Lace & Pearls Test

A Seattle Life + Style blog

Beauty Haul II

Lace & Pearls Beauty Haul

Here are some recent beauty finds in my never ending quest to tame my oily skin. This is a follow up to my last beauty haul.

  1. Lorac POREfection Mattifying Face Primer – this primer is oil and paraben free, and good for all skin types. It reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines with a matte finish. Wearing this primer helps my makeup stay on all day and reduces shine. For me, this is the best primer yet.
  2. Beautyblender – this edge-less sponge leaves your face looking airbrushed and flawless. I recommend the Blendercleanser for keeping it in mint condition. I am obsessed with both.
  3. Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Pressed Finishing Powder – this finishing powder minimizes pores, mattifies the skin, and reduces excess oil. It also comes in a loose powder.
  4. Caudalie Beauty Elixir – the employees at my local Sephora swear by this spray. It is part toner and part serum. This is the final step in my makeup application. You can also use it to touch up throughout the day.
  5. Tweezerman Brush iQ Powder Brush – this is the first powder brush I’ve used, so I don’t have much to compare to, but I was shocked by how flawless my complexion looked after using.

To see the other makeup products that I use, check out this post.

Say Goodbye to Oily Skin

Milk of Magnesia
Image Source

Last week I wrote this Beauty Haul post and asked if anyone knew of a good primer for oily skin. Marae from The Always Fabulous recommended Milk of Magnesia as a skin primer. If you’re not familiar with this product it is typically used for occasional constipation. I found this article and watched a slew of YouTube videos for application techniques.

It should be noted that I have tried countless skincare products and have not found anything to keep my oily skin at bay. If you have dry or combination skin this product may cause issues with dryness and tightening of the skin. It should only be used on oily skin.

With a foundation brush I applied a thin layer over my entire face around 6:30 am. I let it dry for about 5 minutes. Once set, a white residue appeared on my face. This is normal. I then proceeded to apply my foundation using a foundation brush and finished with powder.

The end results was a gorgeous porcelain matte finish. Twelve hours later I was still shine free! I did have a glimmer of shine on the top of my nose, but other then that my makeup still appeared fresh. I can’t believe I’ve gone through life without this product. It is 100% amazing!

Check out this fun video for a product review and tips on application.

Disclaimer

Due to the ingredients, this product should only be used occasionally. 

Beauty Haul

Sephora

(1) Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipstick (Moka) (2) Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector (3) Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

A few weekends back, I went to Sephora with my best friend. We were like two kids in a candy store; every display hinted at a promise for the perfect lips, unbelievable lashes, or a flawless complexion. This is nothing new to hard core beauties – I’m probably describing the feeling you get every time you visit a beauty store. For us this was a little outside the norm.

I would not describe myself as a beauty lover, but I’ve been really enjoying a few things from my Sephora haul.

  • Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipstick (Moka)–  This brand uses natural and organic ingredients to provide your lips with the perfect pout. The Butter Cream collection is hand cut to allow for the fullest moisture. I normally wear a gloss on the top of my lipstick, but with this one I don’t have to. The texture achieves it’s namesake with a smooth creamy finish.
  • Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector – This primer has an oil-control base that is suppose to minimize pores and mattify skin for up to 12 hrs. It can be worn under or on top of your makeup. I wore this primer under my makeup but it only kept me matte for 2-3 hrs. I hope re-applying this product on top of my makeup as a touch up will increase the longevity. I have tried the infamous Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, but it only made me more oily.
  • Kat Von D Tattoo Liner– One word, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  I have never found an eyeliner that stays on all day. I have extremely oily skin and most makeup slides off within hours, but this stayed on the entire day when pairing it with Smashbox 24 Hour Shadow Primer. I am 100% sold and will not buy anything else. Now, it’s time to practice my cat eye!

Any suggestions on a good primer for oily skin?

Skin Care

Kate Somerville

This past summer, I asked a Nordstrom skin specialist to recommend the best skincare line for my oily skin. He suggested the Kate Somerville line. After listening to an overview of the science behind these products I decided to try it. I don’t usually notice a difference when trying new products, but this time my skin looked clearer and less oily. Here is what I am trying:

  1. Kate Somerville Detox Daily Cleanser – this product cleanses without over drying and is formulated for oily skin. It also prevents breakouts and fades acne scars.
  2. Kate Somerville Clarifying Treatment Toner – balances oily skin and leaves it feeling clean.
  3. Kate Somerville Clearing Mask – keeps the oil in my skin at bay if used 2 times a week. This product also prevents breakouts, fades acne scars and leaves skin clear.
  4. Kate Somerville ‘Anti Bac’ Clearing Lotion – this lotion is prescription quality and formulated to treat acne. It controls oil and leaves my skin matte without over-drying. The benzoyl peroxide in this lotion will bleach your clothes. I only use this product in the morning and switch to this Neutrogena lotion at night. Kate Somerville does make an oil free lotion but it’s super expensive.

Kate Sommerville has products for all skin types so I would encourage you to check it out. This line is on the pricey side but I still highly recommend it. After all your skin is one of your best accessories!

My Makeup Routine

Beauty Routine

From left to right: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup | Smashbox High Definition Concealer | Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Powder Makeup | Estee Lauder Pure Color Powder Blush | Too Face Better Than Sex Mascara | Vincent Longo Lash Definer Eyelash Comb #2 | M.A.C Lustreglass in Simmon

My makeup routine is pretty basic but I wanted to share what I use and why.

  1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup – I love this foundation and have worn it for years. It provides the best full coverage and gives my skin a flawless appearance.
  2. Smashbox High Definition Concealer– this is the first concealer I’ve purchased. I use it under my eyes for days when I need an extra boost. It minimizes dark circles, puffiness and brightens skin.
  3. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Powder Makeup – to set my foundation I use this press powder with a matte finish. Amazing!
  4. Estee Lauder Pure Color Powder Blush – this blush stays on all day. I wear the Exotic Pink.
  5. Too Face Better Than Sex Mascara – I recently wrote about this item. While I like this mascara, it can be messy. I don’t think it’s necessary to do the third step and apply mascara behind the lash bed. I do two coats and my lashes look big and full.
  6. Vincent Longo Lash Definer Eyelash Comb #2 – after I apply two coats of mascara I use this tool to comb and separate my lashes. The metal teeth help remove mascara buildup or clumps.
  7. M.A.C Lustreglass in Simmon– This may have been my first lip color purchase. It is my all-time favorite. I’ve worn this shade since high school. The color looks good for all occasions, stays on all day, and the formula is not sticky. I rock this gloss with a raisin or burgundy colored lip pencil.

Nothing Fancy

Neutrogena Cosmetics

For as long as I can remember, I have always been a fan of Neutrogena cosmetics. These products are inexpensive and work just as good as some high end brands. Here are my favorites.

  1. Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes– Some nights I am too lazy to wash my face. That’s when I reach for these. They are gentle, without over drying the skin. Another option is to use towelettes to remove makeup prior to washing your face with a wash cloth. This will save your towels from getting stained.
  2. Fresh Foaming Cleaner– This item is a make-up remover and cleaner in one. It works really well and leaves my skin feeling refreshed.
  3. Clear Pore Oil-Eliminating Astringent– I’ve been using this stuff for years. It treats acne and prevents future breakouts/blackheads. The salicylic acid eliminates and controls excess oil.
  4. Oil-Free Moisture- Combination Skin– I use this lotion at night and Kate Somerville’s Anti Bac Clearing Lotion during the day (my day lotion bleaches my pajamas and towels). This lotion is lightweight, non-greasy, and controls shine.

I’ve tried several other Neutrogena face products, but the above are the ones I use most frequently.

If you don’t have oily skin, Neutrogena carries products for all skin types so be sure to check out their website.

The Hunt For The Perfect Mascara

The Hunt for the Perfect Mascara

From left to right: M.A.C Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara//M.A.C In Extreme Dimension – 3D Black Lash Mascara//CoverGirl LashBlast Mega Volume Mascara//Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara//Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Baby Doll Mascara//Too Face Better Than Sex Mascara

I have always felt like the majority of mascaras were the same, never finding one that was amazing enough to stick with.

Over the past few months, I have scoured the web in search for the perfect mascara. Through product reviews and claims I chose these 6.

  1. M.A.C Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara – lengthens, extends and separates. Formula can be sticky when applying a second coat and I didn’t achieve much volume.
  2. M.A.C In Extreme Dimension – 3D Black Lash Mascara – this mascara is great! It extends length, creates curl and adds volume. I would purchase again.
  3. CoverGirl LashBlast Mega Volume Mascara – this is good mascara and leaves lashes looking full. One drawback – when applying I get mascara on my upper eyelids. I have to wipe with a damp q-tip after applying.
  4. Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara – lengthens and curls but I didn’t get much volume.
  5. Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Baby Doll Mascara – I love this mascara! Lashes look full and fluttery. However, this one flakes and leaves residue on skin after a few hours.
  6. The winner: Too Face Better Than Sex Mascara – amazing!!! The first time I heard about this mascara was from Emily’s blog The Sweetest Thing. I have always admired her lashes and had to give it a try when she mentioned it. With just two coats, I look like I am wearing false lashes!!!

Watch this video or follow the below steps to apply mascara. Start at 1:12 for full instructions.

  1. Brush the hour glass wand through the lashes from base to tip, giving it a slight push to lashes at the tip.
  2. Roll the brush along the full length of the lashes from base to tip.
  3. Apply mascara both under and over the lash bed to create a “blacker-than-black curled dramatically voluptuous results so amazing it’s better than sex!“

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