March Favorites

It is already April.  I need to start Christmas shopping or I might miss it.  I have been working on launching a website for my side business as a makeup artist.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?

I had so many favorite things this month.  It seems brings out the over spender in me.

And without further ado...


MAC Pro Longwear Foundation
I know I gave up on this last year, but I have begun mixing the NC 20 and the NW 20 together and it is amazing!

Bare Escentuals Handi Buki Brush
I don't use mineral makeup.  I breakout and look like a pizza.  I can't throw away a makeup brush if it still works so, I held onto it.  For 10 years.  This brush is amazing for applying my liquid foundation.  It was by total accident that I started using it (OK, all my other brushes were dirty).  If you have this, try it.  It is the BEST finish I have ever achieved.

MAC Technakohl Eyeliners
I recently purchased a few of these and I LOVE the wear on them.  They last all day for me without budging. These aren't recommended for the waterline, but I have done it and I can still see, sort of.

Benefit Powderflage
March was busy, and I forgot to sleep.  This help mask the blue/gray circles under my eyes.  It doesn't get cakey like other powders and it feels like silk.


Revlon Lip Butter- Tutti Frutti
Pantone told me this years color is tangerine, so I have to obey.  Since I am not one to wear much color on my lips, this is the perfect hint of orange without being overkill.

Simple Gentle Cleanser
Since I am a sucker for a good commercial, i decided to try this when I lost my CeraVe cleanser.  It has calmed the inflammation down and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight after I wash.  And it was only 7 dollars!


Color Club Neon Nail Polish
I got this in my March BirchBox.  I am not one for bright nail polish, but this is completely wearable.  The finish is smooth and opaque and the dry time is so quick.


Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Blow Dry Perfector
Let's just say, I no longer need my straightening iron...I am in love.

This last one is not a beauty product, but I love it, and it truly is a favorite...


Michael Kors Hamilton Tote
Words can't express....

I would love to know other people's favorites :)

My Top Nude Lips

I have always loved lipsticks and glosses. When I was allowed to wear makeup, I could only wear lip color. I had fire-engine red, a bright neon pink, and a brown-burgundy color. All of them were Clinique and all of them were gift with purchase hand-me-downs from my mom.

I looked like a hot tranny mess.

Bad.

After the 10,000th time I was made fun of, I swore I would NEVER wear color on my lips again. The exception to this was any stage performance and prom.

So, I stuck to clear gloss and chapstick.

Until I discovered my friends on this list. This is both lipsticks and glosses.

MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick

Not really a nude. But it is neutral so it makes it onto the list. This is a go to for Bridal looks.

MAC Creme d'Nude Lipstick

I love this more than Myth. Myth is white out for lips. Creme d'Nude is wearable. It makes a great base for colored gloss on top.

MAC Boy Bait Cremesheen Glass

I feel like a supermodel when I wear this.

Clinique Baby Baby Lipstick

My first nude lipstick. So creamy and shiny. Gives that starlet pout.

MAC Marquis D' Lipstick

I know! This was Limited Edition, but I can't NOT include it.

MAC Prrr Lipglass

Also on the darker side. But if you want a nude lip and you have darker skin, or darker lips, this is a great option for less dramatic looks.

MAC Lust Lipglass

Similar to Prrr, but this has more of a caramel undertone. I prefer this over Prrr to pair with smokey eyes.

Buxom Lip Stick in Sydney

This has amazing staying power. It tones downs my lip color and helps any gloss stay on longer. These are amazing.

Getting Gorgeous- My quest for the PERFECT foundation. Part 1.

I was not 'blessed' with flawless skin. From 4th grade on I had some pretty epic constellations of acne on my face. Then I turned 22 and it started to disapate. And then...it was GONE! OMG, it was great. I wore only foundation and, IF I was really tired, concealer under the eyes. Then one day in February of 2009 that all went away. Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones or the fact that I would fall asleep walking to the bathroom from the hormones, but it was back. And not only that, it was different. My skin was not only oily but dry on my cheeks. That makes choosing a daily foundation routine near impossible.

Since that day I have been on the never ending quest for my personal holy grail foundation.

I have been a loyal MAC user for 6 years. Prior to MAC I used mostly drugstore brands of foundation which were somewhat 'meh' (not to mention they smell like crud). However, now with my new combo skin, my go to Select SPF was no longer cutting it. To MAC I went.

I was instructed to try the Studio Sculpt. The new one told me it sits on the skin and will help with the dry patches. I had read decent reviews, so to the register I went. I love the ease at which it applies, and a little goes a long way and then some. My face didn't look powdery.

And then the dreaded moment.... After lunch I went to check my new purchase out in the mirror. I looked like my face melted off. I was so oily. Every. Where. Damn.

Next came Studio Fix- I had a PERFECT COLOR MATCH- that never happens. Better yet, the noon-time makeup check passed with flying colors. I was convinced I was home free. BUT the formula is thick, and I want a more natural look. So this is a keeper, but maybe only for days when i desperately need the coverage.

Lucky me, the Pro Longwear came out just as I was getting tired of peeling off the layers of foundation every day. I was drawn to is for all the right reasons- 12 hours of wear, matte finish, less coverage than Studio Fix. Home free? Not so much. This left my skin drier than the Sahara (which would be fine if I lived in Seattle, but the winter is dry here), so that one was moved to the back.

As a last ditch effort I also tried the Face and Body- I don't really know WHAT it does, but for me it was just wrong.

My final option is the recently launched Matchmaster. I loved this stuff. I mean it. I would wear it everyday IF.... It matched my skin (stupid change in seasons!!!!). I am in between colors (cue shrieking at my vanity). The '1.5' is ghost white on me and the 2.0 is orange. So this one is being tabled until the summer.

I am not into 'rating' the foundations, but I can safely say that NONE of these are my go to every day foundations. The majority of the foundations MAC has to offer provide great coverage, but they are not everyday wear.

So long my beloved MAC....I will have to move on...but to what?
Stay tuned for more....