Touring My Various States of Makeup

Hello, dear readers,

Since I was absent for such an extended stretch of time, I thought it might be fun to show you a few pictures from recent months. Then I realized something fantastic: In each of the photos I selected, I was wearing a different degree of makeup. Even better, I unknowingly chose them in the following order: No makeup, everyday makeup, and makeup for going out. As a proud makeup aficionado, I will admit that I spring towards the cosmetics aisle of every drugstore and Target I enter. I swear each and every Ulta store exerts its own gravitational pull on me; it's not my fault! 

That being said, I've relearned to love makeup free days and letting my skin breathe. The people who matter most to me have seen me too many times to count without a drop of makeup, so it's nice to go out with my face au naturale. This does not, however, include lip products. I must have at least a tinted lip balm on before I leave the house. That's just how it is. 

And now, on to our tour: 

Me, Makeup Free!

This was taken at a house concert at the beginning of December, and I have to say I love the way my nails look here. I believe I was wearing OPI The Spy Who Loved Me from the Skyfall Collection. I have absolutely no face makeup on here. On my lips? Faded by that point was none other than NYC Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm in Big Apple Red. The very same product I reviewed a couple of days ago. [And no, I did not crop out the other people in the photos because I'm a raging narcissist. I simply didn't want to post anyone's picture without his or her permission, and not everyone in the photos knows I write this blog.]

Everyday Sort of Look

Obviously I don't wear makeup every single day, but this is the kind of thing I will wear when I feel like looking a little more put together to see friends or to go to class. In this particular instance, I was baking cupcakes with friends before we brought them to a quasi high school reunion in late December. On my face, I mixed my Olay moisturizer with Avon Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Liquid Foundation in Light Ivory. Believe it or not, the shade is significantly darker than I am; combining it with moisturizer is the only way I can wear it. A shame, really, because I quite enjoy the formula. I applied Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Spot Corrector + Treatment in Fair under my eyes and to cover up any redness or spots I might have had that day. I finished off my face with Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent. On my lips, I had -- wait for it -- NYC Applelicious...You get the drift. Same lip product as before.

Maid of Honor Makeup

Finally we come to my version of full makeup. This was one of the professional photographs from my sister's wedding in October. I was the maid of honor, and I did my own makeup. I cannot take credit for the hair, though. I can never do my own hair for special occasions. I used the same concealer and powder as usual, but this time I wore them over my Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 1.0, the palest of the yellow-toned foundations from that line. I went to Sephora with my mom to get my color match with the Color IQ system, and this was the product I decided on. It was my mom's treat for me, since she knew I'd be doing my makeup and would want to get it right. It's maybe a shade darker than I am, but it goes on beautifully anyway.

I wore Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara in Black, a rarity for me. Unlike most beauty junkies, I don't find mascara to be that life-changing a product. I don't have the world's darkest, longest, or fullest lashes by any means, but they show up just find on their own. I like this mascara because it's the only one I've found that doesn't get under my eyes and make me look like a raccoon by the end of the day. My lips were a bit tricky for me. I started with YBF Cosmetics lipstick in Fabuloso, a cooler toned cherry red, but I wasn't satisfied. It didn't pop, so I tissued off as much as I could. I then applied YBF Cosmetics lipstick in Love Affair, a vibrant, orange-y red that was exactly the shade I needed. If you've never heard of the brand, I wrote about YBF Cosmetics in this post here. My makeup lasted from pictures in the early afternoon until after the dancing ended around 9 p.m. It showed up nicely in the photos, if I do say so myself. You can't really see here, but China Glaze Ruby Pumps was adorning my nails.

Each photograph was taken during a joyful occasion, and each joyful occasion called for a different look. I hope you enjoyed the little snapshots of my past few months in life and in makeup.

xEsther

Mini Review: Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Lash Boosting Mascara

Source

Hello, dear readers,

Today I bring you another product with an extremely long name, also sent to me by Physicians Formula courtesy of the "Buzz Makers" program. This product is relatively new, so it should be hitting shelves around this time. If you're curious to know how to become a "buzz maker", the official page is here. In any case, let's begin the review and hope it doesn't last as it takes to read the name of the product.

I have to confess that I'm no expert at all on mascaras. I've probably worn maybe four others ever, and three of the four were strictly worn for a few jazz performances. Before I get into my own opinions, here is the description from the website:

Description

100% of the Total Ingredients are from Natural Origin.

44% of the Total Ingredients are from Organic Farming.

100% saw enhanced lashes INSTANLY!

1st Ever 100% Natural Lash Boosting formula enhances the appearance of lash length, thickness and volume for dramatic lashes instantly and long-term.

Delivers ingredients to the base of lashes for best results!

93% saw thicker & longer looking lashes instantly! 92% saw extended & fuller looking lashes after 4 weeks! *Based on individual perception of results of a panel of women wearing Organic Wear Lash Boosting Mascara.

I can't tell you anything about the statistics of the ingredients mentioned in the description, so I have to skip that part. This mascara has a pretty wet formula, which I don't actually mind. I find that immediately after I apply it, it transfers onto my bottom lashes as soon as I blink. It doesn't smudge under my eyes, just coats the lashes. Maybe I'm just lucky because I have fairly long lashes. I'm not sure if this will happen to anyone else. However, it does not transfer to at all once it's dry, so no raccoon eyes. It's also important to note that this is not a waterproof mascara.

I find that two or three coats makes my lashes look a bit darker, more defined, and longer. I never curl my lashes, because I don't need to, but this mascara seems to hold them up in a curl on its own. The tell-tale sign that this mascara actually does something for me is that my mom notices I'm wearing it [sometimes right away, sometimes eventually]. I have naturally dark and long lashes anyway, so if my mom notices it, it must be doing something right. After I remove it, my lashes seem more curled, at least temporarily. As for the "enhanced lashes instantly" claim, unless the mascara is clear or doesn't have any product in it, you're obviously going to notice enhanced lashes right after applying.

The problem I find with this mascara is that it can get clumpy with more than three coats. Sometimes it clumps into spider lashes by the third coat. This may be my application technique and lack of practice, but it's a trial and error process. When I get it right, it looks great, but with too many coats it merely clumps up my lashes. I have an average amount of lashes, so I imagine if yours are more sparse you may have a problem with clumping.

I didn't see a volume boost with this mascara, to be honest, despite the brush that looks like it's meant to do just that. I think it's great for lengthening and defining lashes, and makes them look better immediately after mascara removal, but, again, it doesn't seem to give very much volume.

That is my humble opinion on the product. Do let me know if you've tried it yourself. Do you think it boosts volume?

I hope you had a fabulous start to the week.

xEsther