Forever Young

Today's post is all about youth! While I personally do not have mature skin...yet, it is never too early to take care of your skin. In the last year or so, I really have flipped a switch and now make it a point,  every day, to take good care of my skin. Look for an updated skincare routine coming soon. [I have pictures on my Instagram too!] I completely banished tanning beds from my life and wear sunscreen daily. I also religiously wash, treat, and moisturize my skin morning and night. This truly is essential when seeking "great skin". {No, I don't think my skin is perfect- it's not!}

BUT...before I get too carried away, this post is about the makeup side of things. I am bringing you 10 tips, tricks, and ideas to consider while doing your makeup, that will help your skin appear more youthful and awake. Again, this isn't just for mature skinned gals; these tips are also great for those of us who haven't gotten enough sleep or want a fresh makeup look. Be sure to click on the links for a better idea of product examples! :)

Note: We are starting from the skin up!

1. Proper hydration is essential! 

Using a good moisturizer daily and nightly [regardless of skin type)] is probably one of the most important factors in a skincare regime. Makeup doesn't like dry, flaky skin. Makeup on dry skin easily settles into fine lines and wrinkles. As we age, our skin looses its volume. Being properly hydrated (includes drinking water) will help keep your skin plumped up. When your skin is fully hydrated and moisturized, makeup will smoothly glide over your skin and adhere the way it should. 

Try these: Clinique, Aveeno, Olay

2. Think liquid & lightweight. 

Concealers for the under eye should be more liquid-y rather than creamy. Creams (thicker consistencies) tend to settle into fine lines and can instantly age us. Another great way to avoid this from happening is to use an under eye primer, just like we prime eyelids and our face. This helps prep for concealer. [Definitely not necessary for daily wear. Think night time events!]

Try these: MAC, Neutrogena, NARS

3. Yellow and pink undertones. 

Depending on your skin tone, yellow and pink tinted under eye brighteners and highlighters camouflage dark circles and help brighten up your over all look. Brightened under eyes and tops of cheekbones help us create the illusion of youthfulness. 

Try this: MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Radiant Rose or Light Boost

4. Use a sponge to blend out foundation. 

Using a damp sponge, like the Beauty Blender, gives your skin an airbrushed finish. The bouncing motions help press the foundation into the skin while adding moisture. Overall your skin will appear more radiant, giving you that 'glow-from-within' appearance we all want. 

5. Skip tinted setting powder. 

I recommend using a translucent powder to set your foundation. Find a powder that is made for setting, rather than using a powder foundation. Applying another foundation can create that 'cake face' we all hate and more than likely, the product will travel into fine lines throughout the day. The more products you apply, the older your skin will look. 

Try these: ELF, Make Up For Ever, NYX

6. Cream blushes

Cream blushes are a fun way to add that youthful flush back to your skin. The great thing about cream blushes is that they have great staying power and also withstand heat and humidity much better than powder blush. While they may seem scary at first, once you know how to apply them, you might be impressed. I have found that using two fingers to dab the product onto the apples of the cheeks works best. You can then go back and blend it out with a kabuki brush. 

Try these: Maybelline, Loreal, Make Up For Ever

7. Curl your lashes. 

For the longest time, I thought eye lash curlers were gimmicky. But now I understand what they are intended to do: give your lashes some body & open up your eyes. This again will help you appear more youthful. 

8. Omit black liner.

Using a brown eyeliner- especially in the day time- is a great way to look younger. Brown appears softer on the eyes; even if it's a brown black! The older you get, the more harsh black can look. Don't care for brown? Try a soft charcoal!

Try these: Urban Decay, Revlon

9. Don't shy away from shimmer. 

If you are over 40, I am sure you have heard to lay off the shimmery eye shadows. But when done correctly, shimmer finish shadows can actually appear very youthful. *Apply it to the CENTER of your lid only.* This will add a glowing pop and will negate that dry, chalky look on the lid. 

10. Lipliner 101

If you are a lip liner gal, do your best to either match the lip liner to your lipstick OR use a nude, pink shade that is similar to your natural lip color. We all know how bad 1990's mauve/brown liner looks these days. Don't be that girl! ;)

I hope that you have found these tips and tricks helpful. The whole idea of appearing younger revolves around looking {awake, brightened, and glowing.} Everything in moderation! Try some of these tricks out-- you might be surprised!

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Goodbye Dark Circles!

MAC: Macy's // MAC: Macy's // MAYBELLINE: Target // BOBBI BROWN: Nordstrom // COVERGIRL: Target

Even on days that I am just hanging around the house or running a few errands, I still like to wear a little concealer under my eyes to keep things looking fresh and bright. Whether you have the dreaded dark circles from a late night studying or a fun night out with the girls, we all need a little something to not let our tiredness show. With a lot of recent experimenting, I have really grown to love under eye products, as they really can change the look of our awake-ness. I personally like to CORRECT and then CONCEAL. On days I look extra tired, I like to add a pink-toned brightener. Correctors are typically yellow-toned and when applied, will help neutralize the darkness. A skin toned concealer over top is necessary to blend in and better match your under eye to the rest of your face. 

MAC Prolongwear Concealer- I use shade NC20. NC shades have yellow undertones, which is the opposite of my NW shade foundation. This stuff is great. Its long wearing, full coverage, and a little goes a long way. 

MAC Prep+Prime Highlighter- I use Radiant Rose. This pink toned highlighter is great for layering over your normal concealer when you want a little more of a brightened look. It can also be worn alone for a natural and glowing look, as it is a sheerer product.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser- This does the same trick as the Prep+Prime, with a bit creamier formula. Great drug store alternative!

Bobbi Brown Concealer Kit- This duo is everything that you need! It comes with the pale yellow corrector and your choice shade of concealer. The formula is thick but doesn't settle into fine lines, which is a big plus. 

Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Corrector- This yellow toned corrector is high end quality. When applied directly under the eye and in the inner corner, your dark circles are neutralized  and will stay that way all day. 

***When using under eye correctors and concealers, it is important to remember that less is more. Over using and caking on the products will age you very quickly. To blend all of these products in, I use either my ring finger or the Sigma F86. 

What are your favorite products for the under eye area? Do you have any tricks to share?

XO, Carrie

May Favorites

Hey friends! I hope you all have enjoyed this past month just as much as I have. Over the course of May, I have made a lot of changes, and I still plan on more change coming my way! To me, change is, more times that not, a good thing. Whether it be a change in school or a job, or a change in your daily makeup routine, I like to think that the change will benefit you in a some way. So today, I thought it would be fun to share with you the products (and a few extras) that I have added in or changed in my daily routine the last 3-4 weeks. So let's jump right in!

details: Josie Maran Argan lip treatment;
Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil
Faux Sea Urchin from Target

Over the past few years, from family members to beauty gurus, I have heard amazing things about Josie Maran's line of Argan Oil products. While I know the organic oil is coined to be an amazing product for the entire body, I couldn't fathom rubbing oil on my face and neck having such oily skin the way it is. But I stand corrected. The 100% Argan oil is amazing. It has no scent and is SO nourishing. I have been using it on my split ends, on rough patches of my elbows, and on my face before bed. Accompaning that, I have been lathering up my lips with the lip treatment before bed as well! What a great combo! I recommend checking out her line if you haven't done so already. 

Revlon eyelash curler

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny

Love, love, LOVE this bronzer. For about $3 from the drugstore, this bronzer is what your makeup bag needs. Ok, maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but I can't get enough of this. Why do I love it so? It is matte. Yes, matte. There is no shimmer and it's the perfect build-able shade!

Maybelline Masterprecise pen eyeliner

Victoria's Secret Deep-Softening Body Butter
in Pure Seduction

Urban Decay Lip Junkie in Naked
Came with Naked2 Palette

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque
(makes for a great eyeshadow base but looks beautiful on its own as well)

We are finally starting to see some sun here in Iowa. I've really been enjoying laying by the pool, reading a good book and wearing my fun new shades from Francesca's. These Kate Spade dupes were $14. Got to love that!

My latest read is Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close. I've gotten many laughs out of this book so far. 

Sandals: Guess
Polish: Royal Navy by Butter London

A little R&R. Whats not to love?

I've been loving this quote. I saved it as a my wallpaper on my phone just as a little reminder that fear can't hold us back and that we will figure our "things" out along the way. :)

I hope you all enjoy your month of June, wherever it takes you.

As always, thank you for reading!

XO, Carrie

Sweat-Proof Spring & Summer Makeup

Seriously, there's nothing worse than looking in the mirror halfway through a beautiful, warm day and realizing you've sweat off 90% of your makeup. With the heat of spring and summer on the horizon, I thought I'd get a head start and share with you all some tips on how to maintain a sweat-proof look this for the warm weather seasons.  

***Yes, I realize if it 100° outside with humidity, your makeup isn't going to stay perfect, but these tips will help!!

1. Use primers. Just like painting your kitchen walls with a base coat, sometimes our face needs it as well. Primers are designed to help keep your makeup in place. Many primers also have the technology to reduce the size and appearance of pores, which we all want, right? I would recommend the Loreal Magic Perfecting Base. You can find this at the drugstore and it costs a fraction of other leading primers! 

(I'd also love to try the Benefit POREfessional. I've heard tons of great things about how well this primer works. If you've tried it, let me know what you think!)

2. Use a matte finish foundation. After a primer, the best thing you can do is apply a matte foundation in your desired coverage. Although we all love to have a little natural glowy look, your skin will do that on its own in the heat. A matte foundation will reduce the chances of looking too glowy. ;) You've heard me rave about it before, and I will say it again, the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ foundation is amazing! It is my number one recommendation. 

(A great drugstore alternative would be the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation.)

3. Use a setting powder. Whether you have oily skin or not, you are probably going to get shiny throughout the warm day. After you apply your foundation, set it with a powder (specifically the t-zone area). I like to use the MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural! 

(A cheaper alternative is the Stay Matte by Rimmel. You can pick this up at the drug store for about $3.)

4. Use cream blushes. While I am new to the idea of cream blush, I think it couldn't be more perfect for beating the summer heat. The cream blush formula will "adhear" better to your skin and won't run like powder can tend to do. Maybelline Dream Bouncy in Candy Coral (a recommendation from TiffanyD) is the only one I have. (Best to apply with a synthetic haired brush.)

 (Loreal Invisible Lift is another option, as well as NARS The Multiple.) 

5. Use a waterproof mascara. Some people love it. Some people hate it. And when it comes to hate, I think it comes from the struggle to remove the mascara. That's where you need a good makeup remover. Which you should already be using ;) Waterproof mascara won't melt off your lashes and definitely won't run. Most of your favorite mascaras probably have a waterproof version! Go check it out! 

Bonus tip: Wear sunscreen underneath all of that, as well as on the rest of your body! 

I hope you find these tips helpful in the upcoming warm months!

XO, Carrie