Friday, September 21, 2007

A flawless face

On the makeup roll --

Faced with a no plans Friday night, I decided to do something I haven't done in the longest time: play with makeup!

As mentioned in my post earlier today, I may be doing my own wedding day makeup. I have one major request: a flawless face. No blemishes, smooth as silk, glowing perfection. If this must be done through layers of makeup, so be it. I really am concentrating on my skincare regimen (more on this later) to put my best canvas forward, but you never know with my skin. One day clear, the next day landmines.

So here's what I came up with:

1. Start with a light application of Oil of Olay Definity Foam - found at your local drugstore (for a touch of shimmer and glow). This is light and airy as well as moisturizing, a good alternative to the Philosophy Hope in a Jar. Wait 2 minutes before step 2 to allow foam to set in.

2. Trouble shoot any blemished areas with concealer (I like Laura Mercier - Department stores).

3. Apply Loreal True Match Foundation (drugstores - I use color N3) liberally with a taclon bristled foundation brush (I reccommend Cargo # 20 - Sephora) making sure to blend into hairline and along jawline in an upward sweeping motion. Wait 2 minutes for foundation to set into skin.

4. Pat just a bit of transclucent powder under your eyes (Laura Mercier)

5. Apply eyeshadow primer to the eyelid with your ring finger (Benefit's F.Y. Eye is best).

6. Draw a pencil thin line of liquid eyeliner close to your lash line (I use Physician's Formula Eye Definer Felt Tip Eye Marker in Ultra Black)

7. Using the lighter shade of Loreal's HIP Shadow Duo in Shady, apply all over the lid and slightly above the crease with a wide brush (I like Cargo # 8 - Sephora). Using the darker shade, apply only to crease and slightly into the lashline with a small shadow brush, forming a squished letter "c".

8. Curl your eyelashes.

9. Apply mascara and comb out clumps.

10. Apply individual false eyelashes (see a tutorial on You Tube).

11. Use Benefit's Brow Zing to fill in brows.

12. Use Benefit's High Brow highlighting pencil just above browbone (blend well) and in the inner corner of the eye for a pop.

13. Dot Benefit's Benetint cheek stain from apple to the corner of the eye. Blend.

14. Apply Benefit's Benetint stain to lips (double duty!) Top lips with clear gloss.

Voila! Simple but pretty and camera-ready face. I forgot how much fun this was! Plus B said I look pretty ;) and that's all that counts.

Result:


Looking at this picture, next time I will probably go a little heavier on the eye shadow and apply mascara to my bottom lashes. I will also fill in (and tame! sheesh) my unruly eyebrows. I might also try some Benefit Glamazon bronzer under the foundation. Ah - another day.


Closeup of my falsies:

That Gal!

My name is Katie and I'm a makeup-aholic. The first step to recovery is admitting I have a problem, right? Yeah, let's see how that goes.

Benefit is by far one of my favorite cosmetics companies, here's why: It's a kick ass woman run company, they have fantastic quality products (that are generally highly pigmented), and wonderfully attractive packaging. Check check check.

My newest find is "that gal!":



Here's Benefit's writeup:
Go from dull to darling with "that gal." It's a silky pink primer that makes skin appear smoother & brighter. Wear alone for clear complexion radiance or apply before makeup for smooth, effortless application. Re-brighten during the day with "that gal." It's "that gal" perfection for a happy complexion.

Pretty promising, right? Well, how can a girl turn it down? So I slapped down my $27 at Sephora (always Sephora, ladies, they return/exchange ANYTHING. If you've used it to the nub, they still don't care. Not that I've done that...)

Results: I really did look brighter and happier after using, and didn't feel like I had to wear any foundation/power. Everything just looked smoother. This formula is super light and soaks right in, so there was no greasey yuck. It also lasted well throughout the day and I felt kept my tzone from shining up. I just felt pretty and au-natural, very "What? I just woke up this way..."

The one drawback is that the tube is a bit small for the price, and the schmancy dispensing mechanism seems to dispense too much product at one time, thus wasting your precious valuables.

Grade: B+

I am going through many trials of different primers in preparation for the wedding makeup, which I may just do myself. I always hate it when other people do my makeup.

Here I am with just some moisturizer (my most favorite in the whole wide world trust me I have tried 'em all- Philosophy Hope in a Jar) and that gal smoothed on my cheeks, forehead, nose and a bit on my chin. I am also wearing whatever drugstore mascara was on sale.



And lets not forget my dead sexy turban towel. Peace out!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Oh, The Martha

So, one wedding related thing that I just can't WAIT to do is to go and register for gifts. I don't say this in a blood thirsty "GIVE ME PRESENTS, DAMMIT!!!" kind of way, but more of a "It's just like shopping, but not spending any money" kind of way. In fact, I highly doubt we will get many things off our registry (I personally don't like to shop off of them) - I just SO look forward to using the scanner. I also think it would be great to pick one truly random strange item and register for it if only to delight (or confuse?) those poor souls using a valuable part of their weekend buying us a present.

I am still deciding which stores I want to take my business to, but Target is a clear front runner -- and now -- DUM DA DA DUM -- Macy's has a spankin' new Martha Stewart Collection!!!!!!!! Be still my heart! Check it out here (but be forewarned of strange floating talking Martha flash animation).



Linens, towels and serveware, OH MY! I especially love the bedding set above (however all white and Alex P. is not all that practical) and really just all the Martha goodness. It's like Kmart, but so much better.

Doesn't this look like so much fun?




So, back to my original point - Macy's is store # 2 on my list. And perhaps Amazon. And the folks at Williams Sonoma are just so friendly...

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Peachy Keen


photo borrowed from photos.com

After many iterations and deliberations, I have decided on my theme colors -- golden yellow, fiery orange and deep red (with accents of white, ivory, and sage). I was inpsired by a friend's beautifully simple wedding centerpieces - bowls filled with peaches! Pleasing to the eye, plus a snack, all rolled into one. Bonus.

So, my plan is to have 1/2 of my centerpieces as clear glass vases filled with peaches (pics to come) and a nice orange dupioni silk ribbon tied around (and perhaps some amber colored votives). Going for a warm summery feel - what is more summery than a peach - tell me!

The other 1/2 of the centerpieces will be low cylinder vases filled with white hydrangea and hypericum berries (with the same dupioni ribbon). Thanks Florals by Karen of Moraga for being awesome and meeting my *strict* budget guidlines.