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?