everyone goes through a lull with their skin. i seem to be "lulling" all at once right now. i'm experiencing a lull in the clothing department, which is a direct result from the lull in body image or actual body
size, so a makeup lull fits in perfectly. this is going to be an expensive one.
for now, i'm going to focus on the easy - the makeup.
i've been a hopelessly devoted mac studio fix user since...i can't remember. probably high school - definitely early college. after too many pictures of my shiny face or total lack of makeup all together, i booked it to sephora to consult with the experts.
i'm particular. there are quite a few products with some sort of shimmer in them. i. hate. shimmer. i'm not snooki. i'm going for a smooth, clean look.
the main problem was the shine. i don't have what i consider oily skin - it's normal. i like it a little on the dry side to keep the pimples at bay, and i'm not a big user of facial moisturizer because of the grease. despite all of this, i was still gross and shiny after a day at work or two hours into an event. total crap.
the professionals at sephora suggested i switch things up. i knew they were telling me the truth when they didn't shove products down my throat, but offered samples to try - and hefty samples at that. not only do they offer the samples, they also offer a 30 day money back guarantee on any product - even if it's opened and used (this may be all old news to you, but i've been shopping at the mac counter and gilt - so new news to me!). this way, we can buy new products worry-free as they all cost upwards of $30 - 40 a piece, and you know how cheap i am!
now that i've been given some samples, i can make an educated decision about what new products make their way into my highly exclusive makeup bag (highly exclusive in that smashbox and covergirl are about to become bff's).
first up -
murad oil-control mattifier. um...
i. love. this. junk. the associate gave me a sample of this product, and i'm not totally sure i can live without it now. it's light. it contains an SPF, which is healthy and something i normally don't find important (go figure - i'm going to look 50 when i'm 35). it stops my greasy face from being greasy (amazing). i just dab it around my t-zone. it's a steal at $39.50 because it would take me forever to get through this tube. a little bit goes a long way.
next,
smashbox photo finish light primer. i'm a smashbox fan. i had another primer they offered. it ran out quickly, and i moved to mac's prep and prime line - truthfully, nothing's better than smashbox. worth every penny (somewhere in the $36 range). once the murad sets in, i dab this all over (another sample the nice sephora associate provided me with). not only does it work whatever magic primer's do, it has an oil fighting ingredient. between the two, my face should be seriously matte.
after the associate listened to me drone on about my love for studio fix and my complete inability to understand why it's made me shiny - she suggested
sephora's collection of powder foundation, or the technical term,
mattifying compact foundation. i went ahead and bought this - it's only $20.
my thought was that i'd go super big on the foundation powder. i'll spend what i have to spend because i apply with a brush (i'm sure alexa on jerseylicious would have something to say about that, but whateva!), and typically my compacts last six months. i've been itching to start my love affair with laura mercier, but my hatred for liquid foundation runs deep. i'm pretty sure i haven't found a foundation powder she offers. after a couple of weeks using sephora's collection, i'm pretty happy. i can tell my makeup sets cleaner and stays put all day - i'm not sure if i should attribute this to the powder, mattifyer or primer. i'm just going to go with it. no need to mess with genius.
one of my readers called sephora sensory overload, and they are correct. not only do i have a solid shopping list for my next trip, but i also have a few products i'm curious about. i thought i'd add them to this list, and if you've used them, you can give me a review (
orrrr..I can just go get a sample!).
while we're talking about foundation powders, these two sparked some interest ::
philosophy's supernatural. because there's a scary sponge involved, i'm a little nervous. i hate using the same sponge to put makeup on day after day. a brush feels cleaner; although, i know they also get gross, and i don't wash mine nearly as often as i should. anyone used this?...
benefit's hello flawless. i love benefit's products. they are solid and always worth the money. this one might get the go ahead next time around.
hold the phone! it's laura mercier!! there is a reason why i want to start a relationship here. several co-workers of mine are as devoted to LM as i to mac. i've also had my first LM experience with a
compact on crack (the loving name i've given it) that includes a lipstick/gloss palate and equally amazing eye shadow palate that i scored way on sale at
gilt. the makeup goes on so smooth and stays that way all day. my co-worker who uses
only LM has fantastic makeup when she's in the mood to complete the process (i mean that in the most loving way possible).
smashbox anti-shine. it's cooling? all you have to say is it's cooling, and i'll buy it. i'm like a 55 year old woman experiencing the worst symptoms of menopause right now. i am in a constant state of hot flash.
this might make the most sense.
smashbox photo finish bronzing primer. perfecto! i need this! i wonder if this has the secret oil fighting ingredient? to me, the most important part about the bronzer is the lack of shimmer and overall look on the skin. i want it to be natural enough to wear alone. i do not want to look like a have a bronzer-stache, snooki.
i think this is a good stopping point. i'm fighting the urge to continue with countless tubes of lipgloss options and eyeshadows but i suppose if you wanted to see all sephora has to offer, you'd just go and
get some samples! happy shopping, friends, and do leave your best makeup suggestions/finds in the comments.
