Friday, May 13, 2011

Oh how I love you so...

My makeup drawer is pretty standard, assorted eyeshadows, various mascaras, a few types of blush. I honestly wouldn't be too panicked if I didn't have any of it on hand because I am a pretty minimalist gal in that department. I'm that girl that knows she should throw out the 6 year old eyeshadow duo at the back of the drawer but just can't do it because I only used it twice!
But I do have a small number of items I just don't think I could manage without. Pass me the smelling salts if any of these items go the way of the dinosaurs because it would throw my whole beauty regime off (small as it is).
The first 2 are self tanners. Let me start by saying I absolutely LOVE self tanners, but absolutely HATE buying them. It is so hit and miss and everytime I try something new I regret it about 3 hours later when I look like an oompa-loompa. And these 2 kinda started out the same way, or at least the one on the left did.
I am a slightly olive-toned girl, but a really pale one at that. So when I look particularly pastey it tends to have a greenish undertone that resembles someone on their second day of food poisoning (ok, maybe not that bad, but not a cute look). I am not out to get the Jlo glow, just a nice tone that warms up my complexion. So I tried out the Sublime Bronze Sun Splash when I ran out of my last bottle that sadly isn't available anymore. I didn't really like anything about this stuff, it sprays on in a gel form, but you still have to rub it in, then it dried too quickly and left me streaky, and worst of all it is REALLY strong stuff so I looked like a caribbean queen only 2 hours after application. So I ditched it and decided to try the aerosol mist.
LOVE this stuff! A gradual build up over 3 days and I was back to normal. It goes on easy and dries well, but it does have quite a spray so do it in the shower or tub so minimize the mess on your floors. The only problem is that it is pricey and only lasted me about 3 weeks (doing full body). So I came to a compromise, do the mist on my arms and chest and the gel on my face by mixing it with my moisturizer.


It's funny because when we are young we get so interested in makeup and beauty. I can still remember when my mom bought me my first eye shadow and an eyeshadow brush at The Body Shop years ago. But nobody really tells you about moisturizers so I was totally clueless to how much they do for you before applying make up until just a few years back. I absolutely adore my Olay moisturizer with sunscreen. I mix one pump of moisturizer and one pump of self tanner in the palm of my hand then apply every morning. This particular lotion also has some glycolic acid in it and I completely attribute that to the improvement of my skin tone and not having a big zit in years. Plus when you are self tanning regularly I think it is important to keep the skin as fresh as possible.

If you fight dark circles like me (being up 1-2 times a night with a two year old causes a lot of those) you need need need to try this stuff! I would honestly give up chocolate for Bobbi Brown's under eye concealers. I often keep 2-3 different shades on hand to blend better depending on the degree of discoloration under my eyes. I have 1 compact that also comes with the setting powder and then buy the rest in individual compacts since they are a little pricey and I don't use much of the powder. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!

What are your beauty must haves? I need to know if I'm missing out on any other fabulous products!


19 comments:

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

thanks so much for the self tanner tips!;) I used to go to the tanning salon daily but now I am concerned about the skin cancer risks..I will give those two products a try! the spray one sounds great~ Hugs, Rachel

French Farmhouse 425

Christine said...

Hi Holly,

I have a "go to" foundation. It is called bff (originally Models Prefer). I found this product a few years ago at QVC. It leaves you with a natural look. I recently introduced my teenage daughter to bff and she loves it, too! The only problem is that you have to order it as it is not available in stores.

Douglas said...

I SERIOUSLY am in love with Origins oil face cleaner. Sounds a little weird, right? TOTALLY amazing. No need for makeup removed or anything, this does it all. AND it SERIOUSLY has left my skin flawless. And that is a serious accomplishment. In fact, I'd been using it for about 2 years straight and decided that I'd switch to something else because...well, because I'm like that. WIthin one month, I was out buying that gorgeous, lifesaving bottle of oil again because my skin was looking SO bad (and mind you, I had switched to something that cost almost $45/bottle...so it wasn't some cruddy facewash!). So...that's my must have. Nothing else in my life would make me cry if they discontinued it. :P Hurry!!! Go out and buy one!!! :P Marissa

InteriorGroupie said...

Great insight!! I wanted to try a self tanner this year, because like many others don't want the harm of the sun, but don't subscribe to the translucent-skin look for the summer :) Good overview! Would love to hear your pics for other products.

Angela said...

I am pale skinned, too...I battled with the sun in "the good ol' days", but now I rely on the sunless kind of tan.
I have fallen madly in love with Versa Spa. It is a sunless tanning booth at the tanning salon. It literally takes minutes and I look sun kissed...you really can't tell the difference.
Just another option for you. I am going to try your version. I think it will be cheaper!!
Have a great weekend.
~Angela

Amanda said...

i'm whitey-white over here in dreary Ohio and dying to have a glow so i will fo sho be checking out the self tanners. and, i'm THRILLED you mentioned the moisturizer you love. despite having slightly oily skin (i've heard is good for preventing wrinkles) i too discovered how beneficial a good moisturizer is in the last few years. the problem? i use an $80 one and been wanting to find a new one for so long! i WILL be trying the Olay moisturizer you mentioned, AND the Bobbi Brown undereye concealors, thanks to my toddler and sleepless nights. :)

Unknown said...

Oooh I will definitely be looking into BFF. Maybe I will mix it into my concealer/tanner concoction to make it more of a tinted moisturizer!!

And Douglas, I know all about that obsession! I was addicted to the ginger body wash, but there isn't an origins here.... I have to load up when I am back down in the good old U.S of A.

Unknown said...

Angela, I did the mystic tan a handful of times and liked it, although I did feel it was too dark at first and faded quite quickly. But the even coverage is great! I always invest in the spray tans for events like weddings, etc. so I will see if there is a versa tan here!

Unknown said...

TELL ME ABOUT IT Amanda! I have combination skin so it can be oily in areas and dry in others and adding more moisture just sounds crazy but it really evens it out now~ Let me know how you like the tans!

needle and nest said...

I'm a fair-skinned redhead (strawberry blonde, to be exact) and as I've grown up I've come to love my skin tone. Soooo, while I don't do any sort of tanning, spray-on or otherwise I do invest in a really good sunscreen for my morning routine. I've been using Skinceuticals Ultimate UV Defense Sun Screen for several years now and I love, love, love it.

Laura and Trevor said...

I love, love, love coral lip gloss. Right now I have Victoria's Secret in "sublime." I, too, am a pale, olive-toned girl, and the coral lipgloss gives me a nice balance to the green tint of my skin.

I also love Stila hydrating primer (SPF 20). It's triple duty-- moisturizer, sunblock, and a primer to even out my skin. :)

Laura and Trevor said...

1. I love, love, love coral lip gloss. Right now I have Victoria's Secret on "Sublime." I, too, am a pale olive-toned girl, and the peachy tone gives a nice balance to the green tint of my skin.

2. I love cheek stains. I like Benefit Benetint in "Posietint" for just a touch of rosy glow.

3. I also love Stila Hydrating Primer. It is a moisturizer, SPF 20, and a primer (too fill in all of those not-so perfect areas and give an airbrush effect). It's super lightweight, and I use it instead of a tinted moisturizer or foundation every day.

4. Finally, I use sunblock every day, all over. My husband loves my pale skin. :)

Simple Daisy said...

I'll have to try that self tanner!!!
I don't really wear a lot of makeup....but the one thing I can't live without is Maybelline mascara!!!

Sassy In The South said...

I need a good concealer for dark circles under my eyes, so I will definitely try this out! So glad you posted about it! Some products that I love are include: Nars blushes (Orgasm and Deep throat -- ew, right), Jane Iredale pressed powder foundation, Bare Escentuals Faux Tan, and Buxom lip glosses! I'm a beauty junkie and could go on and on, but I will spare you! hehe!

Jill said...

I'm going to try that moisturizer, I have been using Dr. Brandt, but it isn't easy on the wallet!!

My swear by products are Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer and Model in a Bottle Makeup Finishing Spray - they both leave your make up looking freshly done all day. My makeup even lasted during my 90 degree wedding day in a historical museum chapel that had no a/c.


I also swear by getting my eyelashes tinted. I have very long lashes, but they are not very dark in color and mascara bugs me because I think it looks fake and clumpy. I get my lashes tinted black every 2 months and it is AMAZING!!!!

Suburban Stitcher said...

My BFF works for Bobbi Brown and she has brought me to love Bobbi Brown concealer!!!! That concealer and the lip balm are absolutely two things I can never live without again!

SWhit said...

Good post! My favorite beauty product is Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash mascara. It is the only mascara that doesn't smudge and leave residue under my eyes.

erin said...

Sorry, Holly, did I miss the name of the gel you use on your face?! I'd love to know what you are mixing with your moisturizer.

Anonymous said...

All I need is my buxom mascara and i'm good to go! makes my eyes look killer!!

and tinted moisturizer of course!

 
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