The Hat Affair: What's in my make up bag?

I wear lipstick almost every day and I'm always being asked how does my lipstick stay on?

So here are a few tips for getting your lipstick to stay on and look fabulous all day!

My first tip is lip liner. The humble lip liner means that your lipstick doesn't run and gives shape to your lips making it easier to apply your lipstick. Chose a lip liner that is as close as possible to the shade of lipstick your wearing. If in doubt go lighter rather than darker. (Be careful, don't go outside the lines! Believe me when I say I have seen some classic examples of when lip liners go wrong!) I use Chanel and Estee Lauder lip liners.

The second is to always apply your lipstick with a lipstick brush. It means that it is applied thickly and it will stay on longer. (Most lip liners will come with a brush.)

The third is try not to press you lips together too much. Rather than spreading your lipstick further it actually wears off faster!

The fourth is use a lipstick that is thick and not too soft. The softer the lipstick the sooner it melts and rubs off.(Especially in the current heat wave.)

Unfortunately most lipsticks will come off when eating and drinking, I find that where possible using a straw while drinking will avoid unnecessary reapplication.

Another thing that can be problem for some is lipstick on your teeth. Blotting with a tissue and sucking your finger (think about whistle pops you had as a kid) usually do the trick.

If you have thin lips I recommend using lighter and more neutral shades. But for everyone else don't be afraid to go bright! Reds and deep pinks for everyday and darker wine/purple shades for evenings. I alternate between Chanel, Rouge Coco, Gabrielle and YSL, Rouge Volupte, no.11 Rose Culte.

If you do wear a dark lipstick, go easy on the eye shadow as too much and your in danger of looking like a drag queen! Gasp! Shock Horror!

In any case have fun and just go for it!

Please note: I am not paid by any company to endorse their products.

I don't usually blog about make up, but I am being constantly asked what do I use on my eyes, what blush do you use, what lipstick is that, etc.

If you haven't seen a photo of me, I am red head. With that generally comes pale skin, fair eyelashes and eyebrows. Without make up I resemble Tilda Swinton. (I even found out recently that my sisters boyfriend didn't recognise me sans make up, he actually asked her who was that person in your kitchen!) So because of this I'm going to blog about what works for me, my tried and true favourite products. Starting with waterproof eye make up...

It's Summer in the Southern Hemisphere and what do you do in Summer? You swim!

This past weekend a group of friends and I sailed to an Island off the coast of Perth and we snorkled and swam in the sea all day. I was determined not to put up with second rate waterproof make up so I did a little bit of research beforehand. I found two products I now couldn't live without on those Summer trips to the beach.

They are Maybelline New York XXL Pro Volume Waterproof Mascara in Very Black and Maybelline New York Master Precise liquid eyeliner in Blackest Black.

I have been a Rimmel London girl for several years and I still use it for my daily Marcara and Liquid Eyeliner, but their Waterproof Marcara hasn't given me the Volume and Length that I want.

I found Maybelline New York XXL Pro Volume Waterproof Mascara in Very Black easy to apply and gave the same effect as my regular Mascara (thick and long). I read a review saying that the New York Master Precise liquid eyeliner in Blackest Black tip was dry and that it didn't last the night, I don't know what they were talking about because I didn't find that and as for staying power it lasted all day in and out of the water at the Beach. Everyone wanted to know what I was using.

The trick when wearing any make up on your eyes is don't touch them! Even the best waterproof product can at least be partially rubbed off. As long as you make sure not to rub your eyes, even with the salt water sting, then your make up will stay on.

Before applying any mascara I always use a curling iron (I use a Manicare eyelash curler). I am luckly that I have natually long lashes, but for those that don't, a curling iron will work just as well to open your eyes and give your eyelashes a curl that will last all day. Coming soon my favourite lipsticks...