Make-Up and Skin Care Favorites

These days, my beauty routine is really just Carmex, shades, and a ponytail.  But, on occasion, I do have to leave the house.  So here is my small stash of beauty product favorites.  

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup // Maybelline Great Lash Mascara BIG // Smashbox Primer // Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner // Sonia Kashuk Eyeshadow in Melon // MAC Studio Finish Concealer // Almay Intense i-Color Shimmer for Brown Eyes

Some notes on my makeup:

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup - I apply it with the Clinique foundation brush as thick/thin a layer I need.  I have been using it for years, all-year-round, and love, love, love it!
Clinique Loose Translucent Powder - Very light and has a touch of shimmer.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara BIG - I have tried TONS of mascaras claiming they will do all sorts of things, but I just don't see the results I'm supposed to see.  I like a mascara that is creamy and not clumpy or sticky.  Been using this for years and always go back to it when I try something new.
Trish McEvoy Lip Gloss (color:  Irresistible) - This gloss isn't sticky and your hair won't get stuck in it on a windy day.

MAC Paint - Oh. My. Gosh.  This is the best eye shadow primer ever.  One tube will last you several years because you use very little each time.  At the end of the day, my eye shadow looks just like it did when I applied it.  No creases, ever.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer - I apply this concealer with a brush and it works for covering any spots or blemishes.  It's a little thicker, so don't use it under your eyes.  Under my eyes, I just use my foundation and apply it with a brush or my ring finger, usually applying 2 layers.

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner - This stuff doesn't smudge all day.  It is waterproof, so it's harder to get off your lower lash line, so I try to just use it on the top.

My skin type is combination and these skincare products work great for me...

Twice a day, I use Exuvience purifying cleansing gel.  Although this cleanser is good for sensitive skin, it was recommended to me by my dermatologist to treat my acne when I was in high school and I have been using it ever since.  She also recommended Clinique and Neutragena products, which I'll occasionally use, but I always find other face washes either dry me out or leave me needing to exfoliate.  Even though I now have combination skin, I'm still using this cleanser and it doesn't dry me out at all.  And it leaves my skin sooo soft.  It's one of the few that after I wash, I don't run for the moisturizer.  It's very gentle and contains AHA's and PHA's to lightly exfoliate and help fight wrinkles.  Keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way.  But make sure you don't use this if you're pregnant or breast-feeding because the AHA/PHA's aren't good for your baby.  During pregnancy, I had serious acne problems the first few months.  I switched to using the ProActive skin care line, which is safe during pregnancy.  They have a cleanser and toner that worked wonders on controlling the excess oil on my face.  As for the acne, there was no real cure for that - just had to wait it out.

For daytime moisture, I use a lightweight cream with SPF, Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer SPF 30. It helped clear up the redness on my cheeks after a few weeks of use.  I love this moisturizer and have been using it for years.  It's great on my combination skin and I use it all year round.

Once or twice a year, I splurge on a spa facial.  In between visits, I use Origins Charcoal Mask at home.  It's great for bringing impurities to the surface and it leaves my skin super smooth.  After using this mask, my skin feels so clean!

At night, I use whatever eye cream I have on hand (usually it's some random trial size sample that came with my last Nordstrom order) and I put Retin-A cream on my T-zone.  Again, don't use these AHA products if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.  I've been doing this nightly routine for a very long time and I think it's help keep my skin firm.  That, and the fact that I've been wearing SPF 30 every day since I was 13!

  There you have it!  My secrets are out!  I welcome any product recommendations you may have!  I'm always looking to try new things and would love to hear from you :)

Xavier constantly gets complimented from strangers on how cute he is.  I leave you with his secret...