And that won't change. Not ever. Given a choice, I will always and forever spend money on something for my house rather than for myself (not including child needs of course).
But as I get busier with work, I would like to start to take a bit more time for myself and give myself a facial, moisturize or even possibly, hold on to your seat here, put on makeup. Crazy talk! I've never been much of a makeup girl, just some lipstick and mascara - and always good nail polish, but as mamma gets older she could use a little spruce.
So share with me. Teach me. What products do you use? Tell me what you love? What do you recommend? What do you wear everyday? How do you treat yourself? How many questions can I ask in one paragraph?
i am not a big makeup girl either, but i use under eye concealer and bronzer (bare minerals) and a bit of mascara on most days and that is enough for make me feel like i don't look like death.
ReplyDeleteFor every day, just some tinted moisturizer, Stila Convertible color swiped on cheeks and lips ( from the same compact) , a swipe of mascara, and possibly some Burt Bee's tinted lip balm, if I'm feeling ambitious. It all takes about a minute and makes a world of difference. I've found that if I spend the time keeping my skin really clean & moisturized, with a once a week Philosophy 2 part microdermabrasion scrub, I can get away with less paint on the barn ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a makeup gal either ... and really need to be ... I am eagerly awaiting the lessons here!! xo
ReplyDeleteSunscreen. Daily. Summer & winter. Stand-alone or in moisturizer. Do as I say not as I've done in the past, I've begun to see what sun damage really looks like up close and personal, it isn't pretty, costs $ to address at derm office, and takes lots of effort and time to cover it up with makeup, which is also something I never got in the habit of using. For all of us who are decor "obsessed" here's something to consider ... indulge yourself at least as much as you indulge your decor and home ... the house may not be your forever home but you are your forever you ;) Robin
ReplyDeleteGirl, I'm a product ho! I've tried it all and have a few favorites! Wash your face with a mild cleanser (Cerave or Cetaphil are great) every morning and night. Moisturize after you wash! Use a moisturizer with SPF in the morning. You can get drug store makeup and look amazing. I like to splurge on my foundation and mascara! I love Arbonne primer and foundation. I love Chanel mascara. Lipstick is a must!!!! Trish McEvoy has gorgeous sheer colors that look natural and taste like chocolate! Perfect!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one...but am noticing that yes, I am older, and I no longer look so cute without any make-up.....its starting to become a necessity.....so when I can......during the day I will wear under eye concealer and then some clinique lose powder....and eye liner...that's it....at least I look better rested. But you know for my birthday I'm asking for a make-up lesson and a whole bunch of new make-up. cause I haven't bought any (except lipsticks) in at least 6 years.....the horror...the travesty..I know!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Amy- cleanse and moisturize and you can get away with a lot less expensive make up. I have also finally figured out that if you moisturize under your eyes before bed it really helps with dark circle/bags the next morning. I hate putting on make-up (ADD) but I always put on a quick smudge of cream blush and I immediately look a little less pasty/tired/lazy :)
ReplyDeleteI started putting drops of foundation into my moisturizer. Tinted moisturizer can hide a few sins of the face. If I remember, A quick brush of blush and some lipstick....that should get me through my day without scaring anyone.
ReplyDeleteI only wear organic cosmetics... The junk they put in drugstore and department store cosmetics is SCARY!!! I always check my products on this website before purchase to gage their safety - http://www.ewg.org. One of my favorite lines is 100% Pure. You could pretty much eat their products, they are so clean. And the packaging is lovely! I use their tinted moisturizer every day, which also provides SPF. I also like their pressed powder, blush, and lip glaze which is so moisturizing! There are also some great options at Whole Foods... Email me if you have any questions! One of my former clients was a naturopathic doctor, and I have done tons of research on clean living.
ReplyDeleteXOXO,
The Glam Pad
I just started wearing makeup again and honestly feel so much better when I do. I swear by definicils mascara from Lancôme. I was my face twice a day with neutrogena glycerin soap. That's about it. :)
ReplyDeleteI usually don't leave the house without a full face of makeup (concealer + foundation +bronzer + blush + eyeliner + shadow + mascara + lipstick), except occassionally on weekends. It sounds like a lot, but it takes me less than 5 minutes to do my make-up each day and the only thing I touch up is lipstick throughout the day. My one piece of advice would be not to neccessarily buy into the expensive department store brands. I know some people swear by them, but I've tried just about every brand out there, at every price range, and I really don't notice a difference in quality or staying power. I use the cheap drug store brands now and it suits me fine!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way, I buy drusgstore stuff and have used only sample packets of any product from La Mer or Chanel! LOL! But one product I'm really loving right now is the BB cream from Garnier - it's a tinted moisturizer that's not greasy and I just love it Makes my skin less glaring and smoother. For $13, it's a steal for me!
ReplyDeleteCleanse and moisturize your face morning and night. SUNSCREEN, always.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't been into cosmetics, I would start with one of the mineral foundations, mascara, and tinted lip balm.
For those of us who spent our youth lying in the sun, spreading baby oil/Mercurochrome on our bodies, well, the time has come to pay the piper. I like FX foundation, under eye concealer, blush, lipstick, eyeliner. I've been doing it for years so I have it down pat. It takes about 5 minutes to do the whole shebang.
I like to keep it simple...drug store and Bare Minerals are my daily products. Wash with Cetaphil, moisturize with Olay products and Bare Minerals foundation/bronzer/shadow. I also use a Clarisonic cleanser...a bit of a splurge but so worth it for me! My "cant live without" daily must...a little mascara and blush...boom! ready for the day!
ReplyDeleteYou are a natural beauty so you don't need a lot of help here Elizabeth! BUT if you spend on nothing else, get yourself a GOOD moisturizer right quick. Don't wait until the lines start marching all over your face like I did. I use a very gentle cleanser by Nelly de Vuyst that I looooove. It's hard to find though. Also my new fave moisturizer is by Epicuren, I see it in spas and hair salons so it's easy to find, and an upgrade from the Oil of Olay I used all through my twenties and thirties. I think I have tried every product under the sun and think you can totally cheap out on drug-store type mascara, eyeliner, etc. but anything you put on your SKIN……go with the good stuff (under eye concealer, a little base to even out skin tone, blush.) All that said, I just wear a little makeup, you don't need a lot if done right. There are TONS of tutorials on Pinterest for natural looking makeup (and date night dramatic eyes/lips/etc.!) I think it's a great idea to take some care of yourself…..Mamas don't do it enough!
ReplyDeleteHave a sensible routine of cleaning and moisturizing.....A sun screen moisturizer, tinted, works good. A little blush and lip color never hurts or does mascara.
ReplyDeleteLaura Mercier tinted moisturizer. It will change your life. Add a nice blush and mascara and you are good to go. Until you get in your car and apply your lipgloss. I have a whole other list for nights out but honestly that's for next year when you're ready to step it up. All of this can be kept in your handbag and applied in your driveway when your girls are buckled up. No joke.
ReplyDeleteI should also mention Trish McEvoy even skin primer + moisturizer in one. Most days that's all I do and it's enough
ReplyDeleteMy friends swear by MAC make up...I have yet to invest in good make up, mostly because I don't really know how to put it on...it's so much work being a big girl!!!
ReplyDeleteI use a BB cream - covergirl I think - and I think a little blush, mascara, and filling in my eyebrows is pretty much all I do. I think pretty skin and strong eyebrows (they frame the face) are all you really need!
ReplyDeleteLaura Mercier. Expensive but great. Treat yo self.
ReplyDeleteI love my Dior foundation and Chanel lipstick!! That is it unless I am going out.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on house over self, but I do treat myself at times.
Happy Sunday, ELizabeth.
Teresa
xoxo
Oh I'm a total makeup whore - always have been although as I've gotten older, I've been treating myself a little more to stuff that's slightly higher end. And to be fair, the quality in most of them are worth it - I figure my skin needs a little more of the GOOD STUFF now. But I will say this - I've been using Nivea Q10 Anti ageing moisturiser - which is relatively CHEAP - since I was about 24 and I'm still mistaken for being in my early 30's although (whispers) I'm actually 40. So yeah, a good skin routine is absolutely a necessity. I'll even make sure I remove my makeup thoroughly and apply moisturiser every single night, even if I've crawled in from a night out on my hands and knees at 3am. That doesn't happen as often any more mind you (see old lady being 40 comment) but it's like it's programmed into my head - I can't NOT do it.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I just discovered a new foundation and yes, it's a bit pricey but oh my god, it's gorgeous - Chanel Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Fluid Make Up. I find it gives you nice light coverage, goes on so smooth (you only need a tiny bit for your whole face so while it's expensive, it does last ages) and your skin looks radiant afterwards. Like a facelift in a freaking pump.
As for colour (eyeshadows/lippy), I highly recommend MAC - it's got a higher pigmentation and so again, it will last you ages. Totally worth the money.
My favourite mascara at the moment is Benefit's They're Real - you can layer it so whether you want a soft daytime look or a heavier night time look, you can pile this stuff on and it doesn't clump or flake or smear. Good stuff, promise.
Ok, those are my recommendations. Remember: You're worth it ;)
xxx
yves saint laurent mascara. the best.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I'm with you, I will always ALWAYS spend money on my house vs. makeup/clothes/myself. I'm learning a lot from your comments. :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteMake-up shmake-up! Tell me about a deal on fabric instead.
ReplyDeleteActually I have been using moisturizer everyday since I was 15 and now I am a sunscreen freak. My daughter just bought Loreal sublime bronze oil-free face sunscreen and it makes you skin super soft but its not a tanning creme. I stole some for myself.
Oh girl....I was like you...a little mascara some lipstick and then I got OLD. Game. Changer. It's a whole routine now and can put me in a bad mood. I am so over it and I wish there was a rule where no one could wear any makeup so we all looked bad.
ReplyDeleteNo advice, just identifying. (As she sits clad in yoga pants plotting how to pay for the next upholstery job.)
ReplyDeleteAs a mom of two with her own office, let me tell you - that lipstick and mascara works wonder! I'm a HUGE fan of Bobbi Brown cosmetics and love every single thing I purchase there. As for masks, I find the masks you make at home to be more effective than anything store bought. I love avocado + honey. Mash and put on face (and hair too!). Chill for about 20 minutes or while you get your bath water warm and enjoy the beautiful results. I use the Bobbi Brown BB cream every day, Burt's Bees Lip Balm and Bobbi Brown mascara and I'm ready to go. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI splurge on some things and keep it basic with others. I use Cetaphil moisturizer with spf 15 every morning and regular Cetaphil in the evening. I used to use Cetaphil bar soap but started to get dry patches (joy oh joy) so my dermatologist recommended I use plain old unscented Dove instead.
ReplyDeleteThe things I must have are Lancôme Dual-Finish Powder, Laura Mercier Primer and Laura Mercier Crème Foundation. I also like the Laura Mercier concealer. I was a major sun worshipper back in the day and have the brown spots to prove it. Laura Mercier gives me the coverage I need but feels light on my skin. I never leave the house without my compact of Lancôme in my purse. It's great on its own or used as a powder over the Laura Mercier. I'm not as picky about blush, mascara, eyeshadow or liner and usually just buy something from the grocery store or Sephora.
One thing I have learned as I approach 50 is STAY AWAY FROM BROWN EYESHADOW. It makes me look like I'm either extremely tired or have turned into a zombie. I pretty much just sweep a lighter cream color over my eyelids and add a little eyeliner and mascara.
I know ladies who won't leave the house without lipstick but my lips have pretty good color naturally so I just use Chapstick or a light colored Burt's Bees. I use a brighter lipstick when I go out and stay away from the darker colors that I used to love.
I miss the days when makeup used to be fun and optional. Now it's a necessity so I don't look like a walking corpse.