Sample Swap

Last week, I participated in Classic Glam Blog's sample swap, and I'm oh so glad I did.

I got paired up with Jenn from Party of One. We sent each other 7-10 samples, plus 1 full size product. It was kind of like birchbox for bloggers.Thanks, Jenn. You sent some great stuff. I can't wait to try the shatter nail polish, and bliss body wash is my absolute fave!

My makeup routine

I get asked a lot of questions about my makeup, so I thought I'd share a little bit about my makeup philosophy.

I have very oily and very sensitive skin. "Special needs" skin, if you will. Taking those things into account, I have to use products that will keep me from breaking out, but also provide oil control. It's taken me a long time to find the right products, but I FINALLY know what works for me.

I like a more natural look for work. I don't usually wear eyeshadow, and I only line my top eyelids. I try to look as polished as possible, but not going so far with the makeup that I look like a hooker. For night, I still like to look natural(ish), but I do a little heavier on the eye makeup (so not hooker, more high dollar escort). I am more likely to wear eyeshadow at night, but it's not always a given. I line my eyes a little darker and do a couple more coats of mascara.

Here's my work makeup routine...

1. I use either Equate Anti-Wrinkle Cream or Aveda Inner Light Mineral Tinted Moisturizer depending on my mood. Both moisturize well. The Equate is thicker and better for winter. The Aveda isn't as rich and I use it more often in the summer. I use these under my eyes and around my nose. Even though I have oily skin, I think it is SO important to moisturize!

2. MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer. I use this under my eyes, around my nose, and anywhere I have a blemish.

3. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. I use this all over my face and blend with a kabuki brush.

4. Bare Minerals Warmth and MAC Powder Blush in Pink Swoon. In the summer I use Bare Minerals Warmth, as well as blush. I dust lightly over my face with a foundation brush. Then, I blend the blush on the apple of my cheeks and up my cheekbones.

5. MAC Eyeshadow in Mystery. I wet an eyeliner brush and swirl it in the eyeshadow. Then, I line my eyes.

6. MAC Opulash. First I curl my lashes, then I sweep 2 coats of mascara in my top and bottom lashes. I let them dry and curl again.

7. MAC Lipstick in Speak Louder and Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Polish in Katie. I apply the lipstick to both my lips, blot, and then apply the polish.

 

A new lipstick & gloss I love!

I used to not be that big into lipstick and lip gloss. It was something I didn't see as a necessity in my makeup routine. Now, I feel like I look like a corpse without something on my lips. I always put color and gloss on my lips before I leave home for work, but I do not bring my "good lipstick" to work with me. I'm afraid I'll forget to grab it before I go home and accidentally leave it at work. So, I brought my "average" lipsticks and glosses to work. I apply them throughout the day, but never feel as good as I do when I'm wearing my "good lipstick."

A few weeks ago, work sponsored an "All About Me" day for employees. Various vendors set up shop for the day in our atrium. Clinique just so happened to be there. Now, you already know I use Clinique skin care products, and I just so happened to be out of a favorite product. I went to the booth and made the purchase. When I got back to my office I noticed the Clinique girls put a couple of samples in my bag, a lipstick and a lip gloss.

The lipstick is Long Last Lipstick in All Heart. The gloss is Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Root Beer. I LOVE THEM, especially together! Now, when I apply lipstick and gloss at work I feel fabulous, not like a lesser hot version of myself. The lipstick is smooth and doesn't dry out my lips. It's a dark rosy pink color with a little hint of red. The gloss is ultra balmy with great shine. It's more of a pinky color and maybe a hint of brown. Together, they give a great natural lip color. You should def try this combo out. My only fear is that I'll decide to make this my "good lipstick" and be back in the same situation!