Let's Talk Make Up

Starting at the left and moving clockwise: Sephora Green Eyes eyeshadow palate,  Mac lip liner in Soar, Cover Girl mascara, Benefit Fine One One, Benefit play sticks, Mac Creamsheen lipstick in Hot Gossip, Boi-ing eye concealer, HaldeCraft lip balm, Sexy Mother pucker extreme plumper by Soap and Glory and 2 different Nars blushes.

This is the extent of the make up that I wear daily. Wait – I don't wear eye shadow every day. In fact, I probably wear once a week, maybe more like once every three weeks. But I included it in there, mostly because I think that that is pretty, and also because I definitely wish I could learn to use it correctly. See those cute little very helpful step by step instructions? Those step-by-step instructions on how to create a natural, as well as a smoky, eye? Yeah, they're supposed to be idiot proof. At least, that's what the Sephora sales agent told me. And when she said that, I was all, "Hellz, yes, sign me up. I desperately want to know how to do this. Put it on my Visa!".

But anytime I try to create that smoky eye, I look as if I have a black eye. Hope springs eternal.

Moving on.

See that orange tube of mascara? That is the greatest mascara ever. I know this because I've tried literally every other mascara out there. In fact, I have gone to Sephora several times without makeup, and tried on 5-7 brands in one trip. I've bought expensive mascara, cheap mascara, in between mascara, drugstore mascara, and beauty counter mascara. I've tried using lash extenders, primers, and Super Awesome and So Excellent Super Star favorite!!! mascara. Mention it and it's probably in my drawer.I probably have 20 other tubes of mascara up there. I have something of a mascara addiction.

Every time, I come back to the orange $6.00 tube of Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume.  I only use this. If you need waterproof mascara, by the purple one – that stuff never ever comes off.

That copper colored tube contains a three in one cheek contouring system. Called Fine One One, it highlights and contours. I'll talk more about it below.

Benefit Play Sticks are the most amazing foundation ever created. You literally draw on your skin, rub it in, and you look amazing. That, combined with the Boi-ing Blemish and Eye Concealer, gives me a fresh look, almost as if I've had enough sleep.

And we all know that never happens.

I love Cremesheen Lipstick by Mac. Love it, love it, and especially love this color. "Hot Gossip" is not only a great name, but a great color for me.

I am a lip balm junkie. I wear it all the time. Keep it in my pockets, my car, my desk, the back of my bed, my bathroom drawers, my purse – anywhere that I am, there is a tube of that stuff. This is my new favorite. A small, independently owned store called Haldecraft, she makes soaps, amazing massage cream, and lip balm. I'm pretty partial to the lime,  margarita, cranberry, and blackberry lip balms.

Extreme Plumper goes on after the lipstick, when I want to have a more shiny look. It's a little bit tingly, but it's really awesome. Can't help it - I'm an 80's girl and I like shiny lips.

Here is a close-up of the Benefit Fine One One. It combines three shades, and you stroke it from the Apple of your cheek up to your hairline. Rub it in with your fingertips. I'm not quite sure how it works, but it really does help to contour your cheekbones. Without this product, I end up looking like I have stripes - IF I decide to contour, so I usually don't.

When I wear makeup, blush is an absolute. I never go out without it. I typically wear the Nars Orgasm - seriously the best color ever, it looks good on almost everyone. There are two blushes shown up there – ignore the fact that the covers are all beat up and they look like they've never been cleaned. They are both actually the same color – Ingeniously called "Orgasm", it's a color that looks awesome on just about everyone. The second offering is called Super Orgasm, and it's the same color with sparkle added. I use it when I go out on the town.

That looks like a lot of product, but it's not. It takes me all of three minutes to apply it. I've timed myself. I've toyed with adding a primer to my routine, but can't remember to buy one and the times I've had some, it doesn't seem to make a difference.I love Sephora. Love it. I could spend an hour in there every week just trying make up on.

So. There you have it. My must use products. Do you use any of these? Love 'em, hate 'em, or have a favorite of your own? Add it for us all - I am always down for trying new makeup.

Comments

[Zak]

I always wear blush, I've wanted to try the NARS, but I didn't know where to buy it. Now if I could just muster up the courage to visit Sephora I am all set!

[addy]

The drugstore stuff works the best for me. I have some bare minerals super-duper eye shadow that I am super-duper alleric to and my maybelline works great! Seriously The cheap stuff works for me every time.

[maggie]

I love Sephora! The NARS Orgasm stick blush is awesome, color is so good! I'm going to try your mascara suggestion. I always buy expensive brands and they last about two seconds. I do like the one in the gold tube, Voluminous Million Lashes, maybe Loreal? I can't remember, but it's good. Also, you should try Sugar lip treatment by Fresh. That stuff is so great if you need the moisture and the smell is wonderful.

[Nelson's Mama]

I love tinted moisturizers - my go to is MAC Studio Moisture Tint, works great as a sunscreen in the summer, evens up skin tone and I cover it with their Prep+Prime Finishing Powder when I'm going somewhere!

I like MAC eye shadows too.

Right now I'm hooked on Dior Show mascara after years of using nothing but Great Lash.

A year or so ago I singed off my eyelashes and brows in a grilling incident and used Latisse to regrow my lashes. It's the bomb! I'm about to splurge and buy some more!

[Sandy]

The only "must have" product I stick to is bare minerals foundation(which I do not wear ever day) and smashbox concealer( matched perfectly to my skin tone by helpful sephora employee). Mascara, lipstick and eyeliner is all a mismash. I will try cover girl lash blast!!

[lisa]

The problem is that I couldn't ask for the NARS blush by name out loud. Guess I'm stuck with my old one until someone brave wants to shop with me!

[Mari]

Love the orgasm blush and the cg mascara-- I think I tried both at your suggestion.
I am a big fan of urban decay eye shadows--they have fun colors and they blend so well. I also like their eyeliners, great staying power.
Fave lip products...probably Mary Kay glosses.

[amie]

Thank you Jesus, we do not have Sephora in my town. Too much temptation. I have used the Nars Orgasm for a few years now, by far my favorite. I like Nars lipstick too, I think it is Venus- lasts a really long time. I use an Almay raisin colored eyeliner crayon. Dark brown Falsies mascara in the purple tube. I switch between Almay skin clearing foundation and Jane Iredale liquid minerals foundation, depending on whether I can splurge. Dust a little pressed powder from same line on shiny bits. Find as I age must be more careful w powder as it settles in the lines :( Recently found a Sonia Kashuk concealer in a tiny jar that is great. I do not wear concealer everyday though. Only wear eye shadow at night or special stuff. I have a trio of neutral beiges from Sephora. I have fair skin,, hazel eyes and blonde hair. I can usually wear the same color year round but deepen foundation a shade and add bronzer in summer.

[JMB]

I'm a Lancome Girl -don't know why. I started buying it out of college and pretty much have stuck with it, save for Mascara. I use the foundation for old ladies (46 here!) but its the perfect color for my face. I usually wear brown eyeliner and I will buy that at CVS along with whatever mascara I have a coupon for or is on sale. As for blush/eye shadow - I usually use the freebie stuff that comes with a purchase. Other than the foundation, the one thing I can't live without is Physicans Formula Shimmer Strips in Las Vegas. Love that stuff!

[Deanna]

Too much to list here - but I want to play at blissdom! I hear you're not arriving til late thursday??? Boo!!! That will seriously cut into my makeup time with you. ;)

[Kyooty/Mary]

Avon. Love the stuff, sell the stuff, must wear the stuff to model the stuff. :) heheh I love my mascara, and my eye liner, and lipstick.
I've done blush too if going out in the evening and brow pencils, but mostly I keep it simple. Shadows I love are Sea colours.