Much to my delight, it’s really starting to feel like fall. Or at least, the California version of fall. I love it! But it can have a negative effect of making one’s complexion look a little…dull. So I thought I’d share my top picks for the very best brighteners out there. [Read more…]
I promised I would try to do more FOTD posts. The problem is I haven’t been wearing much makeup lately because I just want to get out the door quickly in the morning! This is what I wore on my face to work today and I thought I’d share it as an example of a typical ‘me’ makeup look lately. I basically do enough to look better than a zombie and avoid comments of “you look tired” or “are you feeling okay?” – you all know what I mean. Aren’t those awesome? So here’s what’s on mah face —
Face: Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse BB Cream, set with MAC Studio Fix Powder in N3 – this was a new combo…lately I’ve been using just Studio Fix, but I wanted to try this out. I thought maybe I could get the coverage I wanted without as much powder on my face. I’m not 100% sure how I feel about the combo yet. It’s not holy grail but it’s pretty good. The coverage was so good that I didn’t need any concealer, but that’s partially because my skin has cleared up really nicely since my previous breakout issues earlier this spring! More on how that happened later. ;)
Cheeks: NARS blush in Luster – this has become my go-to blush lately. It’s described as “golden apricot” and that’s exactly what it is. I wear a light application for a quick neutral cheek that just adds color without being all “HEY I’M WEARING BLUSH!!!!”. I didn’t contour this morning but sometimes I use my MAC beauty powder blush in Personal Style (this was LE with the All Races collection I believe, but I have a backup because it’s my favorite contour ever in the history of life!).
Eyes: Today I just swiped some of the NARS Luster blush over the entire eye area very lightly. When I had my makeup done by Napoleon Perdis once, he swiped some bronzer over my eyes before the eye shadows, and I thought he was nuts. However, he explained that bringing warmth to the eye area draws attention to your eyes, so when I am going more or less bare, I still swipe some bronzer (or in today’s case a neutral blush – other times I use my contour) over my eyes. And you know what? He’s freaking brilliant. I love this tip! It’s not even necessarily noticeable, it just adds a little “je ne sais quois” that keeps me from looking as tired as I feel at 7:45. I forgot to do my mascara until after this photo, but I use Great Lash Lots of Lashes in black. My eyebrows are filled in with the Senna Sketch-a-Brow I use so often.
In this photo my lips just have Aquaphor, but I keep a supply of lip colors in my purse that I can add later. Right now these live in my purse and I use them all at various times depending on what I’m in the mood for that day–
NARS Bolero velvet matte lip pencil
Tarte LipSurgence lip stain in Achiote
Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait
Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle
Also in my purse is Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow in 20E, taupe. These crayons are magnificent for on the go. I probably shouldn’t admit this but I have applied this in the car many times on my way to work. It’s so fast that at a red light I can scribble on my eyelid and smear it out with a finger, and then do the other eye at another red light – bam, eye look, done.
What’s your go-to quick makeup look?
I never know what picture to put up for my favorites posts, so I put up a cute picture of Sienna sitting on my vanity. The lovely lace train case is a Caboodles case, of course. ;)
I really need to be better about remembering what my favorites are, haha. I always draw such a blank when I begin writing these posts. *rolleyes*
Alright there’s been a ton of hype about these babies, and it’s well-deserved. I’m not even gonna beat around the bush and just say this: they’re fan freaking tastic.
Swatched above are Tenacious Teal and Tough As Taupe. Tenacious Teal has a bit of a shimmer to it as you can see, and Tough as Taupe is a delicious matte.
Don’t be fooled by how sheer it looks on my hand. I applied only the lightest swatch I COULD. You can totally layer these and build on them. In fact that’s how I recommend you go about wearing them, because they dry really fast. You must blend quickly or you’re toast. But once they set, they wear like iron. I am truly shocked at the tremendous quality of these. These are a product that totally lives up to all the hype. Now that I’m working full time again and getting ready quickly in the morning, I know I can just grab the taupe shade and layer a little on and go.
I’m so pleased with the two shades I picked up that I picked up two more yesterday! I got Bad to the Bronze and Bold Gold (can you tell I’m a neutral girl?!). I do plan on adding even more to my stash, too. Audacious Asphalt, Too Cool, Painted Purple, and Edgy Emerald are all on my list. Not so much Pomegranate Punk or Fierce & Tangy. I really don’t think those colors would look good on me at all, haha. Anything in the reddish orange family tends to make me look like I have an eye infection rather than look good. However, for those of you with darker skin and/or warmer undertones, they’re pretty unique shades and you should definitely check them out.
These range from $6.99 to $7.99 in drugstores, and are Buy One Get One 1/2 Off at RiteAid and Ulta right now! I got a coupon on my last RiteAid receipt…guess where that’s going? :)
Have you tried these? Do you love love love them as much as I do? Post a comment and let me know! Feel free to link to your reviews of them as well.
The Falsies. It’s a very polarizing mascara. People either love this, or hate this. I am more towards the love camp, myself. I definitely do not hate it. I’m not sure I completely love it, but it’s pretty darn good. I wish it gave me a bit more length. I get great volume and definition from it though. Maybelline sure is getting creative with their mascara brushes. This one is “spoon shaped”. I have no idea if the wand is really helping my lashes or not, but they look nice.
As far as wear goes, I do not have any problems with smudging or flaking. A blanket recommendation for all Maybelline mascaras though is to open them for a minute, then wait about a week before using. Or if you’re patient, you’ll just notice that with regular use, about a week after you start using it they get a little better. Weird, but whatever works, right?
Onward to PICTURES! I am pretty sure I didn’t comb my lashes after applying this because unless there are like mega clumps I usually just swipe on mascara and go. Not wearing it on my lower lashes. Lashes have not been curled, or primed.
Hey all,
Just wanted to check in and let you know some of the awesome products I’m test-driving at the moment. Are you trying anything new? Let me know what it is and how it’s going!
What I’m trying out…
– Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse foundation
– MUFE full cover concealer
– grassroots Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream SPF 25
– grassroots Pomegranate Super Anti-Oxidant Cream
– MUFE HD primer in light blue
– Flirt! Lash-a-delic mascara – this technically doesn’t come out until next month ;)
My current list of most-loved/used products in no particular order…
Makeup
Beauty Tools
