Lets Makeup

I decided to do a beauty post since I haven't done one in a while and it's raining like crazy here with no sign of stopping. So here it is! This is a basic makeup look that I would do if I were just wanting to do a simple clean face. 

                          

I start out with Oil of Olay lotion and MAC foundation (I'll list all the products below with links) and then MAC mineral powder to set it. 

A little blush and phase one is complete. It's probably super weird that I literally think of these steps as phases, but whatever. 

Phase one. Boom. 

   

On to phase two which is the final phase and the best phase. Yes I am aware that only having two phases seems unnecessary, but I have some makeup routines with three phases so you'll just have to deal with the two phases this time. 

I typically use my Naked pallet here. It's. The. BEST.  I use a light shimmery color on my whole lid and up under my eyebrow and then a darker charcoal color in the crease. Make sure to blend really well so you don't look like a crazy person. 

Next comes eyelash curling and mascara, which if I'm being honest could give you the look of a whole face of makeup by itself! 

I finish it off with filling in my brows just a bit (still with the Naked pallet) and some Buxom plumping lip gloss! 

Like I said, a simple clean face. Although it's technically not clean I guess. It's actually pretty gunked up, but it looks clean! Products are below! 

-H

Lotion: Oil of Olay Complete

Foundation: MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation

Powder: Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Blush: Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush

Shadow: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (I used Booty Call for the whole lid and Pistol for the crease with Blackout in my brows)  

Mascara: L'Oreal Miss Manga Black

Gloss: Buxom (My fave is Sandy) 

Little Pink Godsend: Beauty Blender (Well worth every single cent. Trust me on this one.)

Skin and Hurr

Bloggy blog blog! Here I am again. I want to talk about my skincare and haircare routine and what products I use. I want to say that unlike makeup and my love affair with MAC cosmetics, I am in no way loyal to one skincare or haircare brand at this moment. That isn't necessarily a good or a bad thing, but I tend to switch it up a lot. A lot a lot. So with that being said, I'm going to show you what I am currently using and what I think about it. 

First Skin:

This is new to me, but so far I love all of it. I got this in a kit at Sephora because I wanted to try Shiseido, but I didn't want to fork over the full price for just one product. I was in dire need of a new cleanser and Shiseido is known to be one of the best, so here we are. I will list each product with their full size link as well as a link to the kit that I purchased. 

1. White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam - So far this is one of the best cleansers I have ever used. It takes away all the gunk from the day and leaves my skin soft. It feels soooo good to wash with and the smell is insane good. 

2. White Lucent Brightening Balancing Softener Enriched - You use this as a sort of toner after the cleanser and I really like it. Not sure this is something I would stick with since I don't have trouble skin, but it still feels nice and seems to remove any left over dirt and oil. If you had issues with oily skin I would totally keep this in the mix. 

3. White Lucent Brightening Protective Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 18 - I am over the moon for this moisturizer. I mean I love the other stuff that I use, but this is just lovely. I can use it morning or night with no oiliness or stickiness, and it has that same wonderful smell! 

4. White Lucent Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream - Honestly the jury is still out on this one. It was included in the kit I got, and I have been using it, but I haven't seen much of a difference yet. I use an eye cream every day, but I'm not sure this one is worth it's hefty price tag. We shall see. It feels nice going on though. 

You can get the same kit I got here. It is well worth the price in my opinion, and you won't be sorry with the results. There are other similar kits here and here if you like. 

Hair Care:

I change my shampoo and conditioner every time I run out. Every. Single. Time. I never stick to one brand or smell. I might do an expensive salon brand one month and an inexpensive drug store brand the next. I might even *gasp* combine the two! Either way I like to try new things and that's ok. It's actually good to switch up your shampoo and conditioner every now and then, so I'm doin it right! 

1. Herbal Essences Wild Naturals Illuminating Shampoo - This shampoo is just ok for me. I will use it and stuff, but eh. I'm such an Herbal Essences fan too. I mean I have always loved the smell and in high school I used to imitate the commercials (Yes, yes, YES!!!) to the chagrin of my friends and family. This is just kind of got a weird after smell if that makes sense. 

2. Herbal Essences Shine Collection Brillance Conditioner - This is good. This smells like the old school HE that I always loved. It really makes my hair shiny too. And sooooooft! 

3. Oscar Blandi Pronto Gloss Instant Glossing Cream - This was a gift from my husband and I use it on my hair when it's damp. I. Love. This. Stuff. This is one that I will absolutely purchase again. D likes to find me random beauty products that I might like and since he is the one that signed me up for Birchbox (for the second time because my card got screwed up the first time and they cancelled me *sadface*) he gets emails and promotions from them. It all works out for Heather's best interest. I have an amazingly thoughtful husband which is just the bees knees! This product tames flyways and frizz and makes my hair even softer. LOVE!

4. Garnier Fructis Curl Scrunch Gel - I've used this one forever. It's good on long or short hair, and holds really well. I can just run it through my damp hair and blow-dry or leave it wet with some wavies. It's got a very mild scent and doesn't make me crunchy. This is one I am pretty loyal to for good reason. 

5. Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Hairspray - I've gotten this twice in a row, and it holds well. I like the scent too. I'm not too picky with hairspray as long as the hold is good, and it doesn't smell like some weird baby powder flower blossom candy cane. There are some weird scents out there people. 

Well that's it! That's what I'm using right now. I hope you find this helpful and maybe try some of these out! If you do, let me know what you think! 

-H

Makeup Bag

I wanted to do a post about what skincare products and makeup I use for day. I have included some favorites and will give a description of them below. I try to take pretty good care of my skin, but I hate what the winter months do to it. I actually typically rotate between two other moisturizers on top of what I have listed. Stupid dry winter skin. 

1. It Works Lip & Eye moisturizing cream gel - I love this stuff! I just started using it about 2 months ago, but it makes a huge difference in how my eyes look. They don't look as tired, nor are they as dry. I use it around my lips too. 

2. It Works Preventage moisturizing cream gel - This is for the rest of the face, and I love how much it moisturizes while feeling so light. Its also anti aging so bonus!

3. MAC Prep and Prime BB Cream - MAC always has my heart, and this BB cream is the bomb. I use the shade light plus, and it's perfect! It also has SPF 35. 

4. it Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer - This is a sample from Birchbox, but I am in love with it, and will be purchasing the larger size. Fantastic stuff!

5.MAC Mineralize Skinfinish powder - Lightweight and perfect. I love how long it lasts and how it doesn't make me look cakey! I also use light plus in this.

6. Sonia Kashuk blush in Pink Rose - I am a huge fan of this blush. Its natural and not glittery. I'm not opposed to glitter, but sometimes makeup companies go crazy and put it in everything. It's nice to look natural and not shimmery. 

7. benefit HOOLA bronzing powder - What can I say...I saw a makeup tutorial where she used this to contour and I bought it like two days later. Its the best. 

8. Miss Manga Voluminous Mascara by L'OREAL - The husband put this in my stocking at Christmas and I am crazy about it. No clumping, lasts all day, easy to take off...Fabulous!

That's the basics folks! I use eyeshadow too, but I switch it up so much that I couldn't have fit everything on here. Although I will say that any Urban Decay is pretty much my fave! I have linked everything above so you can find it if you like! I hope you have a wonderful and beautiful week!

-H

You Do You

I am a firm believer in the at home spa day/night. I have done it since I was a child, literally. I started reading magazines when I was a mere little, and doing facials and manicures in my grandma's bathroom! I was always obsessed with clothes and beauty at a very young age. 

So long story short, I wanted to share all this to say that every woman should treat themselves to a little beauty treatment every now and then. I only included two photos because they represent the majority of what I do. It's pretty simple and it makes me very happy! 

First a facial! You don't need anything extremely expensive or elaborate. I included a few choices including $1.99 packs from Walgreens! I am starting to have a bit of a love affair with LUSH because they aren't horribly expensive (especially for a face mask) and its 100% organic. We're talking gotta keep it in the fridge because it goes bad organic. 

The face wipes are great for after you rinse to get any of the leftover mask residue off your face. I love Yes to Carrots, Yes to Cucumbers, and Yes to Grapefruit (below). They smell good and they are pretty natural. Occasionally I'll steam my face before I do anything to really open up my pores. It feels so great too! 

I also like to take the time to do my nails. I always do my own nails and I have fun with it (until I go to bed and wake up with sheet all over them). I try different polishes (my fave is typically Essie, but it doesn't dry very fast.) If you want them to dry faster you can try the cold water trick (stick your nails in cold water for like 5 minutes) but if you are in a hurry a matte polish dries way quicker. Sometimes I give myself a pedicure too, but most of the time I reserve my toes for the nail spa. Its a good excuse to see a friend and talk while a little person with very sharp utensils is poking at your toes. They are also most likely making fun of you for some reason, but you would never know because they don't speak english to each other. They laugh a lot though. That's why I think they are making fun... Probably totally unfounded. 

While my nails dry I read magazines, and try my hardest to not mess up my nails. I still feel like that little girl sometimes that could sit forever and read a stack of magazines as tall as me. 

And don't forget some good girly music! 

-H