WHAT I WORE - This Week In Face

Hey There!

My face products don't vary much. I always use a powder, bronzer, blush and a lippie. It keeps it simple. I said this week, but this has actually been my face for the last two weeks!

I love my MAC Studio Fix in NC42. 

That's not a surprise. I've been using 2 bronzers this month. I've been using my NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny (cult fave) and my e.l.f. Glow in Bronzed. Sunny has been my everyday bronzer and Bronzed has been my "let's go out" bronzer. I'm sad to say that haven't used my "let's go out" bronzer nearly as much as I'd like.

My cheeks have been simple. I've been using my NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in Pink Cheek Glow. It's a soft pink color for me. Just a hint of color really. And when I need more color, I've used my Sonia Kashuk blush in Spice. This one is more of a deeper pink. You just need the smallest amount!

I mentioned going out and when you go out, you need a highlighter! I also gave my coworkers a treat during the week and wore my e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in Pink Diamonds. Careful! This is a BAM! highlighter and looks great. Just a touch!

My lips will amaze you. I have used 1 lipstick for two weeks. ONE!!! My Revlon Superlustrous Lipstick in Blushing Nude has been my bae (did I just type that?!). I have been loving this beautiful warm brown with a hint of pink. It's such a versatile color and I could just wear it every day (and I did!).

I mixed it up with some lip glosses. The mix and match ability of these were fantastic! I wore my new Milani Lip Gloss (with no name, so brown) and my NYX Butter Glosses in Angel Food Cake and Strawberry Parfait. My Butter Glosses are always in my purse. I love them. They smell good and the jazz up any lip color or work well alone.

So that's been my face for 2 weeks. There have been minor exceptions (link here) but this has been my face uniform. I prepare my makeup for the week on Sunday, so I should have new face colors at the end of this week (or next few weeks). Stay tuned!

NYX Intense Butter Glosses

Hey There!

Awww man! Why did I wait so long to pick these up? I know why. I purchased a few NYX Intense Butter Glosses (or whatever they were called) a few years back and they were thick, unflatteringly staining and terrible colors. I tossed the ones that I purchased. But, I am in love with the regular NYX Butter Gloss and I was willing to take a chance.

And bay-bee! I am so glad that I did. I purchased three fantastic colors; Chocolate Crepe, Toasted Marshmallow and Spice Cake. They are deeper, darker colors that will work better in the fall but I can sheer them out. It's not a problem.

They are smooth and creamy and smell like a dream! They aren't as sweet vanilla smelling as the regular Butter Glosses but they still sweet - cake batter smell. They wear well and last a long time! They do stain so you can put it on and then do a brief touchup later. I love it.

So now that I have test driven these, I plan on trying some others shades out. Tres Leche and Napoleon may end up in my home!

Have you tried these out yet? Why not? You need to run to ULTA, Walgreens or CVS and try them out!

Downsizing

Hey there!

You see that big bag 'o stuff? Well, I decided to clean out my makeup containers a few weeks ago. I needed to downsize.

Don't yell out in shock and amazement! I know that you see NYX lip glosses and CK One mascaras. If you look close enough, you will see some items that I review and hated (Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain and Victoria Secret Metalized eye shadow).

Before I discovered that you can take items back to certain stores, I kept everything, whether I liked it or not. Before I thought about passing products that didn't work for me, along to friends and family, I just piled things in containers and hoped they'd go away.

They didn't.

They stayed right where I left them.

A few weeks ago, I got a wild hair and decided that anything I didn't love or use often had to go. That included eyeshadows, lipsticks, samples, everything. It was hard to do (in some cases) but I let go of a lot -- 2 gallon sized bags of stuff. My friends had a field day! They benefitted from my naiveté. That won't happen again (well, not in to this magnitude).

Now I know better. I know that when you shop at drug stores and those 2 big retail chains, you can return stinky mascara and moisturizers that didn't work. Moreover, I figured out ways to see what colors are the best match for my skin tone and avoid bad products BEFORE I purchase them. I decided that I wasn't going to go with things that were pretty, or items that I need to complete a set. I wasn't going to purchase all 6 of the new lip glosses in the line. I began to really research and read the reviews before going to the store. And, I decided to TRUST them!

Many of the reviews are from folks that have a makeup obsession like myself. I've learned which blogs and YouTube videos are from folks that are like me -- some are my complexion, some are my age and most tend to like what I like. If they say something doesn't work for them, I don't have to play around and think it will work for me -- especially if SEVERAL of them don't like it. And, if more than 2 people like something, I might like it too.

Even then you can end up at home with a lip gloss that is 2 shades lighter than it appears. Instead of putting them into the back of the drawer and hoping for the best, I instantly "phone a friend" and offer them the gift. I now test products with disposable wands and spatulas. Extreme I know but I try quite a few makeup products and you are bound to get some duds! This way, I can pass them along.

So folks, you should NEVER see 2 bags like this again.

Sorry Island Girl and Mel B.

TAG: What’s My Face Worth

I was reading through my beauty blogs and came across the "What's My Face Worth?" tag. I have to admit, I got a little scared. I don't feel that I wear a lot of makeup or that I spend a lot on it (well, never mind) but I as I saw from others, the cost can add up. I thought it would be interesting to see how much I spend on my everyday face products. It's probably scary!

So, I made a list of what I wore Tuesday morning and priced it out for you. The prices listed are the normal prices at the stores that I purchased them from. It doesn't include coupons or sales or samples and y'all know I like those!

  

Who can start their beautification process without concealer? Not me, that's for sure. I begin everyday with it. Right now I'm using Bare Minerals Concealer in Tan2 ($20). I then pull out my NYX Eye Shadow Base, skintone ($6). I just began using BB cream in the past 30 days but think I'm gonna love it! I am using the Lancôme BB Cream in 6 caramel right now ($45). I don't feel comfortable with just bb cream alone so I do a quick sweep of Bare Minerals Original Foundation ($27).

  

Then I take a sip of coffee or two or I may pick out a pair of earrings and I put on some Maybelline Baby Lips in Grapevine ($3.49) to moisturize my lips and get them ready for lipstick.

  

Just this December I discovered Revlon Photoready Bronzed & Chic bronzer ($7.99) and fell in love. It's the perfect bronze for my skin. I'm currently using my Sonia Kashuk Beauty Blush in 52 Spice ($9.79) This too was a surprise find. Sometimes taking chances works out.

  

I've been testing Milani Brow Fix in 02 ($6.99) and like it. The brow powder is a bit redder than I like but I can blend it and make it work. The highlighter that it's paired with is a great color. It's just enough sparkle and a good color for the brow bone. To complement my fabulous brows (well, I think so) I've been using the Wet n Wild eye trios ($2.99). My faves right now are Knock on Wood and Walking on Eggshells. I also add a swipe of Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick ($3.97) and some Almay Intense i-color Purple Amethyst Eyeliner ($4.99).

  

I've been trying the trick I saw on YouTube to keep my eyeliner in place. When I add my Bare Minerals Well Rested ($18) under my eyes I make sure that I get it close to eyeliner. It's supposed to help minimize oils under your eye. Works so far. I add some Jordana Best Lash mascara ($3.99) on my lashes, fill in my lips with a Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Pencil ($6.29) and add a touch of Revlon Pinkisimo ($7) gloss over that and whaa-la! Perfection.

Well, close, you know.

And the total cost for perfection? $173.49

Not bad considering the many of the products last at least 6 months. Some items last as long as a year so doing some quick math, we're talking about $.63/day.

Now THAT's not bad!

Valentine's Day Chocolate

My first thought was to post about red lipsticks. I thought I'd do a post about 7 red lipsticks and tell you what I thought of them.    

But then I remembered. I don't like red lipsticks. I like fuchsia and I can work a reddy brown but I'm not really partial to red. I'm a brown or nude kinda girl. I can go for a warm brown shadow or cocoa colored lip maybe even a chocolaty bronzer on my cheeks. 

Not red. Not really. 

But chocolate...hey wait minute!!

You probably don't know this but I loooove chocolate. I love hot chocolate, milk chocolate brownies, even white chocolate candy. So, it's understandable that I'd wear it on my face. 

Of course!

So these are some of my favorite "chocolates".

My face has fallen in love with the Revlon Photoready Bronzer in 100 Bronzed & Chic. A natural look on my skin. So pretty. My eyes are very simple. They like the Wet n Wild Coloricon trios Knock on Wood & Walking on Eggshells. Warm chocolate with a touch of pink, some deep plum and a swipe of white chocolate. I sometimes mix it up with CoverGirl Eye Enhancers single in swiss chocolate, Maybelline Expert Wear single in cinnamon spice or L'Oreal Wear Infinite Studio Secrets single in Gilded Bronze. My eyes love NYX retractable eyeliner in brown and Rimmel Scandaleyes Eye shadow stick in Bad Girl Bronze. They glide like butter (a component in cooking some of the best chocolate treats!).

Lips, you know, are the part of the body that chocolate touches first. I have my favorite candy liners by Jordana and Rimmel Exaggerate lip liners. I also like my Kate by Rimmel (Rosetto) and Milani (Candied Toffees) lipsticks. Now I know that I said I don't do red but this L.A. Colors Luscious Wine is an exception. It's a chocolaty red that is oh so pretty. I wear it when I need a strong lip color.

Now, you know I like my gloss. I have several favorite glosses, NYX Lip Cream in Buttery Nude, Femme Couture Lip Luster in Creamy Copper, Make Up For Ever Lab Shine gloss in Metal Shine M10 (a nice cherry chocolate), and Almay Liquid Lip Balms in Rosy Lipped and Truffle. They make lips feel nice and warm.

My fingers like to be dipped in chocolate as well. I've been using Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro in 200 Bare Naked and L'Oreal Collection Privee colors in doutzen's nude & juliane's nude. They are softer shades of chocolate but still just as sweet!

So there you have it. No red lips but lots of chocolate. Ahhhh, the joy of Valentine's Day. I hope your day is just as sweet.

Kisses & Chocolate!!

Concealer Revealed

I've hit pan on my bareMinerals Correcting Concealer. I've had it for almost a year and I can probably get 6 more months out of it but I thought I'd better start looking around. After all, it took me 3 weeks to decide on this one.

Yes, yes, yes, it took me 3 weeks to pull the trigger and buy my bareMinerals Correcting Concealer. I don't have a lot of spots on my face. I do have side burns though. Kinda. Well, I have several wayward hairs that grow out of the side of my face and the skin around each hair has discolored. It doesn't really bother me but I think when I wear makeup it takes away from the finished look.

A little over a year ago I went into Sephora for my bareMinerals powder foundation and I played in the concealer. I tried 2 or 3 and then walked away. A week later I went back in, played in the concealer and took a sample home. I wore my sample for another week and liked the finished look so I decided to make my purchase.

Now that I've been playing in makeup for another year, I've seen several people talk about their favorite brands so I decided I'm going to look at other brands of concealers. No, I'm not displeased with my bareMinerals but I thought I could possibly be more pleased with another.

So far I've played with a couple that I'm not too wild about and 1 that's a contender. I'll continue to play with the Cover FX Cream Concealer. I've used my little sample for almost 4 weeks and I still have about that much remaining. I nearly balked at the $27 (.33 oz) price tag (even though I paid $20 for .07 oz of the bareMinerals) but then you have to remember that the tiny tube will last you 1 year to 18 months. Once I remembered that, it made it much easier to swallow the pricey tag.

I have my eye on a few brands -- L'Oreal True Match looks good, NYX has one, Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat' and several more. Now, I don't promise to purchase them all (but don't you love the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat' name? I might buy it for the name alone). I do promise to try out several and let you know what I like. I'm going to try all sides of the dollar spectrum.

What do you think I should try? What should I avoid? I'm not sure how long it will take me to make a choice but I'll let you know what I choose!

My Top Products of 2013

 Happy New Year and happy new makeup products!

I love trying new products and January seems to have an onslaught of new goodies to try. But, before I try the new stuff (and oh trust me and my wallet, I will) let's take a second to sing the praises of the old stuff. You know, the holy grail stuff of 2013 that if stranded on an island...really, how does one get stranded on an island these days? And, shouldn't food and water be more important than makeup?

Anywho, my trusty 2013 products are as follows...

Philosophy Purity Made Simple - I've tried other things from Philosophy and I wasn't 100% impressed but everyone ranted and raved about the Purity Made Simple cleanser so I had to spend $10 for a trial size and see. Can you say in love? It is the best cleanser I've tried this far. It really does "melt" off eye makeup and it doesn't irritate my skin or eyes at all. I fell so hard for this product, I bought two 32oz containers from QVC when it went on sale (with flex pay).

Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki & e.l.f. Angled Blush Brush - Once you've washed your face, you need the right tools to apply your makeup. I have many, many brushes, some high end, lots of mid range, some low end but my two favorite brushes of all time are my Sigma F80 and my e.l.f. angled blush brush. Now, I don't always use my brushes for the intended purposes so in the past I just used the brushes that came with my BareMinerals foundation for everything and they worked fine. Then I purchased my Sigma F80. Shhh! Do you hear the angels singing? I did. That F80 made my foundation glide on like a dream. And the e.l.f. brush? It works perfectly for contouring bronzer.

NYX Eye shadow base, e.l.f. professional mechanical eyelash curler & Jordana Best Lash Extreme volumizing mascara - The eyes have it! I've tried a few eye shadow bases and so far NYX is my go to. I'm hesitant to try out others because my eyes are so delicate. My e.l.f. eyelash curler isn't anything special but it is the one that works best for me. Now, stand back when I talk about mascara. I have fought some battles with mascara this year and Jordana Best Lash Extreme has won the battle. I plan to try the other Jordana mascaras this year but I'm reluctant to try any other brands. I have several mascaras in my drawer now that I am complaining about!

Jordana Easyliner For Lips - I am a lip gloss girl. Lipstick is fine but I like to line my lips with a moisturizing liner and pop on some gloss. Jordana has sealed the deal for me. I only have 3 colors right now but I have several new colors in mind.

Sally Hansen Instra-dry Topcoat - Are those angels still singing? I have purchased 3 of the these for friends. I love nail color but I hated painting my nails before I got this insta-dry top coat. It's magic. You let your color dry for a few minutes, paint this on top and 5 minutes later you have nails that are 90% dry. I paint my nails at night so pulling up covers or turning off the bed lamp can be the kiss of death. Not any more! My nails look amazing the next day! I love this stuff!!

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - I have 3 containers of this; one in my purse, one next to my bed and one in my desk at work. It smells good and keeps my cuticles soft. Yes, I have tried the regular cuticle cream and that one went in the trash. It wasn't as soft, it didn't smell nearly as nice and it didn't do the job that my BB Lemon Cuticle Cream did. Stick with what you know.

And there you have it! The best of the best for 2013. Not much variety I know, but I'm a basics girl when it comes to make up. I'm sure 2014 will see me spread my wings a little and we can sit here and try new things together!

(Originally posted on 1/5/2014)