The #ITGTopShelfie interview series focuses on the beauty routines of Into The Gloss' lovely, accomplished, and loyal community of readers. Submit your own on Instagram—post your Top Shelfie (tag us @intothegloss!) and include the hashtag #ITGTopShelfie for a chance to be featured on ITG.

"Hey! I’m Sara (@livingintheiceage), born and bred in London, UK. I work for Storm London Watches, on the administration side of watch servicing. I wouldn’t say that my job influences the way I think about beauty and I’m cool with that! Sometimes it’s nice to detach, and to separate my love for products and my work life. My makeup routine has definitely evolved considerably through the years. I’m in my early 30s now, and my current jam is being able to see skin through my makeup, with a slick of metallic cream eyeshadow and a matte lip.

I usually start my day off with rose water on a cotton pad and prime my face with moisturizer. I'm currently using Weleda Skin Food. It’s super thick and doubles as a primer. My theory is that if your moisturizer is good, this should eliminate the need for a foundation primer.

For a base, I’m currently mixing a pinch of Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in SX02 with two drops of Bleach London Galixir—truly a wondrous product. It smells of lemongrass and has little particles of shimmer in it which makes my face look as though a lightbulb has been switched on inside me, even when it’s Monday morning and I’ve had five hours sleep. I use Glossier Stretch Concealer under my eyes and in any areas of redness. This stuff is so buttery. It blends into my skin seamlessly.

At the moment I’m thoroughly obsessed with space-age-metallic-duochrome lids as I’m living vicariously through '90s club kids. I have serious love affair with Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss in Oil Slick. Honestly, the color is like nothing else. I also have equal amounts of love for Tom Ford Sphinx. It’s the most expensive eyeshadow I own, but worth every penny.

For highlight, I’ve been using the Pat McGrath Shiny Stick Highlighter which is double ended. It looks so fresh. On my cheeks I prefer cream-based blusher formulas. Givenchy Memoire De Forme in Rose Delicat is the best—the consistency is like no other. It’s jelly based and has a little bounce to it. I’ll use wax on my brows and define them with a pomade—currently L’Oréal Paradise Pomade, and I’ll brush some Glossier Boy Brow in Brown on top.

I have a legitimate obsession with wearing something on my lips at all times. But I simply cannot function with dry lips. Mac Lady Danger has been heavy in my rotation since 2009. Sometimes I’ll just apply it with my finger to the centre of my lips and fade it out ombré style. I also love the Orange Vogue By Terry. The pointed bullet allows for perfect definition and makes it easy to apply if you’re in a hurry, and most importantly, it doesn’t dry my lips out one bit.

Clinique All About Eyes is the holy grail of eye creams and it’s the only one that doesn’t turn me into a red eyed teary zombie. I’ll either slather on an intensive cream such as Elizavecca Moisture Sparkle Cream or a sleeping mask such as Holika Holika Wine Therapy. That one smells so good and makes my skin feel super hydrated at the end of a long day.

I’m obsessed with a little online store called Future Primative. They do different types of soaps, body whips, scrubs, perfume oils and conjure up the most wonderful formulas. There is a scent that they do called Sylph, which is basically what good dreams smell of."

—as told to ITG