For the next stretch: stripping the makeup bag

The truck has gone back to Penske, the boxes are not piled quite so high, we have a functioning kitchen, and internet, and the cat seems to understand where the litterbox is located.  It appears that we have moved.  There are still plenty of things to unpack and settle, and pictures to hang, but we have arrived.  We are in Seattle.  Our dream of the past five years has come true.  I can't wait to share more about it all as we get more settled.

For now, let's talk about makeup.  One of the best things about moving across the country is that you have the generally arduous-yet-necessary task of going through every. single. thing. that you own.  It's something that has to be done in little doses.

I've talked about my inclination toward using less makeup before, but this time I really pared down.  Over the three-and-a-half day drive here, I listened to Wild, by Cheryl Strayed.  I read about it in a magazine a few years back when it was first published, and kept meaning to pick it up.  Since the author chronicles her journey on the Pacific Crest Trail, and I was on my own sort of journey, moving to the West Coast, I thought it would be fitting.

Before I turn this into a book review, I want to highlight one important part that I really believe in.  Cheryl overpacks her backpack and it is slowing her down in her travels (also a direct metaphor for the baggage in her life).  A hiker she meets on the trail helps her go through it, directing her to take everything out and re-pack as if she is only going on the next stretch of trail, before the next large stop.  She realizes how little of the stuff she is carrying day in and day out she is actually using.  (Cue a literal and metaphorical load-lightening for Cheryl.)

I did the same with my makeup, re-packed for my next stretch of trail in life.  I have collected, sampled, tried-out, subscribed, and done all kinds of things to acquire an obscene amount of makeup.  When I took it all out and spread it across the bathroom floor, I was absolutely astonished by my hoard.  Re-packing only the stuff I use took less than a minute.  I pared down to a 5 x 10 inch bag, and that includes brushes. 

1: Trusty brushes.  One for powder, one for blush, one for brows.
2: Mascara.  My favorite is usually Clinique's High Impact, but this Maybelline Lash Blast has been great, too!  Love the wand -- it has little rubber nubs that help get product distributed evenly.
3: Naked 3 Palette.  What can I say?  I love this thing!  Pinterest got my interest piqued with all the tutorials out there.  I love the shimmery neutral colors that blend oh-so-well.
4: Benefit Brow Zings palette.  One cream pot (which I use the small brush for) and one powder (I use the little brush that came with it).  Perfect brow definition.
5: Rimmel kohl eyeliner in brown.
6: Eyelash curler.  I'm a recent believer.  It really makes a difference in the eye pop factor.
7: Mary Kay concealer.  For use after late nights.  I don't use every day.  I try to stay away from liquid products when I can.
8: Covergirl powder.  I've been using this stuff since I was 12.  It has a fresh scent, isn't heavy, and has just the right amount of pigment.  I love it.
9: Benetint blush.  I love this because it doubles as a lip tint.  I just swipe on a couple small lines onto my cheekbones and blend with my fingers.  It has a really natural look that I love.

This is really all I need.  I'm able to make my look more or less dramatic for day or night, or more playful or professional depending on my day.  The only thing I haven't included is lipcolor.  I do rotate between a few different lip products, but they are always in my purse.  Usually, I use Babylips by Maybelline.  I also have a Chanel lipstick that I'm gaga over.

I challenge you to try what I did!  Consider your next stretch in life.  What are you really keeping that product for?  If Halloween or an improbable costume party are in the answers, kick 'em out.

image via zpalette.com

How many products does it take?

Putting on makeup is part of my daily routine.  I always feel more put-together and confident if I'm made up, even if just a little.  So, when I read this article on Huffington Post, I was shocked to see that I'm in the minority!  Here's what they had to say about women's beauty habits:

"In a study of women ages 18-25, 67 percent said they use 0-3 products in their morning hair and beauty routine. In contrast, 20 percent said they use 4-7 products and 10 percent said they use 8-12 products. Only 3 percent of young adult women use 12+ products in the morning."

Surprised?  Not so surprised?   After reading this, I thought about my own habits a little.  On days off, I still put on makeup, but less than I would if I were headed to work.  However, even though I'm wearing less, I still feel just as put-together.  Though my list is probably in the 4-7 range, I could probably bring myself down to three: brow definition, mascara, and blush (I'm a huge fan of Benefit's "Benetint" liquid stain).  Usually I throw on a bit of bronzer and eyeshadow, but I don't necessarily need that to feel ready.

How many products are in your daily routine?  Here's a bit of fresh-faced inspiration to get you thinking about paring down:

images via Pinterest

Daily makeup routine: face basics.

Time is so, so precious in the morning.  Especially December mornings.  Has anyone else experienced that absolute dread that comes with waking up on a dark December morning?  I'm so ready for the winter solstice and for light to start coming back into my life again!  

Ok, morning drudgeries aside, I wanted to share my quick, 5-minute makeup routine that I use on a daily basis.  If I find myself with an extra few minutes, I might try something a little more artsy, but most days, this does just fine.

I start by prepping my skin.  I cleanse with Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, then tone with Clarifying Lotion 3 (more like a liquid astringent).  Then, I take a dab of Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, and a pea-sized dollop of BB Cream.

It look-a-like-a this...

Then, I swirl them all together and apply to my face with CLEAN fingers.  Some chose to use a foundation brush, but I find that using my fingers works better.  The warmth from my hands helps the foundation sink in quicker and with more evenness.  The trick is to cover smaller areas at a time (ex: just around the jawline, or from the temple to the cheekbone). 

Give this a minute to sink in, or else the next steps will look cakey.  Meanwhile, line eyebrows with a brow pencil.  I use Ulta's brow pencil (haven't really tried any others!).  I use short, quick strokes, working my way from the inner brow to the outer brow.  I NEVER draw a big line from one end to the other.  The idea is to make short strokes that fill in the spaces yet look natural.

Once you're done lining and your foundation has set in a bit, brush on bronzer and blush.  For bronzer, make a "3" shape on each side of your face.  Meaning, starting at the side of your forehead, come down and around your cheekbone, and then down and around your jaw, making a "3" on each side of your face.

And that does it for the face!

OK, now moving onto the eyes.  This is where I spend the most effort.  I feel like my eyes are the most important detail for makeup.  If I had great lips, well, I might spend more time on them.  For me, it's eyes.  

I always start with some kind of cream shadow.  I swear it makes my shadow more vibrant and last longer.  I love Mac's Paint Pot in Fresco Rose.  It's a nice, natural pink that is beautiful alone or layered under shadow.  I swirl my finger in the pot and apply it on my lid to just above my crease.

Now for the fun part!  I got this Dior eyeshadow palette in "Earth Reflection" over a year and a half ago, and it's still going strong.  I forget how spoiled I am to use it until I try another brand of shadow that flakes, falls onto my cheekbones, or creases in 5 minutes.  These colors were made to last and blend BEAUTIFULLY.  I'm still finding new ways to play with it, too.  I apply the upper left goldish color to my lid and slightly above.  Then, I apply the lower left dark brown color to the corner of my eye, using little patting movements, and drag it along my crease to close to the inner eye.  I don't worry too much about blending in this step, and it looks a little silly.  After I finish both sides, I gently use my ring finger to blend the colors.  I'm left with a subtle smoky eye that is so appropriate for daytime.

Curling my eyelashes is something I've just started doing this past year and it makes SUCH a huge difference!  I've never been disappointed with my lashes, but now I love them.  Here's my method: start near the root, clamp and hold for a few seconds, then move up slightly, clamp, and repeat all the way to the end of the lashes.  Immediately apply mascara. 

My lips don't have a routine.  At this step, I head downstairs and fill up a coffee cup that I impatiently awaited while doing my makeup.  So, the lips get a touch of whatever's in my purse once I get to work!  Usually, the only other thing I'd add is a touch of chapstick!

So, that's it.  The basic makeup routine.  What's yours like?  Do you spend more or less time getting ready?  What's your everyday makeup move that you can't leave without?