Beauty

[Shanus]

@beach-mom   Good morning. I usually go by smell and looks...anything that it is cream or liquid product should look the same and if it has separated, changed color or smells differently...a definite toss. 

Powder products seem to last years. Shadow palettes, if you have doubt after many years, can be lightly sprayed with alcohol to disinfect them.

Eye pencils or lip pencils that need a sharpener (my pref erence for keeping them fresh) are fine and other liners that are in a closed wind up container should be tossed when they dry out or drag along the lip or eye.

Lipsticks and glosses also must pass the smell test and how they're wearing...if same as before. 

Skincare (especially those w/ active ingredients) should be kept in a cool, dry place.

Anything you purchased and stayed in the back in the drawer becuase you didn't  like it or rarely wore it...throw it out. Make room for what you love...colors, textures and what looks good on you. Blushes that are too bright or dark..out. The same with any powders or bronzers.

Check your brushes, too.If they have splayed bristles or you reach for them and put them back for some reason and look for another...out. Too many brushes that do the same thing are not necessary. I can give you a list of the necessary brushes later if needed.

I keep a brush spray (IT BRUSH LOVE) on hand w/ paper towels to wipe brushes after each use and they get a thorough gentle wash each week. 

I do date all back up skin products w/ a shapie to a piece of tape. That way I know which jar or bottle to use next...keep them in the box or original container. use a spatula (coffee stir sticks  are great) when taking product out to use. Keep jars and bottles closed tightly.

I transfer skincare into travel size containers to use daily. That way air doesn't enter the bigger jar/bottle every day. It's easy to refill when needed.

Let me know if you have more questions.

[San Antonio Gal]

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@lavendar wrote:

Re cream m/u etc. I agree but sometimes I make an exception. In the winter I do wear IT cc foundation. It's heavier than I need but I always get compliments when I wear it. I really like cream to powder items but it's hard to find. Laura Geller makes a really nice blush.

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@lavendar  - I also use IT CC foundation.  I use a damp sponge to apply.  A damp sponge gives me an airbrushed look and sheers it out a bit so not to be too heavy.   I use a "Real Techniques" sponge.

[Sooner]

@Shanus Liquids can go in small spray bottles (small sizes of facial sprays used up etc.) and go on your face that way rather than fingers or a cotton ball.  

I try to buy things in pump bottles when at all possible.  

[depglass]

I haven't forgotten any products or techniques, but I admit I have gotten just plain lazy.  Pre Covid I wouldn't leave the house without eye makeup and foundation.  Now I tell myself it's OK until I see myself in some picture someone has snapped with their phone.  Yikes!  That's how the world sees me, not how I see myself in my makeup mirror.  One big blah of a face.

[lavendar]

I've gotten lazy too. But I still wear a mask indoors and often sunglasses. I did wear m/u for my last zoom and doctor couldn't figure it out. She kept saying,"you look great, is your hair longer?" It is but not that much.

[beach-mom]

@Shanus  - Thanks for your advice, as always!  Thanks for teaching us so much! 

Let me know if you have more questions.

And don't worry - you know I will!  

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[Shanus]

@lavendar   @depglass   It isn't being lazy or not caring. Many of us, me too, realized during covid that full makeup wasn't as important.

As the months went on and we pared down our makeup, we felt more comfortable seeing ourselves and others, for the first time, looking a certain way.

Now that most are going out, we're beginning to see which areas are the most important to emphazie. For me, it's black mascara, blush and some color on lips....that's my minimal, but my spf is tinted enough to cover any redness and barely even out my complexion. 

It's OK to feel you need less or more makeup. Every women has a different comfort level. 

[lavendar]

I have perfected my eyebrows. I figured those always showed even with mask. Love how they look. JR light blonde powder. Benefit no 1 pomade and Benefit brush on in no.1

[tansy]

I wear brown mascara as it is softer, less harsh looking.  If I want a more dramatic look, I go with black.  

[lavendar]

Which ones do you wear. Browns are getting scarce.