A lot of friends ask me what beauty products I use because I have so many and like to try as much as I can. It depends on whether I'm planning on seeing anyone besides a trip to the grocery store, out for a drink, or doing a tv spot. I have different degrees of make up preparation as I'm sure most anyone does. I joke that I have "mom-makeup" for grocery and other mom activities, "hooker makeup" for those tv appearances of which several layers is wiped off before I go out in public, and then the in between make up.
Today is my "in-between" make up. It's pretty easy and quick. The products can be found easily in town (metro area) or online.
If I need the make up to last most of the day I apply a primer. Usually it's SMASHBOX, however I have been testing another by Revlon. Two very different compositions. SMASHBOX feels more like a silicone-base whereas the Revlon product seems more like a water-base. SMASHBOX gave us loads of the primer for our goodie bags a few months ago, so naturally I'm leaning toward my free product!
Next is L'Oreal Infalliable foundation. I like a heavy foundation that gives me excellent coverage and staying power. I'm very freckled and spotted as a result of my younger years being spent in the sun with no sunscreen. This foundation does a better job at hiding some of those spots. Please don't rub your foundation too hard. It's not a nice way to treat your skin.
Next is eyeliner. Honestly, I have no favorites in this department. I like the kinds that don't need sharpening and go on easily without dragging my skin along. Other than that I've not had any relelations in this area. Sorry. Though I will say that I prefer a dark brown over black at all times. Black is too...well...black. It's too harsh for most people, unless you are an 80's rock star...then it's fine.
My most favorite, most used product is the faux-croc palette from LORAC. It was an emergency buy during New York fashion week after the rainy day made me look like a wet dog and I needed serious help in the makeup department. The palette has four eyeshadows and a blush. I absolutely love this compact little miracle. I use the darkest shade to fill in my eyebrows - you MUST have the right brush for this. Do not try with an eyeshadow brush! I then use that shade on the lower part of the lid, near my lash line to smudge the eyeliner a bit, and fill in toward my brow-bone. The lightest shade near my brow. For a regular day, that's it. For a nicer night out I get more elaborate with color mixing and application.
Mascara...I'm definitely loving the L'Oreal Telescopic Voluminous mascara. It gives me length, thickness and overall fab lashes. It took me some time to get used to the unique comb-like brush, but it was well worth the patience. I've actually had friends think I had my false eyelashes on when it was just mascara! It's fragrance-free and allergy tested. Doesn't come off well for me with soap and water so I use eye makeup remover towelettes.
If I remember, I'll toss some powder on my face. Again...I don't have any product I'm tied to. I currently use Covergirl loose powder.
That's it. Hmmm...it seems like a lot, but it's really quite fast for me and I'm usually applying most of it in the car, which is far less dangerous than when I'm trying to reach back and tell off a kid or catch a ball launched at my head. Kids should be illegal while driving, not cell phones and other disctractions.
Anyway. If I want to glam it up, I'll also use a bronzer by LORAC applied with a big, fat make up brush made of natural hair fibers. I'll apply a bit of the dark eyeshadow under my lower lash line with by brow brush, and use Urban Decay's eye shadow primer before applying eyeshadow, and Stila's convertible eyeliner pen that has eyeshadow inside so that I can apply a slight highlight just under my brow for a lifted look.
I'm not a makeup pro, I just try a lot of it and can give honest feedback. I still hire a make up artist for any important gigs because no matter how much I practice, she still makes me look pretty darn good!
