My Makeup Routine

Lately, I have been musing to myself about how much my morning routine has changed over the past few months. I have always spent time on my hair and clothes, but not so much on my face. Applying makeup has become my favorite part of my morning routine! I don't do much, but I always get that "playing dress up" feeling which makes it so fun! Here is is:

1) Moisturize -- This is my standard first step after stepping out of the shower! I use Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 for sensitive skin. I usually apply a thin layer and then let my skin soak it in while drying my hair. Lately I've been supplementing my Olay moisturizer with the MAC Fast Response Eye Cream. I use a tiny bit and work it into my under eye area. I also take this time, when I remember, to apply some sort of lip moisturizer as well...usually Eucerin Aquaphor.

2) Apply concealer to my under eye area -- Yes, this is my biggest problem area and the reason I got into makeup in the first place. Thank God for concealer...now I can be a pretty night owl :P I like to use MAC Select Moisturecover, and for the past few days Studio Sculpt. I typically work the product in with my finger tips after dotting it on my under eye area.

3) Apply concealer to any blemishes -- Depending on the blemish tone, I use different concealers. For a more dark purplish tone, I stick to my under eye concealers. For a reddish tone, I go with my Maybelline Dream Mousse concealer. I use my fingers for application here too.

4) Set any concealer with powder -- With my Eco Tools powder brush I apply the tiniest amount of Body Shop Pressed Face Powder. This powder blends perfectly in with my skin!

5) Apply blush -- Lately I've been reaching for my Revlon Matte Blush in Blushing Berry...I'm on a powder blush kick this month...last month it was gel and cream...I'm so finicky :P I apply it using my Eco Tools blush brush to the apples of my cheeks and blend upwards toward my temple.

6) Curl lashes and apply mascara -- Pretty straightforward here. I like to focus my mascara on the outer lashes, I love the effect it gives! I also like to take this time to straighten out my brows. Styling my bangs usually makes my brows look a little freaky, so I just comb them out with a brow comb. For nighttime or special occasions, I like to also apply black pencil liner to my waterline and liquid liner to my upper lash line.

7) Apply lip product -- The fun part, I change it up on a daily basis :) Lately I've been favoring the MLBB look of MAC Ample Pink Plushglass, but I've been turning to Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter when I want a touch of color.

So this is my routine for those days when I'm working, going to school, or out with friends. If I am not really going out in public (e.g. grocery store, errands), I tend to stick to just lip gloss/balm.

What is your makeup routine? I'd love to hear about it :) 

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer Review

I purchased the MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer about two months ago with the express purpose of covering up my undereye circles. While I am still a fan of the Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer for covering up blemishes, I needed a light, easy-to-blend product to brighten up my face. I've been scheduling a lot more early morning consulting appointments these days, which has been giving me a chance to really try this concealer out! 


Here is what MAC Claims:
"A luxuriously blendable moisturizing concealer in a tube with built-in doe-foot applicator. Goes on exactly where you want it: blends in for a natural satin-smooth ultra-moisturized finish. Layers up for added coverage. Line-softening, skin-perfecting: The Pros’ “select” for under-eyes and delicate skin. Wide shade range provides soft, natural camouflage."


I really do agree with them! The doe foot applicator allows for easy application, though it may not be the most hygienic option. The makeup artist at MAC told me to make three dots of concealer, in a horizontal line under my eyes, and to then blend that in with my finger, no brush necessary! I blend from the inside corner of my eye to the outside end. The yellowish orange concealer blends in well to conceal any darkness and gives me a fresh, natural look. Since I am a minimalist, I asked if it was necessary to set this with a powder and she said that it can stand alone, how great is that? It leaves a slight dewy glow which I like and once dry, has been lasting me all day. Even throughout the humid weather that NYC has been experiencing lately, this product doesn't fade or budge! 


In addition to applying this concealer to my undereye area, I have also been applying it to blemishes. It does a great job neutralizing the redness without looking like I've caked makeup on my face! It is very easy to blend out with my finger and the shade really suits my skin tone.


Recently, I came across Peaches and Blush's blog post about MAC's foundation and concealer naming system and she really cleared up any confusions I had on the topic! NW means neutral warm and NC means neutral cool,  referring to warm or cool skin undertones. The shading system works according to the color wheel, so warm toned skin types would require NC foundations while cool toned skin types would require NW. When selecting concealer, it's important to see the undertone of the area being concealed. For the Select Moisturecover, I am an NW 35, which means that my undereye circles tend towards the cooler end of the spectrum and can be neutralized with a warm shade. All this color talk takes me back to 9th grade art class...love it!



At the end of the day, removal is very easy. I have had zero issues removing the concealer with Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover. Nice to know that it stays put when you need it to and comes off easily when you want it to!


I highly recommend this product for someone who is looking for some light concealing, especially in the undereye area. It makes my look a bit more polished and professional, which is exactly what I was looking for :) I do not, however, think this product would suit the needs who needs lots of coverage as it is very lightweight and sheer.


I am already starting to plan my next MAC purchase! I really want to find a fun gloss for the fall and winter. There are so many glosses to choose from: Creamsheen, Lustre, Dazzle...I've really been into berry shades these days...any recommendations?! 

Mascaras! - A Combined Review

How can you not love the pink bristles?

Confession: I have very average eyelashes. They are not very long, not very voluminous, not very curly...in short, entirely forgettable! Now, I have two choices: a) do nothing or b) use one of the greatest inventions since the wheel, curling irons, $5 manicures, and hair claws...Mascara! 


Til date, I have tried 6 different types of drugstore mascaras (remember, I am new to the world of makeup). Here are my thoughts:


1) Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black - I bought this mascara because it was so highly reviewed in beauty and fashion magazines. Sadly, it didn't live up to the hype. This was my first mascara, so there is a chance of user error...but I wasn't too crazy about the formula. As much as I made sure to wiggle the synthetic bristle brush from roots to tip, I would get clumps galore and end up with scary spider lashes! 


2) CoverGirl LashExact in Very Black - I am on my 2nd tube of this and I just love it! The pink plastic-y bristles grab the product evenly to prevent clumping. This mascara really gives me a nice, jazzed up natural look, perfect for work or daytime. It separates my lashes really well and holds a curl, even though the formula isn't waterproof. It works even better when combined with #3 below.


3) Jane Fan Club Clear Curling Mascara in Crystal Clear - I am crazy about this product because it works really great as a mascara primer! When I apply this first, my other mascaras glide on smoothly and don't clump as much. Also, it makes removal really easy! It feels really nice on my lashes, sorta like a conditioner. This is a daily staple for me :)


4) CoverGirl Professional Super Thick Lash in Very Black - This was meant to be my nighttime, bold, sexy mascara and while it wasn't terrible, it required just a little too much work to remain in my collection. I think I am just not skilled with the synthetic bristle brush, because this, too, was a very clumpy mascara for me. Only after really wiping the brush down on the insides of the tube could I get the look I was going for. Too much effort for va va va voom lashes!


5) Maybelline Last Stiletto in Very Black - As I've told you before...I'm a sucker for packaging! A mascara tube in the shape of a stiletto heel, how cute is that? Well...that's where the 'good' ends with this product, for me anyways.  It has an overwhelmingly bad chemical smell that I cannot ignore. The brush is oddly shaped, it's retangular and awkward. The best I could manage were awkward stuck together lashes that stuck straight out. 


6) CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof in Black - This is my very first waterproof mascara! When I first bought it, I was amazed and how well it could hold curl and how it didn't flake or budge at all all day. I've been using this for the past two months, so it may just be that the formula is getting old, but it has been a little stickier and more clump prone lately. It does give me the dramatic look I was going for though, so I will most likely repurchase!


There you have it! The next tube I buy will most likely be CoverGirl LashExact Waterproof. I've decided to steer clear of Maybelline for the time being, though I am open to any recommendations you all may have! What is your go-to mascara?

July Favorites

Image taken from ClassroomClipart.com

Summer is speeding on by, just like always, but this year I am not so upset about it. The massive humidity and heat that has been plaguing the Northeast has been very on again/off again and I, for one, am looking forward to Fall!

Now that July has come to an end, I thought I'd share with you, dear readers, the beauty products/fashion trends/skin care items that I have been the most into this month <3

1) Turquoise jewelry -- I am woman obsessed when it comes to turquoise accessories! I love pairing turquoise bracelets, earrings, or rings with neutral outfits. The stones add the perfect pop of color and have the added bonus of complementing tan Indian skin tones!

2) T-strap sandals -- This style really makes my wide-ish feet appear longer and leaner and, in my opinion, add a little class to all of my summer ensembles. My favorite pairs are wedges...I'm not a big fan of heels, they just hurt too much :( Put me in a 1-2" wedge heel though, and thats a completely different story ;)

3) Bold pedicures -- As I mentioned earlier this month, I have really been into bright, bold polishes for my piggies. Makes 'em feel so ready for summer! I'm currently sporting Essie's Chubby Cheeks, a bright coral-y orange color that I am in love with!

4) The smudged eyeliner look -- I love this look for night! I like to apply eyeliner, mostly to the outer half of my eye, and smudge, with either the pencil's built-in smudger or a Q-tip, inwards to give it a smoky look. I've been using teal, purple, and shades of brown.

5) Maybelline Dream Mouse concealer -- I cannot rave about this product enough! It really pulled through for me when my skin just was not in a cooperating mood!! Best part, it stood up to the high levels of humidity and heat, what more can I ask for? Click here for a full review.

6) Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash -- This oldie-but-goodie that is usually collecting dust in my medicine cabinet (knock-on-wood), got a lot of use this month and helped to clear up my blemish outbreak! 

7) Nivea Lip Care A Kiss of Flavor, Cherry Tinted Lip Care -- I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm a lazy girl! I will jump at any opportunity to get the benefits of two products in one, and this product does just that. It has all the moisturizing/conditioning properties of a lip balm (c'mon, its by Nivea after all!) while leaving you with a pretty reddish pout, reminiscent of one too many cherry popsicles.

8) L'Oreal Colour Juice Sheer Juicy Lip Gloss in Peaches-n-Creme -- This is the perfect nude shade I've been searching for...the subtle peach gloss really goes great with my pigmented lips and brown skin :) The gloss smells nice, glides on smoothly, isn't sticky and lasts for a good amount of time. I may reapply once or twice over the course of a day...but it's a lip gloss and that's not a big deal for me at all! 

9) Side bangs -- About mid-July I got my hair cut...I went from mid-back length to just below my shoulders (not too crazy) and got my longer bangs (about chin length) cut a couple of inches to give me a fun fringe of side bangs! I rocked this look last summer and am loving it again this year. Though it may take me a couple more minutes to style my hair in the morning now, it's completely worth it...side bangs are a fun look that suit many face shapes :)

Let me know what your July favorites have been!!

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer Review

Finally...after reading review after review and perusing several face product aisles, I have found my concealer! No longer will I have to meet a client looking like I should be back in bed or spend hours before a special event agonizing over a blemish. No Siree, the new, "concealed" Mani is here folks!


Prior to buying the Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer, I had read some mixed reviews and didn't really know what to expect. My main concern was color matching. In the past, I have purchased some tinted moisturizers from drugstores did not suit my yellow-undertones. I have been using the Dream Mousse Concealer for the past month and a half and I am really happy to report that, not only does this concealer work with the undertone of my skin, but the Beige shade (Medium 0-2.5) matches me so well that I can wear it on its own! How great is that? I haven't fully warmed up to the idea of wearing foundation daily, but I am 100% on board with using this concealer to hide my imperfections!


While I have been using Dream Mousse Concealer for the last month, the past couple of weeks have provided me with the perfect storm of conditions to really test the ins and outs of this product: 
- Massive heat wave with high humidity levels (ick!)
- Five new blemishes that randomly showed up, all at the same time, in the same area :-( 
- Multiple work engagements that required face-to-face meetings (I tend work from home mostly)
- Lots of semi-formal events with friends
In short, the weather was awful, my face was extremely angry at me, and I had to look nice more than usual. I turned to Maybelline's Dream Mousse and it did, indeed, come to the rescue! 


I have been using a Q-tip to dot the concealer onto my face, partially for hygienic reasons and also because I have yet to invest in a concealer brush. Once it's on, I blend it in with my finger, this is also how Maybelline recommends the product be used for best results. During application and while blending, the concealer feels creamy, smooth, and airy. It doesn't feel greasy or slippery at all and after blending, the product dries to a powder finish on my face. I did not feel the need to use anything to set the concealer after application. This weekend, I wore this product for a minimum of eight hours per day and I did not experience any melting or fading at all. Quite to the contrary, my face remained perfectly concealed and the product did not budge until I washed my face before bed. Each morning, I noticed that my blemishes were healing and that no new irritations had formed. I used to have this idea that makeup increased the likelihood of breakouts, but this product seems to be clearing my skin up! I also like that the concealer is scent-free.


As of now, the only downside I have to report is that the packaging is unsanitary. Like I said earlier, however, I have gotten over that hump by using a fresh Q-tip each time I use the product. I am extremely thrilled that I have found a concealer to help me look more fresh-faced and professional! It truly is a "dream" come true :P

40 Beauty Questions

Happy July Readers!! Summer is zipping by so quickly...sigh!


Found this fun tag today on From Me With Love's blog. Thought I'd give it a stab, here goes:

SKINCARE
1) How many times do you wash your face daily? I rinse my face about twice daily, but when it comes to washing with a cleanser, probably only 2-3 times a week.
2) What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo) Combo. I tend to get oily around my t-zone, more so in the summer (ugh!)
3) What is your current facial wash? Original Noxema, love the smell of eucalyptus! I've been using this since I was a kid!
4) Do you exfoliate? Yep, about once weekly
5) What brand do you use? Face: Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub, Body: CVS Mild Exfoliating Body Wash & Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub, Lips: Michelle Phan's Lip Scrub
6) What moisturizer do you use? Face: Oil Of Olay Complete, Body: Aveeno Daily Moisturizer
7) Do you have freckles? Nope
8) Do you use eye cream? Yes, ROC...looking for a new one though
9) Do you or did you have acne prone skin? not really...I have a blemish once in a way though
10) Did you ever have to use Pro-activ? no

MAKE-UP
11) What foundation do you use? None right now...too lazy for that :P
12) How about concealer? Just started using Maybelline Dream Mousse (Beige Medium), liking it a lot! Also like Maybelline Coverstick (Deep Beige)
13) Do you know your undertone color? yep, warm-yellow, thanks to the nice lady at Sephora
14) What do you think of fake eyelashes? fun, but not something I'd use very often
15) Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months? yes, bummer! I never finish by then!
16) What brand of mascara do you use? CG Lash Exact, love it!! 
17) Sephora or MAC? Never been to MAC counter yet...so Sephora by default (though I do love it!)
18) Do you have a MAC Pro-card? nope
19) What makeup tools do you use in make up application? Mostly my fingers, qtip, Essence of Beauty Comb/Eyebrow & Eye Liner, smudgers on the backs of eyeliners :P
20) Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes? no, not big on shadows yet
21) For the face? no
22) What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)? Maybelline Chai Latte quad, so pretty :)
23) Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? Prefer pencil, loving Prestige Total Intensity Liner in Bold Brown and Powerful Purple & Soft Blend Kohl Liner in Lagoon.
24) How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? ouch, never!
25) What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? I like the way they look, prefer neutrals myself
26) Do you use mineral makeup? no..have a mineral eye pencil...don't care for it, very dry!
27) What is your favorite lipstick? Revlon ColorBurst in Soft Rose/Super Lustrous in Rum Raisin, love them both!!
28) How about lipgloss? Burt's Bee's Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss in Zesty Red
29) What is your favorite blush to use? don't use any at the moment
30) Do you buy your makeup on ebay? nope, mostly drugstore
31) Do you like drugstore makeup? yes! affordable and easily accessible, what's not to like?
32) Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets) not yet
33) Did you ever consider taking make-up classes? yes! but where?? I love the YT school of beauty for now :)
34) Are you clumsy in putting on makeup? of course, sometimes...but I'm getting better :)
35) Name a makeup crime that you hate? Dark lip liner and light lips...ew!
36) Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones? I like more natural makeup on myself
37) Which celebrity always has great make up? Blake Lively, Angelina Jolie, Aishwariya Rai, Rani Mukherjee
38) If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use? Lip balm or gloss
40) Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on? Yep, when I'm in a rush or feeling lazy, I often do!
41) Do you think you look good even without any makeup on? Sometimes...depends on how much sleep I got!
42) In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line? Don't know too many lines as yet, but I'd say Maybelline for now, had the best success with a variety of their products
43) What do you think of Makeup?? It's fun and addicting! :)


Hmm..that was a little over 40 :P Now, I tag anyone who would like to do these fun questions! You can post them on your blog or in the comments if you don't have one!

Hits n' Misses: Lip Products

My latest craze has been collecting lip products. Up until a couple of years ago, my only real exposure to lip products has been tacky and bright red stage lipsticks (I'll do another post sometime on the horrors of dance makeup :P) and clear glosses and balms. I have a teeny tiny collection of colored lip products that range from daily must-haves to the not-so-greats. Here's a run through of my mini-stash:

1) Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer - Being such a huge fan of Burt's Bees Lip Balm, I just had to try out these shimmers. I have four different shades:

- Raisin - a dark reddish, berry color

- Rhubarb - a mauve-y pink color

- Nutmeg - a peachy nude color

- Papaya - a dark coral color

From the left: Raisin, Rhubarb, Nutmeg, Papaya

As advertised, these products are indeed shimmery and give a cooling effect to the lips. They glide on very smoothly and the color intensity is buildable. I personally prefer to mix the Raisin and Rhubarb colors as together they give me a nicer shade then when used individually. I find Raisin to be a little too dark and Rhubarb to be a little too bright for my taste. These two shades are shimmery, whereas Nutmeg and Papaya appear glittery, which I don't like. The Nutmeg shade appears to wash me out, this may be due to my skin color (olive skin with warm undertone) or that I have pretty pigmented lips. Although they were easy to find (drugstore/Walmart) and not very expensive, I do not think I will be repurchasing these Lip Shimmers.

2) Burt's Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss- Again, my drugstore/Walmart beauty aisle curiosity steered me towards purchasing 2 tubes of this gloss:

- Nectar Nude - clear gloss with golden shimmer

- Zesty Red - reddish-maroon gloss with shimmer

From the left: Zesty Red (less and more product), Nectar Nude (less and more product)

I find these lip glosses work best on top of lip balms or lipsticks because they aren't very moisturizing . My favorite is the Zesty Red as I find it really suits my coloring. They are shimmery, but I do not find them to be glittery, which is a plus in my book! The only downside is that at times the gloss can feel a bit gritty on my lips. I will definitely be repurchasing the Zesty Red gloss

3) Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - My 1st non-drug store lip product purchase! I got this the first time I went to Sephora and absolutely love it! It's more like a gloss than a lipstick (hence almost lipstick). The color is a darker reddish shade (don't be fooled by the actual color of the lipstick), glides on very smoothly, and is extremely buildable. I did about three or four layers in my swatch, but you can make it a lot darker if that's what you prefer. It has a light, pleasant scent. I will definitely repurchase this even though at $14 my bargain hunter's soul found it a tad bit pricey!

4) Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Blushing Brunette - Nice creamy mauve-y pink lipstick with a bit of shimmer. Not so sure if this is the best shade for me, I find it a bit too light pink, but combined with my Burt's Bees gloss in Zesty Red, it's perfect! It has a pleasant scent! I will probably not repurchase this one as I'd like to try another.

5) Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick in Rum Raisin - My current favorite lipstick! Can be a bit drying, but I like to cover it with a slick of Eucerin Aquaphor or Blistex DCT and I'm good to go! I really love the brownish-reddish shade as it is not too bright nor too dark. I find it to be a natural color on me, not too crazy a shade for work or too dull for night. Especially love that it is matte and not shimmery/glittery at all! Seems unscented to me. Will definitely repurchase this one.

6) L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude - Last week I was on the search for the perfect nude shade...sadly I am not so sure if "nude" really suits me or my taste. I am not so sure how much I like muting my natural lip color. Fairest Nude is a pinky nude color which really does not suit me at all. I was really disappointed after reading lots of positive reviews on MUA and also seeing a lot of YT Makeup Guru's recommending it. I am considering returning this as I do not think I will be wearing it at all, thanks to Rite-Aid's lenient return policy!

From the left: Black Honey, Blushing Brunette, Rum Raisin, Fairest Nude

So there you all have it, my very tiny lip product stash...my pride and joy :P I am hoping to add the L'Oreal Colour Juice Stick Lipstick in Personali-tea to my collection soon as I've heard good things about it and that it suits all skin tones (my last attempt at nude). Any idea where I can find it, besides online? I've searched a couple of drugstores to no avail.

Any other lip product recommendations?

Til next time,

Mani :)