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 :) 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello there all you beautiful people :) It's gotten to the point where my apologies for not posting often enough just seem silly...so I'll just promise to post when I can! 2011 has gotten off to a great start and I have been indulging in some great makeup/skincare purchases!! My sister once told me that drugstore makeup is like a gateway drug...it starts you off with a less expensive and innocuous seeming product which leads the way to more expensive and frequent purchases - she's a wise one :P Honestly though, nothing lifts my spirits like a MAC or Sephora haul...well, maybe shopping for shoes and bags...anyways, you get my point!


Lately I have been trying out a bunch of things, some old favorites and some completely new types of things. I'll use this post to give a brief overview of my beauty going-ons for the year to date. On a side note - some people go through phases, they are into one thing, lose interest, then move on to another obsession. I, on the other hand, keep adding to my list of obsessions. It started out with lip products, then I tacked on blushes, and now I have started adding perfumes to that list. Heaven help my bank account, I don't know how much more abuse it can take!! :P


Drugstore:
- I am a huge fan of the Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss line and recently added a fifth gloss, Firecracker, to my collection (Nude Lustre, Pearl Plum, Pink Pop, Coral Reef). At first glance, it is a pretty orange-toned red gloss that goes on a bit more sheer than the other glosses I own in that collection. They are all either a little more thick and pigmented or milky. But, since I don't currently posses the confidence to rock a bold red lip, I am pretty pleased with it!
- I am obsessed with the movie Aisha and Sonam Kapoor's make-up throughout. She used L'Oreal products, and that inspired me to go check out the L'Oreal 6 Hr Infallible Lipgloss. I love her nude lip look and picked up Suede, a frosty, shimmery nude color. Very cute! Finally a neutral lip color that I can pull off :)
- CoverGirl Lash Exact Waterproof formula in Very Black is my current go to mascara! I loved the regular formula and this is even better. The wand is slighly curved to allow for better control and it just gives me that lovely bright-eyed look I love! My lashes appear longer and fuller, but not in a fake, over the top way.
- Finally picked up a few e.l.f. products, they were available at the Strawberry location near Grand Central and I was super excited! I got the e.l.f. makeup remover wipes and eye lash curler. Haven't really tried them out yet, but am looking forward to it!
- Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Blushing Berry, such a pretty rosey pink! Gives just the perfect hint of color to my cheeks for daily use.


High end:
- After having heard so so much about the Korres Lip Butters, I had to try one out for myself. I picked it up in the shade Wild Rose and it is the perfect berry shade. I layer it on top of Bath and Body Works' C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve and the combo leaves my lips soft, berry tinted, and rose-scented, love it!!
- In addition to getting my free gift of Gucci Flora (part of my Sephora perfume sampler), I decided to also pick up Vera Wang Princess. I find Flora to be a great nighttime or date fragrance, whereas I love spritzing Princess on a daily basis! I am currently on the hunt for my next perfume buy, I think it will be VS Very Sexy Now.
- I went a little MAC crazy recently, it is really too easy for me to get carried away in that store. I never have shoppers remorse though, the euphoria just lasts and lasts :) I got two MAC Kissable Lip Colors, Super and Temper Tantra, and highly recommend them for their texture and feel, super smooth like a gloss and very pigmented like a lipstick, really the best of both worlds. My only wish is that they weren't limited edition and that they had more shades! I also got a MAC Plushglass in Ample Pink. It is a great neutral pink shade and it feels great on the lips. I got the MAC Studio Sculpt concealer to address my severe lack of sleep issues - all self imposed of course :P I also was recommended to try the MAC Fast Response Eye Cream...lets see how that works! In continuing with my blush craze, I picked up MAC Sheertone Blush in Peaches and MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul, both on the peachy, neutral side and they really give a super natural glow to my face. I did pick up one item from the Wonder Woman collection, the Utility Belt Face Brush Collection that comes with a mini foundation brush, blush/powder brush, and concealer brush. The gold bag and belt are cute too :) Super excited to have MAC brushes at a fraction of the cost!!


Okay, so wow...after writing it all down, dang, I've had a busy month and a half of shopping, huh? Don't judge, don't judge...it happens to the best of us! Did a bit of shoe shopping recently (am a recent heels convert), will probably post on that in the upcoming future. Also, be on the lookout for more in-depth reviews on some of these recent purchases!!


xoxo <3

Moisturizers and Creams and Sunscreens, Oh My! - Part II: All about the Face

When it comes to face creams, I haven't done too much experimenting. I was lucky to find my staples early on!

Face Creams/Moisturizers

Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion SPF 15 Sensitive Skin - Grade: A

I've pretty much been using Oil of Olay for as far back as I can remember...my mom always insisted that this was the best lotion for the face and I really couldn't agree more! I've used the Original Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid in the past and switched over to this product for the sunscreen a few years back. This is the perfect lotion for my combination skin! Light, not greasy, but still very moisturizing.  

Pond's Dry Skin Cream - Grade: A

As I mentioned above, I have combination skin with a tendency to get oily around my t-zone, while dry to normal everywhere else. In the winter months, I am more on the dry side and this cream accommodates my dryness perfectly! It is a thicker consistency than my Olay moisturizer, so I reserve this cream for the harshest months of winter or for when I am feeling especially dry. It is moisturizing, but not greasy and has a really pleasant scent. 

Nivea Sparkling Glow Age Control Day Care Fairness Cream - Grade: D

I received this cream as a gift on my last trip to India. It came with a free pair of earrings, I immediately was drawn to it (yes, I totally fall for gimmicks :P) Now, I am not very familiar with fairness creams, not something that I see in the US, but I was intrigued...after all, who wouldn't want a 'sparkling glow'? I used this in place of my daily face moisturizer for about a month and in that time I didn't see any change in my complexion or in my glowiness (is that a word?). I've since gone back to my Olay/Pond's staples. Love the packaging and free earrings, not so keen on the product.

ROC Retinol Correction Eye Cream - Grade - C

I have some occasional puffiness and darkness around my eye and I'd been looking for a convenient solution. I came across Michelle Phan's drugstore skin care video and took her up on her recommendation. While this may have worked well for her, I can't say the same for myself. I've been using this cream for a little over two months and have yet to see any change. The cream has a thin, watery consistency, but does feel moisturizing for the skin around my eyes. It also imparts a pleasant, cooling effect after application. This is one of the more pricier drugstore brands and I really had high hopes for this product. I think I may just finish up this tube, as it is only 1.5 fl. oz., while I'm on a lookout for a replacement. 

Any luck with eye creams? Tell me about it!

Til next time,

Mani :)