Beauty Routine

I thought I’d share my beauty routine and what products I use (plus it’s a link up so that’s always fun).  I’m pretty simple when it comes to make-up.  I DO NOT like spending more than 10 minutes applying make-up, so my beauty products related to that are minimal.  And I’m not a risk taker so I pretty much use the same products/colors every time.  Throughout the summer, I rarely apply make-up, which is a nice break for my face.

How I organize my make-up (on the right)…

Before I get to my make-up, I want to share how I keep my skin fresh (hopefully allowing me to wear less and less make-up).  Long story short, I abused my skin growing up from sun exposure while playing soccer.  Therefore, I decided a little less than a year ago to invest in a skin care routine that would reverse the damage I did to my skin.  My friend Erika was selling Rodan & Fields products and I decided to try the Reverse regimen.  It’s quite pricey, but I told myself if I don’t see a noticeable difference, I’ll stop using it and invest in some other high quality “over-the-counter” grocery store products.  Well…

Needless to say, I’m still using the the same Reverse regimen today (cleanser not picture above because I ran out…waiting on my new supply).  I kind of wanted it to not be that different so I didn’t have to spend that much money, but it’s just too good right now.  Plus, it’s always fun to support someone else’s home business at the same time.  These products have really smoothed my face and lightened my freckles and dark spots.  And if this eye cream can hide some of MY tired eyes, then it’s super good.  I’m horrible with getting enough sleep as you know by now, so this eye cream saves me.

Every night I wash my face with the cleanser (usually in the shower), then I use the toner (I love how clean this makes my face feel), then I mix the dual brightening complex on the back of my hand and apply to my face like any moisturizer (I apply to back of my hand so when I’m done with my face, I rub the two backs of my hands together so I don’t waste any since the backs of our hands age as well).  After that, I apply the Redefine eye cream underneath and around my eyes (not part of the Reverse line).  I only apply the sunscreen (not pictured) in the mornings after I wash my face.  I only wash my face with a cleanser (right now I’m using Cetaphil) in the morning and then apply the sunscreen.  I have oily skin, so if I use the whole regimen in the morning, my face is SOOO shiny.  If I’m not lazy or have on heavy eye make-up, then I use that Mary Kay Eye Make-up removal with a cotton ball.  This stuff is really awesome, but sometimes I just hop in the shower and wash my face.

Onto make-up.  My everyday look is this:

1. Apply Revlon Colorstay concealer (03 Light Medium) to any dark spots on my face and under my eyes.  Then I pat it in with my ring finger to blend.

2. Apply Mineral Wear (Natural Beige) powder.  I LOVE MAC’s matte finish powder, but it’s too expensive for something I use almost daily, so I currently use this powder.

3. Apply the # 2 MAC eye shadow (Tempting) in outside corner of my eye.  This bronze looks good/natural with my hazel eyes.  I only use the other shadows if I want a bit more on my eyes.  #1 (Kid) all over my eye lid for a natural soft look.  #3 (Dazlelight) under eyebrow and in corners of inner eye to brighten them up.  #4 (Sketch) is a dark purple for a more smoky eye, which I use the same as #2 for color.  #5 is a black for a really smoky eye.
 

4. Apply eye liner to the top and bottom inside my eye (I don’t know what that part of the eye is called).  Sometimes I’ll just add a touch to the top OR bottom.  This is my favorite eye liner and it’s about $5.00 at Walmart.  It lasts a long time and goes on so smooth.  It’s Maybelline Define a Line (Ebony Black…or whatever is the blackest).

5. Add some eyebrows 🙂  Eyebrows!  I hate doing these, but I have the world’s smallest eyebrows and I don’t even pluck them (I only pluck the middle…barely).  They’re mis-shaped, so I use this eye shadow and narrow brush to add some length and fill them in a bit.  The eye shadow is MAC Charcoal Brown.  I got my make-up done one time at MAC and she used this to define my brows.  I’ve used it ever since.  If I drew it on with a pencil I’d look like a clown, so this is perfect.

6. I also use this bronzer as a blush most days – Wed n Wild Coloricon “Ticket to Brazil”.  I apply it to my cheekbones.  When I bought this at Walmart, they didn’t have the normal shade I use, so I grabbed this.  It definitely does not show up as well, so I’ll be looking for the shade darker (740), but it’s good for summer.

And that’s it.  If I’m going out I’ll add a heavier eye liner to the top of my eyes.  I like these two.  MAC’s liquid eye liner and Eyeko’s liquid liner.  I got the Eyeko in my Birchbox so it was free, but I really like it.  It’s a little easier to apply than the MAC liner but the MAC stays ALL day and night long.

If I want fuller coverage, I’ll apply this BB cream first to my face with a sponge.  Then I’ll apply my make-up just as above.

Oh and I always have “lip gloss” on my lips in the form of Chapstick.  Good ol’ chapstick.  Only if I’m going on a date or taking pictures will I wear some Bath and Body Works real lip gloss. I never wear lipstick and feel like an absolute clown with it on. 🙂
And then there is my most favorite beauty routine!  My nails.  I paint my nails about once a week.  My absolute favorite polish is Sinful Colors.  I have used SO many nail polishes and this one, surprisingly, holds its own.  It’s only $1.99 at Walmart, which is awesome.  I believe I need every nail polish color that is out there, so this price and quality is perfect for me.  I actually don’t mind spending a lot on polish since I use it so often, but it still hurts to spend $8.00 or more on a polish.  I get a pedicure once a month, but during the summer, I change the polish after a couple of weeks until my next pedicure. 

You can read HERE how I organize my nail polishes.

Reds are probably my go-to for nail color. 

I’ve really grown to like dark (almost black) nail polishes in the last couple of years too.

I’m linking up with Momfessionals Show and Tell Tuesday.  Can’t wait to read some other beauty routines.