Makeup Wars: My Valentine's Look.

It will be Valentine's Day in ten days, and it is about time that we start planning that special night out. That's why the Makeup Wars bloggers have taken on the challenge of creating our Valentine's Day looks.

My Valentine's look is actually a look I will be wearing on the night before Valentine's Day, as that is the anniversary of my engagement.  My husband picked up my ring, and I guess couldn't wait until the 14th to ask me to marry him, so we got engaged on February 13th. That was 24 years ago. That seems like forever. Wow! I'm old. Anyway, that is when we celebrate Valentine's Day and our anniversary. Back to makeup. My look takes into account the things that my husband likes about my makeup, when he comments on it. I usually hear, "Wow, that's some bright lipstick" or "You're wearing too much eye makeup". But when he compliments me, it is always about the same thing; glowy skin, flirty lashes or glossy nude lips. So this look is for him.

Glowy Skin:

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation {On my list of favorite things 2010, 2011 and 2012}
YSL Touche Éclat {Touche Éclat Review}
CHANEL Poudre Signée de CHANEL Illuminating Powder {Chanel Illuminating Powder Review}
bareMinerals READY Blush The Natural High {The Natural High Review}

Flirty Lashes:

Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara {Hypnose Star Mascara}
MAC 20 Lash Half Lashes
Urban Decay NAKED Basics - Walk of Shame and Venus {NAKED Basics Palette Review}
MAKE UP FOR EVER Kohl Pencil 1K

Glossy Nude Lips:

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Lipstick Nude Beige
NARS Larger Than Life Lipgloss Gold Digger {Gold Digger Lipgloss Review}

The finished look:

Take a look at the rest of the girls in their Valentine's Day looks.

 

Makeup Wars: My 5 Most Repurchased Products.

Even though I am constantly testing and trying new beauty products, there are a few products that I am constantly running out of and repurchasing. Over and over. I seriously need a lifetime supply of these beauties.

These five products are tried, true and tested to work by me. So much so, that I hate to be without them.

1. L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray
This is the best hairspray I have ever used, hands down. I prefer the unscented version, which, after not being available here for a long-time, is back and is my first hairspray of choice. Elnett holds my hair just how I want it - in the heat of the summer or dryness of the winter; without feeling tacky or sticky; and brushes out so I can re-style my second and third day hair with ease. {Elnett review}

2. Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm
I have used this eye cream for a few years now and I my eye area is freaky smooth. I stopped using it and noticed some more creping (is that a word?). As soon as I started using this everyday again, it went away. I still have wrinkles, but they are not nearly as they once were. I am almost tempted to use it all over my face at night; it is that good. {Algenist Eye Renewal Balm review}

3. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
This is my favorite lip balm and I go through tubes and tubes. It tastes great and leaves my lips super soft. I use it every night before bed, and in the winter, I apply it before lip pencil, lipstick and gloss. {Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment review}

4. WEN by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner
Once you try this, you will be hooked. I swear. I have good hair days almost everyday since I have been using WEN. And it is true; the longer I use it, the better my hair gets. I simply love how my hair feels, acts, holds color and rarely frizzes since I started on my cleansing conditioner ritual. {WEN review}

5. Philosophy Purity Made Simple One Step Facial Cleanser This is probably the most mentioned product on my site. I have used it for years. Just a drop of this cleanser removes every trace of dirt, oil, and makeup off my skin. I have yet to find another cleanser that works as quickly and effectively, while keeping my skin soft and smooth. {Purity review}

What do the rest of my favorite beauty bloggers constantly repurchase? Check out their posts below.

Makeup Wars: New Year Beauty Resolutions.

This week, us Makeup Wars gals are talking our New Year Resolutions - beauty style, of course. I am the first to admit that I need to practice what I preach. This year, I have few things I resolve to do when it comes to my beauty routine.

Use sunscreen on my entire body, everyday.

I know the importance of sunscreen, but I get lazy about it. I use it on my face every day, and have recently been bringing it down to cover my neck and chest. It is not enough. I need to slather it over my entire body, everyday. I believe that sunscreen can do so much to prevent the look of aging; I wish I realized it sooner.

Use body lotion on my entire body, twice a day.

My skin is so overly dry that in some places it hurts. I have a thing about body moisturizer though. I HATE the way it feels, especially when it is cold. I may claim to use it everyday, but I'll be honest - I don't. I need to use it not just after the shower, I need to slather it on before I go to bed too. If I could come up with some way to keep my lotion warm (without compromising the formula) it would be easier. I am seriously considering buying a baby wipe warmer and putting my makeup removing wipes and body lotion in there to help.

Stick to my nighttime beauty routine.

I have been very good about taking my makeup off every night before bed. Years ago, I never did. Gross! But I made a resolution one year, and have stuck with it. Thank goodness for makeup removing wipes for when I almost forget. But that brings up my next point. If it is early enough in the evening, I properly use makeup removing wipes, cleanser and then follow with my nighttime routine. But that is probably only three to four nights a week. Those other nights I just remove my makeup with a wipe and slap on night cream. I am neglecting my Retin-A routine and other powerful serums and creams I have. I am going to make it a point to go upstairs and do my routine earlier in the evening, so I don't get to the point where it is too late to begin with. I mean, if I know I am in for the night by 8PM, then why don't I just do it then instead of midnight after I have fallen asleep on the couch?

Use makeup primer.

It is one of the most important steps in applying makeup, but it is one that I rarely do. Ugh. What is with me? If I am going to a special event, I always put on primer. In my every day life, I rarely do. It makes such a difference. I always feel so rushed when doing my makeup and maybe that is why I forget this important step. But it would save me so much time in the long run as I won't be having to touch up. I am going to think of it as part of my skin care routine and not my makeup routine, as I make it an everyday must.

Accept myself for who I am.

This is probably the hardest thing to do. I always want to change something about myself - striving for what sort of perfection I will never know. It never gets easy. I was recently reminded of how accepting that I need to be of myself when I was asked to be shot for a national ad campaign celebrating women - all shapes, colors, sizes. You know the ad; celebrating the beauty within. I used the excuse that it was too close to Christmas and I couldn't do it. The real reason was because I was going to be shot in a white tank top and I was uncomfortable with that. I need to get over this and finally find some sort of acceptance. It is so hard, especially as I am constantly try new anti-aging products so that I look "younger"; the latest makeup so that I look "prettier"; and different diets so that I am "skinnier". I am me and there is nothing I can do except change the way I feel about myself in my head and heart.

Check out the rest of the girls and their beauty resolutions.