My skincare routine

I’m going to go out on a limb and say most women (people) are very curious about skincare. I get asked a lot and I mean A LOT of questions about it. What brand do I use, what is the difference between a serum and a moisturizer, would I like to join their skincare business, the list goes on and on. Women want to have their best skin, but most don’t want to put in much effort to achieve it. Unfortunately it is one of those areas in life where you get out of it what you put in.  Once you find a skincare regiment that suites you it will become part of your every day life. There is no going back to,” Oh I just use olive oil on my face”. ahhh!!!! Maybe you are just lacking knowledge, and you need a nudge in the right direction. I am here to help. Not that you have to use what I use, but at least you can get a taste of what a routine looks like.

So I’ve made a super awkward video of myself trying to explain what I use on a daily basis. Do these videos ever get easier to make?! ha! I mean talking to a computer, trying to remember all the info you want to share, and looking cute doing it is a major challenge for me. But I did it, for you, so you’re welcome.

 

 

One thing to keep in mind when applying products is always go from thinnest to thickest in texture. Here is a written out step by step of my daily routine.

1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Serum
4. Eye serum
5. Eye cream
6. Face cream

 

Here are some of the products I am currently using, and then some other brands I have used in the past and loved. I have a post all about moisturizers in the works too so we can talk more in depth on finding what is perfect for your skin.

 

Makeup wipes. Chanel toner. Dior XP line. Nars exfoliator. Chanel Resynchronizing system. 

Chanel Hydra Beauty- Micro serum, gel cream, micro eye and hydra beauty flash.

Origins

Nars skincare

Kiehls- Powerful strength line reducing concentrate, Ultra facial cream, creamy eye treatment with avacado

 

matte shadow lover

I recently noticed how many obscure matte shadows I had in my makeup bag. I love them because they change up my everyday makeup look with one little swipe of color.  I figured I could not be alone in my mad love for matte eye shadow so I decided to share my list with you all. So here it is, my list of very high pigmented matte shadows.

 

     Nars- Sohpia and New York

M.A.C.- Dirty Martini, Yogurt, and Blackberry

Chanel- Rose De Mai, Slate, Hasard

Laura Mercier- Cashmere and Ginger

NYX- Blame it on midnight

Wet n Wild- Creme Brulee

Bobbi Brown- Antique Rose, Heather, Toast, Cool Ivory, and Shell

Matte shadow colors allow you to blend and make muted smokey looks with ease. They also mix well with shimmery shadows. I use multiple matte shadows in every single make over I do, and as you can see they are what the majority of my makeup bag is filled with. 

All of the shadows listed are very high pigmented. Head to your nearest department store to see for yourself! Some of these are absolute must haves!!

Im always looking to add more to my list. What are some of your favorites?!

xo

Mandy

Spring Beauty Trends

By now spring is well underway. Hopefully the warm weather has made it’s way to you and you are fully indulging in the season. Along with warmer temps and floral patterns comes spring makeup! It can be overwhelming to walk into a beauty store ill prepared so I’m here to guide you a bit. Give you a quick list of the latest trends, plus share a few of my favs with you. Oh and for you make up novices out there, don’t fret one of the trends is “minimalist”.

According to Harpers Bazaar the cosmetic trends from the runway are fine lines, flaming lips, brown eyed girls, flash of color, bare minimum, purple haze, smoke show, and bronze age. So not just your typical glowy bronzed skin, soft lips, and wispy lashes. Some of these techniques are a little out there, but can be modified. Once you read up on them you will start to subtly see them everywhere!

Fine Lines- This is referencing eye liner techniques. While I love a striking thick line or a cat eye from time to time my new favorite way of lining is called tight lining. This is when you focus the color on the upper underneath root of your lashes (I definitely need to do a video on this in the near future). While most days I stick to black I’ve been playing around with deep purples, navy, and emerald for an added pop. Go to product for tight lining is Chanel’s stylo yeux waterproof crayon. It comes is countless colors so think outside of the box, and it’s waterproof so it will stay put all day! A comparable cost efficient product would be Revlon’s color stay eyeliner. 

Flaming lips- Bring on the color baby! There is just something about the warm weather and the end of winter that makes me want to pull out my corals and bright pinks. However, I have to ask myself where am I going?! Oh yeah it’s just me and the kids all day every day ha! So save the bold lips for date night (if your husband is into that kind of thing) and incorporate the trend by wearing springy sheers. Dior Addict lip glow is genius. It’s a reviving lip balm that slowly turns your lips a very natural shade of pink or coral. Another option is Sephora’s color reveal lip balm in pink, or e.l.f. lip stain.

Brown eyed girls- Neutral shadows. You may have seen some of the cosmetic spring launches and thought the models were hardly wearing any eye makeup. Thats because a lot of spring trends are all about the nudes. Nars spring line even muted out the lips for a completely washed out look that was still somehow stunning. My go to’s in this category are nude pallets such as Urban Decay Naked or Maybeline The Nudes. When playing with the colors try a smokey brown look for a change. It might quickly become a favorite.

Flash of color- When I see this trend it tends to be played up by funky eyeshadows.  While this looks great on the runway, it’s not realistic in mommy world. I like to pop my color on my cheeks. Have you ever really played with blush?! There are so many great colors out there that can change up your look in a snap. Nars just came out with a dual intensity blush that can be used wet or dry. They can easily be made sheer or bold with different applications. Honestly you just have to check out all of Nars blushes. Once you try one you are going to want to start a whole blush wardrobe, trust me! Dupe is e.l.f. cosmetics blushes. 

Bare Minimum- Can I get an Amen?!? Finally the tired mom look is a trend ha! Okay okay what this really means is how can you apply your makeup in a way that makes you look like you aren’t wearing makeup. Tricky eh?! To me the biggest key to this is eyebrows. If you groom and pencil in your brows you will instantly look more put together. So start there. I like Dior’s universal brow styler, IT cosmetics universal brow, Chanel brow pencils, Laura Mercier’s brow powder, Anastasia’s brow pomade (for intense brows), and Sonia Kashuk brow kit.

The second part of this is foundation. Now again this is a subject that requires it’s own blog post, but a product that I wear everyday (usually on top of another foundation, but can also be worn alone) is Chanel’s hydrating Le Beige powder. I use this mostly as a bronzing powder, but thats only because I purchased mine two shades up from my natural color for that purpose. A hydrating powder is very unique, and this particular one has spf in it. Using this product is like wearing the best instagram filter around all day. Check out Maybeline’s Fit me foundation for a similar look.

Purple Haze- Yes purple always seems to be popular in the spring. We find Lavender everywhere! But have you tried it on your eyes? Try smudging your favorite purple shade underneath the eye for a touch of daytime smokey. If purple just isn’t your thing try tight lining with a plum pencil, or tipping the lashes with purple mascara.

Smoke Show- The blacker the better this season. Usually I’m teaching clients how to do a “natural smokey”, but this season we go bold. The easiest way I have found to achieve this look is by taking a soft black pencil and smudging it all over the lid first. This creates a smokey base to start with. Next wet your brush and dip it into black shadow. Simply press the color onto the lid and let dry. Finish off by rimming the eyes with deep black liner and multiple coats of mascara. Pair up with a pale nude lip. Plus this. 

Bronze Age- Illuminators and conturing. First drastically contour the skin then watch it blend in as you apply the rest of your makeup. i like Kat von D’s contouring kit and Nars Ita brush. I promise to do a video on this soon too. I’ve also heard great review on the Anastasia Beverly Hills kit.  If you like sticks try Nars matte multiple or NYX wonder stick.  NYX also makes a great illuminator that compares to the Nars illuminators. Both great products to give your skin an added Island glow.

Who’s excited to play in their makeup bag during nap time?! Hopefully this list gives you a starting point and helps you know which products you may need to purchase. I find that trying one new makeup trick each day excites me and actually makes me want to get ready. Taking a little extra time while getting ready will give you an added boost of confidence guaranteed!

xoxo

Mandy

*images via Pinterest and Harpers Bazaar

It’s spring in my makeup bag!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. One of the best mood boosters during this never ending winter is to think spring (as much as possible) in your wardrobe and makeup choices. If you step foot into any department store winter is gone and spring has sprung!  A majority of the shoppers I see in the stores are grinning from ear to ear as they fill their bags with bright colors and floral prints. Needless to say we are ready for warmer climates, and no more snow! Here’s a little heads up on which cosmetic items you should be on the look out for.

One of the most consistent trends I am seeing for the coming season is shades of coral and orange for the lips and cheeks. Each cosmetic line is putting their spin on an orange lip so you should be able to find something that suits you. For example some will go for the extra bold Timanfya from Nars while others will step out of their comfort zone with a coral from Dior or a peachy nude from YSL. (The YSL product is a glossy stain! It’s so amazing you must try it. They just launched a bunch of new colors so go check em’ out) Also don’t forget to check your local drug stores for the new L’oreal Color Riche Extraordinaire glosses. Orange Tempo blows my mind!

When it comes to eye shadows my go to brand is usually Nars. I just love the pigment their brand offers for the price. I find myself pairing a light golden eye with the standout orange lips so I’ve rounded up some of my favorites. Nars came out with a new duo for spring called Kauai. This duo pairs a beautiful light gold with a truly unique purple. The purple is less intense than it looks and definitely adds the perfect amount of contrast to this look. I start with a light gold on the lid, a neutral beige in the crease, and the purple to contour.  I am also loving the limited edition illusion D’ombre creme shadow from Chanel in shade 90 convoitise. It’s a cream shadow that is very long wearing and does not settle into creases. I love this gold shade and hope it stays around longer than just the spring season. Also M.A.C. is walking a little on the wild side this spring, but I’m loving some of their gold tones. There is the mineral quad in shade Meadow or the loose pigment in Lily White.

Another great option to keep in mind are these neutral artist pallets. More and more lines are coming out with their own and they are always a great price for the amount of shadows you get. These are my three favorite so far. Narsissit pallet for $79, Urban Decay Naked 2 pallet for $52, and M.A.C. x15 warm neutral or cool neutral pallets for $100. Also for a cheaper option check out e.l.f. cosmetics sold at Target stores. A lot of their shadows are very close dupes to Nars colors.

As much fun as it is to add some new colors to our makeup bag we CANNOT skip the skincare. Spring is a time when our skin starts to make a change from dry and flakey to more plump and supple. Bring on the vitamin D! Two things I’m a really big fan of during this transition are exfoliators and oils. Dead skin tends to cling to our face like glue and can hang around way longer than necessary. Leaving dead skin on the surface does not let our cells  produce healthy new ones. All you need is a good exfoliator to the rescue.  I’ve searched high and low for a good replacement to my old Dior favorite and am happy to report that the Nars double refining exfoliator does not disappoint. The small beads are perfectly round to prevent ripping or tearing of the skin, it’s paraben free, and it’s light reflecting complex brightens the skin. Read more about it here! Once our faces are free from the old dead skin cells our new ones will need some support. This is where face creams and specifically oils come in. When the weather is still quite dry I like to use treatment oils on my face. I feel that,more than creams, oils replenish my skin and bring it back to life. I am by no means an expert on these, as I’ve only starting using them in the past two years, but I’ve absolutely loved the results! One’s I’ve tried and loved include Fresh Seaberry moisturizing face oil, Kate Somerville Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment, Origins Plantscription Youth-Renewing Face Oil, and Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil. Most of these brands can be found at Sephora and there is plenty of great info on their website. My best advise is do your homework first because they can be an small investment. But hey, keeping your skin (the largest organ in your body) healthy is worth an investment right?!

Here’s to hoping spring comes quickly. In the meantime shop around for some of these great springtime products so you’ll be ready!!

xo,

Mandy

Bronze Goddess

Why is it that I think I want snow so badly until it actually falls. And by falls I mean takes a huge dump on the Midwest.  <Holla if ya hear me.> By this point of the looong winter break you might be in a total slump or you continually catch yourself dreaming of palm trees and warm places. I know I’m there!! One thing I have found that is sure to give my day a little pick me up is a summer inspired makeup look! Today it was all about the bronzes and the pinks. I thought I’d share my super easy “Bronze Goddess” look with you. And maybe just maybe you’ll have a chance to break free this weekend and try it out!!

First I start with my Dior crayon liner in black and smudge it all over my eyelid. Yes smudge it all over my eyelid!! It creates a smokey eye shadow base that will not only make the next steps that much easier, but also hold the shadow on longer.

Next I  press a bronzey color (bottom right) all over the lid and then slightly contour with a darker bronze color (top left).  Lastly hightlight with a light neutral (middle color).

I then smudged some of this reddish bronze (far left)  underneath my eyes to give them depth. This is totally optional but I really think it adds something to the look. Especially this time of year when skin is paler.

Then rim the inner parts of the eye with this Nars shaddow crayon. I love this product because it is so creamy and easy to smudge!

Then tap some liquid liner into the lash line (tight line) for a very fine almost unnoticeable line. Tight lining makes your eyelashes look thicker hint hint.

Then lastly I dusted on some pink blush, threw on some mascara, and grabbed my baby lips in Pink Punch for the perfect sunkissed look.

Then if you’re up for it, one last item that completes the look is the Chanel sheer brilliance face illuminizer. I like to put this product above my cheek bones, down my nose, and on my collar bones.

And there you have it! Simple, quick, and no way you can mess it up!! I hope you try my mind tricking method this weekend and that this summer look puts a little bounce in your step.

xo

Mandy

The Friday Five

So I’m starting this thing over on my instagram and I thought why not share it with all of you too! It’s called the friday five: five things I’m obsessing over for the current week. This week is autumn cozy and glam all in one.

 

1. Free People black hat. I’ve been searching for the perfect fall hat for some time now. I finally have it narrowed down to buying one at Free People, but have yet to figure out the exact style. There are so many to choose from. They range from $48-$168

   

2. Nars matte eyeshadow shade- New York. It’s a reddish, brownish, aubergineish  color that is to die for!! Used alone or for contouring it’s a color that you simply must have in your makeup bag for the fall.

 (New York is the color on model’s lid)

 

3. Wall decals! These little stickers are all the rave right now. They jazz up any room just by sticking them on the wall (no paint needed AMEN!!) I’m loving the patterns and color choices that Walls by Mur offers. On top of loving their style they are having an anniversary sale right now with up to 75% off. You can’t beat that!

4. Rebecca Minkoff mini mac cross body bag in GOLD! I am obsessed with gold and obsessed with my RM bag so how could I not love this combo! So many pockets, so small and compact, and such a trendy design.

5. Target’s Threshold Decorative Stag Head Wall Sculpture- 18″.  At only $39.99 this item won’t last long. I have a list of ideas that I want to do to mine including: painting the antler tips, putting a flower crown on it, hanging a wreath around it’s neck. So many things to make this guy fit in your home decor and make him festive!