Make-up Run-down

  Workout in and blogging before 10 o’clock?! The world must be coming to an end…I am slowly but surely getting my sleep schedule somewhat back on track, and with that comes early blog posts. Yay! Now if I can just get this daily commitment thing down…it seriously shouldn’t be this hard! 

   I have recently been discussing blog topics with some of my fellow bloggers and friends and have decided to do a quick little make-up/skin care routine deal. Sooo if you’re a guy, this probably isn’t your cup of tea. Turn back while you can. Or if you want to enter a land uncharted, you’re more than welcome. This will be like learning a new language for you and you can understand our obsession and our pain haha

   I have came to the conclusion over the years that I am one of those people that have been cursed with oily skin. With this, comes a whole lot of “shine” and straight greasiness. Fun, right? I have tried pretty much everything under the sun to control breakouts and to keep my skin clean from Proactive, to Clinque, Avon/Mary Kay products and so many drug store products I couldn’t even count them on my fingers and toes. The one brand of cleansing product that I have found that works the best on my skin is Neutrogena. Hands down. I use the Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub in the mornings to exfoliate my skin, and the Power Cream Wash at night to wash off all of the makeup, ect. This may be backward in the “skin-care” bible, but it’s what works for me…So, I don’t care. I also only use Neutrogena moisturizer at night and not in the mornings because it makes my oily skin even oilier…if that’s even a word. I also use it if I’m not doing my make-up and just sitting out by the pool in the sun because I know my skin will be ridiculously dried out. Moving on…

   Along with my preach about Neutrogena products, I will also throw out there that on a daily basis, this is the only foundation I will use. Right now I bounce back and forth between the Skin-Clearing liquid foundation (it has salicylic acid in it, so it keeps my break-outs in check) and the Nourishing Long Wear liquid foundation. Everyone has their preferences though on what works for their skin, (obviously) or else there wouldn’t be hundreds of different brands and types to choose from. 

   My favorite part of my face to do (as with most girls I’m sure) is my eyes. I have a daily routine just like anyone else where I’m in a rush, know I have exactly 5 minutes, throw on a basic neutral-light brown color, quick eyeliner and mascara and I’m out the door. When I have the time though, I like to blend 3+ colors together to do some version of a "smoky-eye” look. Always lighter on the inside corners and fade it out to dark on the outer lid. My absolute favorite eye-shadow palette I am using every day (mostly because every single color goes with my almost-black eyes) is the Naked 2 palette from Urban Decay. It is somewhat pricey-if you’re used to just picking up a quick $5-$10 eyeshadow from the drugstore or Walmart, but the quality is worth every penny. and every single color can be mixed and matched with each other. Trust me, I’ve tried. I could make an entire post on eyeshadows alone, but will spare you the time…for now haha

    There are a few things that I recommend when it comes to make-up, ect...

-On a daily basis, less is more. You don’t have to have 3 inches of make-up on your face to go to work. By the end of the day, it will be smeared and smudged and look like a hot mess. 

-Pluck your eyebrows right after a hot shower! It’s wayyy less painful.

-If you have to use concealer for under-eye darkness, never smear it, always dab. Smearing it forces it into the creases and gives the under eye a weird effect of looking too light. 

-Never pump your mascara wand. It dries out your mascara causing it to clump, and always toss it in the trash after you’ve had it around 3 months. 

You can never have too much blending when it comes to foundation, eyeshadow, bronzer, what have you. 

Filling your eyebrows completely in with pencil will make them appear very harsh. Using a powder instead  (that is a shade or two lighter than your brows) will fill them in and give them shape without making it so obvious. Especially with those blonde and lighter eyebrows.

-If you want to play up a feature, go for it! But one at a time. If you are going to do a bold lip, down-play the eyes and go for a more natural look. And the same goes for the eyes - if you are going to do a smoky or shimmery eye, show it off! But go with a more neutral lip so that the eyes is where the focus will be. Now, if you’re going to be walking down the red carpet then go all out! Eyes, lips, the whole shebang! That’s a different story :) 

-Find a good mascara. This will make all the difference in your eyes. I’ve tried a million different mascaras and buy every new one that comes out, pretty much. I will have to do an entire blog just on mascaras alone, but right now my favorite everyday drug store mascara is Loreal Voluminous mascara. No clumps and amazing volume - heat your eyelash curler up slightly before curling them and your eyelashes will look amazing and natural but not like falsies. I ordered a new mascara that I will review for that effect and let you know what I think when it is delivered :) 

  To be able to review most of these products, it would be so much easier to do a video…I think I just realized what I should do for my first vlog. Tutorials can be done this way too, but I’m not a make-up expert, I can just show you my way and the products I use. 

   I also have 3 favorite beauty gurus on YouTube that you should check out and watch a couple of their videos if you have time. Their tutorials are easy to follow, and their videos are addicting! You can learn sooo much about the make-up world from these girls! This should get you started...

Jacklyn Hill http://youtu.be/Khwwml8xY_M - bought the eyeshadow in this video and it is AMAZING!!

Carli Bybel http://youtu.be/966fMTcjgVU

Taylor Bee http://youtu.be/Xm9p_a07KiQ

Questions? Comments? This was definitely a quick run-down, and feel like it was all over the place, but kinda gives you a little bit of info on a few of the products I use since I get comments on my make-up frequently. I will work on a product soon, or at least a blog with more pictures when I have time to compile all of my favorites! Is there anything that you would like to know about in particular? What is your beauty routine? What are some products that you love or would recommend? I’m always up for trying out new things, especially when it comes to make-up!! 

***When this blog finally hits over 2,000 views, to go along with this beauty theme, I am going to give away the newest Urban Decay Naked 3 palette! Who doesn’t love free stuff and free make-up to play with! To enter, comment below on this post ONLY with some of your favorite beauty products that you use or tricks that you’ve learned, along with contact information if you are the one randomly selected! I’m doing a 25 entry minimum this time (we came close last time) so you guys have to hit that mark for someone to win! So, invite all the ladies you know to enter, and good luck! xo