature in your everyday springtime make up?
Where to find me
Pink Friday is one of those fragrances that makes me feel summery and girlie, I love wearing it. The perfume would make a great gift for girls and women particularly in their teens and twenties, as well as for fans of Nicki Minaj. The packaging alone is to die for- super super girlie, very pink and very cute!
