Cream Cosmetics

I’ve not really delved much into cream based makeup world.  I tried application once quite a while ago, and I liked it.  My skin looked bright and dewey. And because I am 44 years old, I have “mature” skin  wrinkles.  Powder cosmetics are great, but no matter what primer I use, powder products pull up a chair and sit in my wrinkles like they’re at a Starbucks writing a crappy novel.

So, tomorrow I am going to use cream cosmetics.

I’ve not yet used the e.l.f. cream blush or the e.l.f. cream contour palettes, so I’ll be up early just in case I don’t like the way it turns out!

I always use a liquid foundation.  Unless I am trying out a new foundation, my daily is the e.l.f. Flawless Foundation in Porcelain. I LOVE this foundation.  It gives me full coverage without looking cakey or heavy, it doesn’t cling to any dry spots, and looks amazing on my skin.  Most of the cosmetics I use are e.l.f. brand.  In the past I have used Clinique, MAC, Chanel, as well as a few drugstore brands.  I find they are heavy with fragrance and harsh on my sensitive skin.  I do keep a few other brands in my makeup case that don’t irritate my skin.  I love e.l.f. because I can purchase a product and if I don’t like it, I haven’t wasted a lot of money.

Do you use cream cosmetics?  What are your thoughts?  If you have “mature” skin wrinkles, what tricks/tips do you use for flawless makeup application?

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Equate Beauty Moisturizing Lotion – A Review

Just before I went on my 3 day camping/wheeling trip (I had a BLAST, by the way), I picked up this moisturizing lotion at Walmart.

My skin has been severely dry the last few weeks and nothing has really been able to combat the dryness.  I occasionally switch out my moisturizers from Aveeno to Purpose to the e.l.f. Revitalizing Mist (which really isn’t a moisturizer), and I have heard a lot of great things about the brand Cerave. I went to Walmart with the intention of buying the Cerave moisturizing lotion, but it was out of stock, so I found the Walmart brand equivalent.  I have to be honest, I didn’t have high hopes that this product would work.

I was wrong.

When camping,  I do not wear makeup.  I bought some moist facial cleansing wipes and cleansed my face in the mornings and evenings, then moisturized with the Equate Beauty Moisturizing Lotion.  IMMEDIATELY, it melted into my skin and WOW. The results blew me away! The product wasn’t greasy or heavy, and it made my dry skin look and feel 100% better instantly.  I was so completely amazed. I reapplied it about 2-3 times because I loved the way it felt on my skin.  The lotion is gentle, doesn’t have a fragrance and didn’t irritate the fine skin around my eyes.  I even applied a bit on a small dry patch I had on my eyelid without any irritation.

The next morning, I did the same.  Cleansed my face with the cleansing wipe and then applied the moisturizer. The dry skin patches on my face were gone!  The redness, gone. My skin looked amazing.  I did this same routine through to Sunday.  Still impressed, skin still looking amazing,  dry skin and redness still gone.

I do have quite a few fine lines under my eyes, and I have a pretty deep wrinkle in between my eyes from a head injury.  Tomorrow will be one week since I started using the product, so it’s a bit too soon to say if it’s helped much in the wrinkle department.  It sort of looks like it has, but I don’t want to make any promises.  😉

Overall, I am incredibly impressed with the Equate Beauty Moisturizing Lotion.  It is a bit cheaper than the Cerave brand, and I gotta say, I probably will not even bother buying the name brand because I don’t think there is a need.  The Equate Beauty brand product sinks into the skin, and moisturizes without greasiness or heaviness.  I can apply it to my skin, wait a few and then go on with makeup application.  I really dislike moisturizers that take FOREVER to melt into the skin, and just sit on top of my skin like it’s waiting for a damned invitation to do its job.

If you have dry skin, I highly recommend giving this product a try.  I have never been so impressed with a moisturizer, and as someone who has suffered from eczema all my life, I’ve tried them all, from top of the line, prescription, to generic.  This product will definitely be a go to for quite a long while.

A Peek Inside…

Besides makeup and beauty, I LOVE the outdoors.   From walks in the park, to photography deep in the swamps, to taking my Jeep across the country for rides that benefit charities, or rides to just ride, I adore the outdoors.

Today through Sunday, I will be in Bartow, FL for the annual Jeepin’ with Judd Jeep event for charity.  It’s a weekend full of trail rides and obstacle courses, with vendors and food, camping, and 1000’s of my Jeep friends from all over the country.

If y’all are wondering what my Jeep looks like:

So, I’ll be out and away from makeup (and showers) for three entire days of playing in the mud (and cow poop).

Makeup posts will continue next week!

Whatever you’re doing, have fun!

Looking forward to catching up when I return!

e.l.f. Revitalizing Mist – A Review

The e.l.f. Revitalizing Mist.  This product doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

e.l.f. sent this to me about 6 months ago and I didn’t start using it until a couple months ago.  I could kick myself for that!  

It can only be purchased on their website (http://www.elfcosmetics.com/p/mist) and it’s usually $6.00 but right now is on sale for $3.00. Just before Christmas, I ordered 8 of ’em.

After I wash my face in the shower, and before I apply makeup, I spritz my face 2-3 times with this mist. Most days I don’t use moisturizer in the morning because I don’t have time to let the moisturizer set into my skin before applying my makeup. I find that when I use this mist, I don’t need to moisturize, and it dries pretty quick. I LOVE IT.  My skin feels awake and fresh.  The website claims it can be sprayed over makeup, but I haven’t tried that.  The spray is incredibly refreshing, has a nice but not overpowering scent, and feels cool when it hits your face.  It’s been on sale for quite a while, I hope they’re not discontinuing it!

From the e.l.f. website:

This unique blend of Witch Hazel, Rosemary, Chamomile, Honeysuckle, Aloe and Vitamin B work together to balance and enhance the skin, leaving you looking energized and renewed. These nourishing key ingredients keep your complexion radiant, brighter and provides instant moisture to smooth and boost skin circulation for a firmer more youthful glow. The lightweight and invigorating mist leaves skin feeling revived and restored, perfect for the gym, office or after travel to rehydrate dry skin or to refresh makeup throughout the day.

All e.l.f. mineral makeup is 100% natural mineral-based with no parabens, no preservatives and no chemical dyes.

Beauty Box Subscriptions

Beauty box subscriptions have been around for quite awhile, but I am just now getting around to subscribing to a couple.  Do you subscribe to any of the below or any not mentioned?  What are your thoughts?  Recommendations?

Some popular beauty box subscriptions are (Prices below are for U.S.):

• Birchbox ($10/month)
• FabFitFun ($50- seasonal)
• Ipsy ($10/month)
• Boxycharm ($21/month)
• Play! by Sephora ($10/month)
• Glossybox ($21/month)
• Scentbird ($14.95/month)
• Liveglam (Offers Lipstick, Nail polish and Morphe brushes subscriptions at $19.99/month)
• Madame Ladybug (A PERIOD BOX! $21/$31/$34/month)

I currently subscribe to Ipsy and Boxycharm, and have just added the Liveglam MorpheMe brush subscription.  Details on the MorpheMe sub are down below.

Boxycharm offers 5-6 full sized products from drugstore to high end. I have received two Boxycharm boxes and LOVED all the products inside.  My favorite Boxycharm product so far has been the Pure Cosmetics Buff Collection eyeshadow palette.  It is a dupe of the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette.  The dupe works just fine for me, and I use it almost daily for a bit of eyelid color.  Both boxes received had a value of over $100.

Ipsy offers 5+ deluxe sized sample and full sized products from drugstore to high end. I received my first Ipsy bag in January and absolutely loved all the products.  My favorite product so far has been the Rimmel London Kate Moss Lip Conditioning balm in clear.  The bag came with one full size, and I have since purchased six more because I love it that much.  The products range from travel sized to full sized, and come in a super cute makeup bag.  My first Ipsy bag had a value of over $100.

Liveglam offers 3 different subscription services: Morphe brushes, a lipstick subscription, and a nail polish subscription.  Each are $19.95.  MorpheMe sends 3-7 Morphe brushes monthly valuing at least $30, and they claim to never send the same brush twice.  I am excited to get a set of Morphe brushes each month to expand my brush collection.  I just received my first set of Morphe brushes last week.  I received:

Morphe G36  ($13.99), the Morphe G34 ($8.99), and the Morphe G33 ($8.99).  I haven’t used them yet.

The beauty subscription boxes are an affordable way to try new products whether you’re a makeup pro, or just starting out in the vast and overwhelming world of cosmetics.  I wish I had joined the bandwagon when they first started popping up, but I’m subscribed to a few now, and really enjoy them.  It’s nice to get a little box of surprise goodies each month.  Receive a product you don’t like, already own, or isn’t your color? There are also a lot of groups to trade products with other members, and I think that’s such a great idea.  Search around Facebook, and even in the comments of the beauty box subscription Facebook pages.  Just be mindful of how and who you trade with. 🙂

Share your beauty subscription box(es), or any other subscription boxes with me!  I’d love to hear what you’ve tried, like, hate, LOVE!

Mini Haul

I was out on a mission this morning to get a beautyblender, as well as some other products I have been wanting to to try for a while.

Here are the products in my mini haul:

My first stop was Walmart. I picked up the e.l.f. Natural Glow Face Palette ($8), the e.l.f. Aqua Beauty Molten eyeshadow in Brushed Copper ($4), Rimmel Stay Matte foundation in 103 True Ivory ($4.97), Wet ‘n Wild Coloricon bronzer in Ticket to Brazil ($3.93), Wet ‘n Wild Coloricon blush in Apri-cot in the Middle ($2.93), Wet ‘n Wild Ombre blush in The Princess Daquiries ($4.68), Rimmel London Lip Conditioning balm by Kate Spade in 01 Clear ($4.97), and the OXG Coconut Water conditioner (because I have a lot of the shampoo left ($5.16).

Next stop Sephora.  I picked up the beautyblender ($20), Buxom Lip Polish in Clair ($20), Sephora Rose sleeping mask ($4), and Hello Fab Vital Greens Face Mist Refresh & Set ($18). I am curious to see how this setting spray works with sensitive skin.  A review post will follow soon! I’ll also do a beautyblender review post in the next couple weeks.

My last stop was Ulta to pick up Soap and Glory’s The Righteous Butter ($15).  I can’t even explain my love for this product. I always have to have an extra one because I go through a full jar in just under 2 weeks.

I am ready to try my new beautyblender, and I will use it tomorrow morning with the Rimmel Stay Matte foundation.  I recently bought the L’Oreal Infallable Pro-Matte foundation and wasn’t crazy about it.  I think I just picked up the wrong color.  The matte foundations do tend to cling to dry patches, so this just may be a product I use when my face is having a no dry patchy day.  Being 44, I do not like to set my foundation with powder.  It gets into my wrinkles and adds another 15 years.  I’m hoping the Stay Matte produces good results!

The e.l.f Natural Glow Palette (below) is very pretty. The first two colors on the left of my arm are from the top row. It’s highlighter, two blushes and a bronzer. I love the light peachy pinks.

The molten eyeshadow in Brushed Copper is also very pretty.  I don’t wear a bold lid. I typically just dust on a light brown and I’m good to go.  I’m trying to venture out into different eye looks.  The Buxom Lip Polish in Clair is gorgeous!   I am very much a lip gloss kinda gal, and I love glosses with just enough shimmer and color.  I stick to the light pinks and nude colors. The Buxom lip polish is very pretty.  It also has a cooling effect on my lips.  I’m really liking it so far! I have to run out to the food store so we’ll see how long the cooling effect and color lasts!

That’s it for my mini haul!

Do you have any of these products? If so, what are your thoughts?  What products are you wanting to try?

The beautyblender

I do not have a beautyblender makeup sponge.  I just can’t see myself spending $20 on a sponge.

BUT I WANT ONE.

Because as a lover of all things makeup and makeup related, shouldn’t I splurge on this kind of crap? *sigh*

Sometimes it seems things like the beautyblender are just a fad.  Just another way for the beauty industry to make money.  Take for example, the Silisponge, or whatever the hell that silicone makeup application thing is called that all the YouTube beauty influencers were talking about.

I have gone through several of the Real Techniques complexion sponges that are supposed to be a dupe for the beautyblender. I just don’t like it. I dampen mine, as per the instructions, and it just feels gross on my skin.  It also doesn’t look as if it’s providing the best foundation coverage, meaning, I feel like because it’s damp, I need to use more product.  I make sure it’s not too damp, and I use a clean towel to soak up any excess water, but I swear I have to use more product, and my face ends up looking patchy.  I use my Real Techniques sponge more for applying powder when I bake my face and for correcting any over application of contour/bronzer.

For foundation application I switch between a few different brushes:

• Deluxe Buffer (M439) by Morphe ($13.99)
• Ultimate Blending Brush by e.l.f. ($6)
• Stipple brush by e.l.f. ($4)

I LOVE the above brushes.  The Morphe brush is a new addition and I absolutely love how it applies my foundation.  The e.l.f. brushes are also amazing.  If something works for me I should just stick with it, right?  I am so torn!

Do you use a beautyblender makeup sponge?  What are your thoughts on this expensive little sponge? Would you recommend a beautyblender?  Do you have a dupe that you prefer?  What is your go to tool for applying foundation, concealer, blending?

Should I just go out tomorrow and buy a darned beautyblender?

e.l.f. water mask & nourishing night cream- A Review

I am so impressed with the e.l.f. water mask and the e.l.f. nourishing night cream that I am sitting here at 9pm writing this blog post.

I wish I had taken photos of my skin.  Let me share the story.  Friday night, I decided to use a facial hair remover because I am a freekin’ hairy beast. I usually use a facial hair trimmer, but thought I’d try this product because I figured it would be easier and the packaging claimed it was great for sensitive skin.

WRONG.

I woke up Saturday morning to my face looking like a hot mess.  I had what looked like little burns and dry patches on the lower half of my face, and along my jawline. I had one patch of raw skin along my jawline that was so irritated it kept me awake all Saturday night.  My skin looked so bad that I sent my husband to the food store because I just didn’t want to be seen.  Normally, I don’t mind going out without makeup, but my skin looked horrible and I didn’t want that feeling of thinking everyone was staring at me, even though not one damned person would have paid me any attention.

Sunday night, I decided to use the e.l.f. water mask that I received in the mail a week or so before.  I was afraid to use any skin care products because I didn’t want to create any more damage.

I used the mask and immediately after placing it on my face I felt relief.  Especially on that raw area on my jawline.  The “serum” felt cooling and super hydrating.  I was pleased at how it was going.  Once the mask was off, the directions call for massaging the remaining “serum” into my skin and allowing it to dry before continuing with my regular skin care routine.  I did exactly that.  Once the “serum” dried, I moisturized using the e.l.f. nourishing night cream.  If you want a cream that’s hydrating, holy crap, the e.l.f. nourishing night cream is AWESOME.

I woke up Monday morning to my face looking 90% better!  I could not believe the results.  I was so happy that I could just dab on some green color correcting concealer and no one would be the wiser that just two days before I had this horrible skin irritation.

This morning, my skin was still a teensy blotchy, but I’d have said looked at about 95% better.  I got home tonight from work and washed off my makeup.  My skin looks like the hot mess never happened!

I am so damned impressed with the hydration I got from ONE mask and a couple night’s use of a moisturizer.

The e.l.f. water mask is $3.00.  I think it can only be found online (www.eyeslipsface.com), but I know the e.l.f. nourishing night cream can be found at Walmart for a little cheaper than on the e.l.f. website.

I more than highly recommend these products.  If you suffer from dry skin, these products are inexpensive enough to try it and if it doesn’t work, you haven’t wasted a ton of money.

What is your skin care routine?  Do you like the e.l.f. product line? Share your favorite products with me!

Setting Sprays- A Review

I have an obsession with setting sprays.

Click photos to enlarge:

My drawer of setting sprays

Urban Decay All Nighter

Gerard Cosmetics Slay All Day

Gerard Cosmetics Garden Party Slay All Day Minis

e.l.f. Matte Magic Mist & Set

e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set (ALCOHOL FREE!!)

Maybelline Master Fix

It’s difficult to pick a favorite, but if I have to pick one, I choose the Urban Decay All Nighter.

And the Gerard Cosmetics Slay All Day setting spray.

OK, I CAN’T PICK JUST ONE.

Why use a setting spray?  I don’t have time, ok, I have plenty of time, but I am far too lazy to reapply/retouch my makeup in an 8 hour timeframe. I’m too busy constantly reapplying lipgloss or lip conditioning balm (another post for another time). Fortunately,  I don’t have to reapply/retouch when I use a setting spray.

I have to be careful with setting sprays because most contain alcohol and my face will get dry patches from the alcohol. 

The Urban Decay All Nighter spray is $31 for the full sized bottle (4oz).  The travel size (1oz) is $15. It’s expensive, but it really locks in my makeup and keeps my face looking matte.  It doesn’t have a harsh smell, or any smell at all, really.  The sprayer is AWESOME.  Some sprays have what seems like a power wash nozzle.  I’m trying to set my makeup, not remove my skin to the bone. With the Urban Decay All Nighter, my makeup is locked down, has a matte finish (dewy face doesn’t look good on 44 year old wrinkly skin), and my skin feels nice and firm.

The Gerard Cosmetics Slay All Day spray is a little more affordable at $22 for a full sized bottle (3.38oz), and the mini is $16 (1.01oz).  There are 7 fragrances to choose from.  I like the peach and the cucumber.  All of them smell delicious.  And the sprayers are amazing. You can always find a coupon promo code for 30% lingering around online somewhere (try their FB page), and around the holidays they offer 45% off!

The Slay All Day spray offers the same results as Urban Decay All Nighter- locking down my makeup all day, and leaving my face matte, feeling firm and polished.  Gerard Cosmetics is not available in stores, you can only purchase online.  Shipping is fast and when you get your package, it’s in a cute box, wrapped in pretty paper and littered with pretty confetti pieces.

Another spray I like is the e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set.  It is $3 for 2.02oz of product.  THREE DOLLARS, ya’ll! Now, THAT’S affordable!  The sprayer isn’t the best, but I just save an empty bottle of Urban Decay All Nighter because I LIVE for that Urban Decay sprayer, and all is good. It doesn’t have a smell, that I’ve noticed.  I love this e.l.f setting spray because it’s alcohol-free.  I wish some of the others would get on board with the alcohol-free products.

I also reach for the e.l.f. Matte Magic Mist & Set.  At $4 for 2.02oz of product, this spray helps control any shine, and creates a nice matte finish.  The sprayer sucks, for lack of a better word. This is one of those that the spray comes out and hits your face like hail.

The Maybelline FaceStudio Master Fix setting spray is OK.  It’s about $11 at Walmart for 3.4oz of product.  It has a light scent, but it’s not overpowering.  The sprayer is pretty decent. This setting spray dries out my face though, so I tend to reach for the others before this one.  It does lock down my makeup, but it’s so drying.  If you can find a Gerard Cosmetics promo code, buy the Slay All Day for around the same price as this Maybelline.

I switch up my setting sprays because I have very sensitive skin, and alcohol is very drying.  I rotate between the sprays that have alcohol and the e.l.f. without alcohol.

I want to try the Mac Fix Plus, as well as the Makeup Forever, and Wet ‘n Wild sprays.

Do you use setting sprays?  Do you think they actually work to set makeup or are they all hype? Which are your go to sprays? Have you tried to DIY your own setting spray?

Meal Prepping

I love meal prepping.  Doing so helps to keep me on track with weight goals.

My typical daily food intake looks like this:

• Overnight oats recipe a couple times a week, and having a cup of yogurt with a banana or apple on the other mornings
• Uncooked green beans before lunch
• Baked chicken (meal prep recipe) or uncooked tuna on a bed of farro or quinoa
• Handful of almonds (plain, not roasted) later in the afternoon
• I drink a crap ton of water during the day, and will occasionally have a hazelnut coffee from RaceTrac in the morning
• Chicken for dinner or a salad

I try to stay on a good diet free of processed foods and junk foods.  I’m human and have cravings; I have a HORRIBLE sweet tooth.  I find my sweet tooth is pretty manageable, but keeping from eating processed foods is a bit trickier. I love easy foods.  To be honest, I’m lazy.  I don’t like cooking, however, I know that once I get in the kitchen and get started, I whip through it and am always thankful for getting my arse up off the sofa.

I just cooked this recipe today:

Easy Pesto Chicken

I’m not a fan of tomatoes, unless they’re squooshed in a sauce.  I changed up the recipe a bit, using boneless chicken breast instead of thighs because eww.  I added shredded carrots, a squish of lemon juice, and roasted tomato/basil pesto.  Also, each container has a half of a baked sweet potato.

This recipe came out really good!  So tasty!

Do you have a favorite meal prep recipe?  What are your go to healthy foods?  What are your weaknesses?  Share how you manage your diet!