Makeup:  The Basics Preview

Okay, ladies.  I really would like to do a video tutorial of my daily "Mommy" makeup routine but my webcam on my laptop is not working at this time (nor is the sound) so I will have to wait to do it this weekend when I can use Peter's.  Before that, though, I thought I would go over some of the basic products that I use and the terminology so that the video is less confusing for you.
  First things first:  Skin care.  I have not had major issues with my skin (except when I was on birth control - that was annoying because nothing helped) and I believe this is due to a couple factors.  When I first began to hit puberty, my Mother told me that I needed to start washing and moisturizing my face morning and night.  She showed me the ropes with that - got me a washcloth, explained that you use hot, hot water and soap and then end with a blast of cold water.  It became a habit, just like brushing my teeth, to wash my face twice a day.  I believe this is huge for skin care.  I have never been very inspired by special face washes, but have used good old Dove soap since around 12 years old.  My Mother has used it her entire life (as did her mother) and she has always looked beautiful and youthful.  The current moisturizer that I use is:  Neutrogena Sensitive Skin face lotion (find that here).  When I lived in Colorado, my skin was much more dry so I used the Neutrogena Dry Skin face lotion every time I washed my face (morning and night).  In Oregon, it is much more moist so I changed up the lotion AND I only moisturize in the morning before makeup.  I have found that my skin needs time to breathe in this rainy climate so I leave off the moisturizer at night time.  Depending on your climate, your skin needs will be different.
  Foundation:  My skin products are the one thing that I spend more $ on because I do believe that it makes a difference not only in looks but in keeping your skin healthy and just the overall, smooth, effortless look.  In my opinion, your skin is the most important part in your makeup routine and makes a big difference in looking healthy, glowing, youthful etc.  I currently use a loose powder foundation from MAC - it's from their Mineralize line because I wanted "healthy" makeup but love the MAC line.  I know that Bare Minerals has great products too and pretty much anything from Sephora is awesome.  My foundation is slightly darker than my current skin shade because I definitely need help in having a "glow" in the winter time.  Anytime I have bought a foundation that is my shade exactly, I end up not using it because I am so pale.  I love my new foundation because it's a sheer powder (you gotta show some skin! ;)) and feels like I'm not wearing anything but adds enough that my skin looks amazing with it.  If you want to stick to a budget, I have heard wonderful reviews on the Revlon line (sold at places like Walmart, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Walgreens etc) as well as the Maybelline line.  The one thing that's hard about that is matching your shade in the store because you can't try it.  I highly encourage you to take it back and exchange it if it's not the right color!!   Bronzer:  Yes, you use foundation and bronzer together.  I have only recently come into the world of Highlighting and Contouring (HAC) and have been kicking myself that I never learned this before.  For years I believed that if I wanted a little color then my only option was to throw some bronzer all over my face, try not to look like Tan Mom and that was that.  It has only been in the past month or so that I began to HAC in my daily makeup routine and wow, what a transformation from trashy to classy!  I will attempt to find pictures to display what I am referring to.  Here is one from before (Yes, my hair color is different but pay attention to the makeup):




And now here is one since I began to HAC:




See the difference??  Much more classy and less like Tan Mom.  Also note the difference between black eyeliner (from pic 1) and brown eyeliner (pic 2).  For a video tutorial on HAC, click here.  This girl is amazing and her video tutorials have taught me a ton!  My bronzer is also from MAC - I will give you all the names when I do the video tutorial.
  Blush:  Again, MAC.
  Concealer:  I actually am trying one from the Maybelline line - it's their 24 hour stay concealer and it works well.
  Maskara:  Currently using Falsies brand (Maybelline as well) but I want to try the Voluminous Lashes one next.
  Liner:  I use pretty much any pencil liner from a drugstore.  
  Shadows:  Oh man, I have shadows from all different brands. I like more powder shadows than gel or cream ones.  I have found that cream ones tend to get lines in the crease unless you use a shadow primer and I don't have the time or $ for that currently.  =D  A great shadow for everyday is a taupe color or something on the browner side that will add a smidge of color and you can embellish the crease of your eye to make them look bigger and wider.  I also love to use my shadow under my eyes as a softer lined look.
  Eyebrow color:  I have a specific brow shadow that I bought years ago at MAC but I will sometimes use a regular eyeshadow to fill them in as well.  Bigger, bolder eyebrows are really in right now and they make a huge difference in showing off your eyes!  For years I didn't worry about my brows but lately I have been trying this new trend and now I can't live without it!.  There is nothing like a beautiful, full brow to make your eyes pop.  I really can't stress this enough. You should also notice a difference in the pictures with my brows - I have them tinted in the second picture but not in the first.  Look at how much more the eyes pop out with brows filled in.

Okay, there are my basics for now.  It sounds like a lot and takes more time to write out but my daily makeup routine takes around 5 minutes.  I call it my "Mommy makeup routine".  It might take you longer at the start if you are not used to it but with practice, it will become a lot faster.  Can't wait to show you all the video tutorial!

XOXO
Joy