Audrey Hepburn and I have similar beauty philosophies: “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
That said, I do acknowledge that my skin is changing as I tiptoe into my 30's and that my skin will be with me for a lifetime. I want to do due diligence - taking care of my largest organ and creating good habits that my daughters can emulate as they grow up.
As it stands, I would describe my make-up style as "minimal." I prefer the rosy-cheeked, natural look AND I prefer products with a short ingredient list.
Here's a peek at my beauty routine at age 31.
My sister-in-law bought me a big jar of organic virgin coconut oil from Trader Joe's about a year ago. I now use it as an all-over body moisturizer about every other day. I apply it right after I get out of the shower - with extra attention to my elbows, knees, and heels. Sometimes I slather it generously on my feet and then wear socks to lock in the moisture overnight. The smell is lovely.
Though titled a "day & night moisturizer," I typically only use this moisturizer at night - often right after a shower. It's super "light" feeling - not at all greasy or thick. Perfect for my combination skin. I'd like to get in the habit of using it 2X/day. It came with a miniature booklet of facial exercises to help build tone and prevent wrinkles, but I haven't had the time/interest to add them into my routine.
As summer approaches, I like the look of bronze skin...but I also want to avoid too much exposure to the sun. Skin cancer remains the most common form of cancer in the USA and I do my best to avoid direct sun at midday. The true natural brand of self-tanner is a breeze to apply and looks ultra-natural. Best of all, it's vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free. Though not completely scent-free, it's also not stinky. I especially make it a point to apply self tanner before heading to events or media appearances where photographs are likely. A warm tan can do wonders when you're behind the camera.
After trying a number of different deodorants and antiperspirants, several Facebook fans recommended alcohol. Yes, alcohol. The kind you get for under $5 a bottle at the grocery store. I apply it at least once daily with cotton balls, swabbing generously. It's strong enough to kill bacteria and doesn't "trap moisture" in my body like antiperspirants do.
Since my hair is naturally curly, my hair care routine is about two minutes. I don't even own a blow dryer, curler, or bottle of hair spray. On most days, I just scrunch my hair with gel straight out of the shower and let it air dry. This tub o' custard by Kinky-Custard is pretty amazing, creating defined ringlets with very little effort. Even my husband noticed the difference in my hair when I switched from Herbal Essences to Kinky-Curly.
After reading that most women ingest 4-9 POUNDS of lipstick over a lifetime, I switched exclusively to the "long-lasting" varieties many years ago. Revlon ColorStay and CoverGirl Outlast are my go-to brands because of affordability and ease of use. The colors are great and they really do last. I typically have to "scrub" the color off of my lips in the shower at the end of the day - which means I'm not eating (much) of it. Yay.
In my current season of life, I only wear mascara about once a week. Maybe less. My most recent purchase was lash fusion blast by CoverGirl, but I'm non-impressed. Which mascara is in your cosmetics bag?
While wandering the beauty aisles at Target a few days ago, a beautician in black asked me if I needed any help. I blinked and nodded, explaining that I was looking for a BB Cream. Up to this year, I've always opted for a tinted moisturizer - or nothing. Lately, though, I've been wanting to try something with a little more coverage. She introduced me to No7 True Identity Foundation and let me try it on in-store...so wonderful for this "clueless in cosmetics" woman. So far, I really like it. Easy to apply. Exactly the right color. Light coverage. I'm happy.
If you don't have a favorite brand of tweezers, you've never tried Tweezerman. The points are super sharp. The handle is easy to grip. And they're pretty, to boot!
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MASCARA! Rachel! Loreal in the grey tube, gold lid...best, simplest, LOVE IT. I've tried about 5 brands this summer. Maybelline Outlast Lipstain gloss is awesome if traditional long wear doesn't work for a person, it doesn't last super long, but it is thin and easy to put on, feels moist without being sticky. My fav. I keep hearing about coconut oil as lotion, will finally have to try it. Also, try baking soda as face/body scrub...AWESOME.
Most days I do nothing. Some days I go all out. I am not partial to any product though... whatever catches my eye, I go for.
What a fun topic! I love the coconut oil idea. I'm at TJ's every week so I'm going to have to give it a try.
Now that I have 4 kids I CANNOT go a day without mascara. It just brightens up my eyes and makes me look less tired. Works even better than any under eye concealer. I use Covergirl Lash blast mascara and am surprised you were unimpressed. What didn't you like? I also love Physician's Formula bronzer. Like you said, a good glow does wonders.
My number one beauty rule is that I wash my face twice a day, once in the morning and always before bed.
I just signed up for Birchbox to expand my cosmetic horizons. Have you heard of it? I'm excited to see what is in my first shipment!
Thanks for the bronzer recommendation. I'm in the market for a good one.
I don't strongly dislike that CoverGirl mascara - I just don't "LOVE" it. It smudges easily and doesn't add as much length/volume as other brands that I have tried.
Keep me posted about Birchbox. Have you received your first box yet?
Very interesting beauty assortment! :) I use alcohol too! :) and... this might sound totally weird but I also had my underarm hair removed via electrolosis and it REALLY cut down on the "stinkiness" and of the amount of sweat - b/c when there's no hair to trap the moisture, it doesn't start breeding bacteria. Oh... and I haven't had to shave in 8 years. Literally. :)
Tell me more about electrolysis. I'm intrigued. Have you written a blog post about the experience? What are the risks/benefits?
Alcohol for deodorant? I am intrigued and will have to look more into that. I have the hardest time finding anything that works and doesn't irritate me.
For mascara, I've finally found one that doesn't smudge off, flake or make my eyelashes limp. I've tried SO many and Avon SuperExtend Extreme is the one for me and I hope they don't stop making it.
Alcohol does a great job of killing bacteria and keeping odors away, but it doesn't do anything for controlling "moisture." At special events, I typically still wear an antiperspirant to avoid wet spots under my arms. What brand/scent of deodorant is your favorite?
Hey Sis! I really like that quote from Audrey Hepburn. It is beautiful and inspiring :) As for the beauty products, Coconut oil I really like for a moisturizer every couple of days. I also would like to try Alcohol for deodorant. Regular deodorant just has too many dangerous chemicals in it, you are so right. I'd like to get anyway from using it too. I really haven't tried the others on your list. I will have to look into them ;) Oh and for mascara my two favs are Loreal telescopic and Loreal voluminous.
Thanks for the mascara recommendations. I was hoping you would comment! ;)
Have you tried any of the No7 products? I really like the True Identity Foundation so far.
I love that Coconut Oil from Trader Joe's. I use it as a conditioner ever few weeks with a hot wet towel and shower cap. Makes your hair so soft and silky. Im going to try that Kinky Curly! My curls, unlike your beautiful ringlets, need all the encouragement they can get! :)
Good idea with the coconut oil! Do you put a towel in the dryer and then just stick it over your conditioned locks?
Trader Joe's is my all time favorite coconut oil. It's all I use for cooking, baking and for making granola. And...I use it as a moisturizer too. Devine scent!
For my face I use Olay. I've been using it for over 40 years. My skin is very sensitive and more often than not when I try something new, I'm beet red.
Hmmm... I'm going to have to try the alcohol for deodorant. Right now we use an organic one.
Two years ago I had to start wearing foundation and I chose Bare Escentuals. I rarely wear mascara and last fall had my lips and eyebrows tattooed (OUCH!!) so I'm set there. Ha!
You my sweet friend are gorgeous!!
You are very kind. Thank you for the compliment!
I'm intrigued by the tattooed makeup idea. Have you written a blog post about your experience, by chance? Are you happy or regretful that you did it?
My post is in the works. I'm thrilled with the results! My eyebrows had all but fallen out and I had started brushing faux ones on which didn't set well with me since I do not do makeup. The process hurt. Seriously. Having my lips done was worse than labor and delivery. Keep in mind that my youngest is 31 (Time heals the mind of giving birth pain?) and I had fast deliveries. Like an hour long or less. I'd do it again though...that's how happy I am. ;) (Tattooed makeup, not childbirth. Ha!)