What's In My Makeup Bag: May 2014

What's in my makeup bag: 

Rimmel London Stay Matte Primer 

Studio Gear CC Cream in Linen [light] 

Smashbox Halo To Go loose powder in light 

Rimmel Natural Bronzer 027 Sun Dance 

Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion 

Rimmel Glam Eyes eyeshadow palette 027 Brick Lane 

Rimmel ScandalEyes waterproof kohl eyeliner 001 Black 

Benefit Watt's Up! highlighter 

Benefit Bad Gal Lash mascara 

Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick 642 Nude Delight 

I've been drawn to shimmery nude palettes lately, since they're so quick and easy to apply- no need for precision -and with a light dusting of bronzer, really make your skin glow. Simple and effective. 

I go out walking/hiking a lot, and this is the time of year I switch to tinted moisturizers and CC creams with SPF. Nothing looks worse than heavy foundation on a hot, sunny day.. especially if it's the wrong color, which happens to all of us as we tan. Use a lighter formula, like a CC cream with SPF [20 or higher]. 

Sun protection is important! I started using Vitamin C serums recently, which provide additional protection [among a ton of other benefits]. [Note: Vitamin C serums are not a replacement for sunscreen.] Try to use makeup, and especially lip products, with SPF. If you dye your hair, you will want to use products to protect against fading. I make sure to spray my scalp [since my hair is short and braided] with sunblock before going out in harsh sunlight. Burnt scalp sucks! I learned that the hard way. 

Sunlight is good, but I strongly advise against tanning. It fades tattoos and makes you age quicker. 

Love your skin. <3

Studio Gear Hydrating CC Cream SPF 20 + 10% Off Discount Code!

I recently received a 1.1 oz. tube of Studio Gear Hydrating CC Cream in Linen (light) in the mail, in exchange for a review/feature. [If you're here for the discount code, keep reading.] 

It arrived at the perfect time- my skin is still dried out from the winter, and now I have to start using more products with SPF again, to avoid UV damage from the sun. 

What it does:

Protects: SPF 20 protects the skin, while Hydra-Extend technology provides moisture for up to 72 hours. 
Perfects: Enjoy natural looking coverage while micro-encapsulated pigments perfects and fade dark spots and acne scarring. 
Corrects: Anti-aging and collagen building ingredients help minimize fine lines and wrinkles. 
Hydrates: Hydra-Extend technology provides up to 72 hours of continuous hydration. 
Conceals: Micro encapsulated pigments deliver a fresh dose of color that adapts to your own skin tone, creating the most natural looking coverage. 
Smoothes: Skin nourishing ingredients help to correct and maintain youthful complexion. 

My experience:
I used the Studio Gear CC Cream in yesterday's outfit post (and I'm wearing it today as well). I had a mild sunburn from the day before, and my face was a little tender to touch. But this CC Cream blended nicely, didn't irritate my sensitive skin at all, and appears to have replaced some of the moisture that was lost to the sun. Today, the redness is gone, and has been replaced with a light tan overnight. I can definitely tell this mild, creamy formula is doing a lot of good for my skin, as opposed to causing breakouts, which happen all too often to me.

As for photos, I love the way this product looks on camera! It makes my skin look very smooth and soft, and reflects the right amount of light to hide any blemishes. (This applies to both sunny and overcast days, as well as artificial lighting.) I don't suggest wearing it alone though- brush a little powder on top to set it, and a light dusting of bronzer to really make your skin glow. Perfection!

Get 10% off your order:
1) Go to the product page.
2) Add CC Cream to your shopping bag.
3) At checkout, use this discount code: bloggercc

What's In My Makeup Bag: Christmas 2013

Cold winter weather is so harsh on my skin, so it's hard to find makeup that not only looks good, but also moisturizes and protects. Here's what I'll be wearing Christmas 2013: 

Studio Gear CC Cream 

Studio Gear Holiday Smoky Eye Palette 

Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix 

Sephora MicroSmooth powder 

Benefit Bad Gal Lash mascara 

Benefit Watt's Up! highlighter 

Smashbox Photo Ready foundation primer 

Both of the Studio Gear products, which I love, have been gifted in exchange for a review, FYI.  

I don't have anything special planned for the holidays. Gary and I would prefer not to celebrate, really. So we're keeping it low-key. And I intend to create a less dramatic smoky eye (think black and gold shimmer) this year. Plus my usual skin products- perfection! 

Are you doing anything for the holidays? And what makeup will you be wearing? 

Review: Studio Gear CC Cream + 10% Off Discount Code!

Thanks again to Studio Gear Cosmetics, I was given the opportunity to try their CC Cream in natural.

I was a bit concerned at first because natural is the medium of 3 shades (linen, natural, and wheat), and I'm pasty white. But then I thought, it's supposed to adapt to my skin tone and look natural. Let's see what it can do. 

The product description, FYI: 

"Micro-encapsulated pigments deliver a fresh dose of color that adapts to your own skin tone creating the most natural looking coverage. This lightweight, oil-free cream is infused with Hydra-Extend technology that provides up to 72 hours of continuous hydration. Skin nourishing and brightening ingredients help to correct and maintain a youthful complexion."

I took a few photos of the CC cream fresh out of the tube and onto my hand to demonstrate how it changes colors. Keep in mind I applied WAY more to my hand than I would to my face. 

Starts out a light blue? Okay, surprise me then.... LOL 

Mid-change. Notice how where it was spread thinly is pretty frickin close to my natural skin tone. 

It looks super dark in the last test pic, but that's also a lot of product there.. It turned out differently when applied properly. 

And so, as I got ready to go out and run errands, I put it on my face, covered with my usual powder, brushed on some eyeshadow and mascara, and went on my way... 

Gary and I stopped at Taco Bell for lunch/dinner, at which we had burritos and nachos, and snapped a couple photos. 

Mmmmmm... nacho goodness... 

I love how the Studio Gear CC Cream moisturizes and makes my skin feel, as well as the light-but-effective coverage. AND it wasn't too dark on my pale white skin! That is absolutely amazing for a medium shade! OMG! I'm in love! 

Try the CC Cream out for yourself and get 10% off with this discount code: 

SGCC 

**This code does not expire.** 

Have you used this product yet? What do you think? 

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Review: Studio Gear Cosmetics Holiday Smoky Eye Palette + 10% Off Discount Code!

Studio Gear Cosmetics
Holiday Smoky Eye Palette

Many thanks to Studio Gear Cosmetics, I was given the opportunity to try out the new Holiday Smoky Eye Palette! 

This is a fun palette with super-pigmented black and silver, shimmery gold and white highlighters, and a bright blush with a beautiful gold sparkle. 

I was impressed with how easy it was to create a beautiful smoky eye, with the great coverage of the black and silver, and they were super blendable. The gold and white were a beautiful finishing touch. The blush is very pigmented too, and shows up really well on my pale skin, so a little goes a long way. Also blends well, with a gorgeous natural looking shimmer. 

I will be rocking these eye shadows a lot this month- PERFECT for the holiday season! 

Isn't the upstate NY scenery beautiful?

The mix of silver and gold is an interesting and surprising one, too. I love the blue tint the silver has, and although I do not like myself in light-medium blue-ish shadows (due to my blue eyes), this was very flattering. Highlight the brow bone with the gold, and tadaa! A gorgeous blend! Love it! 

Try the Holiday Smoky Eye Palette out for yourself and get 10% off with this discount code: 

SGHOLIDAY

**This code does not expire.**

Have you tried this beautiful makeup palette yet? What do you think? 

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