What’s in My Personal Make Up Bag

 Black Opal Foundation Stick, Blotting Sheets, blushes, Compact powder, Cover Girl Queen Collection, Crown Brush, Ebony Bronze, Everyday look inexpensive products, FOTD, Loreal voluminous Million Lashes, M.A.C., make-up, make-up brushes, make-up storage, My favorites, Nars, Nars Exhibit A, Nars Taj Mahal, oil control products, Prep and Prime Powder, Revlon, Shadestick, spooly, Vanilla Pigment  1 Response »
Aug 092012
 

I was inspired to do this post by my fellow make up artist Jessica Marie.  She tagged me on Instagram.  I figured I had too much to say to just do it there so I decided to make a post about it.

I have to admit that I go through phases with my make up so things do change but I also have staples that I never take out.  My actual makeup bags change as well depending on what purse I’m carrying at the time. LOL! :-)

So what is all of this stuff?  I’ll explain below.

2 Nars Blushes: Exhibit A for cheeks and Albatross for my cheek highlight

Yes, there are 3 face powders in my everyday makeup bag. LOL! They all serve different purposes though.

MAC Prep and Prime Skin helps to keep my makeup on longer, reduces oiliness and the appearance of my pores.  I use this powder before and after  I apply my makeup.

Cover Girl Queen Collection Matte Powder in Golden as my overall face powder. I preferred the previous formula over this new one because it provided more coverage but it’s still a nice powder and I prefer the finish on my oily skin more than MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural.

Cover Girl Queen Collection Bronzer in Ebony Bronze is what I use to contour my face.

Black Opal Foundation Stick in Heavenly Honey I can’t tell you enough how much I love these foundation sticks.  Normally I use two this one, and Truly Topaz, which is my skin tone.  However, the cap on my Truly Topaz doesn’t stay on well so I took it out of my bag. I use Heavenly Honey as a highlighting concealer. (under my brows and under my eyes to my cheeks).

Lancome Oscillating Mascara Primer: The absolute BEST primer I’ve ever used…also the most expensive. :-(  It makes ANY mascara work well.

Loreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara my favorite drug store mascara

NYX Blotting Sheets because I really believe I’m the oiliest person on Earth. I use these about 2-3x daily.  On a good note, they work really well and I can go back to being matte with just two sheets. :-)

MAC Shadestick in Gentle Lentil R.I.P. to the shadesticks. They’ve been discontinued and it’s such a pity.  They were the most convenient way for me to do my eyes. :-(

3 Eyeliners

MAC Pearlglide in Designer Purple (one of my all time favorite eyeliners). I sometimes use this all over my lid because it’a a beautiful glittery purple.  Other times I’ll use it under my bottom lash line for a pop of color or to make a smokey eye.

NYX Black Eye Pencil just depends on the day.  I don’t wear eyeliner in my waterline all of the time, sometimes I’ll want to so it’s in there.  Every now and then I’ll use it to line the top of my lash line.

Elf Waterproof Eyeliner Pen I use this to line the top of my lash line when I want to use a liquid black.

Naked Pigment Sample My all-time favorite brow highlight.  I usually keep a Vanilla Pigment Sample in my bag as well but I ran out.  I’ll sometimes use Vanilla as my brow highlight or transition color above my crease.  More often I use it as my cheek highlight.  I have NARS Albatross in my bag now because I ran out of Vanilla.

Clinique Pencil Sharpener

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balm Stain  I alternate between this orange one and the pink one. These surprised me because they have a good amount of pigment to be a stain.  I’ll do a full review in a later post.

Elf Lipstain in First Date.  Going to have to get another one soon. These Elf lipstains are nice because they don’t dry out or crumble on your lips like a lot of other stains I’ve tried.

2 Lipsticks

MAC Ruby Woo my favorite red lipstick

MAC Vegas Volt a great coral color.

2 Lipliners 

MAC Beet which is a pinkish red. I love this color I blend it various colors from nudes, corals, oranges, pinks, and reds. Sometimes I wear it alone or I’ll just dab some gloss in the middle of my lips.

Cabernet Sorry I don’t have a brand name.  It came with my makeup kit I received when I took Ebony Mac’s makeup class last summer.  It looks very similar to MAC Burgundy Lip Pencil or Clinique’s Bon Bon.

MAC Lipglass in Wonder Woman (limited edition that I regret not buying 2 of) It’s a gorgeous red with shimmer.

My brushes

Smashbox face and body brush that I’m no longer happy with because of the extensive shedding. :-( For the 1st yr I had it, it was my favorite face brush. Prime example of how an expensive brush doesn’t always mean it’s a better brush. I still have my CVS Essence of Beauty brushes from 2003 and they work fine.

Crown Brush Angle Brush I use this for contouring my face.  I love the fact that it’s pink.  I got it from Hautelook during one of the Crown Brush sales.

 Sonia Kashuk Pointed Foundation Brush used to blend concealer under my eyes

Coastal Scents Pink Flat Shader Brush primarily used to carve out my brow with concealer or apply naked as my brow highlight.  I also use it to apply lid colors.

 

Skindinavia | The Original 16 hour Makeup Finishing Spray

 oil control products, Skindinavia  No Responses »
Jun 042011
 

Skindinavia | The Original 16 hour Makeup Finishing Spray (click here for details from the website)

*This picture was taken from the Skindinavia website*
You already know that I complain on a regular basis about being a “greasy monster”.  I’m ready to take the challenge to see if this spray is the product I’ve been looking for all my life.  *Fingers Crossed*

*This picture was taken from the Skindinavia Website*

This is geared more towards keeping make-up looking fresh and making it last longer through out the day.  I think it’s supposed to help slightly with oil control, but oil control isn’t the main focus.  It’s also advertised to help make-up look really good in pictures.
I briefly talked about this product before but I never purchased it. I decided to go ahead and get it today since they are having a special code that gives you 20% off AND free shipping with a $40 purchase. Now what’s the catch? You’re going to end up purchasing at least 2 items in order to get to $40. The bottles are pretty expensive. I bought 2 bottles for $29 each. One bottle of No More Shine (we shall see) and one bottle of Bridal Make Up Finishing Spray. I’m looking forward to receiving them so I can test them out and give my review.


*Product Battles* M.A.C. Matte Gel vs. M.A.C. Skin Refined Zone

 M.A.C., Matte Gel, oil control products, Oily Skin, Prep and Prime Powder, Skin Refined Zone  2 Responses »
May 212011
 

Oh the struggles I’ve had with this oily skin.  As mentioned in the previous post, M.A.C. Matte Gel was my go to product for a while until Ta Da!!! M.A.C. introduced the Skin Refined Zone.  This along with the M.A.C. Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder have been my mattifying combo for about a year now.

Matte
Retails for $18.
A good product for  normal to oily combination skin.  It almost feels as though you are putting a protective barrier on your face to fight off the oil.  It helps to reduce the appearance of pores as well.  It doesn’t help to keep my make-up on quite as well as the Prep and Prime Skin or Skin Refined Zone.  The texture is very different from the Skin Refined Zone.  Matte Gel feel just like a gel with a nice velvety smooth finish.  This is still a good product, it just doesn’t seem to be as “strong” as the Skin Refined Zone. 

Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone
Retails for $19.50
Amazingly instant matte finish that’s non silky/greasy.  It has a serum liquidy  texture instead of gel/creamy texture. Ideal for truly oily skin but can be used for normal to oily combo or even oily/dry combo (only in the oily spots of course).  It’s fantastic for helping minimize pores and allowing make-up to go on without being blotchy.  I highly recommend this product.  It’s the best product that I’ve found so far in reducing the shine throughout the day, which reduces how many times I have to blot and touch up. :-)  
Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
Retails for $23.
This is hands down the best powder I’ve ever had.  It has corn starch in it and it’s jet milled to a very fine consistency.  It does wonders in giving a flawless matte finish and helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores.  It can be reapplied as needed.  It can be used before and/or after make-up ( I use it before and after because of  how oily I am.  Most people would not have to do it both times) YES!!  It really deserves it’s own post but because I’ve been focusing on what I’ve found to work for reducing the “greasy monster” effect, I thought I’d add it in here.

*These images were taken from the MAC website

Oily Skin Troubles

 oil control products, Oily Skin, primers  2 Responses »
May 202011
 

I am convinced that I’m the oiliest person on this earth.  I have spent $100s of dollars trying to find products that would stop me from being oily.  After exploring numerous brands (both high end and low end), and complaining for years and years, I’ve finally come to terms with my skin type.  I just have to embrace the fact that I’m oily.  There’s no combination going on.  I’m oily all over, not just my T Zone.  *sigh*  I understand that oily skin runs in my family.  There’s definitely a genetic trait there.  I have no control over it, it was inevitable.  Hmph!!

I have found products that have helped to reduce the oiliness.  I recognize now that this will be the best that I can do.   Nothing will STOP me from being oily.  When I used to work for Clinique, my veteran co-worker, Joan, had to point out the difference between products not working at all and not giving the exact results you expect.  She made me realize that yes I could tell at least a slight difference when I used some of the products I was experimenting with below.  It’s not always the two extremes.   Here is a list of things I’ve tried throughout the years and my thoughts on the results.

I used quite a few Clinique products.  I checked the website and I didn’t see any of these products listed so unfortunately, I don’t have pics or current prices for these items.  I’m not sure if they are still available.  It’s been years since I’ve used them.  They were Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector,  Pore Minimizer T-Zone Control,  and Men’s Oil Control Hydrator (this worked the best out of all of the Clinique products).
I’m still on the hunt for the best oil controlling product.  I’ve found combinations of products that work well, particularly blending skin care with make-up products.  So far this is my routine (only when I have extra time in the morning…which isn’t the norm)
  1. Coastal Scents African Black Soap
  2. MAC Lightful Softening Lotion
  3. MAC Brightening Serum/Charged Essence/Clinique’s Total Turnaround Concentrate/Clinique’s Even Better  (which ever one I have available at the time)
  4. MAC Refined Skin Zone
  5. Dr. Perricone No foundation Foundation SPF 30 mixed with MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 (I mix these because I wanted a higher SPF that still matches my skin.  The Dr. Perricone product is a bit too light and it’s not a moisturizer.)
  6. I may skip step 5 and use MAC Oil Control Lotion if I’m wearing a Foundation with an SPF in it.
  7. MAC Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
  8. Various powders/foundations (just depends on the day and how much time I have)
  9. MAC Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder again.  (This stuff is absolutely amazing.  It can be used before and after your make-up)
These steps will at least get me to 3pm without having to blot or reapply my make up.  If I use Revlon Color Stay, I can make it past 5pm.  
never let them see you shine
Retails for $20 for 1oz
Very disappointing.  I was a big Philosophy user before I worked for Clinique.  My mom introduced this line to me many years ago after watching demos on QVC. (LOL! I love my mommy for being brave enough to try skin car e based on TV advertisements)  This was before the brand was sold in dept stores.  The only place we could get it at the time was Sephora and on QVC.  I used to love Purity and Hope in a Jar and the Present.  However I still needed something extra for my extremely overactive sebaceous gland that caused me to be a “greasy monster”.  I thought this would do the trick but a big NO!  There was a minimal difference between me not using anything at all vs. using this product.   I would be oily by 9am.  ;-(
the present
Retails for $25
Much better than the above product.  I really didn’t have many problems with this.  It just wasn’t THE best thing for me.   I would still get oily by noon.  It’s a bit on the pricey side for me not to totally love the results.
La Base Pro
Retails for $42
The most expensive out of all of the products that I purchased.  Overall this wasn’t bad.  I liked the velvety texture of the product and the fact that a little goes a long way, however I was still oily by 12.  Not as oily, but I could feel it and see the shine.  It really did help my make-up look more like skin, and I didn’t have to use as much foundation when I used this product.

Prep + Prime Skin
This product retails for $28
I have to admit that I definitely see a difference with my make-up application, just as I did with the Lancome primer.  As far as controlling oil, ehh, it’s okay.  I do see a difference with my make-up staying on longer when I use it though.  I truly love using it on clients.

Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone
This retails for $19.50
I’ve already reviewed this product in my *Product Battles* Series.  It’s the best thing I’ve found so far in a Serum/Primer.  I can instantly tell the difference b/c you get an immediate matte finish.  It minimizes my pores and prevents me from being oily longer than the above products.  I can at least make it until 2 without blotting.

Matte
This product retails for $18
This WAS my go to product for controlling oil before the Skin Refined Zone came out.  I’ve reviewed this product in my *Product Battles* Series.  The finish is different.  It’s more similar to the Lancome Primer with that velvety texture that just glides on your skin.  It feels more like a gel than a serum.  It does help with oil but not quite as much as the Skin Refined Zone above.  I think I could get to 1pm without blotting/retouching.

*All images were taken from the companies websites