Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm

If you have the right skin, this Tinted Moisturizing Balm can be a home run for you like it is for me.  I make the caveat of needing the right skin because the coverage is very light and the balm is super moisturizing.  I have dry skin in the winter and this winter seems especially bad – welcome to your 30s, I guess.  I prefer a light coverage because, frankly, I give up on covering up all my freckles (read: age spots). The finish takes all the red out of my skin and leaves it moisturized without being overly dewy. I love that it has a relatively high SPF built in. There is a strong fragrance – something like Thyme and Citrus.  I really like it but if you have a sensitive nose, make sure you smell before buying.  Also, the artist said “a little goes a long way”, probably to alleviate the pain of the $50 price tag.  I don’t think this is true, but the jar will last me well into the early spring. Also you can build the coverage but using a little bit more. I am using the light tint but it also comes in the following colors:

  • Alabaster
  • Extra Light Tint
  • Light Tint
  • Light To Medium Tint
  • Medium Tint
  • Medium To Dark Tint
  • Dark Tint
  • Deep Tint

I have fair skin so Alabaster and Extra Light are very, very light.

 

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

I am reticent to add another step – you all know I prefer laziness simplicity.  But I found a lot of value in applying this before foundation or under eye concealer. This silky formula has vitamins and antioxidants and isn’t greasy.  The most impact, I found, was in filling pores for a smooth finish.  My foundation went on evenly and had a more consistent finish.  I can’t speak for inhibiting the destruction of collagen, but the overall effect was a more youthful and smooth appearance to the skin. It was especially helpful under my eyes – I was able to eliminate the cakey look to my La Mer concealer. I used the original formula, but it also comes in:

1 oz Original in a Tube (colorless)
1 oz Original (colorless)
2 oz Original (colorless)
1 oz Light (colorless)
2 oz Light (colorless)
1 oz SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex        
1 oz SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex (sheer apricot – dries clear)
1 oz Color Adjust (green – minimizes redness)
1 oz Color Balance (lavender – for natural yellow skintones)
1 oz Color Blend (apricot – conceals under eye circles, veins, sunspots)
1 oz Bronzing Primer (sheer tan)
1 oz Luminizing (sheer luminous gold)

Anastasia Brow Gel

Full brows are in and I embrace it with my (somewhat) unruly and full, brown brows.  I have had them shaped, tweezed and even (gasp) waxed.  My best solution is frequently tweezing the outliers and using a good brow gel to keep them in place.  The “brow queen”, Anastasia, makes the best in my opinion.  It is clear, eliminating the possibility of mistakes.  The hold is effective without the crispy effect of gelled brows.  For the natural look I embrace, I think this simple approach is organic, clean and simple.

Laura Mercier Eye Basics

I’m not really a primer type of girl.  Call me lazy but I just resist that extra step.  But I struggle with dark eyelids.  Many years ago, my grandmother, mom and I hit the Laura Mercier counter and I was introduced to Eye Basics in Wheat.  This weekend at the Dallas Neiman Marcus, I was reintroduced again.  Why had this product slipped out of my makeup repertoire?! When I shared this “Eureka” moment with mom, she said it had never left her makeup regime – I know, moms are smart. This looks great alone with the Laura Mercier “tight lid” and a berry lip (try Laura Mercier Stickgloss Lip Color in Pink Jewel) for a clean, easy and quick look.

Rene Furterer Myrrhea Anti-Frizz Silkening Mask

I cannot stand drying my hair.  Really, I am so lazy about using a blowdryer.  So, my hair usually ended up on a bun. But.. Eureka! I have found a way to tame my “air dry” frizz and now I wear my long locks down fairly often (a bun will always have a place in my heart).  At night, I wash my hair and use the Silkening Mask, towel dry and go to sleep.  In the morning, my hair is wavy, smooth, full of body and not the least bit frizzy!  This could become addicting.