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Makeup Bag Essentials

BAG // CONCEALER // BLUSH PALLET // EYESHADOW // FACE PRIMER // LIPSTICK // FOUNDATION // POWDER // LIPGLOSS // MASCARA // EYELINER

Hey Beautiful!

When is the last time you gave your makeup bag a “refresh?” Just this week I was digging out a half-crumbled face powder from the bottom of my purse and it reminded me that it is just as important to have the basic makeup essentials as it is the proper wardrobe. If you are a make-up curator like my mom {who just gave me like 15 tubes of lip sticks she never wears and several other goodies…EEK!} or perhaps you never wear makeup at all…this post features the key essentials every woman should have in her makeup bag.

My morning makeup routine normally takes about 10 minutes, so here is the approach I take as I apply each core component:

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1.} Start with a dime size of Face Primer- There are many brands for all different skin types, but the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is The BEST. Using a primer sets your foundation so it won’t melt off during the day and produces a more even application.

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2.} Next, squirt a quarter size of your favorite liquid foundation into your hand and spread evenly on your face with a flat head brush.  This Nars Luminous Weightless Foundation goes on naturally yet with plenty of coverage.  I also dab a little on my upper eye area to ready my lids for eyeshadow. You can always dust your face with powder if you want more of a matte finish. Check out this post on Summer Foundations for other ideas as you explore what will work best for your skin tone and budget.

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3.} Then, apply NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer under the eyes to reduce dark circles or puffiness, and around the nose area in the folds by the mouth. You can also touch up any acne spots as well. Blend with your index finger. If you don’t have time for a full liquid foundation application, stick to concealer touch ups and then top with your favorite powder.

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4.} Set your foundation and concealer with powder...my favorite is Chanel Healthy Glow Sheer Colour. Like I mentioned earlier, it is imperative to set the liquid makeup so it won’t run off or be sticky on your face throughout the day.

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5.} Contour your cheek bones and the perimeter of your face with the perfect Bronzer/Blush/ Highlighter combo. This Smashbox Triple Pallet is easy to throw in your purse and is a space saver for your makeup bag. Weather you want to add a bronzed glow for the summer or in the dead of winter, this trio pallet has everything you need.

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6.} I adore this neutral eye shadow pallet from Chanel. These four shadows give you’re eyes a pop of color from day to night. If you are more low maintenance…you can opt out of this step and simply apply mascara and be on your way. I do a layer of the lightest shade right under my brow line followed by the next darkest shade directly on the lid. I then take a brow brush and do a windshield wiper effect with warmest tone in the crease of my eye. You can blend the black shade lightly over your liner to get the smoky eye effect.

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7.} Rim your lids with Bobbi Brown’s Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner. This will open up the eye area and make you look rested. What I love about this particular product is that NO sharpener is required and the dark brown shade goes great with every skin tone.

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8.} Chanel Le Volume Mascara is the one beauty essential I cannot walk out of the house without whether heading to the gym or for work. Check out this recent post on other fabulous mascaras to consider depending on your lifestyle, budget, or eye effect you want to accomplish.

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9/10.} Finish off your lips with a nuetral lipstick, gloss or BOTH. I adore both YSL’s Mauve Taupe shade topped with Chanel’s Wild Rose gloss. You can wear each shade together or separate depending on how you feel. I opt for gloss during the day for casual looks and the lipstick/gloss combo for evening attire.

Here are some more fun and cute makeup bags I’ve picked out as well to keep your goodies in. Take a look!

I hope this post motivated you to go through your makeup bag and make sure you have the core ingredients to make your face sparkle.

Let me know some of your favorite products!

Stylishly Yours,

Jen Young

Must Try Summer Foundations

TGIS {Thank God It’s Summer!} 

I’ve been running around town the last week taking care of the kids with their end of school activities, getting prepped for summer camps and also my son’s upcoming trip to Omaha with his baseball team. Let’s just say that I’ve forgotten about prioritizing some “me time” with all the hustle and bustle…  as most other working moms would agree.

Luckily, my favorite shorts and sandals are in full rotation, but lately I have been trying out some new foundations to boost my summer mood.  If you have those dreaded sun spots like me{sigh…..}, I am always on mission to conceal those age-revealing stinkers with appropriate coverage and a bronzed glow so I don’t cause additional damage to my skin.

I know everyone has different personal tastes when it comes to how much makeup they wear whether an individual prefers no makeup to just mascara with a pale gloss or even the full done up look everyday. A non-negotiable for me until I get my face lasered one day {Hall Plastic Surgery Center here I come!} is a proper foundation.

Especially in this June heat, I don’t like to mix my foundation with powder AND additional sunscreen. It just makes my face feel gross. So I’ve been making it a priority to get a foundation with sunscreen built in! This is a great way to keep wearing the makeup you love but still be protected…although my friend and beauty expert stylist, Shirley Cox, {Shirley.E.Cox2@nordstrom.com}of Nordstrom at Austin’s Barton Creek Mall, does recommend adding additional sunscreen like Kiel’s to fully protect your skin as built in sunscreens aren’t entirely effective.  Follow her lead! Her face is flawless {brat!}

Here are my top picks for summer foundations including diverse price points and overall benefits.

 

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I will start with my personal favorite, Nars All Day Luminous Foundation. A little goes a long way with this small bottle. There are over 20 colors to pick from and easy enough to match to your skin tone. I prefer a more natural looking coverage and something I never have to reapply {this works for 16 hours of wear}. Sometimes I dust it with my favorite Chanel Powder, to achieve a more matte look but still leaving my skin feeling light and airy.

 

Screen Shot 2016-06-17 at 12.00.06 AMYou can never go wrong with Clinique! This dermatologist-developed liquid foundation immediately brightens and evens out the skintone with luminous minerals. It goes with many different skin tones and contains an SPF 15.

Screen Shot 2016-06-17 at 12.05.54 AMAlmay True Lasting Color foundation is a great drugstore find. It has a SPF 15 and delivers up to 16 hours of flawless coverage {much like the NARS brand} that won’t rub off-even with high heat and sticky humidity.

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Tarte has launched a summer makeup line to get you ready for the heat and glowing summer looks. This product includes a lightweight yet full-coverage, hydrating foundation infused with Tarte’s Rainforest of the Sea complex and non-chemical SPF 15 sunscreen.

Screen Shot 2016-06-17 at 12.02.04 AMRevlon Colorstay foundation goes on evenly for an unblemished look. It features SoftFlex technology that will not rub off with normal wear and also includes an SPF 15.

Screen Shot 2016-06-16 at 11.56.58 PMFinally, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Touche Éclat sits at a much higher price point but includes an SPF 22.  This is definitely a more robust product that not only offers perfect coverage but also reduces the look of fatigue and aids with brown spots. Worth the splurge!

Remember not every foundation works for every skin type. Especially for foundation first timers….go to a local department store like Nordstrom and consult with a beauty expert for their advice on what brand best matches your skin.

Here are some other amazing options to consider:

What other beauty tips or favorites would you like to read about? Leave your comments below!

Stylishly Yours,

jen young