Although I have not been officially tagged for this one, I would like to play anyway. I found this Beauty Treatment Tag on another blog. I always enjoy learning about what works for other women, so I thought I'd play. If you would like to share your favs, please post a link to your blog so we can all run out and pick up your fabulous find!
Here's my picks for the BEAUTY TREATMENT TAG:
MY FOUNDATION: I do not have a one-size-fits-all approach to make up. There are so many variables to consider: Daytime coverage? Evening glam? Is the weather reasonable or will the summer sweat make my face run off? Penny pinching or am I feeling flush? So many factors to consider. Here is my current stash:
- Boots No. 7 True Identity Foundation in medium is my go-to lightweight base. It has an airy, velvety feel and is supposed to "take the guesswork" out of matching your skin tone. I'm not sure how it does it, but it works. Easy on, easy to match, easy to wear. It is like yoga pants for my face...easy.
- Boots No. 7 Calming Lotion- If I'm a little too rosey for True Identity to calm, this green-tinted undercoat helps out. Did I mention you can find the Boots line at Target? Love that.
- I love my mineral make up. I love Bare Escentuals (especially Mineral Veil), but when I can't afford it, I substitute any one of the Wal-Mart cosmetic aisle lines (Loreal or Neutrogena have been fine). I do love my little tub of the appropriately named "Well Rested" B.E. mineral foundation boost for under the eyes. Good stuff.
- Hyper Real by M.A.C. is the BEST full coverage liquid foundation I've found. I love this stuff. I save it for those rare evenings out because A) it is expensive, and B) it is liquid foundation and who the hell wants to mess with that stuff on a daily basis? If I ever need to "get made up" for the business world again, I'll likely use Hyper Real daily because it makes my skin look amazing...and by then I can probably afford it again.
MY BLUSH:
- I have been using M.A.C. Strada since 1996. Maybe it is time to update the color family, eh? Upon subsequent visits to the M.A.C. store, I have picked up Cubic, Fleur Power, and Prism. However, there must be some magic in the pinky/brown neutral of Strada since it is still in M.A.C.'s line up. And besides, my skin color hasn't changed, so I think Strada still works for me. Now I'm unsure. So if you happen to see me IRL and my cheekbones look decidedly dated, will you do me a favor and let me know? We'll head straight to M.A.C. for an emergency update.
MY DAYCREAM:
- This is another area where budget dictates brand. When I feel like investing in my esthetic future, I am loyal to the Murad line. The Environmental Aging line is amazing. If I have "issues" and use the Murad line (whole line here, so everything works in concert) I am AMAZED at how my skin responds. Truly special stuff. I haven't used it in about three years.
- Today I am using a hod podge blend of Olay Regenerist and Boots. I'm not thrilled with any of them, but the reviews are good on the Regenerist line. I think I'll try something new soon.
MY LIPSTICK:
- My everyday easy to wear lip color is by Boots (Target. Easy...remember?) I like the Botanics line for lipstick. Liner is #30 Caramel and lipstick is Chive.
- For fun, I can go crazy with M.A.C. lip color. My favorites are: Eden Rocks, Brave, Viva Glam 2 through 5, Delish, and Skew. Remember Korie, how after college we were going to go work for a big cosmetic company and become Lipstick Namers? We totally would have come up with good names. I'll admit that at times I stay loyal to a color because I love the name so much. How's that for great marketing?
MY ESSENTIAL BEAUTY PRODUCT:
- Not products, but essential: sweaty exercise and water. Sweaty exercise because the increased blood flow and circulation does wonders for my skin. Without it, I feel toxic and bloated and yuck. My skin shows it. Water because, well, you of course know all of the benefits of staying well hydrated. My skin shows it when I am not drinking enough water. And I feel gross.
- A good eyebrow wax. Makes a WORLD of difference!
MY FAVORITE PRODUCT:
- I'd have to say that Murad skin care is my FAVORITE product. But since I need all of them to work together, it can't count as one. The product that packs the most punch for me is the little tub of B.E. Well Rested. I put that stuff on and say, "Wow...that makes a difference!"
My PERFUME:
- Carrier by Gendarme. I get one bottle each year at Christmas and I cherish the stuff! I'm in the market for a new, light, every day scent that I don't have to hoard. Any suggestions?
MY NAILS:
- HA! So sad, the state of my nails, that is. I love, love, love having very short, squared off perfectly groomed Pink and Whites (French). However, I cannot stand to sit in that chair every two weeks for fills. Can't do it. So I clip and file my own natural nails and try to remember to buff them to a shine when I have a spare moment. My hands are in and out of the dish water so many times during the day, I have no hope of having pretty polished nails.
MY FEET:
I enjoy pretty nail art and coiffed toes. I'm doing my own pedicures these days and you know how I love paint color! I've discovered the Peg Egg and believe it has changed my life. I love this little gadget! I rarely wear shoes. I don't like covering my feet and other than my running shoes, I have few pair of closed toe/closed heel shoes. I pay the price with dry heels. Yuck. The combination of the Ped Egg and the Dead Sea Mineral Scrub I bought from the relentless Israeli salesman at the kiosk in the mall works great!
MY HANDS:
- Look best when held by my husband's big, calloused, stained-under-the skin from hard work in the fields MAN HANDS. Oh how I love his hands! As much as I complain about how dirty, rough, and torn up they are, I secretly love them. He, however, could seriously use DAYS of manicures! But I think it would weird me out if he ever ended up with soft, puffy, clean office worker hands. Without callus', split knuckles, wounds and other identifying marks, I couldn't pick him out of a hand line up. His hands make mine look goooooooood!
WOMEN I ADMIRE FOR THEIR BEAUTY:
- My mom. Hands down. She is beautiful, yes, and I've spent a lifetime watching her take care of herself and others. Her beauty hasn't come or been maintained without daily effort and awareness: she works at it! I wrote about her beauty once here, and I think it is a fitting way to end this post: Beauty Lessons
