I saw so many of these posts when we all first started to self-isolate, and then they gradually dropped off. But now that my area is facing a potential shut down again, and I have many, many hours of Zoom calls to base my favorites off of, I'm finally publishing my list.
For me, it comes down to my skin and light, easy cream solutions. I'm not putting huge effort into my face every day, and I'm using the opportunity of not having to put foundation on every day to let my skin rest and now to let it speak for itself.
It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream is the type of moisturizer I reach for when I want to feel that I've applied something heavier but I don't want to feel greasy. It plumps me up and somehow evens out my skin tone, leaving me with a subtle glow that doesn't look greasy on calls. I feel confident enough to go without foundation when I'm wearing this on its own.
I top off my moisturizer with a cream blush like the Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Cream Blush. The shade 09 Cool Berry is the perfect flushed check for my skin tone. If I want something a little bolder, I dot on Daiquiri Dip. Blush is a necessity because without it, the face looks flat and one dimensional on calls. Also the shadows if you don't have perfect lighting are a little less exaggerated with some color.
I tend to smear on some cream eyeshadow and mascara. As long as I have the color there enhancing and drawing attention to my eyes, I don't worry about liner because no one can really see the detail. The Clarins' pots are cream to powder so even if I get exasperated and rub my eyes, it's less likely to smear.
The final touch of color comes from a tinted balm like the Soap & Glory Lip Oil in Sheer Red. These oils are so moisturizing, and the sheer tint adds color to lifeless lips without being too over the top. These are a fraction of the price of other oils, but if you don't want to go a little more plush, try the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil which comes in a wider range of shades.
Finally, it's important to me that I feel my best when I start a call. One way for me is to spritz on some fragrance. A great scent puts me in the right frame of mind to start every new project or refreshes me when I need a pick up. Right now I'm favoring Jo Malone Orange Bitters. Even in summer I like a scent that is a little more earthier, and the combination of orange, sandalwood and amber makes me feel cozy even when the air conditioning is blasting.
What are some of your tips that have been helping you get through virtual calls? I'd love more recommendations and routines.
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My daughter, A, and I are at Ulta a lot. Between getting our brows done and her favorite person for doing her makeup for events now working there, and just stopping in to pick up the latest and greatest things we've heard about and have wanted to review, has made us well known by the staff. Chatting with them is dangerous because we always walk out with way more than what we went in for, but we do receive some of the best recommendations this way.
Brando, who runs the Nars cosmetics counter at our Ulta, recently asked me if I had ever tried their Radiance Primer, and because I hadn't, he sat me down and had me watch while he reapplied my makeup. I'm always leery of "radiance" products because often that means shiny, but this is genuinely luminous.
The primer looks peachy-pink in the tube and has a very fresh almost spa-like scent that I find refreshing. As you apply, the color diminishes, leaving a glowing, beautiful skin finish. It does not have that heavy, slippery, slick feel of primers like the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, but it is tacky enough to grip the makeup applied over it.
As the weather has begun to heat up here in Nevada, I've noticed a dramatic change in how my makeup 1. is not budging and, 2. it is not breaking down, which is a significant problem for me. I usually get two hours into the day and have what look like small dots of makeup everywhere as it has sunk into my pores in some places and disappeared in other.
Nars Radiance Primer is my new favorite primer for aging skin. I've found it especially good under full-coverage formulas like the Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able I shared here or the Armani Power Fabric.
Have you tried the Nars cosmetics primer? Are you a fan of Nars makeup in general? Do you use a primer or do you think it's unnecessary? I'd love to hear your thoughts. I mean who even had heard of this product when we were in high school?
This week I'm linking up in Midweek Inspirations on PoshClassyMom. Please go visit and show some love for the other bloggers posting.
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Dress: Zimmermann
I swear I won't do that "florals for spring. Groundbreaking" joke from The Devil Wears Prada, but I have to admit that most of the time when I see seasonal lists, I never feel there is anything ground-breaking on them. It's natural that we are drawn to lighter, floral dresses and brighter makeup shades when warmer weather is beckoning, but bear with me as I include some transitional pieces in my current top five.
The Floral Dress
Yes, that is a flowy, floral dress, but, in my defense, it's a black and blue floral dress, which is not a typical spring dress color scheme, and it has a higher neck with long sleeves, which make it extremely functional for day and night, casual and dressy. Just change out heels for flat boots or booties, add tights on a cool or rainy day or a blazer for work and you are good to go. I always want a unique detail when I'm buying a dress or skirt and this has both a ruffle and an asymmetric hem. Perfect.
The Perfect Travel Palette
The Smashbox Create & Transform Palette is actually four palettes in one and is now on sale over 50% off at Nordstrom Rack. It consists of an individual lip, cheek, and eye palette and then a palette of "Transformers" that you mix in or layer to create unique shades. If you are traveling, what better way to save luggage space and still have a huge number of choices. I always overpack makeup because I never know in advance what I'm going to feel like when I'm getting ready.
Yes, Skinny Jeans
These Everlane skinny jeans are just perfect. Can't or won't wear skinny jeans, you say? Just try these. Trust me. They come in five different colors, are only $68 and have a little bit of stretch without feeling like leggings pretending to be jeans. And if you know me, you know that I really detest jeans that have lycra in them, so this pair is supreme.
No, They Aren't Yoga Pants
Speaking of leggings, let's be honest. We all go out of the house occasionally wearing yoga pants even when we aren't on the way to yoga. Without fail, I almost always regret it immediately. Athleta defines these bottoms as "tights" not leggings, and they are a fine mix of casual and comfortable while still being a step above your standard yoga pants. With trouser-like seamlines, I can totally get away with wearing these to the office for casual Friday without worrying about them being inappropriate. I just flew to Dallas and wore the black pair into the office then onto my flights home. I was so comfortable, I think this is now my go-to travel wear.
Still Loving - Red Booties
Finally, those are indeed red booties. I know a lot of people have moved on to white booties, but I'm still firmly planted here, and this Moschino pair reminds me of my favorite Mary Poppins booties.
We've had warm temps for a week, but now we are being pounded by a storm. My mind is on that dress, those booties, and a warm cardigan. What are you wearing this week?
This week I'm linking up to the Thursday Moda linkup. Please go visit some of the lovely bloggers who share there as well.
Are you starting to panic yet? I've talked to so many people over the last week who are either not finished with their holiday shopping yet or haven't even started. I'm not sure what's going on, but if you are still looking for ideas about what to buy the beauty fanatic in your life, or if you are a proponent of the one for you, two for me school of holiday shopping, look no further than NARS. Last week I was blessed to be invited to an event at the NARS within The Forum Shops at Caeser's Palace. There senior artist Julia Sohn, who was trained by Francois Nars himself, shared some fantastic tips I had never heard before while she did a demo for us using the limited edition Man Ray collection. After Julia's explanation of how to apply blush, I feel like I've been doing it wrong all my life, but now I've seen the light.
I always love NARS' special collections; you may remember me gushing over the limited edition Charlotte Gainsbourgh Multiple in Alice here, but this is a whole other level. Both the packaging and the products are so well designed and executed; I haven't seen a collection this good in a long time.
The Man Ray collection is fantastic, so there is no way I could choose just one favorite. The Glass Tears Eyeshadow Palette has a combination of highly pigmented and blendable jewel tones perfect for your New Year's Eve looks and includes two matte shades, cream and a black, and four shimmering tones. Ladies, these are not glittery but instead the perfect creamy shimmer.
The Love Triangle sets are the best stocking stuffer I saw this year (and I saw a lot of stocking stuffers this year) by far. These are going fast, so I highly recommend grabbing them while you can.
And I can't recommend highly enough the Velvet Shadow Sticks. These come in a range of 14 colors, which is enormous, and sticks like these are my favorite and most reliable trick for doing my eyes on mornings when I don't have a lot of time for my makeup (read that as I decided to hit the snooze one too many times).
If you can't get ahold of the Man Ray Collection, remember that NARS always has amazing palettes like this one all year round. The collection is available directly from NARS boutiques such as the one in The Forum Shops or at Nars.com.
I use the Sea Salt Spray when I use my iron to make beachy waves, and it gives texture without that hard or sticky feeling. The bonus is the scent, which is light but long lasting.
Top: Vanessa Bruno
Pants: MSGM
Shoes: Andrea Morelli
Eyeshadow: Dior 3-Couleurs Glow in Nude
Lipstick: Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in Trench
As we head into fall, I'm feeling more and more monochromatic, but before it gets too cold, we should rely on floaty tops and sandals for a few more days. These sandals are appropriate for work with a sturdy heel and wide straps. They'd also transition well into cooler weather paired with colored tights and plaid skirts. Keeping up with the monochromatic theme, go nude with the makeup as well. Dior is one of my favorite brands because the shadows don't crease and the lipstick is long-lasting, creamy, and moisturizing. The 3-Couleurs Glow palettes are complete eyes in one package containing an eyeshadow base, shadow, and liner all in one. The Rouge Dior Lip Blush is a highly pigmented balm and treatment in one making it ideal for women over 40 who need extra moisture on their lips.
Dress: Tibi
Coat: Kaos
Pumps: Pour La Victoire
Necklace: Mint Style
Hair CC Cream: Alterna
I think the look of a slip dress is sexy yet somehow classic, but let's face it, over 40 we need a little more support than what you can slip under a slip dress (ha, a pun), and they can be a little too clingy in the wrong places. This Tibi dress has thicker straps and pointelle knit material that let's you keep the look but make the right modifications. Paired with this boucle coat, which is one of my all-time favorite fabrics, you have a perfect vintage look for a night out. The pumps are multi-textured in nude to elongate the leg, and the necklace hangs in just the right spot at the collarbone to draw attention to the neckline. If you really want to go vintage on your look and try a victory roll with your hair, use this leave-in conditioner that's not sticky or hard.
I was recently chatting with a potential client who really had a well-established sense of her personal style. She kept expressing that she liked her clothes, she felt she was organized, but that something was missing and she just couldn't put her finger on it. Often when I'm talking to someone who feels this way, I make recommendations on accessories and talk about how adding a statement necklace or a belt to an outfit can refresh everything, but she was already really well accessorized. I was sitting back in my chair just looking at her trying to figure out what she could be struggling with when it dawned on me. If you also read my personal style blog or have watched any of my YouTube videos, you know that I've been looking for new ways to personally wear eyeshadow since I have drooping eyes. Because of that you would think the lightbulb would have gone on a lot sooner than it did, but at least it finally happened.
"How long have you been wearing your eyeliner like that?" I asked. It turned out she has been applying makeup using the same techniques she learned in high school. I let her know that I didn't think she needed me, but if she wanted to go over the Bare Minerals store in the mall with me, we could have them show her some new techniques. She didn't have the time to do it at that moment, but she was so excited and vowed to go over the weekend.
Realizing that other women over 40 may not be choosing the right formulas or application techniques for their makeup was stunning to me, and I feel like I'm falling down on the job not to have seen this. Because of that I'm going to occasionally share a product that I think addresses the special concerns we may be having and any tips for application I think would help.
"How long have you been wearing your eyeliner like that?" I asked. It turned out she has been applying makeup using the same techniques she learned in high school. I let her know that I didn't think she needed me, but if she wanted to go over the Bare Minerals store in the mall with me, we could have them show her some new techniques. She didn't have the time to do it at that moment, but she was so excited and vowed to go over the weekend.
Realizing that other women over 40 may not be choosing the right formulas or application techniques for their makeup was stunning to me, and I feel like I'm falling down on the job not to have seen this. Because of that I'm going to occasionally share a product that I think addresses the special concerns we may be having and any tips for application I think would help.
This is a tube of Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Mandarin. I've been visiting the Clarins website on an almost weekly basis since May trying to choose between Crystal Berry and Crystal Rose, but I guess I missed a few weeks because now those two shades appear to be completely sold out, and only the Crystal Mandarin remains. So many women over 40 don't like to wear shiny lipgloss, but lipstick can be less than perfect when you have a lot of lines around your mouth, and I've found that lipstick shades which used to look great on me when I was younger are just too harsh now. Hopefully you can see in the photo that this is a slender shaft of color encased in a clear balm for extra moisturizing benefits. The results are a sheer wash of moisturizing color that won't fall into lines and will add a good wash of color without being overwhelming. If your coloring lends to wearing peachy tones, please give this one a try.
