Beauty Blog

The other day a friend told me she could live without any cosmetics but her lipgloss, which I found funny since I almost never sport the stuff. It did get me thinking, though, about my makeup drawer, which is over-stuffed despite the fact that I only use a fraction of its contents. I would, of course, never throw any of it out because who knows when the perfect occasion for teal eyeshadow might arise? It could happen.

At the same time, I don’t think I could narrow it down to any one product–I have a few major makeup loves/dependencies. I’m sure I’ve mentioned all of them at one time or another. Here’s the rundown:

Lorac aquaPrime ($30) is, hands down, my favorite primer because it’s very light and super effective. I am about to get hooked up with the new liquid primer from Smashbox, though, so we’ll see if I stay devoted to Lorac. I’ll keep you posted.

I’ve been a satisfied user of Revlon ColorStay foundation for a long time now, and I don’t see myself giving up on it any time soon.  I really love the new Soft Flex line in the dry skin formula, since the older I get the dryer my skin gets.

Oh, Lorac Sheer Wash ($17.50), how do I love thee.  Honestly, I don’t think any other cheek stain even sort of compares in terms of color or endurance. It’s like instant pretty.

I feel like I’ve done a thousand posts about Clinique True Bronze Bronzer.  I guess I just can’t say enough about it.  I ran out recently and started using some free junk I had in that stuffed up drawer, and that mistake has made me love my Clinique even more. If that’s possible.

I am of the opinion that loose powder is loose powder, and you shouldn’t blow a lot of money on it. I’m using Cover Girl ($10.27) right now because it was on sale at CVS, so it’s more the category of translucent powder that I can’t live without more than any brand.

Oh Almay ($13.65), my friend, what would I do without you (when did this post turn into an ode?!)?  Like I said in my recent “how to” post about liquid eyeliner, Almay makes the grade.  My only advice is to break in the wand on your hand before your first use because it’s just too pointy to be affective right out of the package.

Can’t think of a good gift for someone on your list?  I say, give ‘em a cosmetic gift set.  I mean, who doesn’t love to get a pack of shiny lip gloss or skincare products from their favorite cosmetic brand?  The sets come out in droves every holiday season, so there are lots to choose from at lots of prices.

Here are a few favorites:

Lancome Juicy Lipgloss Set, $35

Japonesque Kimono Brush Set, $62.99

Philosophy Few Good Men Lipbalm Trio, $25

Clinique Travel Gift Set,  $24.50 ( I love that bag. So cute!)

When I first started wearing makeup, my routine consisted of foundation, loose powder and red lipstick–it was the 90s and I was thirteen, what do you want from me? But as the years went by, I brought in new things (eyeliner anyone?) and just let go of others. For instance, at one point, I nixed the lipstick, choosing instead to play up my eyes, and once the dewy look elicited my affections, liquid bronzer took the place of translucent powder.

But that’s all over now. I mean, I still wear the bronzer, but I’ve reincorporated the translucent loose powder and my makeup is all the better for it. And still pretty dewy.  Considering the way it keeps makeup in place all day (no, seriously!), absorbs oil, and minimizes the appearance of pores, I can’t believe I went without wearing it all these years. I guess I thought that it would give me too much matte texture, but if you apply it with a large powder brush, you can really control it.

My technique is to give my face a light dusting after the bronzer but before blush and eyeliner in order to increase the staying power and true color of both. Because of its moisture eradicating super powers, a quick sweep of powder on the eyelids before you let any liner or shadow near  ‘em will eliminate the smudges and makeup build-up in the creases. Yuck, I hate when that happens.

Another trick is to powder your lips before applying lipstick, which makes lipstick last and last. It’s also a good tool if you’re going for nude lips–just dab a little bit of foundation on your kisser until you get the fleshiness you’re going for and then lightly powder. You’ll be amazed at how long the effect will last.

Top to Bottom: LORAC Face Powder for the Face $28, Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush, $18.50, Shu Uemura New Face Powder, $32