(Otherwise Titled: The Longest Post Ever Written Ever About Non-Life Impacting Stuff – apparently I have lots to say about this)
As un-girly-girl as I consider myself, I totally love makeup and hair stuff. LOVEloveLOVEloveLOVE it! I have tons of items I rarely use, but I can’t get rid of them because I might have need some undefined day and then what would I do? Exactly. I even bought one of those plastic drawer-thingys for all my stuff.
Hi, my name is Jennie, and I’m a makeup-aholic.
(And shoes, but that’s a whole other issue and we are not discussing that particular addiction at this time.)
(Ahem.)
So, first we’ll talk makeup.
I’m going to give you 3 lists, because I can't help myself. (Feel free to pause a minute for a potty break or to get a snack.)
Oh, and I’m totally lumping skincare in with makeup because, for me, the two are not exclusive – you shouldn’t use one without the other. It’s all about good skincare, ladies.
(I know y’all are just on the edge of your seats, awaiting this world-transforming information.)
List 1: Stuff I Use Every Day
• AVON liiv botanicals – this is the skincare line I am currently using. Basically because it’s convenient (a friend of mine sells Avon), it doesn’t make me all oily, it has SPF, and when it's on sale I can totally afford it. Plus it has a serum. I’m very big on serums ever since I had a facial in 2007 and the aesthetician explained how Europeans use them but Americans hardly know about them, and how good they are for your face. So now I tell everyone about serums. They’re super-charged with vitamins and other good stuff that I can’t recall and don’t feel like looking up at the moment. But you get the idea. Serums = good for your skin.
• Bare Minerals Mineral Foundation and Mineral Veil – I LOVE Bare Minerals. I never feel like I’m wearing anything on my face, and for those nights when I go straight to bed without stopping to wash my face I have yet to break out even once. (I know, I know … skincare, skincare, skincare. But some nights I’m just too pooped to care.)
• Merle Norman Espresso Eyeshadow - I assume they still make this particular shade, and I say 'assume' because I've had my particular compact since college. (And that, friends, has been quite some time ago.) I love to use this as a quick eyeliner. I'm not so good at using pencils, but I'm a wiz with a liner brush, and use this particular color as my go-to. A little liner smudged up a bit, some mascara and lip balm and off I go!
• Sonia Kashuk face palette for blondes - I got this from Target and really like it. I don’t wear eye makeup a lot only, but when I do this is the palette I like the most. I should call it my Sunday Look, as that seems to be when I take the time to use it :)
• Lash Blast Mascara by Cover Girl - it was weird getting used to how big the brush and handle are, but it's a great mascara and definitely worth trying out, if you haven't yet done so.
List 2: The Things I Long For
• Sour Cherry Whip Moisturizer by Eminence – if I could marry a skincare product, this would be the one. It was the one used at that fateful Facial of ’07 and I have never been so obsessed over a product like I have this one. I freakin’ love it. LOVE! IT! LOVEIT!!! But it is $60 and therefore rarely enters my home. I’ve actually only had my own personal jar of it one time – and once it was gone, I kept that empty jar for a year and a half before finally throwing it out (I’m pathetic, I know.) I really should put that on my Christmas list each year – duh!
• All the other stuff that goes with the Moisturizer From Heaven mentioned above. (Guess this turned out to be a pretty short list.)
List 3: Things I’ve Tried And Will Recommend And Likely Use Again
• Aveeno Positively Radiant Triple-Boosting Serum – I really liked this and used it often before I switched to the Avon stuff (just to try something new). Worked well with whatever moisturizer I was using at the time and was totally affordable.
• Mary Kay – for a birthday in my early teens, my mom took me for a Mary Kay makeover, thereby saving me from the makeup hell I was creating for myself at that time (it was ‘80s – just use your imagination). Anyway, that’s when I was indoctrinated into the Skincare Is More Important Than Makeup way of life. MK was the enabler in my makeup addiction for years. I still love their products – my favorite is their Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover. Best remover ever made. Seriously. And whenever we have pictures made or I’m getting especially fancy for some reason, I use their cream-to-powder foundation. Works great and I never have to use a concealer.
Y’all, this is the condensed version. Your welcome for that, as I could go on and on. And on.
With regards to hair, I love trying new hair products, but I don’t have nearly as much confidence with hair as I do with makeup. If I were stupid rich – after donating kazillions to needy children, of course – I would love to have someone do my hair for me. Yep, apparently I can be that shallow. Proud moment, eh?
Anyhoo … here are the hair products that I like most:
• Tousle Me Softly Mousse – I use this every day for my naturally wavy, uncooperative hair. Best mousse I’ve used – controls but doesn’t leave my hair crunchy. Woo-hoo!
• Salon Grafix hairspray – holds nicely without turning me into a helmet-head (and I really only use it for bangs or special ‘dos). Plus they sell it at Walmart. Convenience is a big selling point for me.
• Amply by Matrix – I love this whole line but rarely buy any because, well, I’m cheap where my wants are concerned.
• Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner by Biolage – this is what my hairdresser uses on me and I always love the way it smells.
• Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner by BioInfusions – Hubby and I both use this stuff. I get a big ole bottle at Walgreens for $10 and it lasts forever. Plus, it smells lovely and makes your head all tingly - and if that's not a selling point I just don't know what is!
Well, I think that’s it. If not, it’s certainly enough! Thanks for hanging in there! If you have the stamina, go visit other folks at the Kelly’s Korner Show Us Your Life carnival.
Happy Friday!
