TO PRIME OR NOT TO PRIME?

I have never been a big priming advocate..I figure there are enough steps in make up application as it is (cutting corners? moi?) but have noticed recently that my makeup is just not lasting the 6am to 6pm distance and really who can be bothered sneaking off to the bathroom for boring old touch ups with everything else life throws at you?

So lovely readers...I need your recommendations on the primers out there with best staying power!!! I look forward to hearing your tips!
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BLUSHING BEAUTY

For glowy blushing goodness that stays put through just about anything (as Ms Johanssen would know...minx that she is!), try applying a cream blush to apples of cheeks and then brushing a dusting of powder blush in a similar shade over the top.

I love Bloom Sheer Colour Cream in Coy and Nars Blush in Orgasm.

SIMPLY RED

I have blogged about MAC's little pocket rockets, the fantabulous Slimshine lipstick/glosses on previous occasions and I had to share my latest colour find with you. As a general rule I steer clear of red lipstick -too high maintainence, too risky, just too damn scary for a girl who revels in her neutral shades... but this time I couldn't resist.

MAC Slimshine in Urgent (a glossy rasberry red) is infinitely more wearable than your usual fire engine red and gives you come hither, wanton sexiness minus the freakout factor. Its glossy texture renders worries about dryness or colour bleeding obselete and its packaging is as sleek as its finish.

Definitely my new beauty essential! I'm wearing it with a light but flawless base, a touch of bronzer and lashings of DiorShow Mascara
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DOUBLE THE FUN

We all know two is better than one, so for your lushest lashes ever, invest in both a lengthening and volumising mascara and get to work....

After curling lashes, apply a couple of coats of a volumizing formulation such as Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara. Make sure you wiggle the brush from root to tip to ensure even application and avoid clumping.

To finish off, swap the wand for a lengthening mascara (Loreal Longitude Mascara is a sure bet) and focus on the tips of lashes to make them really stand out....then find a cute boy and start batting!

A FAN OF LE TAN

By my own product whoring admission I have previously overlooked the Le Tan line of tanning and suncare products in favour of more expensive and celeb endorsed brands (sucker).

After several recommendations from beautiful and sunkissed friends of mine I decided to take the leap and boy oh boy am I eating my words now.

A trip to the supermarket later, I was more than a little apprehensive after purchasing this little gem for a piddly ten dollars.....in my previous fake tan experience a diminutive price tag generally preceded a Day-Glo orange tan.

Cue morning, when I woke with a natural golden brown tan and a new outlook on life.

My pick of the tanning products is the Le Tan Fast Tan Self Tanning Mousse but the whole range is pretty fantastic. The mousse wins top marks because it comes out tinted which makes application super easy, pretty much guarantees a streak free finish, can be used on your face without fear of pimples or oil slicks and earned several compliments on its first outing.

I am now a month into twice weekly applications and the bottle is still half full.. GENIUS!!!! and better value for money than a certain little hot pink tan in a can number..you know who you are.