I'm a makeup junkie. There I said it. BBs, mascara, lipsticks, eyeliners, you name it and I'll own at least three or ten of each. I'm also a sucker for trying new products and brands. Someone has to keep the economy going these days, really it's a service...
As much as I tried the french 'le no-makeup' look and loved to see it on french women, it just isn't me. Just as I usually over accesorize you will never (ever) see me without makeup. I'm not even sure I've got it right, but without it I just feel...naked. Specially after my pregnancy, I used to have the perfect complexion, beautiful, youthful, fresh looking skin, (Oh didn't we all...) now it's just...blah...I went from normal skin to oily in less than you can say 'one four-year old later'. Not to mention not even when I was 15 and hormones are doing atrocities to your skin, had I ever heard the word acne or concealer. Now, one is my best friend and the other is my worst enemy, guess which b*tch is which???
A few unforgettable faux pas and many hundred...or thousands of dollars later, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it, part of it at least (damn you cat eye...)
In a market in which every week the same beauty products company will launch three different mascaras (cannibalization, anyone?) each promising beautiful, longer, thicker eyelashes, it can be tough finding your perfect match and sticking to it. Once you do find it, I suggest you hoard on it.
Much like my previous post, the following are my makeup faves, for easy recognition next time you hit your local beauty supply I've skipped all the text and thrown in the images (see, another service...)
That's a lot of layers!!! Trick lays in applying them in the correct order and letting them dry between applications to avoid ending up with a cakey face.
With all this BBs, CCs, DDs and double letters craze, I'm still trying to figure out the difference between my regular moisturizer, tinted moisturizer, foundation, primer, beauty balm, etc. (eventhough BBs promise to prime, perfect, correct, and moisturize, among many other miracles, I still won't skip my regular moisturizer). So instead of piling them one after another one, it'll usually depend on the kind of day I'm having. If I'm late or in a rush I'll usually apply tinted moisturizer or a BB. If I'm getting ready for a long night out, I'll take my time to prime, conceal with my Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in 01 Light Neutral, and apply my regular Clinique Even Better in Ivory 03 foundation.
The First Choice was quite easy. Smashbox's Photo Finish works wonders. Period. Try the SPF version.
On the subject of BBs, I'm not exaggerating when I say I've tried at least half a dozen brands. Dr. Jart, Bobbi, Dior, Garnier, Smashbox, and L'Oréal (I'm forgetting a couple) and finally found the best one for my newly acquired skin type. Luckily for my pocket it was one of the cheapest, but the results were unbelievable. Maybelline's Dream Pure BB is my BaBy (get it?)
Goodbye blush! Hello bronzers, cream blush and highlighters!
Oh how I love going Naked!!! Nothing, I mean NOTHING, beats my Urban Decay Naked and Naked 2 Palettes (this second one being my fave!) The colors are Oh! so gorgeous! Trust me this palette is all you'll ever have to buy when it comes to eye shadows! Foxy, Chopper, YDK and Busted are some of the beautiful shades, with the right amount of shimmer. Half baked and Tease are great for an everyday look. Verve is perfect for highlighting your brow bone and blackout is ideal for eye lining and working your smokey eye. I suggest you search on Pinterest easy step by step tutorials on how and where to apply each shade to make the best out of this baby. The brush is also amazing. For traveling or on-the- go retouching get your hands on the Basics smaller palette but ever so beautiful as the bigger one.
In a market in which every week the same beauty products company will launch three different mascaras (cannibalization, anyone?) each promising beautiful, longer, thicker eyelashes, it can be tough finding your perfect match and sticking to it. Once you do find it, I suggest you hoard on it.
Much like my previous post, the following are my makeup faves, for easy recognition next time you hit your local beauty supply I've skipped all the text and thrown in the images (see, another service...)
My Daily Makeup Routine (yes, I do this everyday!)
1. I can't emphasize enough on the importance of this first step: Moisturizer.
2. Primer
3. Lightweight Foundation or BB
4. Concealer
5. Loose Powder
6. Blush, Bronzer & highlighter
7. Eye Shadow, Eyeliner & Mascara
8. Lipliner and Lipstick
That's a lot of layers!!! Trick lays in applying them in the correct order and letting them dry between applications to avoid ending up with a cakey face.
With all this BBs, CCs, DDs and double letters craze, I'm still trying to figure out the difference between my regular moisturizer, tinted moisturizer, foundation, primer, beauty balm, etc. (eventhough BBs promise to prime, perfect, correct, and moisturize, among many other miracles, I still won't skip my regular moisturizer). So instead of piling them one after another one, it'll usually depend on the kind of day I'm having. If I'm late or in a rush I'll usually apply tinted moisturizer or a BB. If I'm getting ready for a long night out, I'll take my time to prime, conceal with my Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in 01 Light Neutral, and apply my regular Clinique Even Better in Ivory 03 foundation.
For a glowing look after a long night out, try Laura Mercier's foundation primer radiance.
On the subject of BBs, I'm not exaggerating when I say I've tried at least half a dozen brands. Dr. Jart, Bobbi, Dior, Garnier, Smashbox, and L'Oréal (I'm forgetting a couple) and finally found the best one for my newly acquired skin type. Luckily for my pocket it was one of the cheapest, but the results were unbelievable. Maybelline's Dream Pure BB is my BaBy (get it?)
There are two products featured on this post I've been using since 2001. Clinique's Loose Powder Transparency 03 is one of them. I'm still reluctant to go mineral on this one.
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| Image Property of clinique.com |
Goodbye blush! Hello bronzers, cream blush and highlighters!
I will usually keep all of the above in stock. Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks are dazzling, but my recent fave without a doubt is Urban Decay's NAKED Flushed, bronzer, highlighter and blush (this last one, I'll apply only on the apples of my cheeks, contrary to my daughters advice of rubbing my entire face with it) all three in one beautiful versatile palette.
I'm still torn when it comes to mascara. What can I say of Chanel's Inimitable, the name pretty much sums it all up! But I must admit lately I've been tempted by Diorshow's Blackout and Benefit's They're Real, so as usual my best advice would be, when in doubt...pile them all on!
I will literally buy 3 of these at a time and use each one up in less than a month. I am addicted to Benefit's BADgal liner. Just bare the following word in mind when purchasing mascara and eyeliner: WATERPROOF.
The second product on this post I've been using since 2001 is my Sephora Lipgloss 20. It gives you just the right amount of shine and color, doesn't taste funny and will last for hours. I'm always freaking out they'll discontinue it so I keep re-stocking (hoar-der!).
Whenever I'm feeling bolder and daring and want to flaunt my come hither pout I go for MAC's Ruby WOO. I've been through my Russian Red and Viva Glam I phase, but for now, whoever Ruby is, she's my gurl!
Last but not least, invest in a good set of brushes. Sephora carries a wide variety of their own brand but suggests five essentials to get you started: liner brush, shadow, blush, foundation and concealer brush and powder brush. Though I now realize the importance of applying the right product with the correct brush I confess I can't give up on my sponges, my fave both for blending and foundation are Sonia Kashuk (Target).
To avoid breakouts remember to clean your brushes periodically. I usually do it once every 3-4 weeks. However, I should probably be doing it as much as once a week. If you can't get your hands on one of the cleansing products recommended below, try Johnson's Baby Shampoo, and log on to YouTube or Pinterest to search for tutorials in brush cleansing.
I couldn't end this post with my regular book rec, so if this post was no help, let the experts talk: ladies meet the makeup bible by none other that the makeup guru and one of my personal faves: Bobbi Brown.
If you allow me one final observation, I Just wanted to make clear, none of the products and brands I promote on this post or any post for that matter on LADV pay me to do so. I endorse these products by personal choice and experience, and only because I have used them, trust them, love them and swear by them!
Drop a line or two to let me know about your personal beauty & makeup faves!!!
XO!
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