So it turns out a lot of you want to know about the make-up I wear, the hair products I use, how I keep my skin from being not-so-dry in the super dry-climate of Colorado, and the brand of toilet paper I buy. Just kidding about the toilet paper (maybe- but it's the one with the puppy dog on it 'CUZ I TOTALLY BUY IT FOR THE PUPPY DOG- Cottonelle?) (Yup, just checked!) but I decided a post like this could be fun, so here we go!
Admittedly, I don't know nearly as much about this as I do fashion. I'm not on the up&up on the latest facial creams, gadgets or gizmos (I'm still lusting after a Clarisonic, come on Santa Claus!), or even on application and techniques. In other words- there are probably more skilled people out there (ahem Bridget? Shasta?) that can address your more complicated questions and concerns.
But I think I do well enough with what I know. I get by. I'm always a sucker for the lastest product, a fun eyeshadow color to try, or a hair product that promises to make my head sleek, full, and totally like Jennifer Aniston's. In other words: my in-laws typically give me gift cards to Sephora for Christmas, and they could do that every single year and I'd never EVER get sick of it. Never ever never ever never.
Before we start, here's the important facts you need to know about me:
Age: 28
Complexion: Very fair, aka WHITEST WHITIE WHITE GIRL EVER, with slightly yellow undertones.
Skin type? Dry, very dry- took Accutane 11 years ago and I'm still drier than a sonofabitch, which I suppose is the point.
Acne/break outs? Rarely, see Accutane. I'm also pretty sure that I'm going to pop out a baby with a third eyeball in the middle of its forehead, yay Accutane!
Tanning bed/sun? In my younger years I lived in tanning beds, unfortunately.
Biggest skin concerns? Covering old acne scars, my very mild rosacea, and any rashes from Lupus.
Eye color? Dark brown
Natural hair color/current hair color? Natural: dark blonde; current: auburn/strawberry blonde.
Hair type? Dry, course, thin thin thin THIN THIN! I lose hair from the Lupus, and I'm always struggling to cover up bald spots from that unfortunately.
Did you know? I almost always wear a "confidence toupee", aka a clip-in (real) hair piece to cover my hair loss and I have no problems talking about it, 'cuz hair loss is a real issue with women and what's the point of suffering in silence when you can make fun of yourself through your own self-deprecating humor on a blog with thousands of readers? Exactly. Petunia looks especially charming wearing my hair piece, just so you know. And as always- please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about it. :)
Okay, here we go- my Top 10 Beauty Shtuff Musts:
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Readers? There's a reason why this fairly-new-to-the-scene sheer foundation is at the top of my list. It's amazing! I typically shy away from most "sheer" foundations due to the lack of coverage I need (I feel I need a medium coverage foundation- meaning tinted moisturizers aren't my friends) but this foundation does it all- glides on smoothly, covers everything that needs to be covered, and makes your skin look like perfection. I can always tell when I take my Outfit Of The Day pictures if I'm wearing this- touching up is easy and minimal, it is just that good.
Even better? The foundation claims to make improve your overall complexion the more you use it. After 28 days, your discolorations will vanish and your skin will look smooth, clear, and just like Madonna's butt. Or what I think Madonna's butt probably looks like, anyway. Yippee! I wear this in the lightest shade available- Siberia.
They also offer a "matte" version for ladies with oily skin, although I unfortunately cannot attest to its awesomeness. Looks like it gets decent reviews, though!
Even better? The foundation claims to make improve your overall complexion the more you use it. After 28 days, your discolorations will vanish and your skin will look smooth, clear, and just like Madonna's butt. Or what I think Madonna's butt probably looks like, anyway. Yippee! I wear this in the lightest shade available- Siberia.
They also offer a "matte" version for ladies with oily skin, although I unfortunately cannot attest to its awesomeness. Looks like it gets decent reviews, though!
2. Top Eyeshadow
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Urban Decay eyeshadows are my "go to" eyeshadows. I like other brands out there, sure (especially Smashbox and Stila), but when I'm looking for a funky color to wear on my lids, UD wins hands down. The pigment is great, they wear well, and they definitely won't break the bank!
My only warning? Stay away from the colors with heavy glitter, as the glitter in UD eyeshadows tends to wander down yer face making you look like a giant discofuckball. All of their other colors, however (shimmers included) look fab. Colors you will often see on me are: Sin (shimmery champagne), Blaze (peach champagne shimmer), X (rose with a sheer gold tint), and my current two faves blended together- Last Call (plummy-purple) with Half Baked (rich gold) blended over. Whenever you see me with a cat-eye on here, those are the two shadows I am wearing!
4. Urban Decay Liquid Eyeliner
My only warning? Stay away from the colors with heavy glitter, as the glitter in UD eyeshadows tends to wander down yer face making you look like a giant discofuckball. All of their other colors, however (shimmers included) look fab. Colors you will often see on me are: Sin (shimmery champagne), Blaze (peach champagne shimmer), X (rose with a sheer gold tint), and my current two faves blended together- Last Call (plummy-purple) with Half Baked (rich gold) blended over. Whenever you see me with a cat-eye on here, those are the two shadows I am wearing!
4. Urban Decay Liquid Eyeliner
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Urban Decay Liquid Eyeliner
This is actually a bit of a tie- I love Urban Decay for the fiercer eyeliner colors (check out "Honey", which is a badass metallic gold that looks good on anyone) but for the more basic colors (like brown/black), I actually use Kohl's Flirt liquid eyeliners. So! Urban Decay for the funky, Flirt for the boring. Got it? Good.
This one might be a bit of a surprise to you guys, but this is the hairspray I use (and have used for years!) to hold my hair. Whenever I am wearing my hair up, guys, it's in part due to this gravity-defying stuff. I love it, it's cheap (typically around $6 a can, and you can often find it Buy One, Get One at WalGreens), and it works! It also washes out surprisingly well, has no cloying scent, and doesn't look too stiff. I mean, it's going to look a little stiff ('cuz that's its job!) but for a hairspray that provides fierce hold, this stuff is absolutely tops. I can say this, because I've literally (sadly) tried 'em all. My mom used to think I was holding a hairstylist hostage in my closet- I HAVE SERIOUSLY TRIED THEM ALL.
5. Top Deep Conditioning Treatment
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This stuff is amazing. Just like hairsprays, I've searched for years to find the perfect deep conditioning mask that will leave my hair soft, shiny, and not looking like a huge greaseball. I have thin (yet heat-treated/color-treated) hair, so it's important for me to find a mask that can do its job without lingering around all awkward the next morning and being like "Did you feel a connection? Can I call you? Can I see you every day? I love you? Let's get married?" like a skeeze after. You know what I mean.
I typically use this mask once a week. I just slather it on wet, freshly washed hair right before bedtime, go to sleep, wake up, rinse, and voila! Perfectly conditioned hair.
The tub might not be big, but it typically lasts me several months of slatherings, making it worth the slightly expensive price. Can't live without it.
6. Top Self-Tanner
Sun Laboratories Sunsation Dark Self-Tanner
I typically use this mask once a week. I just slather it on wet, freshly washed hair right before bedtime, go to sleep, wake up, rinse, and voila! Perfectly conditioned hair.
The tub might not be big, but it typically lasts me several months of slatherings, making it worth the slightly expensive price. Can't live without it.
6. Top Self-Tanner
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I'm constantly on the search for a good self-tanner that applies evenly, looks natural, and doesn't patch off in a way that makes me look like I have a weird skin disease. St. Tropez's mousse was my favorite until the bastards changed the formula/scent, which left me on the hunt (once again!) for a good self-tanner.
I think, if I remember correctly, I can blame Shasta for this one- I remember her once mentioning Sun Labs on her blog (yes? maybe?) and, well, for whatever reason it was the ONLY self-tanner on the market I had yet to try. So I decided to give it a whirl, and I'm so glad I did. The color kicks ass, it goes on nice and smoothly, and it smells like almond extract yippee!
As with most self-tanners, you're supposed to apply at night, let it develop while you sleep, and rinse off in the morning. I found this especially a "must" with the "ULTRA DARK" color. I recently switched to just plain old "DARK", however, and I find that it actually looks great straight out of the bottle and doesn't need to be rinsed off- the color guide acts like a really nice bronzer.
Unfortunately, I haven't been wearing self-tanner much lately (hence my super paleness in recent pics) so I'll try to get some pictures loaded with me wearing it. And also- while it's priced pretty steeply ($48 for 8 ounces), you can often find it on Ebay for half that price. Lovely. :)
7. Top Shampoo/Conditioner Combo
I think, if I remember correctly, I can blame Shasta for this one- I remember her once mentioning Sun Labs on her blog (yes? maybe?) and, well, for whatever reason it was the ONLY self-tanner on the market I had yet to try. So I decided to give it a whirl, and I'm so glad I did. The color kicks ass, it goes on nice and smoothly, and it smells like almond extract yippee!
As with most self-tanners, you're supposed to apply at night, let it develop while you sleep, and rinse off in the morning. I found this especially a "must" with the "ULTRA DARK" color. I recently switched to just plain old "DARK", however, and I find that it actually looks great straight out of the bottle and doesn't need to be rinsed off- the color guide acts like a really nice bronzer.
Unfortunately, I haven't been wearing self-tanner much lately (hence my super paleness in recent pics) so I'll try to get some pictures loaded with me wearing it. And also- while it's priced pretty steeply ($48 for 8 ounces), you can often find it on Ebay for half that price. Lovely. :)
7. Top Shampoo/Conditioner Combo
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Pureology Volume Shampoo & Conditioner
For me, it's Pureology's Volume products all the way. I just love them. I've used the line for nearly four years now (with a slight break to try Nioxin for the hair loss, but I ultimately went right back to Pureology!)- my hair just feels better and looks better when I use these products. Plus, they're sulfate-free, gentle on color-treated hair, and all that crizap. I use both the shampoo and the matching conditioner.
8. Top Mascara
8. Top Mascara
I was turned on to this mascara earlier this year, and the only thing I could think of upon using it was where has this been my entire life? Readers, it is that good, and I especially like it with the DiorShow Black Out layered over (thanks for the tip, Bridget!)
9. Top Highlighter
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I fell in love with this stuff after receiving a sample from Sephora last year- it is by far my favorite highlighter out there! Just a few drops around my eyes, on the bridge on my nose, and on my Cupid's bow and voila! Instant polish & shine. It is very shimmery (but not glittery) and virtually colorless, meaning it'll work on almost all skin tones. I can't leave home without this stuff.
10. Top Haircolor
Out of all the questions I get asked here, I most often get asked about my hair color! Yup, I do it at home, and this is the fabulous little kit I use. It is truly amazing, good stuff- and if a klutz like me can figure out how to do it, I promise anyone can.
I apply the base color and then do the highlights later. I typically buy two kits at once for extra highlighting solution (that's the only bad part about the kit- it needs more bleach!) and I do chunky highlights all over the top of my head. The beauty about this kit is that you can let them process a little or a lot- a little for a subtle glimmer, or a lot for a more bold effect. It took a few tries for me to get the color I liked, but it mostly required me to just play with it a bit, and to leave the highlighting solution on for as long as I could.
As always with at home hair color kits, I have to post this with a warning- if you're dyeing your hair from a lighter color to a darker color, have hair that takes color strangely, or have hair that has recently been colored or permed or chemically straightened, please see your stylist before using this kit. While it works well for me, I can't promise the color will work for everyone, and I don't want to be responsible for half my readership showing up with orange hair. ;)
I apply the base color and then do the highlights later. I typically buy two kits at once for extra highlighting solution (that's the only bad part about the kit- it needs more bleach!) and I do chunky highlights all over the top of my head. The beauty about this kit is that you can let them process a little or a lot- a little for a subtle glimmer, or a lot for a more bold effect. It took a few tries for me to get the color I liked, but it mostly required me to just play with it a bit, and to leave the highlighting solution on for as long as I could.
As always with at home hair color kits, I have to post this with a warning- if you're dyeing your hair from a lighter color to a darker color, have hair that takes color strangely, or have hair that has recently been colored or permed or chemically straightened, please see your stylist before using this kit. While it works well for me, I can't promise the color will work for everyone, and I don't want to be responsible for half my readership showing up with orange hair. ;)
And because I could srsly post about this stuff all day, here's a quick list of everything else I can't live without in the beauty department. Or in other words- everything currently occupying my very-cluttered bathroom counter, which Husband is sure will eventually cause a fire hazard and be the death of him. Me. Us?
Ahem:
Ahem:
-My Solia Flat Iron
-My Sedu hair dryer
-Body Shop Lip Scuff
-Kiss My Face Sheer Organic Lip Shine in Pearl (moisturizes lips while making them pretty!)
-Nars Loose Powder
-Clarins Intense Bronze Self-Tanning Tint for face
-Jonathan Product Silky Dirt
-Method Olive Leaf Moisturizing Creamy Body Wash (this stuff is amazing AND cheap- great for winter skin!)
-Dove Pro Age Cream Oil Lotion (goes on light & sheer but moisturizes super dry skin really well)
-Smashbox Lipglosses (Illume is my favorite, found in this awesome little set!)
-Origins Youthtopia Serum
-Good Skin Citra Peel (love this for nixing flakies on my face!)
-Ojon Shine & Protect Spray
-Rimmel Eyebrow Pencils (only $4, and I use a combo of the auburn/dark brown pencils!)
-Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel in Rosy (you can also find this at Target)
-Bobbypins, hundreds and hundreds of cheap old bobbypins!
Okay guys! Woo, I'm finished! Any questions or comments, as always- leave 'em down below.
Chloe, Colorful Colorado. 5'8" (only) when teetering in her highest 6 inch Miu Miu platform heels. Likes fashion, broccoli, ice cream, clarifying that she does not eat ice cream with her broccoli as to not cause worldwide panic, hoarding beauty products & pretty shoes, tickle fights with her husband (he would like to clarify that he does not like them back, OKAY?), anything covered in sprinkles, any alcoholic beverage made with Tang, live music, clicking the camera, sarcasm fonts, vases stuffed full of pretty flowers, and laughing hard until her belly hurts. Wants an adventurous life, lots of puppies, to never obtusely wander around with her fly down, and to be an iconic Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress with a bright, festive print when she grows up. This is where she bravely documents it all. (