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!

Nightly Skincare Routine

Here's how I show my skin love every night. Note, I do not have face wash listed. I take my showers at night, so my face gets washed then. I don't really consider that part of my "nightly routine." (Click here to read about beauty products I love, here to read about my makeup routine, and here for healthy skin tips.)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I have very oily, very sensitive skin. I'm finally in a relationship with my skin that is not toxic. My routine works for me; it may not work for you. I'm interested to hear what you've found that works for you. I think the main thing with skin care (but, I'm no dermatologist) is making sure you keep your skin clean and moisturized. It took me years to realize that even oily skin needs moisture.

On a side note, I'm thinking about doing a giveaway. If I did, would you guys be interested?

1. Clinique Clarifying Lotion Number 4. I use this all over my (clean) face and neck.
2. Clinique Dramatically Moisturizing Gel. I use this immediately after 1. all over my face and neck.
3. Josie Maran Argon Oil. I use this before I go to bed under and around my eyes.
4. Bare Minerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment.I use this after 4. sinks into my skin lightly dusted over my face.
5. MAC Prep+Prime Future Length Lash Serum. I use this after 5. on the growth line of my top lashes.
6. C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Night Balm. I use this before I go to bed all over my lips. 

Let's talk about eyebrows

So, I'll get right to it. Do you fill in your eyebrows? I never used to, but I started about a year ago. Now I feel naked without eyebrows. I have my mother to thank for the extra minute it takes me to get ready. (Pic of her posted below, isn't she gorge?!)

I always thought eyebrow filler was only for people with thin brows. Not true. Eyebrows frame the face and set off the eyes. They are like window treatments...you don't need them, but they sure do make the room look nice. Let's get it straight, I do have eyebrows and they are not thinning at all.

I have very dark hair naturally, so my eyebrows are practically black. I use MAC eyeshadow in mystery to fill in my brows with a slanted eyeliner brush. (I also use this color to line my eyes.) The difference between filled and unfilled brows is subtle, but, in my opinion, the filled brow looks more polished. What do you think?

And don't judge me by the first picture. It was taken about 10 minutes after I woke up, which explains the pajamas and tired eyes.

Only the left brow is filled

Both brows filled

My mom and I at my law school hooding in May 2011

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!