EVERYDAY ‘MOM’ MAKEUP ROUTINE

Since I’m a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) my beauty routine is pretty minimal – most days I focus on my regular skin care and not much else. My son could care less what I look like, and my husband is the “you’re beautiful without makeup” guy – bless his heart, he’s a keeper!

But let’s face it, there’s something about putting on makeup that just makes you feel good. For me, it’s about that little bit of “me time” where I get to play around with color combos and finishes and textures and create new looks, which in turn, I get to share with you guys!

When I find that I just need that little pick-me-up, or I have to run out for some errands and I know I’ll be gone for awhile or may run into people I know, it makes me feel good to know that I’ve put that little extra effort in. And that’s what this look is about. It’s very minimal, just a few products, but it really does make all the difference!

So let’s get started!

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 So like I said, I always make sure my skin is in prime condition before letting a drop of makeup touch my face! I always cleanse, tone, and moisturize, and then apply a primer. For days where I’m doing absolute minimal makeup, I tend to reach for the L’Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer ($13). “But wait, aren’t you oily?” Well, yeah, but hold that thought!

 

 Recently I’ve been reaching for my Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream ($6.29), which is oil-free (hence the illuminating primer) and contains salicylic acid, which is great for treating any existing breakouts, as well as preventing future ones. I find that I get a solid light to medium coverage with this, and most days I’m perfectly comfortable just wearing this. But…..

 

 Since I’m not going for a flawless face (it’s mostly to conceal minor redness) I’m not going to ‘power-conceal’ like I might if I were headed somewhere like out to dinner or a family gathering – I’ll spot conceal where I absolutely need it with my Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ($6.49) in the shade Fair, and touch a little into the inner corner of my eyes to conceal some darkness and brighten up that area. Then I always set the under eye area because I will crease, it’s almost guaranteed. I like the e.l.f. High Definition Under Eye Setting Powder ($3) for this, and just a Real Techniques Setting Brush ($8).

 

 I’m someone that always, always has to fill in my brows – one is thicker than the other, one is shorter than the other, they’re a hot mess. You can check out my brow routine here. If I don’t have time for a full brow routine, I’ve been reaching for my ULTA Brow Tint ($10) in the shade Light, which makes them look fuller and keeps them under control.

 

 I don’t go all shadow crazy on days like this, but I will throw on some mascara – I really like the Maybelline Pumped Up! Colossal Volume Mascara ($4.20) lately – and mines almost out so I’m trying to get every last drop out of the tube before I go buy a new one – I don’t know why, it’s so inexpensive I really should just toss it and keep it movin’!

 

 Since the BB cream isn’t heavy coverage like most foundations, and I’m still able to see my skin through it (freckles and all) I see no pressing need for bronzer and blush and all of that. But I absolutely have to contour my nose (it’s just personal preference and takes me all of a minute) so I use some NYX HD Blush in Taupe ($7) and take it on a super fluffy eyeshadow blending brush like the SOHO Pro Crease Blending Brush ($10.50), and just run it down either side of my nose, across the tip, and blend it up into the inner part of my brows. I also like to blend a little bit lightly into the crease of my eye to contour that too, for a natural look. When you’ve got concealer or foundation or anything on your lids it can make them look too flat and make your eyes look smaller. This techniques just adds a touch of definition.

 

 Now to get my glow on! Using my Morphe M501 ($8) brush, I pick up a little Wet N Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana ($4) and dust that along the tops of my cheek bones, the side of my eyes, and down the center of my nose. This just makes you look nice and healthy, not overly highlighted.

 

Photo Credit : Writing Whimsy

 And finally, any neutral color lip gloss, lipstick, anything will do here. I always have the Almay Smart Shade Butter Kiss Lipstick in Nude Light/Medium ($8.01) in my bag – it’s a great ‘my lips but better’ shade and I can literally apply it without a mirror, it’s that easy to use!

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That’s it! This is a perfect look for running errands, taking the littles to a play date, even going to lunch with some friends! Or if you’ve got chores to do around the house but you’re feeling a little sassy, this is totally appropriate for that too!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! Let me know some of your favorite products for busy/minimal makeup days! Leave me comments below!

And please go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!

REVIEW : REVLON PHOTOREADY CREAM BLUSHES

 It’s no secret by now that I have a profound love of Revlon products. Let’s face it, they put out some pretty great stuff. In fact they’re the only brand that has a primer that keeps me matte and doesn’t break me out (read that review here).

Awhile back I had picked up the Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blushes , but since it was spring/summer and I was an oily monster, I set them aside and almost forgot about them – until now.

I pulled them out the other day as I was starting to declutter, and realized I hadn’t really given them a fair chance. So I began playing around. And let me tell you, I wish I had dug into these sooner!

I have 4 shades, I’m not sure if there are more, as when I searched for links for you guys, I was only able to come up with 2 or 3 at a time from various retailers. I picked mine up at Walmart for about $13, but I’m not sure if they’re still available there. I have found individual links on eBay and Amazon if you guys are interested in picking these up for yourselves. Like I said, these aren’t new – I’m just late to the party! But I realized I never really gave them the attention they deserved. Here we go!

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FORMULA

These have a slightly drier texture, similar to say, the Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Shadows. They are pretty pigmented, so I prefer to apply them with a small stippling brush for the most natural look. From there I find I can build up the intensity to my liking. They look very natural, blend well despite being on the dry side, and photograph incredibly well (hence the ‘PhotoReady’ moniker, of course). I find them to be quite long wearing when applied properly.

TIP * I’ve found through much trial and error, that the best way to apply a cream blush is to first lay down your primer, then take a small duo fiber stippling brush, like the e.l.f. Studio Small Stippling Brush ($3) and swirl it around in the product, and apply lightly to the cheeks. The duo fiber brush allows for just the right amount of pigment to be laid down without being too intense. Think how you apply foundation or BB Cream with a stippling brush because you want a more sheer to light coverage, right? Same concept. After that, I like to apply my foundation OVER the cream blush, blending carefully around the blush, and I find that this allows for the most natural looking flush. Seriously, it’s so seamless, it’s undetectable.

PACKAGING

These little blushes come in a clear plastic pot with a black plastic lid, and contain .44 oz of product. That’s not too bad, considering how pigmented they are and how little you really need to use, they’ll last for quite some time if cared for properly (i.e. cleaning your brushes between uses as to not cross contaminate). It’s a thin, acrylic-y kind of plastic though, so if you were planning to travel with these, I would advise to do so cautiously – they could easily crack in your luggage.

COLORS

As I said above, I’ve found them in 4 colors; Coral Reef, Pinched, Flushed, and Charmed Enchantment. They appear super pigmented in the pots, and they can be if applied with say, your fingers. Like I said, I prefer to blend these out with a stippling brush so they sheer out a little bit.

 

 Coral Reef is a bright, orangey pink shade. Great for spring and summer, and most flattering on someone with natural warmth to their skin tone.

 

 Pinched is a light peach, with just a hint of shimmer (the rest are matte) which I find to accent fair skin tones beautifully.

 

 Flushed is a hot fuchsia pink shade, that can look intimidating but sheers out beautifully. This really gives you that ‘just finished a hike on a beautiful fall day’ glow.

 

 Charmed Enchantment is a rosey shade with the slightest hints of brown undertones. This is my favorite shade, as it seems the most wearable for everyday.

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Overall, I would have to say that these are some of the best cream blushes that I have every used – and I’ve tried A LOT of them. They’re pigmented but blendable, they look natural, and they last just about all day. What I love most about them though, is that as part of the PhotoReady line, they truly photograph beautifully! There’s nothing worse (while being photographed, anyway) than looking washed out and DEAD.

Have you guys tried any of these? Do you have a favorite cream blush that maybe I haven’t found yet? Let me know in the comments below!

And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the new Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!