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Then vs Now: How my makeup has changed in my 30’s

April 23, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog, Makeup Looks, makeup tips, The Beauty Council / 21 Comments

There’s something that happens to us as we get older. Things tend to change. If they don’t then there’s something wrong with you. #KiddingNOTKidding Seriously, people tend to learn from the mistakes they’ve made as youths, and work on improving those things as they get older. The same thing goes for people in the makeup world, whether you’re a makeup artist or enthusiast, you’re sure to have noticed a change in the way your makeup looks now versus lets say, 5 to 10 years ago.

I didn’t start wearing makeup until I was 18, which was for my high school prom. This makeup consisted of powder, gold eye shadow, mascara, and a gloss. And then, something happened, I began to experiment with different colors, foundation, lipsticks, blushers and bronzers; I was obsessed. I turned my obsession into a passion, and began blogging and doing makeup. Now that I am fresh into my 30’s, it seems like I’m back to where I started – back to neutrals. One thing I noticed about my makeup versus then and now, is that I am more of a ‘Less is more’ kind of gal woman.

What am I doing differently with my makeup now that I’m in my 30’s? Keep reading to find out.

Looking back at my old makeup posts and tutorials, I was into very colorful makeup. I was younger, and didn’t I mind experimenting with color to create colorful [outrageous] looks. I remember the huge lashes I loved to wear. OMG! I look back at photos, and I think I look completely ridiculous. Even my eyebrows went through some major changes. They’re no longer heavily drawn on. They have a softer more natural look.

These days, I’m not sure if it’s the mom in me, or if I’m becoming more conservative, or maybe it can be attributed to me not having more time to dedicate to putting on loads of makeup, but one thing I noticed is that my makeup in my 30’s is more on the neutral side. Sure, I will add a pop of color with a colored eye pencil or even a bright lippie, but, that’s probably the most I will do. I honestly do not have the time for anything else, especially during the week.

My goal for my makeup look, especially for work and casual wear, is to look more polished than made up. Below are some of my makeup staples for an everyday face.

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (review)
La Girl Pro Concealer (review)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow (review) or IT Cosmetics YBBB Brow Pencil (review)
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (review) or tarte Lights Camera Lashes
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder #7
Anyone of my favorite colored lippies for a pop of color or if I want a straight nude/neutral look, I opt for the NARS Audacious Lipstick in Raquel (review).

I’ve shared how my makeup look and routine have changed since hitting 30. I would love to hear about your experiences, too.

Have you noticed that your makeup look has changed as you aged? If so, I’d like to hear how. If it hasn’t I’d love to hear about that, too!

An InLinkz Link-up

Spring Skincare Routine for my Combination Oily Skin

April 22, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog / 16 Comments

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Spring is here, which means it is time to update my current skincare routine. There are things that worked for my skin during the winter that may not work for my skin right now, which is why I’ve began a new Spring Skincare Routine for my Combination Oily Skin.

We all know that this winter has been harsh for those of us in the Northeast. I’m sure you can imagine the havoc it’s wreaked on my skin. I have dry patches between my eyebrows, and on a problem area on the right cheek. To remedy that I am incorporating products into my spring skincare routine that’s going to help in reviving and repairing my skin just in time for the summer.

On the days I’m wearing makeup, and prior to cleansing, in order to remove any makeup, dirt and grime, I opt for a makeup removal wipe (lazy days) or a cleansing oil. And then I follow up with my favorite cleanser (review) which I use with a charcoal konjac sponge (review). Charcoal aids in oil absorption.

After cleansing, I usually exfoliate. Do you remember my last skincare post? If not, read it here. In it, I introduced you to a Japanese skincare brand, SKIN INC. I’m still using everything, especially their Pure Revival Peel to slough off dry, dead skin. I use this at least twice per week or three times, if needed. Other days, I just use one of my favorite, gentle daily microfoliants. It sounds like a lot, but this works for my skin.

Of course I use a toner to get rid of anything my cleanser may have missed, and to refresh my skin. I’m in the middle of finishing up the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner, to which I’ve added additional Tea Tree essential oil, which has helped in keeping away blemishes, and reducing oil in my t-zone. Lord know that are can become an oil slick. I still use the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Rosewater and Aloe (review), which reminds me that I need to stock up.

After the toner, I apply a serum, and then follow-up with the SKIN INC Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask, which I am in-love with. Seriously, this stuff has my skin soft, supple, and radiant the next morning. Yes, you can sleep in it, which is another characteristic about it that I love. Since it’s a clear formula, you don’t have to worry about it messing up your sheets.

In the mornings, I skip the Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask, and opt for a lightweight moisturizer with SPF. SPF is a must during the warmer months since I’m outdoors more often, which means my skin is exposed to the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays. I’ve also been carrying around the Coola Matte Tint SPF 30 Sunscreen. I like that it takes away the shine, and can be applied over my makeup if I am wearing any.

Now that I’ve share my Spring Skincare Routine for my Combination Oily Skin, I’d love to hear about how your current skincare routine has changed this season.

Does your skincare routines change with the seasons?

My Favorite Spring Lipsticks: The Pink Edition

April 20, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog, Makeup Looks, Product Swatches / 18 Comments

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Spring is definitely here! I know for a fact that I am not the only one happy about the warm weather that spring brings, especially, after the weather we’ve had this past winter. To welcome spring I’ve put together a list of my favorite lipsticks to wear during the spring and into the summer. This round of my favorite spring lipsticks features a spring suitable shade, pink.

Keep reading for pictures and swatches of My Favorite Spring Lipsticks: The Pink Edition.

Show Orchid is a beautiful, bold fuchsia with blue iridescent properties. It glides on nicely, and has opaque coverage that lasts for a few hours. It’s great color if you’re into bright pink shades. I wear MAC Show Orchid during the day for a nice pop of color. It’s also fun color to wear out for a night out with friends.

Girl About Town was one of the first bright pink lipsticks I’ve ever purchased from MAC, and it’s still one of my favorite spring lipsticks due to the color alone. Plus, like Show Orchid, it’s creamy texture glides onto my lips easily, and offers full-coverage color in one swipe. Girl About Town is one of those shades that can seriously be worn by anyone, anytime, and anywhere.

I reviewed the LA Girl Glazed Lip Paints previously. Bombshell was one of my favorite shades due to its fuchsia color that perfectly flattered my complexion. The texture is more of a gloss, and isn’t as opaque as some of my other favorite spring lipsticks, but it still doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s pretty, and it makes me feel like a bombshell when wearing it.

Another bright fuchsia, the OCC Lip Tar Pretty Boy, has made My Favorite Spring Lipsticks list. This is another liquid lipstick, similar to the LA Girl Glazed Lip Paint, except that the finish is more matte, and this one is a lot more pigmented.

A coral made my favorite spring lipsticks list! Yay! Trollop, wears more pink on me than anything, which makes sense since OCC describes it as a “pink-coral”. It’s a nice bright shade that packs the pigment. I don’t need much makeup besides bronzer, mascara, and concealer when wearing it. It’s definitely a fun shade for spring.

Up The Amp is the last of my favorite spring lipsticks as for as pinks go. It’s a creamy pink shade that leans a bit purplish. Against my complexion it’s a very subtle shade, which I love because it makes it suitable for work wear. The color is opaque and lasts for a good amount of time, too. I’d say about 5-hours.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading and seeing photos of My Favorite Spring Lipsticks: The Pink Edition. I’d love to hear what shades of lipsticks you’ve been wearing this spring.

The NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel Shade is Gorgeous on Brown Skin

April 15, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog, Makeup Looks, Product Swatches / 23 Comments

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Remember my mini NARS Haul? I purchased the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in Macao along with the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel. If you’ve read my review of the All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, you’d know that I love it; it has been my go-to foundation of choice for the last few months. You would have also noticed the nice pink-beige lipstick I’ve been wearing, too, which is the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel.

NARS describes their line of 40 Audacious Lipsticks as:

Modern lipstick so shamelessly seductive in touch and texture the sensation is audacious. Unadulterated luxury glides on like satin across skin with single-stroke coverage. A spectrum of 40 shades for unstoppable impact.

Before I get into what I’m loving about the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel, can I just talk about the case? The NARS Audacious Lipstick case is a sleek, mate black metal case with magnetic properties. Have you ever had your lipstick cap come off while toting it around in your bag? Yup! It’s happened to me, and what a mess that was. Fortunately, with the NARS Audacious Lipstick I don’t have to worry about that. Never before have I had a lipstick case with magnetic packaging that aligns itself to snap close.

Now, we can talk about the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel. As I mentioned above, it’s a pretty, neutral, pinkish-beige lipstick. It’s a nice semi-matte formula that glides on smoothly, with a lot of impact in one swipe, which is very similar the the All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation since I only needed one drop of that. At least NARS is consistent, right?

If you have pigmented lips, you know that finding a lipstick with opacity of epic proportions to cover up that pigment and have the lipstick shade pop, can sometimes be difficult. I’m a brown girl, with slightly pigmented lips, and even with that, the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel shows up on my lips just as it appears in the tube, which is awesome.

Although the NARS Audacious Lipsticks are described as having satin finishes, I’ve found that, at least on me, the lipstick appears a little matte, which doesn’t bother me because I LOVE matte lipsticks. Even with this characteristic, I didn’t find the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel to be drying; however, I would suggest applying a thin layer of lip balm prior to applying the lipstick.

As far as the longevity of wear goes, the NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel lasts at least 5 hours, even after eating and/or drinking. I like that it doesn’t feather either; however, I do line my lips with my favorite nude lip pencil.

Overall, I am completely satisfied with my NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel. For me, it’s the perfect nude shade for my brown skin. I like that on me, it doesn’t look pasty, and it complements any makeup look whether it’s a smoky eye or soft neutral look. It’s honestly the perfect everyday lipstick. I can’t wait to try out more of the other shades.

The NARS Audacious Lipstick Raquel can be purchased for $32.00/ 0.14 oz at NARS or narscosmetics.com, Sephora or Sephora.com, Barneys or Barneys.com.

Do you own any of the NARS Audacious Lipsticks?

Which are your favorite shades?