Wednesday, August 14, 2013

my daily face routine



BAM! bet you didn't expect to see a big-ol photo of yours truly when you clicked open to my blog today, did ya? well there it is. sorry if i may have frightened you.

actually, i'll admit that i was/am a bit apprehensive about posting a big mug shot of myself. it can come across as self absorbed, can't it? but i wanted to share this today because lately i've gotten quite a few compliments on my complexion. that's exciting to me because before 7 AM, that face doesn't look much like that at all. i have quite a bit of redness and some crazy raccoon eyes. but with these six products, i think i get a decent palette for whatever eye and lip makeup i want to wear.

(good to know: i have oily to combination skin. this routine may not work for those with dry skin.)
what i do:
1. after applying moisturizer and a good eye cream, i swirl my ring finger into the Bobbi Brown Corrector in the shade peach. lightly, i tap this onto the blue areas under my eyes. a couple of tips: use less than you think, a little goes a long way. also, this stuff has to go on over moisturized skin or it gets cakey + flakey.

2. pump a little bit of Make Up For Ever HD Foundation onto your fingertips and dot all over your face.  my shade is #128, but have a makeup artist match you when purchasing. once product is distributed, use a flat-top kabuki brush to blend it in. or, you can use your fingertips. make sure to blend up into the hairline and down onto your neck. need extra coverage? apply a thin second coat. this stuff is medium coverage, but buildable.

3. once the corrector and foundation are dry, tap your ring finger into the Bobbi Brown Concealer. again, a little goes a long way. gently press it under your eye for a brightening effect.

4. with a large powder brush, dust a bit of Rimmel Stay Matte Powder across your T-zone (across your forehead, down your nose to your chin). this will help keep away the shine.

5. using an angled brush, i pick up some of Elf's Studio Bronzer and contour my face. i like to contour below my cheekbone, under my jaw line, and along my hair line on my forehead. my face is very round so this helps to give it the appearance of angles.

6. to give myself a bit more of an illuminated look, i use Benefit's High Beam as a highlighter. dot the cream along your cheekbone just before the apples of your cheeks. use your fingers to blend that in.

and that's it! a few key products that i consider miracle workers. now i'm ready to do whatever eye makeup and lip products. i also use a setting spray after all my makeup is complete, but i don't have a favorite product yet. do you have one you love?

do you have any products you consider holy grail?