let's makeup

I've been setting a few goals for myself each month in the hopes of accomplishing a few things on my "Lifetime To Do List". The goals for January were mainly moving related, like purging all of the "stuff" that we don't need in our new home. I still need to finish organizing my studio, but it is amazing how having less stuff around the house really makes me feel so good. Some of my February goals included: 1) trying out two new recipes each week [check! will share my favorite new recipes soon], 2) going to bed earlier [no comment...I only lasted one week...need to revisit this goal] and 3) learning to put on makeup. I don't know about you but I am clueless when it comes to makeup. I was always a powder and lip gloss type of girl. But somehow I decided I needed to learn how to properly apply makeup. I am a mother and in my mid-30s after all and I felt like this is a skill I should acquire sooner than later in life. Anyways, a good friend of mine started experimenting more with makeup and I noticed the subtle difference. I complained to her that the Bare Escentuals powder I had been using for several years didn't seem the right match for my dry skin. That's when she recommended I check out Bobbi Brown's creme foundations. I admit, I was skeptical because I always assumed creme foundations left your skin looking cakey and well, looking like you are wearing makeup. But I decided to check it out and after a 45-minute makeup session at our local Bobbi Brown counter [Nordstrom, Washington Square] I came away with a bag full of makeup.

I've had some bad experiences getting makeovers, but this time around I felt like the makeup artist [Jihan] really listened to what I wanted [natural, a little more coverage than what my powder provides]. I know there are many great makeup products out there, not within the Bobbi Brown line, but for a lazy makeup shopper like me I thought it was worth it to buy the makeup since I was happy with how the different products looked on me. I'm going to share what I purchased and what my "new" makeup routine is...well, at least on 5 out of the 7 days of the week.

Step 1:  BB Moisturizing Cream Compact Foundation [beige] [+ foundation brush] = At first I was scared when Jihan showed me the cream compact, but it really goes on smoothly and provides just the right amount of coverage. And the best thing about it is it doesn't dry out my skin. My skin feels moist [and not shiny] all day long.

Step 2: BB Sheer Finish Pressed Powder [soft sand] = Jihan taught me that you don't need to put powder all over your face, rather just a really light dusting in your T-zone.

Step 3: BB Blush [sand pink] = I love how a pop of blush can brighten up your face even when you're feel worn down and tired. Oh and I realized that I was never applying blush properly. Instead of sweeping the brush you just need to pat it on the apples of your cheeks [smile and your "apples" will pop out].

Step 4: BB Rich Color Gloss [pink buff] = I love this gloss. It has more pigment and lasts longer than glosses I've used in the past. And it doesn't dry out my lips.

Step 5: Shu Uemura Eye Lash curler = I have been using SU eye lash curlers for the past 15 years and they are the best. I couldn't live without one! [Oh, and I love my Tweezerman slant tweezers as well!]

Step 6: BB Eyeshadow [bone] = I apply a dusting all over my eyelids.

Step 7: BB Metallic Eyeshadow [gold dust] = For the lower lid.

Step 8: BB Cream Shadow Stick [vanilla] = For the lower lid. I had never tried cream eye shadow, in fact I'm not sure I even knew they existed. I was a little wary when Jihan started applying it to my lower lids but I noticed how it made my eyes "pop". I really love this little stick.

Step 9: BB Creamy Eye Pencil [jet] = I'm too chicken to try the gel eyeliner so I stuck with the easier to apply eye pencil.

Step 10: BB Extreme Party Mascara [black] = Yet another product I realized I wasn't applying properly. Jihan taught me how you make a circular motion when you apply the first few coats of mascara [sorry, I can't really describe it better] to ensure better coverage. And I totally noticed the difference.

Ok, so I know this seems like a lot of makeup and for a minimalist like me I was initially thinking I would only use it once in awhile, but after practicing a bit it now takes me less than 10 minutes to "do" my whole face. There are mornings when I am rushed so I may only do Steps 1-5, but even then I feel like it looks better than my old routine.  One last thing, I never realized how helpful it is to watch someone apply makeup. Whether you watch a makeup artist apply it on you [which is what I did and Jihan was really patient in explaining what she was doing with each product] or watching online tutorials and videos. Bobbi Brown has a bunch of videos and articles on her site but one of my favorite sites [recommended by my friend] is a run by a Korean-American woman named Catalina. She has really great tutorials on You Tube and although she uses more products and brighter colors than what I am comfortable with, I find it really helpful to watch how she applies her makeup.

I'm slightly shocked, amazed, embarrassed that I'm writing a post on makeup since I really don't know what I'm talking about...but hey, I'm slightly less clueless than I was a month ago! And please leave your favorite tips or products or advice in the comments below. If any of you have favorite makeup removers, please let me know! Oh by the way, I finally enabled threaded comments so I'm going to try and be good about responding to questions in the comments section.

P.S And here is a post-makeup lesson photograph. Don't mind the big ham by my side.