Mature Skin Makeup Look

Mature skin is one of my newly found loves to work with! I'm not sure what it is, but skin can just tell a story. I used various of new products for this look, and I am just loving the outcome!

Here is a before and after... I wanted to enhance her natural beauty. Contouring gave her the look of a slimmer face, while more defined eyebrows enhanced her facial features, and lashes emphasized her eyes.

Step by step what I used...

1. First I hydrated her skin with a new MAC Prep and Prime Moisture Infusion. It did wonders! Mature skin loses it's elasticity and hydration over time. Using a great moisturizer is key to having a great makeup applications.

2. I recently picked up a Revlon Wrinkle Filler at the drugstore. This thing was $14, and totally worth it! I applied the wrinkle filler around her eyes and smile lines. It did a lot for a drugstore product.

3. As for foundation, I used Revlon Age Defying Firming + Lifting. This has a medium amount of coverage, but is very build able. I used a small amount with a duo fiber brush all over. It did a really great job at covering her natural redness. I went in, under her eyes, with concealer for a brighter appearance. I used the BH cosmetics concealer palette. It's very full coverage, but using just a tiny amount will give appropriate coverage for under the eye.

4. The only setting powder I used was MAC Prep and Prime CC in "Illuminate". Beings she already had dry skin, I didn't want to put powder on top. I only used the CC powder under her eyes to prevent the concealer from moving.

5. Next, I filled in her eyebrows. She already has a great, natural shape to them. They just needed a little more definition. I used my Holy grail Anastasia Brow Wiz in "Ash". Small strokes and blending give a natural eyebrow.

6. Moving onto contouring, I used Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer. This is a beautiful, matte bronzer meant for contouring. I used a large duo fibre brush for an airbrushed look. I contoured the hair line, temples, cheek bones, and jawline. It literally gave her an instant appearance of a slimmer face!

7. As for cheek color, I just wanted to give her a natural glow. I used MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in "Stereo Rose". It gave the perfect natural wash of color.

8. I set her entire face with MAC Fix Plus, to add hydration back in.

9. As for eyes, I wanted to keep it simple and natural. I enhanced her brown eyes with warm, soft shadows. I used a soft, gold all over her lid, and a soft brown into the crease. We didn't want to go too eyeshadow crazy. She has a soft creme color as a brow bone highlight. All colors were from MAC RiRi Cocoa Quad. (Released in Fall 2013).

10. As for lashes, I used my much loved Ardell's in "120" demi. These really made her eyes more apparent. I love the way lashes can change an entire look!

11. To finish off the natural look, I used a flesh toned MAC lipstick. It was released in a Holiday collection about 3 or 4 years ago.

Here is a close up of the eyes...

And another look at the face...

I really enjoyed working with more mature skin, and a natural look to emphasize what was already there! Makeup isn't meant to coverup beauty, it's meant to enhance it! Thanks, Mommy! XOXO

Steph's Smokey Eye Look

Pictures truly don't do this makeup look justice!! I can't get over how beautiful this turned out- It's definitely one of my favorite looks I've ever done on her. And she seemed to love it! HOORAY! It was also my first time practicing applying false lashes on someone else with these claws I have.. It turned out flawless, if I do say so myself!

Here's an overview of the products I used on her face. I'm a really big fan of the Lorac shadows. They blend beautifully and seamlessly! This might be a long post but I'm going step by step as to how I applied these products because I cannot forget how I did this look (and with my short term memory, I will) plus I don't plan how I do looks! I just wing it...Literally...

1. I began priming her entire face by misting her with MAC Fix Plus, followed by applying MAC's Strobe Cream. It gave her a very hydrated, healthy base. I also applied MAC Prep and Prime in Radiant Rose to her entire eye area.

2. I began concealing her dark circles and veins. She's a very light girl so anything shows through that skin. (She's my sister...I can say these things!) I used MAC Prolongwear in NW15.

3. For foundation, I went to an old trusty friend.. Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1! This gives a beautiful satin finish, and lasts all day. By far my favorite drugstore foundation for every skin type. I applied this with a flat top kabuki brush, giving it a very flawless look.

4. I primed her eyes with Urban Decay 24 hour Primer Potion. I swear by this stuff- especially with a dark eye look! It's a necessity! I used a light brown shade as a transition color for her from the Lorac Pro called "Cafe" on a big fluffy brush. Once that was applied, I went in with an eyeshadow from MAC called "Sable". (She requested I used "Sketch" and "Sable" on her today). I sprayed my flat shader brush with Fix Plus before and after grabbing the shade. I packed this all over the lid- BARELY touching the crease. I had little fall out, too! Next I defined her outer V with MAC "Sketch".

5. I tight lined her upper and lower lash line with L'Oreal Smolder eyes. This stuff stays in place wonderfully! I also put this on her upper lash line and smudged it out with a pencil brush, followed by a matte black eyeshadow from BH Cosmetics palette. Next I prepped her lashes for some false eyelashes by applying a Fresh mascara. I used Ardell Glamour Wispies on her. 

6. Once the eyelashes her applied, I cleaned up any fall out and went in with more Prolongwear under her eyes to really brighten the look. Afterwards I set it in place with ELF HD translucent powder- To avoid any movement. I contoured her face VERY lightly with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in "Medium Deep" with a duo fibre brush. I applied MAC blush in "Bad Girl Gone Good" to the apples of her cheeks and cheek bones. On top of that I applied MAC Skinfinish in "Strobe". Strobe gave her cheeks that extra highlight, and extra something!

7. Back to her eyes...Lashes make a world of a difference! I blended her falsies into her real ones, and hit her bottom lashes with some mascara. Afterwards, I smoked out her bottom lash line using "Sketch" and a matte black. I drug the TINIEST bit of matte black into her crease. I love the way her eyes look with this makeup! 

8. As for her brows, I used Anastasia Brow Wiz in "Ash" to fill in any spots. 

9. I topped her lips off with MAC "Pure Zen" lipstick, and a Maybelline Color Exilor lipgloss in "100" to give it a very nude look.

I wanted the main focus to be the eyes, and boy was it! I love this look, definitely going down as one of my favorites. The best part is- I don't even think of these things ahead of time. I just go with the flow, and what looks good. I think it really emphasized her beauty! Thank you, Steph, for being my model once again! More pictures are posted on my "Work" page! 

Winter Weather & Dried Out Skin

This winter weather has dried my skin out to nothing! Usually I have oily skin, which I would rather have than dry skin any day. I've had to change up my entire skincare routine, just from this negative degree weather.

In the beginning of December I noticed my skin was feeling extremely tight, and dry in my cheek area. So I just loaded up on Argan Oil. I still wasn't seeing a difference. Then my eye area dried out, which was so odd because I usually have very oily eyelids! All at the same time my lips started to crack. It was really odd for my skin.

I took a trip to Sephora and Lush to get a new skincare routine going... I wash my face twice a day; No if, ands, or buts! In the morning I use something gentle, but with a light exfoliant to get the products off from the night before. (By products, I don't mean makeup!) I've been loving Lush's Let The Good Times Roll facial cleanser. It has a very light exfoliant in it, which helps break down everything I put on my face the night before. It also leaves my skin feeling super soft! It can be bought here.

Once I cleanse with Let The Good Times Roll, I immediately moisturize. I need to lock in any moisture on my face. For day time use, I've been loving Josie Maran Argan Oil Light. My skin absorbs it very quickly, and it's light enough to wear under makeup. Argan Oil has changed my life for the better! I only use 4 or 5 drops for my entire face, and I massage it into my skin. I notice a huge difference when I'm using Argan Oil, and when I'm not. It can be purchased here. 

Every morning, I exfoliate my lips especially if I'm wearing lipstick that day. I've used different methods and products for lip exfoliation, but the one that I found that works the best for me is Lush Mint Julips lip scrub. It comes in different flavors, but I prefer the mint. It can be purchased here.

Those are the only three steps I will do in the morning. After my skin absorbs the Argan Oil, I will begin my makeup routine with primers, as usual. Once my day is over, I will take off my makeup with Neutrogena makeup removing towelettes. This gets most of my makeup off my face and eyes. I swear this is the best drugstore brand, and I have tried a lot! It can be purchased here. 

Next, I will wash my face with Philosophy's Purity. This is my favorite makeup removing cleanser, by far! I have used this product for so long, and I always go back to it. I'll lather my face in this cleanser for about 2-3 minutes, then wash it off. It gets the rest of my makeup off. It can be purchased here. But if you watch QVC, they do big sales on Purity! 

After my face is washed, I grab any eye makeup remover I can find and get the rest of my eye makeup off. Lemme tell ya- eyelash glue doesn't come off so easily! Lately I've been reaching for my Maybelline Clean Express eye makeup remover. It doesn't leave any residue on my eyes, which is what I really love about this product! It can be found here.

Once that is all done, I move onto my favorite part of the night. Moisturizing! I have fallen in love with a new moisturizer, that has saved my skin! It's the Josie Maran Argan Milk Intensive Hydrating Treatment. It's a much thicker formula than the Argan Oil, but skin absorbs it so quickly. It doesn't leave my skin feeling heavy, at all! It works wonders! I swore my skin felt more moisturized after one night of use. I use this every single night. It can be purchased here.

After I moisturize my face I moisturize my eyes. As I said, my eye area dried out so much in these past months. I've tried a few eye creams, but I find that this one works the best for me. It's the Lush Enchanted Eye Cream, which can be purchased here. I tap this eye cream, very gently, all over my under eye area and eyelid. 

My lips have been cracking and drying out like crazy, but I found an amazing product that really helps them stayed hydrated! I've tried so many different "moisture therapy" lip balms, and nothing seemed to work for me other than Vaseline Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter. I use this stuff day and night! I love it! It can be found here.

My entire daily face routine is finished at this point. Depending on how my skin is looking, I will use a spot treatment. I usually end up using a spot treatment twice a week on any problem areas I'm noticing. I've been loving the Mario Badescu Dry Lotion. It goes on bright pink, but it clears anything on my face overnight! It can be purchased here. I highly recommend it!

At least once a week I will use a face mask. My favorite face mask for the winter has been Lush's Fresh Face mask called Oatifix. It's a very hydrating mask, which I needed! This product lasts about two weeks because it's made without preservatives, but it's definitely worth picking it up. It can be purchased here.

That is everything I have been using in my skincare routine for the past few months. I've noticed my scaring is healing, and I'm breaking out less. I've been loving all of these products and how they work with my skin!