Current Favorite Makeup Products: Winter Edition ♥

 

Hello Friends! ♥ 

Today I thought I would share with you some of my favorite makeup products I'm currently loving.  It seems these days my skin is constantly changing.  What used to look good on me (or what I thought did) suddenly doesn't.  I'm constantly switching products and what I'm showing you today may not be what I'll be using in six months. I don't necessarily mind that though.  I enjoy trying new products and in the beauty world there is never a shortage of new things to try! 

The weather has a lot to do with it as well.  These days I go lighter in the summer and don't need as much coverage.  Since we are in the thick of winter right now, you are getting the full glam.  This pasty faced girl needs color if you know what I mean! 

As with my skin care, I don't like to spend a ton of money.  Yes I do love Sephora, but there is so much to choose from at CVS too!  It's all about balance :)

Here are a few of my current favorites:

I should have included this sunscreen in my skin care post, because that's what it really is - not makeup.  I use it everyday under my foundation.  I like the Supergoop glow screen.  It has a 40 SPF and is slightly tinted to give a pearly glow.  I really love it.  

For the past year I've been using the Loreal Visible Lift (because that's what I need - a visible lift! :) foundation (I wear #144).  It has another layer of sunscreen in it and an anti-aging serum in it.  Can't hurt! It goes on nice and smooth and I apply it with a beauty blender.  For an undereye concealer (which I forgot to photograph) I've been using the Cover Girl Instant Age Rewind (in #110).  Just a few dots will do it.  I lightly set with the Elf Halo Glow translucent setting powder.  No more caking on thick powder.  That's a definite no-no. 

Something I never did in my 20's or even in my 30's is contour.  Apparently now it's a thing.  I tried it and was pleased with the results! I've been using the Wet & Wild Bronze stick and really like it.  In addition to just a blush on my cheeks, contour brings a lot of warmth to my face. This one is called Where's Walnut.  (the names kill me....:) 

For blush I like the Ilia cheek and lip stick (It's called At Last).  I actually got a sample of this at Sephora and liked it so much I purchased the big size.  I've been using it as blush and lip color.  

I love it!!

I probably have way too many eye shadows that I need or will ever wear.  Currently I'm into the Laura Mercier caviar sticks.  They glide on so easily and I just smooth them out with my finger.  This one is called Moonlight.  It's subtle.  I never want to overdo it.  I'm going food shopping not to the Academy Awards! 

however...

also note that even at almost 50 I have no issues with shimmer & sparkle : ) 

I never leave the house without eyeliner.  Since I was in my 20's I've been lining the top of my lids but never the bottom.  I don't know why, it's just what I do.  I love the Maybelline Percise All Day liner (always black!).  The tip is like a very thin sharpie.  Honestly, I don't know how long I'll be able to get away with this look but I'm going for it as long as I can. 

I've always loved Loreal mascaras! I really think they are the best and even the upscale brands aren't as good.  Voluminous is the original and I think the best one (again...black!).  

For brows I like Loreal also.  The Brow Stylist in dark brown is perfect for me. One ordinary day a few years ago I woke up, took a look in the mirror, and discovered I had no brows.  I feel like it happened overnight! Well, not really but it was time to do something.  Brows can be tricky because if you go too heavy you may end up looking like Joan Crawford and that's not the look I'm going for.  I have to make sure I've had enough coffee and am fully awake before doing my brows! 

With the Ilia lip color, if I'm in the mood to boost it up a notch, I line my lips with a Flower Beauty lipliner.  I currently have this one called Blush in my makeup bag.  The color is very springy and I feel like I'll be wearing it a lot in the coming months. I really love lip glosses too but in the winter I find myself reaching for Chapstick over lip gloss!  

And that's pretty much it for this old face these days.  It may seem like a lot but I am trying to apply things with a lighter hand (more so than I used to).  I've also tried to phase out most powders and switched to creams.  I think that's helped my skin a lot over the past few years and looks better on me as I age.

I've been wearing makeup for so long that without it I just don't feel like myself. Who am I without eyeliner? I have no idea.  I believe these days whatever we can do to make ourselves feel good and lift our spirits, I say do it.  So if a new lipstick or eye shadow is all it takes, even better.  Some days I am literally dragging myself out of bed (for real) and once I push myself to get ready and put my "face" on, I feel better.  It's like I'm ready to face the day.  

One last piece of advice I would like to add is to NOT feel pressure to follow current trends.  There is so much online content from beauty influencers telling us what we should and should not be doing. It drives me crazy because what works for one person may not work for another.  Everyone is different and everyone's technique is different, so do whatever makes you feel your best.  You can't go wrong with that approach.  Makeup is supposed to fun and make you feel good.  

And that's all I have to say about that.  For now! : ) 

Have a great day friends!  xoxo

♥