My 3-minute, 5-minute and 10-minute face!

I'm a busy mom of 5 (2 are fur babies!), currently a member of two PTAs, multiple committees, Girl Scout Troop leader, youth basketball coach, avid runner... Getting everyone out of the house on time has become a perfected art form.  Depending on how much or how less time I have in the morning, these are my go to products I reach for to get out the door quickly but still looking put together.  The idea is to not look scary...  :)

Skincare is minimal but still essential so I quickly wash my face with Avalon Organics Vitamin C cleanser or if my skin is acting reactive, I use Cetaphil.  My nighttime routine more than makes up for my morning haste.  Three to ten splashes of water to rinse and then I am on to toner which is currently and usually Witch Hazel.  I follow up with Olay complete all day moisturizer with SPF 15 and an eye cream du jour.  Puffy eyes get hit with Clinique all about eyes serum de-puffing eye massage STAT.  One minute is down.

I slap on Mayebelline dark circle eraser in light under my eyes, around my nose, dot on my chin and a line on the forehead.  I just recently purchased this at Ulta (BOGO 50% off and $3.50 off $10 coupon!) This product has a really nice finish.  I then dot some Lumene CC cream on my cheeks, upper forehead, chin, and nose.  Over the summer I was using CoverGirl ready, set gorgeous in 115 buff beige but it is just a little too dark for me right now. Both the Lumene and CoverGirl have good coverage and look very natural on the skin.  

 

I lightly mist my Real Techniques face brush with a rose water spray and blend the dots on my face in light circular motions or I used the Real Tecniques blending sponge.  Of course I have two rose water facial sprays that I rotate in between, Heritage Store Rosewater and Mario Badescu.  Heritage is typically used for my brushes, MB for a setting spray but when I am in a hurry, it's whatever I grab first!  Curling my eyelashes is essential so while I am blending my face, I am warming my Shiseido eyelash curler in my other hand.  2 minutes down.

Quickly pumping my eyelash curler on each set of lashes, I grab my blush brush and tap it into mark. just blushing in cameo.  This acts as a blush and bronzer combo for my skin tone, warming up the cheeks and around the face.  And then put a layer of mascara.  I take my time with this step, maybe 30 seconds.  Cleaning up mascara messes will take even more time so I slow a bit down for this step.  Three minutes done and I am out the door.

Now with 5 minutes, same steps as above but I will set everything with a powder, especially under the eyes with Tarte translucent powder.  I also sweep on a little NARS Translucent Light Reflecting Setting Powder all over the face and then add some bronzer.  Currently, I am trying to use up NYC Sunny. 

On to the eyes, I will swipe on a L'OREAL Infallable on the lids, most often Bronzed Taupe and line with Julep Kajal Eye Glider dual ended with brown shimmer and carbon black.  With 5 minutes, I work on my brows...  I'm loving Tarte Amazionian clay waterproof brow mousse in rich brown and the brush that comes in the set.

10 minutes allows for a semi-full eye look (I get in time trouble here most days) winged liner, Bobbi Brown corrector under my Mayeblline dark circle concealer, and I take a minute to buff in Laura Mercier mineral powder over a light coat of foundation.  Buffing this mineral powder into the skin is an important step for a flawless finish so I take my time.  I set everything with a makeup setting spray usually Mario Badescu as my skin has been a little dry but I also use one from AVON that worked amazing over the summer.

Oh and lips are done on the fly in the car!  Just a swipe of gloss, whatever is hanging out in my bag at the time.

Most days I have between 3 and 5 minutes to get ready and my makeup usually has to last all day, 8-10 hours, so these my products are my tried and true!

Products to use up by the end of 2014!!!

The "threat" of moving has passed... such is military life!  But I still feel this urge to downsize like a move is imminent.  We usually move every 3 years, and that was passed on July 2nd at our current duty station and we still have a month and a half of summer left.  I shouldn't even talk about it!  Moves can be fun, but they can also be stressful.  The kids are really excelling at school, truly gifted, and I do not want to uproot their lives at the moment...

Also...  I just made out my Sephora wishlist!  VIB by the end of the year.  I have goals people!  So since I tend to be an over achiever in the beauty department, why not plan ahead accordingly?  I will be sure to share soon. 

UPDATED!

I will start with skin care:

Previously mentioned in my current skincare post there are a few products that are more than half way done.  I want to continue using up those products.  Which shouldn't be a problem because it is really working out for me.  When my Olay night cream runs out, I will just switch to using my oils full time.  Likewise with the Olay eye cream DONE!, the Ole Heniksen will work fine day and night.

Here are some specific skin care items that I would like to work my way through as well by the end of the year:

Clinique All About Eyes Serum:  This is a nice product to depuff in the morning.  I like to slap this on right after washing my face, let it do it's magic and then follow up with an eye cream.  This product got lost in my Alex drawers.  Poor thing.

L'OREAL Youth Code Texture Perfector.  I don't really have an opinion of this.  I haven't seen any benefits of using this.  Hopefully with more consistent use, something will happen!  Stay tuned. 1/4 left to go!

Shiseido Pureness anti-shine refreshing lotion: I have a back up of this so I really need to be more consistent with its useage.  I will apply this product after cleansing and toning.  It is a salicylic acid treatment.  I have a quarter of the bottle left.  DONE!

Lotions: St. Ives Fresh Hydration Lotion Coconut Milk and Orchid Extract and Citrus and Vitamin C DONE!: These spray lotions are fun.  I'm not sure if they provide enough hydration for my skin though.  I have a lot of lotion to use up and these aren't my favorite scents.  They smell lovely but I have 2 super favorites and backups.  I'm hoping by leaving this out, I will be better about using lotion in general.  My skin gets really dried out in the summer! Stress Relief eucalyptus tea body cream and also Beach Sexy Tinted Body Lotion are both on the list to finish up as well.

Makeup:

3 foundations: L'OREAL Magic Nude Liquid Powder has about 3/4 left, Covergirl Outlast is nearing 3/4 BOTH DONE! and Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup (GAVE AWAY!) is pretty much full.  I have an obscene amount of brand new foundations lined up for winter and next summer at this and these are my 3 oldest.  L'OREAL and Covergirl are too light, Neutrogena is too dark/pink.  Neutrogena was a Bzz Agent #Gotitfree product that is quite nice but the color match is off. I'm hoping I can whip up a good color match by mixing.  This will be a tough area for me since I am really loving the Covergirl Outlast mixed with L'OREAL Lumi in W3.  It's perfection!  Well at least I will finish one foundation.  :)

Concealers: Maybelline FitMe in Light and Fair.  I really like these concealers.  It's strange that initially I did not.  However, I have many more in my drawer to use up as well.  I always know I can come back to FitMe ones though!  They are getting older and it's time to use them up. BOTH DONE!

Corrector:  I was going to list the Covergirl Olay corrector but who am I kidding.  It will never be used up in 2014.  However my Bobbi Brown in Light Bisque already has pan showing. MAJOR PAN! I really want to use this up and pick up the Armani Master Corrector which has been on my list for probably 2 years now.

Mascara: I have 2 more samples of Urban Decay Curling mascara to use up after an Almay intense I-color volumizing mascara and a water-proof L'OREAL Lash Out Butterfly mascara.  That should be plenty for less than 6 months.  ALL DONE!

Eyeliners:  My entire drawer basically but for immediate use Cailyn Gel Eyeliner Blue.  This gel liner is smudge proof and water resistant.  Should be perfect for the summer!  I picked up the blue at my first and only IMATS 2 years ago!  Eek!  I probably shouldn't even use it.

Bronzer:  Sonia Kashuk undetectable cream bronzer in warm tan.  I have hit pan on this beauty and absolutely love it.  However, it is a cream product so it is not going to last long.  I bought it last summer.  DONE!

Primers: L'OREAL Revitalift Miracle Blur and Clarins Instant Smooth are getting pretty old.  I also have 2 illuminating primers; Boost-It Instant Complexion Enhancer and L'OREAL Magic Lumi, equally in the aging cosmetic department.  The illuminating primers will work well with the 3 semi-matte foundations that I'm trying to use up!

Other random samples:

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Corrector
Too Faced Primed and Poreless
Lorac POREection mattifying face primer
Sephora Anti-shine Foundation Primer
Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm
Guerlain Essence L'Or
Benefit Big Easy (I want a full size of this so bad!!!  But I have too much right now!!!)
Peter Thomas Roth Squalane Oil

I also want to finish up a Rembrandt 2 Hour Whitening Kit.  I can only stand to do this 20 minutes at a time so I have 2 applications left! DONE!

So not a ton of products... If I get through this round quickly, I'm sure I can find more. ;)

Project 6 by Christmas!

UPDATE!

I didn't finish all 6 in each category but I did really well!  We unexpectedly traveled over the holidays and I was unable to pack everything. I will continue using the products which are not crossed off below.  There are a few challenges going around, Finish 7 by Spring, Finish 5 by Cinco de Mayo which I will be participating so look for those blog posts soon as well as a special challenge, Pan that Palette 2015 inspired by Amber F yet again!  She finished the original Urban Decay Naked palette!  More on that challenge soon but I will say that I started today!

I have been inspired by YouTube yet again, but this time in a positive way!  Well not that YouTube affects me negatively but I can some times be influenced to purchase unneeded makeup and skincare products.  Duh.

I'm not sure when this all started but I was browsing Amber F's channel and felt really inspired by her "Pan that Palette."  She has finished all but one shadow (Gunmetal) of the original Naked palette finished!  Hot damn...  I've had the palette for roughly the same amount of time, 4 years, and I have a significant dip in Virgin, a dip in Sin and uh, that's it.  All the shadows have been used of course but to see completely empty, shiny pans?  That's incredible.  And why don't I use a palette like that?  

Amber F and a bunch of other Youtuber's are doing the "6 by Christmas" tag.  Since I didn't pinpoint when the "6 by Christmas" started, I decided to pick some products that I know I can finish, not easily, but realistically in 31 days.  Yes, I know Christmas is on the 25th, but I'm going to cut myself a little slack since I'm starting late. Fair?  :)  

To keep things even more challenging...  I've chosen 6 products not only in makeup, but skincare, hair and body categories.  Oh yes, 31 days...  Only one product included is unused, the rest, are more than half to nealy finished.  I love a challenge and with a deadline within a month, it's on!

Let me first start off with products that I know will be finished by the end of the year without any fuss, products that I have been enjoying and not necessarily in a rush to finish but they are nearly empty with just a few more uses.  You know that I love me a list of products to use up:

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre

Alpha Hydrox Oil-free Treatment 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle

Pore Medic Derma@Home Peeling by Dr. Jart

Rita Hazan Root Concealer

Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial

Crabtree & Evelyn body lotion in Wisteria and Evelyn Rose

Serenity Spa Affinity Bay Ultra Relaxing Bath Tablets 

Yes to grapefruit correct & repair brightening facial towelettes

Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash

Bliss fabulous foaming face wash

2 Urban Decay mascara

Almay mascara

Out of this list, I will definitely repurchase Rita Hazaan, this is my 3rd bottle, Embryolisse, I have another Korres, and I will be needing another The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash.  I do need another at home derma product and a Glycolic treatment.  

So now on to my "Finish 6 before Christmas" makeup products

1.  CoverGirl 3-n-1 Outlast in 825

2.  L'OREAL Magic Nude LUMI in 816 Nude Beige

3.  Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque

4.  Philosophy Concealer (failed to include in photo!)

5.  NYC Sunny Bronzer

6.  Tarte Smoothe Operator Amazionian Clay Finishing Powder

All of the liquid/cream products are nearing expiration or have technically expired, 1.5-2 years...  NYC SUNY bronzer is close to pan and I was a bad girl and purchased some new products that I will be sharing with you soon! Tarte is about half way and I have a lot of other finishing powders in the wait.

There is a serious dip in this bottle!  

Now on to skincare products!  For some reason I choose a lot of primer-like items.  This will be tough.  I can't really use primers in the humidity, everything just melts so now that the weather has cooled, it is a good time to use them up.

1. L'OREAL Revitalift Miracle Blur

2. L'OREAL Youth Code Texture Perfector

3. L'OREAL Magic LUMI Light Infusing Primer

4. Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

5. Sephora Anti-Shine Primer

6. Lorac POREfection Primer

Luckily I have 2 samples, but I try not to use a lot of extra products on my skin as to not clog my pores.  I like to add the LUMI to the CoverGirl 3-n-1 which is quite matte and the Magic Blur around my eyes and on a fun little crease that is forming between my eyes...  Oh the joys of age!  I haven't quite found a benefit to using the Texture Perfector so this will be a test to see if I have some results.

Hair!  I'm usually a wash-and-go kind of gal but now that the weather is cool, blowing my hair dry is a more realistic prospect.

1. Klorane Dry shampoo

2. It's a 10 Miracle leave-in product

3. Bb Straight Blow-Dry

4. L'OREAL OleoTherapy Oil Essence

5. Living Proof prime Style Extender

6. Christophe Professional Dry Conditioner

Klorane was a birchbox sample which I have had forever, time to use it up!  It's a 10 is another product which I have 2 other smaller size bottles that I need to remember to use.  Bb Straight and Living Proof both have a couple more uses.  This month I should be able to determine which one I like more.  They both act very similar and I like the both of them!  The Christophe Dry Conditioner is really nice.  I was thinking that this was a dry shampoo but it's not for the roots.  I use it on second day hair and it really softens and seemingly moisturizes my ends without greasing things down like an oil or cream does.  I use the L'OREAL Oil essence on my ends, right out of the shower.  

Last but not least, body care!

1. Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Eucalyptus spearmint body cream- UNUSED

2. Eucerin Original Healing Soothing Repair

3. St. Ives fresh hydration

4. mark. there's a charm 3-n-1 body cleanser

5. Crabtree and Evelyn La Source Relaxing Body Lotion

6. Crabtree and Evelyn La Source Relaxing Body Wash

Lots of lotion!  Tis the dry season!  I have a lot of lotion left over from last Black Friday 2013, shopping. I didn't hit the drugstore this year.  The deals weren't really extraordinary like last year.  But don't feel sorry for me, I more than made up for it on Cyber Monday.

Ton of stuff, a ridiculous amount really, but well on their way to be finished up.  Waste not want not!

Are you participating in any of these tags?  Let me know what products you are using up!

Makeup Collection Edit Part Deux

Decluttering continues throughout the house and as I was looking through my collection, there some items I really like, but in reality, I will never use.  I'm always wanting to try new products, new colors, new formulations and these items just did not make the cut because I have similar products that I use more frequently. 

But instead of them just sitting neatly and unused in my drawers, I decided that my sister, cousin and niece would love to have them.

Wet n Wild eye shadows are one of the best in the drugstore, hence my reasoning to pick up almost the entire collection.  I did save Silent Treatment and the Gilded Age for myself as well as a couple 8 pans.  :) Also my eyes tend to water when I use them unfortunately.

I've been hesitating with the Flower Beauty quad in Smoke and Mirrors and creme eyeshadow in Orchiding Around.  While beautiful colors, the quad is a bit chalky and I can't build up the color of the creme eyeshadow to my liking.  I use my Maybelline Color Tattoos all the time and so this one sits.

These extra makeup brushes are just creating clutter.  I have plenty of other backups and brushes aren't something I have a ton of room for if they are not being used.  So here I have some e.l.f. and SOHO to go with all the eye shadow.

The 2 other palettes are filler items from my couponing adventures at Walgreens.  They are amazing shadows but I haven't touched them aside from watching and a blog post that might still be in my drafts...

The Sephora eyeshadow is a Prisma Chrome in Moon Beam which I have used one time since I bought it froma blog sale nearly 3 years ago.  Nice formulation and pigment but I have plenty of other gold eye shadows in palettes that I readily reach for instead of this one.

I have 2 swap products from Australia that I have never opened.  A lip gloss and blush.  Actually I do not like the way the blush smells so it is going in the trash!

Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powder in Brighten has some life left to it.  I just have other highlights that I use and quite honestly, most days, highlight is something don't have to even consider as a natural one creeps upon my face quite quickly in this humidity!

Same goes for the Physicians Formula Happy Booster in translucent.  Too much sparkle for this lady.

The U by Ungaro was a blush from AVON a few years back.  Super, super pigmented.  It is just too dark on my fair skin and I have too many other blushes.

The AmorePacific Color Control Compact in Tan is also too dark for me.  Such a shame because I love the feel and smell of it.  This came from a Glossybox I believe.

I hope that these products find a happy home this weekend!!!

How are you managing your makeup collection?  Is it time for an edit?

Take care!

Makeup Collection Edit

TI have been going though my Muji and Alex drawers looking for products to use up by the end of the year.  I have been stumbling upon products that I haven't touched in 1–2 years aside from re-organizing.  Such products are expired, nearing expiration, or need to be given to a better home.  

Perfect timing as we are heading out for a mini-break this weekend with family and I can re-home most of my makeup items!  Yay!  A few things need to be pitched however.  :(

Here are the items that will need to be thrown out:

First up Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Gel Cream Line is Glam Hazel Eyes and Glam Green Eyes.  I never bought the one for my blue eyes.  Lol. These have to be at least four years old.  I know that I didn't buy them in North Carolina.  They are the perfect bullet proof base.  They are amazing.

These L'OREAL stains and the YSL are very similar and all 3 have the same eerie smell and taste.  They have to go unfortunately.  They last forever on the lips too!

YSL 7

LOREAL 190 Endless Red and 183 Pink Resistance.

Next up, L'OREAL HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner.  Again, has to be at least 4 years old and is pretty much dried up at this point.  

Last but not least, a well loved favorite, Milani blush in #201 Luminous.  I have a brand new Milani. Baked Blush in Luminoso waiting for me to open up as a replacement.

Next up I will share what I will be giving away this weekend!

Current Skincare Routine

One major thing my skin likes is consistency.  I can mix in a few samples here and there, but I learned that it is not something I can do every single day.  That being said, I cannot use the same products months on end.  My skin doesn't like that either.  Or I just haven't found the right mix of products to use forever.  But what fun would that be if I never tried another product?

Let's start with my morning routine...

I start off with a cotton round soaked in Boots N7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water to remove my skincare from the night before and any residual eye makeup that might have migrated under my eyes.

I then go in with some Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and massage that all over my face, neck and décolletage.  I take a warm Muslim or face cloth and gently wipe off the cleanser and then I do my rinsing.  I hold my head over the sink and splash my face several times until I no longer feel any remaining cleansing. 

To ensure no remaining cleanser remains and to further balance the pH of my skin, I soak a cotton pad with witch hazel and go over my face, neck and décolletage.

After tonor, I follow up with Alpha Hydrox Oil-Free 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle Treatment on my face, neck and décolletage.  If I am having an active breakout, I will use Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid with Salicyclic Acid instead.  I soak and cotton pad, concentrate the product on my face and use the rest of my neck and décolletage.

For eye cream, I use Olay Regenerating eye lifting serum most mornings.  If I'm feeling puffy, I tap on Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift eye gel.

The final step is sunscreen.  Currently I use Doctor T's Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum with SPF 30. I'm running out of this product but (of course) I have 2 backups.  My first backup is Olay Professional ProX even skin tone Anti-Oxidant Sunscreen in SPF 35.  It is heavier than the Supergoop but I still like it.  

I also have Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer in SPF 50.  Super greasy though.  If I am using Cetaphil, after my Witch Hazel step, I go in with a cotton pad with Milk of Magnesia and press it on my t-tone.  I'm not convinced of MoM's oil controlling magic, but I keep trying it out anyway especially with heavy high SPF moisturizers.

Regardless of the sunscreen I use, I apply it in my face, neck and décolletage every day.

My skin is now ready for primer and foundation!

Now on to my evening routine...

I start off with removing my eye makeup with a cotton pad soaked in Nuance by Salma Hayek Cumcumber & Rosewater Dual Phase Makeup Remover.  Dual Phase means that it must be shaken to mix both layers.  Since I have been using L'OREAL lash out butterfly mascara in waterproof, I might have to go in with jojoba oil to break it down further.  It's seriously budge proof which I like because it holds my curl in the pool and at the beach.  :)

Next step I use 2 pumps of Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and I massage into my face, neck and décolletage but really concentrate and message the product into my face and t-zone for about 3-5 minutes.  I either use a Muslim cloth or a face cloth and wipe off the product and then steam my face, neck and décolletage for another 2-3 minutes.

For my second cleanse I am using a Neutrogena facial bar which I lather up, briefly massage on my face and then I go in with my cleansing brush on my face, neck and décolletage.  I have to be super careful not to get the Neutrogena in my eyes.  It burns like crazy!  If my skin is having a freak out as in allergic reaction, I will use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser day and night, followed by Witch Hazel.  

For tonor, my absolute favorite is Korres Pomegranate Tonor (see above) which I initially bought 2 bottles from Marshall's and have been looking for more ever since.  This stuff finds more dirt even after both my cleanses.  

 

Same step as above, after toning...  Alpha Hydrox Oil-Free 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle Treatment on my face and neck.  If I am having an active breakout (not allergic reaction) I will use Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid with Salicyclic Acid instead.  The only difference here is that I have Studio Beauty 35 Alpha Hydroxy Face Cream 8% AHA of 70% Solution on my décolletage to use it up.  I had this way before the Alpha Hydrox which I just recently found at TJ Maxx. 

For eye cream at night, I'm using Ole Henriksen visual truth eye creme.  I picked this up on clearance at TJ Maxx and I really like it so far.  Nothing earth shattering, but it provides adequate moisture.

My night moisturizer changes every couple of days depending in what my skin needs.  I have been using Olay Professional ProX Brightening Renewal cream which came in a set with the Even Skin Tone Anti-Oxidant Sunscreen with SPF 35.  I bought this set on clearance at CVS for $11 so I'm assuming it is discontinued.  I really like it and I will start the search for a back up.  If I need a little more moisture or if I do a clay mask, I will use Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial.

I do mix in some oils here and there.  I will do a separate post.  But same cleansing routine and treatment but I will use an oil instead of a moisturizer.

Now that I have all the products lined up in front of me, it's a lot of product!

The following products are nearing the end:

Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser

Aura Cacia Organics Jojoba Oil

Nuance Dual Phase Makeup Remover

Studio Beauty 35 Alpha Hydroxy Face Cream 

Olay Regenerating eye lifting serum

Items I will always repurchase:

Supergoop City Sunscreen Serum

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser

Witch Hazel

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Alpha Hydrox Oil-Free 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle Treatment

Korres Pomegranate Cleanser

Items I bought on clearance that I will try to find again: 

Boots N7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water has been repurchased several times at Target and have not seen it since the last one I bought on clearance. 

Olay Professional ProX even skin tone set was bought at CVS on clearance and I believe before that I saw it at Walmart on clearance. 

It's a lot but it is working and my skin looks and feels really nice.  I'm really liking this routine but as I mentioned above, a few items are almost finished so I will need to adjust slightly.

Coming up soon will be posts on the oils that are currently in rotation a couple times a week and also my cleansing masks and cloth masks that I use a couple times a week as well.  So be in the look out for those!

Hope you are well!

Midyear Makeup Wrap Up!

Even though you haven't heard from me in 3 months, doesn't mean I haven't been shopping.  I actually didn't in May and most of June.  End of the school activities and book fairs increased my volunteer hours big time.  It was like I had a full time job!  I did give myself a free pass while on vacation.

So I was thinking that since I waited until the end of 2013 to evaluate my beauty spending habits, I thought I would start a little earlier this year to hopefully steer myself in the right direction if I have been off track.

Let's see how I am doing, shall we?

1.  Concealers:

I still have the 9 that I started out with at the beginning of the year.  I have a quarter left in both Fit Me concealers in Light and Fair.  I would like to finish those by the end of the year as well as the Rimmel and Bobbi Brown Corrector.  Oh and actually open the Revlon DNA.  It's still in the package.  (Face palm.)

2.  Eyeliners:

I have pitched 2 or 3 and bought a new brown liner from AVON.  I also bought a new brow liner.  The thing with these eyeliners that most are 2-3 years old, except for the 4 liquid liners, 3 eyeshadow pencils and the 4 eyeliners I bought last year.  That being said, at the end of this year, most of these have to go unfortunately.  So I will just try to use them up as best as I can.

3.  Lipsticks:

No new purchases! Victory!  Oh wait.  Minor slip up, I wanted to try out a new AVON lip stain.  I really like them.  I purchased in the shade

4.  L'OREAL Infalliables and 5.  Maybelline Color Tattoos:

No new purchases!  In this category, since I have so many, I can't say I would be able to finish any one but Bad to the Bronze looks like a good contender to hit pan on by the end of the year.

6.  Palettes: 

Hmm, slipped a little here...  I picked up the Too Faced Chocolate Bar.  Amazing HSN sale will justify any purchase in the moment.  I grabbed Lorac Pro To go, the new 12 pan Maybelline The Nudes palette, and the limited edition WnW 8 pan in Walking the Red Carpet.  Oops, oops and oops.

7.  Powders:

No new purchases!  I need to finish up 2-3 by the end of the year.  I'm looking at NARS Reflecting Setting Powder, a sample of Makeup Forever Hi-def Powder, Physicians Formula Powder Palette in Creamy Natural and Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Finishing Powder in Nude.  More details on that later though!

8.  Mascara: 

I've used up a few of my samples.  I bought a waterproof L'OREAL Lash Out Butterfly over vacation and I'm loving it!  I also couponed for an Almay that I just found in my eyeliner drawer so I will bust that one out.  So far so good!

9.  Blush:

No new purchases.  Yes!  I still want more Milani...  Just waiting for that super sale.

10.  Bronzers/11.  Highlighters

No new purchases!  And I just hit slight pan on my Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzer in Warm Tan.  I will move that to the "Finish by the end of 2014 Pile."

12.  Foundations/ 13. BB creams

I've finished a couple in the category and discarded a few old ones.  My foundation drawer is still bursting.  (Hangs head in shame.) Newly acquired as of July 2014:

Foundations:

Discarded 1 (3 more as well soon for various reasons), finished 1, acquired 6. (if you are doing the math it's only +1!)

1. CoverGirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous in 115 Buff Beige.  Absolutely love it and wore it everyday on vacation.  Super easy slap on and go product.
2. L'OREAL True Match Lumi in W3, Nude Beige.  40% off Rite Aid sale and a coupon, so I caved.  I want to love this foundation for some reason.  This is the 3rd shade I have tried (N1-2, W1-2 were the 2 others).  The color looks off when I initially put it on but when I look at my face an hour later it looks amazing, 2 hours later, shine bomb.  I mix it with Covergirl Outlast and it is a perfect combination.
3.&4. Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation in (of course I need 2 shades) 20 Classic Ivory and 40 Nude.  I haven't tried them yet.  I had to grab these quick during a shopping trip to Wegmans over vacation along with The Nudes palette.  Total vacation/new display purchase.

This is getting ugly... but the next two were, gulp, gifts?

5.&6.  Bourjois Healthy Mix in 52 Vanilla (winter shade) 53 Beige Clair (hopefully my summer shade).  I just received these in the mail from a friend who was visiting the UK.  Since I actually finished up a Healthy Mix earlier this year, I needed a replacement for pretty much my all time favorite foundation

BB/CC Cream:

Discarded 2 due to separate skin reactions, returned 1, finished 1, acquired 1.

1. Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in light/medium.

Eek!  I know, it's a bad, bad foundation hoarding situation.  I will forever be looking for that perfect base but stick a folk in me, I'm done for the year.

Technically speaking I have a mix of winter and summer shades as well as a transition/fall shade.

Summer:
L'OREAL Lumi in W-3
Bourjois Healthy Mix in 53
Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch in 40

Winter:
Bourjois Healthy Mix in 52
Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch in 20

Transition/Fall:
CoverGirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous in 115 Buff Beige

Breakout/treatment:
Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in light/medium since it contains Salicylic Acid.  Totally necessary. 

So it doesn't look that bad now that I broke it down for specific use, right?  :)

14. Primers:

I've finished up a couple samples but still have a few more to go.  Primers are something I use infrequently now that it is summer and all I'm doing is chasing kids around and running.  But I've purchased Rimmel Stay Matte Primer which I absolutely love and NYX Angel Veil which I haven't officially tried yet but feels a lot like Hourglass.  I still have half a bottle or so of L'OREAL Revitalift Miracle Blur which I use around my eyes which I think that they have a specific Miracle Blur for that now and I have a sample of Clarins Instant Smooth that is thick and heavy but good at smoothing over pores. 

 So here is everything, 6 months into 2014.  Not too bad right?  The foundation situation is a little cray cray.   But if you re-read my explanation above, it makes total sense.  Oh and I just remembered that my mom bought me the L'OREAL Lashout Butterfly mascara in waterproof and the NYX Angel Primer when I took her to Ulta for the first time over vacation.  Thank you mom!

Palettes wise, I'm good, forever.

I'm still pulling together a few (it is going to be a lot) products that I want to realistically finish by the end of 2014 to keep my makeup and skincare collection in a healthy rotation so that old products/products on the way to expiration are being used.

I'm glad I did this midyear check in.  Hopefully it will help me stay focused!!!  I have a wish list a mile long but waste not, want not!

What have been your makeup splurges this year?

Current Summer Foundation Routine

I am forever trying out foundations and foundation combinations to battle the hot and humid coastal NC climate.  When I lived in VA I thought that was humidity.  It's at another level just a few hours South!

Here is what I am currently using and have been absolutely loving for the last couple of weeks.  I have them out on my bathroom sink area so they are in easy reach.  (I am currently re-doing my makeup area and painting my vanity/old small kitchen table...more on that project later!)

My current moisturizer is Doctor T's Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum with SPF 30 PA+++ which I smooth over my face, neck, and décolletage.  The Supergoop! Serum provides adequate moisture without oiliness so when I was in MA and NY without the humidity, I really didn't need the extra primer.  But down here, next up is Rimmel Stay Matte Primer for days I truly need extra shine free protection.  This primer does contain talc which irritates many.  I try not to use it everyday, just in case.  I've even used this without foundation over it and it makes my skin look really nice, smoothing over pores.

Now on to my foundation base.  I use 1.5 to 2 pumps of Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-n-1 in 825 Buff Beige which is slightly too light for me right now and 1 pump of L'OREAL True Match Lumi in W3 Nude Beige which is slightly too dark.  This is a magical combination.  Covergirl Outlast is a medium to full coverage foundation with a semi-matte finish.  L'OREAL Lumi is a light to medium coverage foundation with a natural to luminous finish.  Mixing them is perfection for my combo/oily skin.  It instantly covers, looks flawless, but not over the top for day wear despite the heat and humidity.  I initially buff with a foundation brush and then go over my face with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge to blend out everything perfectly.  

After foundation, I smooth on a tiny bit of Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer and let that sink in before I apply concealer.  For concealing I use 2 shades of Maybelline Fit Me.   I use the shade light around my nose, blemishes and initially under my eyes.  I tap with a brush or my fingers and again blend everything with a beauty sponge.  For highlighting, I go in with the shade fair under my eyes, down the nose, a little on the chin and forehead.   Tap it in with my fingers and I then bounce the beauty sponge over that to blend everything in.

For bronzing/contouring, I apply Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzer.  This goes in the hollows on my cheeks which I then blend up into my temples and then perimeter of my forehead and a little blended down the neck as well. I apply using either the Real Techniques Contour brush (great choice as I just looked at the brush to figure out the name!) or the elf Small Stipple Brush.  I then go back in with the beauty sponge.

With a large powder brush, I pick up a decent amount of my NARS Translucent Light Reflecting Powder and press that on to my face concentrating in the t-zone.  I then use Young Blood Hi-DEF Translucent powder under my eyes to set my concealer just so I can use it up.  Sometimes I put a little on my forehead, nose and chin as well with a Real Techniques setting brush.  (And I just realized I have two RT setting brushes. Nice.)

Lastly and most importantly, setting spray!  As of this week, I am hooked on AVON's makeup setting spray.  Love it!  It almost has a tightening effect which I can appreciate and it seals everything in nicely.  Before this discovery I was holding on to my last few sprays of Urban Decay de-Slick which I can honestly say does virtually nothing for my oily skin but takes down the powdery look.  I had also been using the Heritage Store Rose Petals Rosewater which can be just a touch too dewy.  I'm going to put this away until fall/winter.

I'm really liking this combination of products.  The foundation combination provides a great color match which I always struggle with as well as lasting power in the humidity.

What products are you loving for the summer?

Hope you are well!

Where have you been?

That is the question!  And I have a good answer.  I have been running.  Not away from anything in particular, but it started with walking a rambunctious puppy 3-4 times a day and it turned into training for a half marathon.  Let me back up...

I've always been a runner, but I just took the last 8 years off.  I ran for a few months a couple of years ago but it didn't stick.  Now it's back to a full fledged addiction.  I attempted to run a 5k with my son who was riding a bike with training wheels on April 4th.  I had to start at the back of the pack with the strollers.  It was a trail run and I was never able to move to a full run until after the turn around and I felt this explosion.  It didn't last long as my son's training wheel slipped off the trail and he tipped over...  (He was fine.)

I quickly signed up for another "real" (with a time chip) 5k on May 17th with my husband.  I only got 5 training runs in before that first 5k but I felt amazing after crossing the finish line.  Then I joined a running group which has given me access to trainings, information on local runs, advice, and most importantly, motivation to keep... running. 

I completed my first 10k on June 7th, another 5k on the 4th of July and an 8k on the beach this past Saturday.  We also signed up for a half marathon on September 20.  I also want to register for 2 more, one in October and one in November.  It's a pretty ambitious schedule but I'm up for the challenge!

I certainly did not foresee running a half marathon this year!  Running a full marathon has always been on my unofficial bucket list.  We will see how the half marathon(s) go and I will re-evaluate. 

Now that we got that cleared and out of the way...

We also went on a 3 week, 2 state adventure visiting family and friends and celebrating a retirement, a couple of birthdays, a graduation and the 4th of July.  We cut down trees, did some landscaping, hiked on the AT, toured some historical places, moved my sister from Boston to the 'burbs, visited a couple state parks and put about 1,000 miles on our vehicle in the process.  It was an amazing time being able to hang out with our families and friends who we only get to see a couple times a year for a couple of days a pop.  Military life...

I packed up all my samples and finished nearly everything in those 25 days.  I also finished a BB cream and a foundation as well!  Yay!  So this has prompted me to collect a few items that I want to finish up by the end of 2014.  I have 6.5 months.  Woohoo! 

Be on the look out for those items soon!  So far I have a BB cream, a cream bronzer, a foundation, a few primers and mucho skincare items and I'm going to look around for a couple more things and put together a post! 

The hubby just arrived home from work and it's time to go for a run!  7 miles tonight.  Wish me luck.  It's hot out.  :)

Camping Trip!

So this weekend I am participating in a Girl Scout Camporee with my daughter and of course thought I would share with you what I am bringing in the makeup department.  It's not much but we are talking extreme essentials here.

Sorry for the blurry photo.  My electronics are currently crashing/malfunctioning at the moment.  Lovely times!

But for makeup, I obviously do not want to go overboard whilst relaxing in the great outdoors but I don't want to scare off the children when I stumble out of my tent in the morning either.  So I will go overboard anyway...  I packed Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Cream for coverage.  I also have a tiny sample size of the Supergoop! CC Cream if I run out of BB Cream.  I also brought my 2 favorite concealers du jour, Maybelline Fit Me in Light & Fair.  Oh and Bobbi Brown corrector in Light Bisque.  NYC blushable Crème Stick in 648 Mauvin' Uptown is unfortunately discontinued I believe but is perfect for just a subtle amount of color without looking over done.  I also have a small sample size of YoungBlood Hi-Def Translucent Powder to set everything.  Perfect tiny size.  And my eyelash curler.  I don't leave home without it.  Last but not least Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum and a couple Real Techniques brushes because I apply my makeup with brushes on a camping trip apparently.  :)

For skincare, I am keeping it super basic.  I have a travel size bliss foaming face wash which I just received in the mail in a travel kit from sister for my birthday!  Thanks Liss!  I also have some chapstick moisture hydration lock, NIVEA lotion, Neutrogena Clear Face and Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen (gotta have my sunscreen!), Nuance Smoothing Eye Cream, Clinique all about eyes serum (morning puffy eyes be gone!), witch hazel wipes, sample Bumble and bumble shampoo and conditioner packets, Kiehl's midnight recovery concentrate, some cotton buds and rounds and tissues.

And that's it!  I can keep it simple, sort of...

Hope you are having a good weekend!

Week 17: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box-Weekend Holiday Travel Edition

We traveled over the weekend to visit family on Easter.  This is what I packed!  Since I am heading again this weekend, I just continued to use what I packed. 

Currently I am using the Thirty-One Deluxe Beauty Bag which is currently a Hostess Exclusive.  I think with a $200 party you can purchase this for $25.  When I purchased this bag it was only available in 2 prints.  It holds a lot of stuff and I like that it has a larger pocket to hold brushes and hair tools.

Only tried and true come with me on vacations.  I try to pack light...  ;)  The 3 pockets at the top are very small and snug but work well so that you only have space for a couple small items which are visible and easily accessible.  So I have some NIVEA lotion for hands, body and face if I need it.  I also packed my Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, Rose Salve, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery and Burt's Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter.

 The next longer and deeper horizontal has a little more wiggle room. Here I put some hand sanitizer wipes, witch hazel wipes for my face, cotton buds, exfoliating cotton rounds, Urban Decay de-Slick, wide tooth comb and some perfume samples. 

The larges pocket at the bottom of the bag has a clear zip pocket in the front perfect for makeup brushes, tweezers, nail file etc...

(My lovely camera or computer or both have decided not to cooperate and import photos at the moment so I will describe the rest of what I packed! Will update later.)

Inside this pocket also has expandable holders which are good for larger bottles of lotion, hair brushes etc.  I packed my Evian facial spray, Bath and Body Works aromatherapy sleep body cream in lavender and chamomile, ceramic round brush, and L'OREAL Miracle Blur.  I also packed the 2 mesh pockets on either side.  Left side contains deodorant (not my favorite, I ran out of Donna Karan Cashmere mist), hand sanitizer, Bumble and bumble Bb Straight Blow Dry, Guerlain L'OR, Clinique Skin Supplies for men face scrub (works for ladies too!) and hand sanitizer.  Right pocket has Supergoop! SPF 30 City Sunscreen Serum (which I am obsessed with), L'OREAL Magic LUMI Primer, Clinique all about eyes serum, Nuance Smoothing Anti-Aging Eye Cream and Urban Decay b6 spray.

The outside pockets so far have a travel size L'OREAL EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner, Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash and seventh generation boosts clearing with tea tree skin serum.  and I have room to add more if I see something last minute.

Now for makeup:

I really wanted to pack minimal and use one makeup bag.  This blue and white strips bag is from a Hautelook sample bag which they offer a couple times a year.  It's a really nice, lined bag and it has held up impressively.

Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix.
BB Cream: Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox
Concealers: Bobbi Brown corrector, Maybelline Fit Me in 10 Light, 15 Fair and Magic Lumi Highlighter.
Powders: Laura Mercier Mineral Powder in Real Sand (might be too yellow, jury is out), tarte Smooth Operator for setting Concealer
Primer: Smashbox for face, Jesse's Girl and Stay Don't Stray for lids
Eyes: Maybelline Color Tattoos in 250 Nude Pink, 95 Sleek & Spice and 25 Bad to the Bronze, L'OREAL Infallibles in 405 Pink Sapphire and 888 Iced Latte (high lighter), LORAC Pro to go and Maybelline Sunbaked Neutrals
Mascara: L'OREAL Butterfly and Urban Decay supercurl curling mascara
Face: LORAC Pro To Go for the blush and bronzer.  Nice palette. MAC Taupe Shape for contour
Lips: WnW ColorIcon lipliner in Brandy Wine, Milani lipsticks in 27 Dulce, 21 Sangria, L'OREAL 183 Pink Resistance
Brows: Anastasia Clear Brow Gel and ybf automatic eyebrown pencil in universal taupe

It's a lot but that's how I roll!

So this is the makeup I used last week and currently in use this week.  And again I am packing for another weekend trip and will update you on that project!

Happy week 17 to you!

Week 15 Results

What I started out with was what I ended up with this week!  First time ever!  :)

 

My favorites this week:

Definitely Dr. Jart+.  I love this BB Cream.  Still loving Guerlain L'or and Urban Decay b6 facial spray. And sadly, all 3 are quickly nearing the end!

You can see what blush I concentrated on this week.  mark Just Blushing in Kitten.  I dip my brush in Kitten and the blush below it in the shade Lovespell and mix them.  Kitten has some glitter/shimmer and gives a nice highlight.

Left: mark. Just Blushing Lovespell Right: mark. Just Blushing Kitten

 

 

I don't need a lot of color on my cheeks as they are naturally flushed and as my foundation breaks down during the day, which inevitable, I do not need the extra color!

Week 16: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

Week 16 is Spring Break Makeup Edition...

but not the Spring Break that you may be envisioning in your head...  those days are over!

But still, minimal makeup.  This week it's all about BB cream, bronzer and sweep of Maybelline color tattoo across the lid whilst I tackle my to do list and finish up some Spring Cleaning projects around the house!

Foundation:  Sticking with Bourjois Healthy mix in 52 this week lightly on the cheeks for more coverage.

BB Cream:  Pond's Luminous Finish BB cream.  I really like this product.   It doesn't hold up in humidity but since this week the temps have dropped, it is working out very well!

Powder: Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder in Naturally Neutral 07-11.  The perfect setting powder.

Bronzer: Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzer in 41 Warm Tan.

Eye:  Maybelline Color Tattoos.  Any shade will do this week but I'm sure I will stick to neutral colors!

Lips: CO Bigelow Rose Salve.  My lips love this stuff.

Skincare:  Same as last week and the previous week.  To recap:

My Garnier cleansing oil has one more use as of last night.  But I cleanse with that first to remove makeup, dirt, oil.  I follow up by cleansing with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.  I may do a honey mask at this point.  I break open a vitamin E capsule and smear that under my eyes to tackle some fine lines.  Leave on 10-15 minutes. Then, with a witch hazel soaked cotton round, I go over my face and neck, maybe my chest.  I let the witch hazel dry.  I spritz my face, neck and chest with Evian facial spray to moisten the skin.  In my hand I start off with a squeeze of avocado oil, maybe a dime size?  To it, I add 2-3 drops Tea Tree Oil and 2 drops Sibu buckthorn seed oil and I press the mix on my face, neck and chest and the remaining on my shoulders.

I'm almost out of Avocado oil but I do have some Jose Maran Argan Oil Light, Rose Hip Oil and Tarte Maracuja Oil in the wait.  Oh I use Maracuja oil around my eyes as well!


Pretty boring week!  :)

But I am also packing for a weekend Easter road trip so I will take you along during that process!

Week 14 Results/Weekly Favorites

I already described in detail here about my weird skin reaction last week.  So my favorites definitely were my skin care products that saved my skin and my Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast Foundation saved the day as well covering up my redness/irritation.

To Recap:

Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil: to dissolve makeup, sweat, dirt, SPF
Cetaphil: to gently cleanse the skin
Trader Joe's Organic Raw Honey: to moisturize, calm the skin, unclog pores and provide some antibacterial relief
Witch Hazel: (not pictured, I'm using the Target Brand right now) to tone and balance the pH of my skin, reduce redness and soothe my irritated skin
Evian facial spray:  I like to use this after toning to moisten the skin which facilitates the absorption of the oils I put on my face in the next step
Avocado oil: a pure, non-irritating (to me!) Vitamin E rich oil to mix with buckthorn oil and tea tree oil and to provide much needed moisturization
Tea tree oil: for disinfecting and soothing my irritated skin
sibu buckthorn seed oil:  This is good for eczema, dermatitis, rosacea and other issues, like what I am going through right now!  :)

For makeup I concentrated on only using what had been remained untouched in two makeup bags for months:

Maybelline Sunbaked Neutrals palette.  Why I have kept this gem hidden in a never used makeup bag is beyond me.  This tiny palette is a powerhouse. It's not Urban Decay buttery but this is a perfect travel palette and you have everything you need, highlight shade, matte crease colors...

 

 

Rimmel Match Perfection 2-in-1 concealer & highlighter 125 fair.  I love, love, love this concealer.  It blends out nicely and is the perfect consistency.  

I added a couple extras because my skincare took up a lot of my getting ready time...

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils in Rehab and JuJu.  The are swatched in the same order (left to right).

The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils to not budge as soon as the set.  So I will always reach for these when the weather/humidity heats up or for a 2 minute makeup look. 

The Maybelline Sunbaked Neutrals Palette layered nicely over Bad to Bronze.  It is by far my favorite Color Tattoo.

What is your favorite Maybelline Color Tattoo?