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Beauty

My Current Easy Makeup Routine

by katiejohnston4857Leave a Comment on My Current Easy Makeup Routine

My EASY makeup routine is just that – easy. I’m talking just cover up spots and make me look less tired, maybe a little glow (because highlighter is my life) and some mascara. I have included products that I use to create a little more coverage or drama, but nothing extravagant. No big deal here. Some days I wear just concealer and brow mascara, maybe some highlighter. Most days, I don’t wear anything. Just depends. For each level of makeup, here’s what I use –

Starting with primer – I love to use a primer even if I’m not putting on anything more than just concealer only because it smooths my skin just enough and gives it a little boost and extra brightness. I’ve used this Becca primer for forever, but just recently started also using this Ole Henriksen primer and absolutely love it (it smells soooo good). I notice an immediate brightness and smoothness to my skin with both.

Evening my Skintone – If I’m going somewhere more than Target or the grocery store, I’ll probably use a tinted moisturizer to even my skin tone. I still have melasma from pregnancy and have always had lots of freckles. I usually don’t cover up the freckles on my cheek bones, but I don’t mind evening my skin everywhere else. I use a Neutrogena Tinted Moisturizer on a regular basis. It’s light and gives sheer coverage. When I want a little more coverage, I use IT Cosmetics CC+ cream that is full coverage and has SPF 50.

Concealer – If I’m just running out of the house, I just use concealer under my eyes, around my nose (to cover any redness), and to cover any spots or breakouts I have. I love using Maybelline’s Instant Age Eraser because it comes with an applicator and twist up tube. SO EASY. For a little more coverage, I have completely fallen head over heels in love with Fenty Beauty’s Concealer. It is just amazing. Blends beautifully, lasts for forever and does NOT CREASE. It’s magic.

Bronzer– I use bronzer basically no matter what. I love toucing my forehead, my cheekbones and under my cheekbones, the sides of my nose and my jaw line. It just creates a little depth. Remember, this is EASY makeup. So, not contouring or anything heavy. Just adding a little color. I love using this Too Faced Bronzer, and I have also added this Fenty Beauty Warmth Bronzer to my lineup and, of course, absolutely love it. It’s amazing. Rihanna knows her ish.

Eyebrows – For some reason, next I do my eyebrows. Not sure why, but I do. I use Maybelline’s Brow Drama to comb and color them in (I have blonde eyebrows) and then after that dries I use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz to get a little more definition. If it’s an easy day, and I just want to make sure I frame my face a little bit, I just use the brow drama.

Blush – I’m obsessed with NARS Orgasm Blush. It works on everyone’s skin tone and has the sheerest little bit of gold to make your cheeks pop. Love it.

Mascara – on easy days, or easier days, I don’t touch eyeshadow. I’ll follow up with a post about eyeshadows and looks I love. I just like to make my eyes pop with one or two mascaras. I do like dark lashes, so two probably aren’t necessary for everyone :). My Holy Grail mascara is Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara in Black. My new obsession is IT Cosmetic’s Superhero Mascara. They have different brushes, so I use them together, but they both coat, and lengthen and thicken. They’re awesome.

Highlighter – if you don’t know, I’m obsessed. Even with no makeup on, a little highlighter, makes your skin look dewey and just a little livelier. I use it under the bow in my eyebrows, in the corners of my eyes, down the center of my nose and on the tip of my nose, on my cheekbones, forehead and chin. I have these three in constant rotation: Becca’s Shimmering Skin Liquid Highlighter (especially love this with just concealer or for full coverage makeup); the Too Faced Highlighter (in this Christmas Set – the whole set is incredible); and my new favorite, Fenty Beauty’s Killawat Freestyle Highlighter (it is just glow central. So good.).

Makeup Setting Spray – last, but never ever least. If you don’t use a setting spray, use one. Makes your makeup last all day, or refreshes it mid-day or before going out when you just need it to look new again. I swear by it. I love Mario Badescu’s Rose Spray and Urban Decay’s All Nighter.

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Current Face Mask Obsessions

by katiejohnston4857Leave a Comment on Current Face Mask Obsessions

 

Ooooooo face masks 😉 One of my favorite things. Ever. They’re meditative, they’re productive and they each have a specific purpose. Here is my current lineup of face masks that I’m obsessed with and why I use them. They each have their own special place on my shelves, and in my heart.

 

I use all of these in addition to my morning and evening skincare routines.

 

Product details are linked below each mask. 

Comment or reach out with any questions!

 

The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Face Mask – love this for when I’m breaking out or feel like my pores could use a good clean out. It feels cool and leaves my skin feeling so refreshed.

 

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask – oh baby. I love this mask. I actually leave it in my shower and use it a few times a week. This means less cleanup and much more convenient to use. It’s full AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and enzymes that encourage cell turnover and renewal – ie: making your skin glow and look fabulous.

 

Origins Original Skin Retexturing Mask with Rose Clay – I actually only recently discovered this and instantly fell in love. It completely diminishes the appearance of any pores and smooths my skin. This is another face mask that leaves my skin feeling so refreshed.

 

Loreal Paris Detox & Brighten Pure Clay Mask – this is my go-to ‘ew my pores feel clogged and I’m breaking out or about to breakout’ clay mask. It’s not a date night face mask (nor is any clay mask) because it brings all of the excess oil and clogged pores to the surface to be wash away, but it is definitely a staple of mine to maintain clear skin.

 

Drunk Elephant Babyfacial – literally an at-home facial and it’s results are just that. It. Is. Incredible. It drastically improves the texture of my skin and ‘tightens things up’ if that makes sense… I like to use this on Sundays (not sure why) or when my skins is looking particularly dull. Try not to get it in your mouth though, it does not taste good…

 

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask – this is amazing. 1. It’s a sleeping mask. You sleep in it. AKA ultimately convenient. 2. It makes your skin SO soft, helps even texture and tone, and plumps fine lines and wrinkles. I use this a couple of times a week in addition to my p.m. skincare routine.

 

Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask – this bad boy is my go-to for when my skin feels depleted or I’ve been traveling or it feels dry. For me, this is heavy duty moisture. It’s great stuff.

 

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P.M. Skincare Routine

by katiejohnston4857Leave a Comment on P.M. Skincare Routine

The story for my evening routine is very similar to my morning routine in terms of products used, except that it rarely changes and products are hardly ever skipped or substituted. (I am a creature of habit, first and foremost.)

My p.m. routine has become meditative for me. Even if it’s 5 minutes and I run back later to apply moisturizer or whatever product is next, it’s MY few minutes to cleanse, tone, apply an essence or serum, etc. My ‘schedule’, or lack thereof, has really encouraged me to make sure that I take a few minutes to indulge in my skin or my workout. It’s time to focus on just me and it, quite honestly, keeps me sane :).

 

All routine details are linked below. 

 

Tatcha Pure Cleansing Oil – I use every night that I’m wearing makeup. It does a great job at melting it all off.

 

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap – is my go-to face cleanser. It cleanses without stripping my skin. I use it at least every night, and have used it for years.

 

REN Daily AHA Tonic – I use this at night because it can feel a little sticky after, but that’s cleared up with any serum or moisturizer. I’ve noticed a significant decrease in old acne scars and an increase in glow since using this.

 

Sk-ii Facial Treatment Essence – this is definitely an investment product, but I have actually noticed improvement in fine lines on my face and the level of moisture has increased (which is great). My skin looks plumper. I use it sparingly each night, but I love it.

 

Clarins Double Serum – I’m not going to go into details on how it works and why, just know that it does. I am obsessed. I’ve been using this day and night for a couple months now and it leaves my skin looking and feeling magical. It’s a new Holy Grail product for me.

 

Pixi Collagen Eye Serum – Love the way this plumps my under-eye area and even brightens dark circles (I have learned a lot about both of these since having Brooks :)).

 

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil – honestly, I tried this out because of the name, BUT I fell head over heels in love. I’ll never leave it and it will never forsake me. It evens out my skin tone, brightens and truly moisturizes. I know oils on skin sounds scary in general (I have oily skin, so I understand), but it really does work wonders, and it works wonderfully with all skin types.

 

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – I use this with the Drunk Elephant oil shown above (literally put 3 drops in my hand of each and mix them together.) I also use this alone after letting a sheet mask soak in at night. Brightens my skin and makes it so soft.

 

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream – I love this because it soaks in quickly, so I’ll use it under a sheet mask or put it on first and follow with the thicker Clinique eye cream below.

 

Clinique All About Eyes Rich – HG product. It’s so thick and creamy, and makes me feel like I’m doing the thin skin under and around my eyes a favor by layering it on. I love it.

 

Maybelline Lash Sensational Boosting Eyelash Serum – short and sweet name, huh? I started using this a couple of weeks ago, so I’m not able to report long-term results, but I’ve been applying it morning and night (let dry before applying mascara) and I really think it’s helped protect my lashes and even made them thicker. We’ll see though. I’ll report back.

 

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A.M. Skincare Routine

by katiejohnston4857Leave a Comment on A.M. Skincare Routine

The list of products that I MIGHT use in the morning is long, but I don’t use them all everyday. Nor do I do use the same routine everyday. Depends on my plans and how my skin is feeling, but below is each product that reserves a special place in my a.m. lineup.

Real talk: some mornings when I know I’m not wearing makeup, I just splash water on my face or spray it with Mario Badescu’s Facial Spray. Though, I do usually wash my face – it wakes up me and up and feels good, and it’s good for my skin.

 

All products are linked in the descriptors below each product.

 

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap – So simple, but so good. (see more in my p.m. skincare routine)

 

Clinique Clarifying Lotion – I adore this toner because it makes my skin feel so fresh and clean. I usually switch it up between this and the one below depending on how my skin feels. I love the Clinique toner when my skin feels like it needs a pick me up or I’m breaking out.

 

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads – like I said before, I switch these up with the Clinique toner above. I love these. Especially when I’m in a rush because the pads are already soaked with toner. 

 

Clarins Double Serum – I use this morning and night. See my P.M. Skincare Routine.

 

Pixi Collagen Eye Serum – I also this morning and night. It plumps up my under-eye area. I love it. See P.M. Skincare routine for more details.

 

Mario Badescu Facial Spray – Holy Grail product. I use it after I put on my serum to seal it all in (and because why not?), to set my makeup, and if I’m not washing my face to just wake it up. Love it so much. The rose spray is shown here, but they also have a Lavender & Chamomile and a Green Tea spray. They’re all awesome.

 

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Glow Moisturizer – this stuff is wonderful. It really does make you glow. It’s a little bit thicker, so I switch it up with the Clinique Moisture Surge for my moisturizer step. It smells so fresh and citrusy and really makes your skin looks great.

 

Clinique Moisture Surge – is technically a moisturizing mask OR you can wear it under makeup. I choose to wear it under makeup because it creates such a beautiful canvas. It makes my skin so smooth and really sets it up for makeup or just to enjoy feeling smooth and luxurious 🙂

 

Clinique All About Eyes Rich – HG eye cream! Love this stuff. See P.M. Skincare Routine for more details. 

 

Maybelline Lash Sensational Boosting Eyelash Serum – again, more details in my evening skincare regimen, but I really feel like this has protected my eyelashes from breakage before, during and after mascara. 

 

Let me know if you guys have any questions!!