Daily Foundation Routine

I have FINALLY figured out a good everyday foundation routine! It's very simple and basic, but (cross my fingers) my skin has been behaving lately. I don't have as many break outs and my overall skin texture is improving since I've started eating healthier. I'm giving credit to my diet for the way my skin is looking because I haven't changed much else. This routine doesn't cover everything, but I'm trying to let my skin be and not completely cover it up too often). So here is what I reach for on my day to day basis:







1. Make Up For Ever HD primer: I use this in No 5 (? the blue one) only because that's the kind I've been using for a couple of years now. I got it in that color initially because it was suppose to be good for fair complexions. I don't see much difference as far as my complexion goes when I use it, but it does make my concealer and foundation go on smoother and last longer, and it makes my pores appear smaller. I'll probably branch out and try one of the other colors at some point, but for now this primer is amazing and I'm happy with it.



2. Garnier Nutrioniste Skin Renew Anti Dark Circle Roller: This is a tinted eye care product but I don't use it as a skin care product, I use it as concealer. I got it because TiffanyD has been raving about it for so long, so I thought I'd give it a try and I'm so glad I did! This does do a good job as a concealer on it's own. I use it right underneath my eyes and on my dark circles. It also works as a good concealer base for days when I need a bit more coverage, and on those days I reach for...



3. MAC Select Moisture in NC 15: Taking the Sigma E49 I blend this concealer in only on my dark circles. I don't get this too close to right underneath my eyes because it tends to settle in fine lines.





4. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Light: Last but not least, I use the Sigma F45 to blend this powder into my skin. I know I've talked about this powder a lot on my blog so I wont go over it again. BUT it's amazing!





Add on: Everyone once in a while I do want/need more coverage, and on those days I grab my Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Airbrush Spray Makeup in Light. I just did a review on this, but basically this foundation just gives me that something extra I need. It is not full coverage by any means, but when combined with my MSFN, it does a good almost medium coverage. Like most liquid foundations, I prefer to apply it with a sponge, although I've been trying it with my fingers and that works a lot better than I thought it would.

What are your foundation staples? Have a great rest of the week everyone!

Cheers!

Sigma Brushes

I while ago I mentioned I finally broke down and bought Sigma brushes. I'm--in--LOVE with these brushes! They're really good quality (only one brush had hairs falling out and that was only the first few times I used it) and compared to most high end brushes, these are waaayy cheaper. They're awesome!

Top:

F45. This was the one I was looking forward to the most. MAC's version of this is over $50 and I've been wanting it forever, but I couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on a brush. So glad I didn't because the F45 is my favorite out of all of these! It's great for applying powder. I didn't realize powder foundation could look so natural, but this brush buffs it in til it looks like my skin. I love using this with my MSFN because it provides me with just the amount of coverage I need on a daily basis. My only complaint is that I wish it came with a small pouch so I could protect it.

Bottom from Left to Right:

F30: Very large fluffy brush. If I'm wearing liquid foundation I use this to dust on some powder, or sometimes I use this to apply my Hoola Bronzer. I've been liking Hoola a lot more now that I have a brush that does a good job of applying it.

F50: I love this brush for blush and for blending out any harsh lines from bronzer and blush. I have tried it with liquid foundations since that seems to be what it's used for the most, but I personally prefer a sponge.

E55: This brush does a great job packing on color. It also works well when it's damp and mixed with eyeshadow. Sometimes when you get a brush wet, they don't apply as well, but this one is so dense, it does.

E30: I don't normally wear eyeshadow on my lower lash line because I always end up putting way to much, but I love how narrow the tip is. It gets just the right amount of product on it, even I can't screw up butting eyeshadow on my lower lash line.

E40: Another favorite. I have the MAC version of this (224?), which is actually a bit smaller and more dense, so I like it more for blending eye shadows, but I love using this Sigma brush to blend in my concealer! It gives me an airbrushed finish. Works under my eyes and over pimples. I'm still playing around with concealer formulations, but it seems to work the best with liquid and powder. It doesn't work very well with cream.

E25: This brush didn't come with the set. It's a mini version they threw in for free. I didn't like it at first, but I just got the Naked Pallet (I know, it's about time!) and I love using this brush when i use Naked or Buck. It covers the outer half of my lid in a heart beat. Great for when I'm in a hurry. However, I don't use this brush with eye shadows that have any glitter in them, because it's so fluffy, glitter and fall out go everywhere.

Are there any Sigma brushes you love that you think I should check out? What brushes are you loving right now?

Cheers!

February Hits and Misses

I've decided I like doing this type of collective monthly haul blog. In a way it helps me keep track of what products I've tried out and liked or didn't like, and it lets you guys know what caught my eye this past month.

1. Wet N Wild Natural Blend Lip Shimmer in 102 Sugar: Miss. Way to shimmery. I couldn't even tell what color it was underneath all that shimmer.

2. Almay Intense I-Color shadow for brown eyes: Miss. Funny enough, I didn't even realize I grabbed the right eye color, I just picked the shadows I liked the best. Again, a product with too much shimmer, tons of fall out, and I realized after I had done my eyes, I own colors like this so I returned it. The colors did have good pigmentation though.

As you know, I have been on a liquid foundation hunt for a while. I decided to give up because I like what I've been wearing for my every day makeup (I promise to do an updated foundation routine soon). It doesn't give me a lot of coverage, but my skin has been clearing up so I don't need as much. However, while my skin looks good in real life, it looks just okay in photos, and I have to take engagement photos (tomorrow actually) and wedding photos soon, so I've been desperately trying to find a liquid foundation that will work for me because I think liquid foundations tend to give a more flawless look in photographs.

So I gave 3. Covergirl Clean Makeup (oil control) and 4. Maybelline Fit Me a try. Both of which were misses. Covergirl's was awful. Sorry, but it was cakey, didn't cover, and I was oily within 1 1/2 hours. Yuck. Fit Me however went on very much like Diorskin Nude did, but it broke down within 2 hours as well. :( I was giving up on liquid and decided I was just going to with my MSFN and hope for the best when...

5. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Airbrush Spray Makeup in Light: HIT!!! I can't believe how lucky I am that I stumbled upon this and it. is. AMAZING! I'm very tempted to considered it my HG liquid foundation. It took me about five tries to figure out the best way to apply this but once I did it looks flawless. It is definitely sheer to light coverage. I think you may be able to build it up to medium coverage but the lightest shade, when built up, is too dark for my skin :( [if only they would make a Fair shade]. I'm an NC15 by the way, so maybe if you skin is darker you can build up the coverage. Anyway, I have to have a very light layer of this over my skin for it to match. This on its own (no powder or concealer) looks like my skin. I applied it to half my face, and you couldn't really see much a difference between this and the no makeup side, BUT...this is an awesome base for my MSFN and when I put that on top, I do get more coverage.

Pros: lightweight, natural looking, easy to apply and blend, long lasting, and holds it own against oily skin! yay!

Cons: does have a weird smell that lingers for a bit which I'm not a fan of, but oh well, and not a

good range of shades.

Neither pro nor con: The spray can. I neither like nor dislike the packaging. It's interesting. I just spray a bit onto a dry sponge (tried wet and dry actually works better for this foundation) and press it into my skin then blend it out. Also, the price. It cost me $15 for 1 oz, which for a drugstore product seems expensive, but if this was a MAC foundation or a Dior foundation, we'd all be jumping up and down and celebrating over the price, so for a foundation that works, I'll spend $15 no problem.

6. Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden: Hit. I like this product a lot. I think it's like a liquid version of MAC paint pot in painterly. (sort of...). I got this right at the end of February though, so I haven't had time to really try it out. I'll let you know what I'm thinking of it as I try it more.

Any of you find something special in February?

Cheers!

p.s. sorry for the long review on the Sally Hansen foundation, but I'm so excited about it!