Makeup
Watch “Chill Vibes Valentine’s Day Makeup (ft. Natasha Denona and the best pinky nude lipstick) 💄💋” on YouTube
Watch “Beauty Haul: January 2022 (Nordstrom and Sephora)” on YouTube
Watch “First GRWM of 2022! (ft. MAC Mocha, Sephora eye love palette, skin talk, and no sleep)” on YouTube
Clinique Blended Face Powder Review
I’ll be honest, after the age of thirty-five, I had pretty much sworn off any kind of facial powders. That was about the time that I began to notice how crepey and crinkled my face could appear with powder applied to it. I spent years avoiding powders (with the exception of blush), and learned to accept that, while my face wasn’t exceptionally greasy, I was going to have some shine on my visage most of the time.
Much to my own surprise, and very much on a whim, I recently purchased the Clinique Blended Face Powder, more out of curiosity than anything else. I had seen rave reviews on both the Nordstrom’s website as well as the Beautypedia website. So, with a little trepidation, and full faith in Nordstrom’s excellent return policy, I gave it a try.
I ordered the “invisible blend, ” partly because I am so pale and partly because I enjoy a more casual, natural look on a daily basis. It does seem to blend into my skin pretty well, though I am a bit dubious about how “invisible” it would be on darker complexions. At any rate, I also chose the invisible blend because it contains silica (the other colors are rumored not to) and I was hoping for a bit of pore smoothing in addition to a little shine dampening.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this powder. It does mattify quite nicely for me, without making my skin shrivel up with dryness. However, my favorite part is definitely the pore smoothing! It doesn’t necessarily make me look like a porcelain doll, but it does make my skin appear so much smoother. I have plenty of pores and a few scars, and while this doesn’t make them disappear, it does make them much less noticeable, even outside in harsh sunlight.
I’ll admit, it has cooled off recently where I live, so I can’t yet comment on how this powder would perform in high heat. I can convey that it seems to handle a bit of humidity quite well, not smearing or wiping off as easily as other products that I have tried.
All in all, it looks as though this may become a consistent addition to my Five Minute Face routine. (I can’t say much, however, for the brush that is included and I prefer using my own Sephora #55 Airbrush.)
What other powders should I try? Thanks for stopping by!
Stay cozy!
Clinique ‘Superbalm’ Moisturizing Gloss Review
This is another product that I have used on and off for about a decade. It is a necessity for me when we are traveling to very arid climates, or during chilly times of year. It is the one gloss or balm that can keep my lips from cracking when we visit the desert to see relatives. I have gone through at least one tube, I have one that I am currently using, and I have already ordered a backup. Always prepared!
Clinique Superbalm in lilac
While I would argue that this gloss is not at all sticky, it does cling to the lips tenaciously. Of course, I believe this is how it helps protect the lips from the ravages of polar winds and torrid climates. In very hot or humid weather it can feel a tad cloying or goopy, but those aren’t usually the situations in which I crave an incredibly moisturizing gloss anyway.
If you are looking for a gloss that provides intense moisture, protection, and shine, I heartily suggest this one! If however, you are relying on a gloss for color, this may not fit the bill. It comes in a small range of colors and they are all quite transparent. The palest lips may see slight variations in shade between them, but most of us will not.
Most of the shades have some shimmer in them, which you can see through the tube; yet, one of the aspects I love about this gloss is that it never looks glittery. The texture is absolutely smooth, if not just a tad thick. There is no odd residue left on the lips after it wears off, and wearing off does take a while. This is most definitely not one of those lip products that disappears minutes after application.
Clinique Superbalm, thickly swatched
This is a petrolatum based product that also contains, amongst other things, vitamin E, squalene, linoleic acid, and aloe. It has very little, if any, scent, and no taste. It does not currently contain SPF.
This is unequivocally in my top 10 lip products of all time (and I love lip products). I hope this review helpful and I appreciate the read!
Thanks, and stay cozy!
Favorite Concealer/Foundation Brush
I’m not the first person to claim that makeup application is an art form or creative outlet. I consider the act of choosing and applying products in order to create a desired effect both an aesthetic endeavor, as well as a form of self-care. Although my morning ritual generally doesn’t vary much, it still allows me to feed my inner artist. And, like any artist, I have collected my favorite brushes over the years.
I have experimented with many different methods of applying concealers and foundations: brushes, fingers, sponges, etcetera. I have found several of these methods to either not be very effective at blending the product into my skin, or to create streaks in the finish. This Sigma F82 round kabuki brush solves both of these problems.
This brush is a study in both firmness and softness. The bristles are so silky that they are very gentle on the skin, without a hint of scratchiness. Due to the shortness of the bristles and the manner in which they are packed, this brush provides excellent control (a necessity for applying products in crevices or around the eyes). It does not shed, an absolute requirement for me!
As of late, I have not been wearing foundation (I find that the intense light of summer tends to make it look mask-like on my face), but I wear concealer daily. Because I always tend to have a few spots, and my perma-circles are present perennially, I do end up applying concealer to a large part of my visage. Although I have other concealer brushes that I like, this brush not only blends in my concealer flawlessly (no streaks, period), but also quickly. When I am getting ready for work in the morning, dreading my commute, I know that I can accomplish My 5 Minute Face with the help of this brush.
My morning concealer routine.
When I do wear foundation, this is my preferred apparatus as well. It does not soak up too much product (a virtue praised by the Sigma website), nor is it difficult to clean. It performs as well with foundation as it does for concealer, producing no streaks or unevenness. This brush has been an indispensable part of my morning routine for several years now; if it ever needs replacing, I would do so without hesitation!
What are your favorite makeup brushes?
Stay cozy!
Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick
I generally wear lip balm most days. Occasionally though, for a special event or a day off and out shopping, I will wear lipstick. I find it a little funny how quickly a swath of lipstick can make me look pulled together and (dare I say) pretty.
I haven’t always been a lipstick fan. Painful memories of lipsticks that parched my lips or smelled like old play dough have haunted me for a long time. There was a period in my youth when I preferred red lipstick, exclusively. Unfortunately, the products available to me at the time tended to be quite drying and wore off in strange patterns that looked as though I hadn’t wiped my mouth after a meal. For years after I swore of lipstick completely and maintained a healthy relationship with glosses and balms.
I still gravitate to glosses and balms on most days, but I sometimes miss the way a hit of more opaque color can brighten my face (especially as I get older and paler).
It took me a bit of time to find a lipstick that I really enjoyed using. I stumbled upon this little gem at Macy’s while searching for a pink lipstick (I don’t think I could manage red anymore) to help perk up my complexion at an upcoming event.
It is the Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick in the color Candy Rose. The name describes the color perfectly, and while it not absolutely opaque, it provides so much more color than any of my lip glosses. It has a shimmery (though not frosty) finish, and helps disguise a few of the wrinkles in my lips. The scent and flavor are reminiscent of watermelon; it is not strong or unpleasant, and fades quickly after application.
Best of all, this formula is so pleasant to wear! This lipstick contains mango oil and honestly is so moisturizing that it feels more like a balm when being applied than a traditional lipstick. Likely because of the moisture factor, this product does usually require reapplication after a meal; though this is a small price to pay, in my opinion, for a lipstick that doesn’t fade weirdly or dry out my lips.
At this point, I am hooked and I use this product regularly on my casual days and even very occasionally at work! It is pleasant to wear and cares for my lips the way a balm might, a perfect combination.
Stay cozy!
*For more on my daily makeup look, go here.
My Favorite Blush
Here’s the second in my series of favorite makeup products from my 5 Minute Makeup post. This is a product that I have been faithful to for almost a decade. Every once in a while I try something new, but after a bit, I am usually always pulling this one back out of my makeup drawer.
This is the True Match Blush by L’oreal (my favorite color is C1-2, “baby blossom”). Please excuse my very well-loved pan; time for a new one! (Did someone say “shopping”?!!!!)
Blush is definitely my favorite makeup item! I am extremely pale; if I don’t wear blush I can look very, very ill. Even for those who are not pale though, as I have found from doing friends’ makeup, blush can take “healthy” looking to “vital”. Blush can make some people look extra youthful, but it can make almost anyone look more alive and awake, in my opinion.
I have experimented with so many kinds of blush in my lifetime, liquid, balms, creams, and powders. While I think there are positive attributes to all of these formulations, I have found over the years that I tend to gravitate back to powder blushes simply for ease of use (especially on my super busy, crazy mornings). I adore that I just have to lightly dip my brush in the pan, swipe it on each cheek, and run out the door, coffee in hand and ready to go!
So, now that I’m nearing my *cough* 40’s , you might be asking about fine lines and such. An exceptionally good question! I have experimented with other powders that have left my face either looking crepey or chalky, typically when my face was particularly dried out. I find that as long as I use a good moisturizer (or “my favorite spf”, see post), this blusher does quite well. It almost never appears dry on my cheeks, though when it does, I find a quick spritz of facial water seems to do the trick.
Thanks for stopping by! What’s your favorite blush?
Stay cozy.
My Favorite Concealer
I have tried a lot of concealers in my life. I seem to have developed perma-circles after decades of chasing the almighty degree/job/promotion. Having a child probably added to the sunken blue half moons that usually make their home under my eyes as well. And so, over my life I have probably tried and tested about 20 different concealers.
Lately, this is the one I have liked the most. My skin has changed a lot from the skin I had in my teens and twenties, and so my concealer of choice has had to change with it. In the last several years the quality that has become most important to me is to not excessively dry (or make appear dry) my under-eye area. Something that doesn’t gather to badly in the well-deserved crevices on my face is nice too.
The Maybelline Superstay Better Skin concealer in ivory has been my jam of late.
This concealer blends easily with fingers or a brush and doesn’t make my eyes look older or more crepey than they already are. It’s not oily or greasy either, and is probably one of the most natural looking concealers that I have ever used. This is one concealer that would work for any skin type, in my opinion.
I also happen to have mild, but persistent acne (when will I ever grow out of it?). I don’t have a lot of spots, but they can be quite noticeable. This concealer does a fair job of making them look less apparent. It is not a thick concealer though, so I would not categorize it as full coverage. For me, just blending the spots away a bit so people will look at my eyes and not immediately be drawn to the spots on my chin is enough.
I have repurchased this concealer at least three times since it was released and have been loving it.
This is the first in a series of my favorite makeup items from my 5 Minute Makeup post.
Hope this is helpful. Thanks for stopping by, and stay cozy.
cozy and sage 