Contouring

I have been a big fan of contouring for some time. I was using powders for the longest time, Physician's formula has a lot of great bronzers for chiseling out cheekbones. But I have been moving more towards cremes and using my Beauty Blender to blend everything rather seamlessly. My next purchase will be the Chanel Soleil tan de Chanel bronzer. It is a really great cream-gel that I have been hearing rave reviews. But for now, I actually use a CoverGirl TruBlend Concealer Stick in medium deep. Basically go to a drugstore, by a concealer stick a few shades darker than your skin tone. It looks a lot less orange-bronze. I use Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer under my eyes. I use Becca Shimmering Skin Perfection in Moonstone as a highlighter. Note: make sure if you are doing under eye concealer- blend in a triangle from the nose to the outer corner of the eye. Drives me nuts when I see raccoon eyes of concealer on girls. You want to bring the angles up- not horizontal. And another tip, contour along the imaginary line connecting the top of your ear to my mouth. And do NOT contour all the way down to your mouth. Blend, blend, blend!!

(I was going to work out, thus no eye makeup)

Thinking about trying out the new Smashbox contouring sticks at Sephora. 

Let me know any reviews/ thoughts or products you like to use when contouring

Sephora Haul

Picked up a few items two weeks ago at Sephora. One of my "second moms" works at a Sephora once or twice a month so she can get the discount. Brilliant. I ran into her and she gave me lots of suggestions. Excited to do more shopping with her in the future. 
SEPHORA COLLECTION Triple Action Cleansing Water

        Fleur de force (Youtube beauty guru) raves about this product.  It is supposed to be a "no rinse cleanser for delicate skin." I was excited to try it. It's 'ehh.' Not enough for me to return it to the store but not enough for me to say I love it. I use it really as a makeup remover step and then I cleanse my face. I also only use it at night. It definitely gets off the makeup, etc. but I can't quite accept the 'no rinse' idea. 

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum® Vitamin C Collagen Booster

       Big fan of Vitamin C serums. I am still a huge fan of the Philosophy Vitamin C powder. I use this at night since I use my Philosophy in the morning. I really like the formula and its skin brightening factors.

beautyblender the original beautyblender®

I had a beauty blender a few years ago. It was not the actual beauty blender, I think it was a sephora knockoff. I didn't like it, it held too much water and didn't blend like I thought it would. But years later, I decided to go for the actual blender, to help with cream contour, concealer, and highlighter. I am so glad I did! It has become a staple in my beauty routine. I need to get the little ones for travel! 

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Peel Original Formula

I don't do face peels. My face is super sensitive and easily irritated. The minute it encounters a product it doesn't like, hello redness. So I was really nervous to try this product despite the rave reviews. However, in the checkout lane of Sephora, I was suckered in. 5 treatments for $16. I bought it. So damn glad I did. They are wonderful! Not irritating, my skin is smoother, and there is less hyper-pigmentation. It is super pricey- but I will be buying the 35 treatments for $88. This became an essential. 

Philosophy- hope in a jar samples- honestly so glad I got the samples. I was not impressed. Neither was my skin. Won't be buying it. I will stick with my Estee Lauder moisturizers.

Friiiiiday Faaaavvooriitteeess.....JUST KIDDING.. Makeup with Glasses

So I had a busy week at work and that left for little else... so I didn't want to just repeat Friday favorites since my favorites all have to do with immunohistochemistry, etc. Fun stuff! I know. So I decided to do a post about wearing makeup with glasses. I wear glasses, not contacts. I cannot see far away so I wear them when I am driving and sometimes I just wear them all day. I didn't start wearing glasses until I was 18, so I learned early on that when wearing glasses, you should darken your makeup. Glasses tend to swallow up your face, so by adding a little more drama to your eyes, you are drawing the focus back to your eyes and not your glasses. Here is how I normally wear my makeup with glasses....

Glasses without makeup...

And after makeup.. I emphasize a little color on my lids and a coral lip liner and lip gloss on my lips. 

 

For my makeup, I used the Naked2 Palette. I highlighted under my brows and inner corners. I darkened my crease with a darker brown and winged out my eyeliner. Please note: make sure your eyebrows are tweezed or waxed and shaped to compliment your glasses.  

 

Have a great weekend.

XOXO

Everyday Look

The past two weeks have been nice staying at my parents house. I haven't had any real engagements that resulted in getting really dressed up. Also because most of my belongings are still in boxes, I have been trying to keep things to the bare minimum. This has become my makeup regiment and comfortably casual outfit that still looks put together.

Before Makeup: I wash my face with Cetaphil Gentle Wash or Yes to Tomatoes facial scrub

Pat dry my face

 

 

I love Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. I wear Nude.

Post Moisturizer. Not a full coverage but nice even look.

Then I like to add NYX concealer to my undereye area and any blemishes that are still visible. Since I am not adding foundation because of the summer heat, I want to make sure its very blended.

 



I follow up my concealer with a little bit of PIXI Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched (Thank you IPSY for this!) And a swipe of Suspect on my crease and Bootycall on my lid from my NAKED2 palette. I finish off with Maybelline Falsies Mascara in Black Drama.

 

The Finished look.

 

 

 And my Outfit of the day. A grey oversized top from Forever 21. White Skinnies from Forever 21 as well. A Brahmin bag. And Shoes from Target.