Fifty Shades of Nude

I seem to be on a roll lately. Last week I finally posted about my bridesmaid's hair and makeup - something I'd promised to do months ago - and today I'm back with another post I first talked about writing back in July. I'd been on a little shopping spree, during which I'd picked up a trio of makeup that I thought might look good together as a "nude look". Well, fast forward nearly four months and here it is! (I know, I know, I really should slow down.)

The products I bought back in the summer were the Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Nude Collection in shade 43, the Rimmel Salon Pro by Kate Nail Polish in 127 and the Maybelline Master Sculpt Contouring kit in Light/Medium. The lipstick and nail varnish have been worn to death and are much-loved - you can see how low the lipstick bullet is getting. The contour kit on the other hand has been worn only occasionally. I do think it's nice in tone, or at least the bronzer is, but I'm just not that crazy about it. To be fair, the main reason for this could be that my skull-face doesn't really need any help in the contouring department. I knew this when I bought it, but it was new and shiny, and much hyped, and I had Boots points. The flesh is weak.

Another point I should mention is that I'm starting to use my new Urban Decay Naked Palette and I don't think it's any exaggeration to say that my life has been changed forever. I've never really been that into eyeshadow before and I'm realising it's because I didn't have this palette. All I did for this look was apply the shade Toasted all over my lids and blend it softly through the crease, yet it's so much better than anything else I've ever put on my eyes. There are times when a product gets so hyped that you're almost bound to be disappointed when you try it for yourself, but in this case it's even better than I thought it would be.

Anyway, here's the finished look.

I really like this makeup. It's a polished daytime look that goes with everything and can be worn at any time of year. The nail varnish in particular is a really sophisticated shade and gives that elongated  "mannequin hands" look -great for me as I'm afraid the almond shaped phase didn't last too long and I'm back to squoval! (A couple of them broke and I couldn't deal with constantly having to re-shape them. I got impatient and they ended up getting lopsided - not a good look!)

On my face:

Base - Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation in Cool Bone, Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in Fair, Rimmel Stay Matte powder in Peach Glow

Brows - Benefit Brow Zings palette in dark, Benefit Gimme Brow in medium/deep

Eyes - Urban Decay Anti-Aging Primer Potion, Urban Decay Naked Palette shade Toasted, L'Oreal Super Liner, Rimmel Wake Me Up mascara. (You could also go for a matte shadow instead of Toasted, which I think would be interesting too.)

Face - Maybelline Master Sculpt contouring kit in light/medium. (I used a Real Techniques buffing brush to apply the bronzer just below my cheekbones, then a smaller brush to lightly contour the sides of my nose. I dusted some of the highlighter down the bridge of my nose and on the tops of my cheekbones.)

Lips - Rimmel London Lasting Finish lipstick by Kate Nude Collection, shade 43

What are your thoughts about this sort of look in the winter months? Have you tried any contour kits and which is your favourite? 

Also, I usually take most of my makeup selfies with my iPhone, and it's getting harder and harder to find good light as the winter draws in. (Some of these are distinctly "soft focus" I know!) I'd love to know if anyone has any recommendations for a good iPhone ring light, as I'm not really sure where to start looking! Any advice welcome.

Kate x