Tag: routine

My Summertime Makeup Routine

My mornings are always rushed. When will I ever learn? But one thing I have mastered is a quick makeup routine. I’ve been so pleased with this set of products that I couldn’t resist sharing. And not to mention this whole thing takes me less than five minutes (4:26 minutes this AM thanks to my handy Apple Watch stopwatch).

After using my favorite Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion Sunscreen With Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (which is oddly moisturizing), I apply Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Warm Radiance, a medium peach beige/ for medium complexions with pink undertones. It camouflages my hyper-pigmentation without a heavy or cake-y looking coverage. I just apply with my fingers, but a beauty blending sponge would also work well.
Next, I brighten under my eyes with NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Honey. Normally I don’t care for matte finish but this works nicely with the illuminating tinted moisturizer and it has great staying power. Sometimes I use a brush to blend this in, but usually I apply just with my fingers. I also do some spot coverage on blemishes if necessary if the tinted moisturizer doesn’t cut it on its own.
One of my favorite new products of the season is the Laura Mercier J’adore Le Soleil Sunrise Highlighter Crayon. I apply two stripes under my cheek bones and blend upward for just a wash of color – very sun-kissed and natural. Also, a little on the eyelids adds a touch of color.
Another favorite find of the summer is BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured Crème Highlighter in Moonstone. I tap a little bit of this under my eyes, down my nose and above my cupid’s bow. It also adds a nice touch under the brow. The cream consistency allows for such a natural and “grown up” highlighter application.
I’ve really embraced a bold brow lately and have been using two products to get the look. First, I use the brush end of Dior Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil in Universal Shade to tame any unruly, rogue hairs. Next, I use the pencil to fill in any sparse spots. Lastly, I set the shape and add color with LASHFOOD BROWFOOD Tinted Brow Enhancing Gelfix in Brunette. It has a peptide blend promises to deliver fuller, stronger brows. While I have only been using it for a couple weeks, I am hopeful about some of my sparse spots getting some growth. Will keep you posted.
I am still hooked on Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper. Nothing has quite the precision and staying power. I apply a quick and thin line right against my lashes. I did try the brown shade, Mad Max Brown. But it had no where close the pigment and ultimately went into the trash can.
Last but not least, I use Lancôme DÉFINICILS WATERPROOF High Definition Mascara in Black. I am a waterproof mascara devotee – I just get way too much fallout with regular mascara. I make every effort to get the brush right against the lashes at the root for the best effect.

Lastly, I got a peel today by the fabulous Gabriel Horn here in Tulsa. It promises no downtime which I love in the middle of the work week. I will pop back in and share results in a couple of days.

Happy Friday and Some July Favorites

Funny thing about routines – they are a comfort. We roll around to another end of a week and a turn of the monthly calendar. I long for autumn days and an upcoming trip to California, but I know I should enjoy the pool weather while I can. I also know this is what makes the years fly by faster and faster but I can’t help myself. So a pause this weekend to just be with family, splash in the pool and read. Happy almost August.

Some favorites from the past month from my online shopping adventures:

image via deathtothestockphoto.com

La Prairie Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster

In the interest of full disclosure, file this under luxury indulgence. But if I am going to splurge on mega-luxe skin care, you better bet La Prairie is right at the top of the wish list. I have had the pleasure of working with this brand for years, and I am always impressed with the super nourishing and gentle formulas. Their newest, La Prairie Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster, is right along those lines and perfect for summer.

I am trying out a new retinol formula in the evenings (more on that later) but was looking for a serum step in the AM. This booster works specifically on wrinkles but I also like that there is a major hydration effect. Two pumps and some massage action – one of the things that can wake this night owl up – fights lines in just two weeks. I have used the booster for about a month and I can tell a difference. But since my lines are fairly fine, I notice more of a general radiance.

The secret is an active delivery system that dives deep. That same system also works on enlarged pores (maybe what is improving my glow). When I need to take a break from my Vitamin A routine, I am glad to know this is great in the evenings as well. My dry skin requires a moisturizer after but those with drier skin might be fine with this alone.

pr samples and affiliate links may be included in the above post

Skin Care Update

It has been a while since I shared my routine, so I thought I would fill you guys in with the products I use nightly. But first a side note: I’ve started washing my hair and showering at night and it has transformed my routine. No overheating while I rush to blow dry my hair in the morning. My skin soaks in all those lovely body oils and I wake up with hydrated skin. And the warm showers lull me to sleepiness in a hot minute (just as I’d imagine sleeping in this dream bedroom above at Tulum’s Coqui Coqui Spa & Residence Resort.

As a result, in the AM I just splash with Thayer Which Hazel and apply SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 which works against photo-aging. I finish with a current beauty-blogger hit, Murad’s Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 – so great for sun protection and as a makeup primer.

In the evening, I remove makeup with Bioderma Créaline H2O Micelle Solution. In the shower I wash with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Facial Cleanser which foams but it still gentle and non-drying. I love my new luxury brush heads from Clarisonic on my Mia – they are suited for daily washing because they are hydrating and slightly less active in their sonic action. After the shower, I apply one of my permanent skin care steps: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence – I splash onto my face and use what’s left to apply to my chest and the back of my hands.

I finish with two new obsessions the Fresh. The Black Tea collection has been rocking my world – the texture is super luxe but the price tag isn’t quite as painful as other super-luxury lines. The Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate contains noni juice that firms and illuminates my under eye area. The Black Tea Age Delay Cream soaks into my skin immediately and helps with next-day radiance. My dry, sensitive-prone skin loves this collection.

I know this is a brief summary of loads of products. I plan on doing in depth review of most (if not all) of these in the near future!

AM Products:

PM Products:

image here

pr samples and affiliate links may be included in the above post. Fresh samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program. I consult for Neiman Marcus which is affiliated with the Neiman Marcus Group, but as always, opinions are my own.

Self Care Step Three: Morning Skin Care Routine

So far, I have shared my Evening Skin Care Routine and my Morning Makeup Routine as part of the long weekend “Self Care” series. I think I am already tired of the term so apologies for the cheesiness. But I am certainly glad it inspired me to share these round ups with you. So as a finale, here is how I care for my skin in the mornings:

1. Drunk Elephant JuJu Bar – I am on a huge Drunk Elephant kick lately, and their bar soaps are blowing me away. This one is slightly more exfoliating. The formula contains thermal mud, 20% glycerin and bamboo powder. Also, soap-free and fragrance-free so my sensitive skin is soothed and not too tight.

2. Clarisonic Sonic Radiance Brightening Solution – I have tried every Clarisonic model and this one is still my favorite. While some might question my using an exfoliating cleanser with a Clarisonic, I’ve found this version is gentle and the brush is much softer. It works beautifully for me so I am going to stick with it.

3. Thayer Witch Hazel – I know I keep mentioning it but this stuff is affordable, gentle and gets my skin super clean and balanced. Just buy it, kay?

4. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum – Vitamin C as a daytime treatment is a longtime favorite of mine. This light serum is packed with antioxidants and works especially well on UV damage. Speaking of….

5. Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Defense SPF 30 – I admit that I have gotten a little lazy with SPF this winter. After a balmy afternoon at the beach in Florida last weekend, I ended up a little more bronze than intended. So now I slather this baby on every single morning. Love that there is very little scent and it absorbs quickly.

I realize I am super heavy on the Drunk Elephant lately (especially this post). Clearly, I am smitten. I will follow up with an depth post on the brand later this week. It is a pretty spectacular line especially for those looking for toxin, soap and fragrance-free products.

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Self Care Step Two: Morning Makeup Routine

I’ll keep this fairly short and sweet seeing as I am a person who prefers more brief blog posts and articles: these are the steps I take when I ~~haul ass~~ get ready in the mornings before work (sometimes I will step out of the box with bolder shades on evenings out with the girls).

1. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream – this new launch has been all over the internet recently, but the hype is warranted. My dry skin eats this up and I get a glow with fairly sheer coverage. I love the brush sold with it but it is no longer in my possession – my former makeup artist friend snagged it this weekend (if that’s a clue as to how good it really is!). I am able to wear both Suede and Vanilla interchangeably.

2. Kate Somerville IllumniKate Concealing Eye Cream – since I am going with a sheer face, I don’t want to cake on a concealer. This eye pen masks dark circles and works to improve the look of skin at the same time. So think long-term improvement towards a bright and wrinkle-free under eye!

3. MAC Brow Set – I alternate using this and a pencil but for now I like the way Brow Set subtly colors brow hairs and sets them at the same time. I currently use Girl-Boy but I think next time I will purchase the slightly darker Show-Off.

4. NARS Contour Blush – To simplify things, I use this duo instead of a powder. I use the darker shade under my cheek bones, temples and jaw line with a bronzer brush. Then using a smaller dome brush, I use the lighter shade under my eyes (to set the concealing eye cream), down my nose and on my chin. Powdered, bronzed and set all with one product. I use the shade Olympia (and Paloma in the summer).

5. Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette – this product is brand new and I had very high hopes for it. Thankfully, I am really happy with it. But it should be noted these powders are very creamy and soft – I just happen to really like that formulation. I wear the matte and lighter shades in the Infinity palette.

6. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof – an old favorite that I have rescued from the depths of the Belle Belle Beauty closet. I find this liner doesn’t drift and works well on both the waterline and just above the lashes. And it at its best in the classic black shade.

7. bareMinerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara – also an old favorite, this mascara really does it all and does it well. I get volume, curl and and inky finish that doesn’t fall out – something that is quickly becoming my biggest pet peeve.

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