Side note…..some other non-SPF foundations I have used (but am not in love with) are: Estee Lauder Fresh Air, MAC Face & Body, & Makeup Forever HD. I really didn’t like Kryolan HD Micro Foundation Cache as a foundation (I will keep this in my kit as a concealer) – it’s an extremely thick coverage and has a very strong smell.

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Daily:

Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub – I use this all natural cleanser every morning and before bed. When you first look at it, it seems that it would be very rough on your skin, but it is actually very none abrasive and smells yummy too!

Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel – since I started using this about 7 months ago, I have noticed a more even skin tone and I have not had any of the painful, big pimples I would get every so often.

Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer or it’s generic brand – I have used this for YEARS! I like that it has a UV protection, but is just the right amount of thickness to where it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy right after you apply it and keeps my skin moisturized all year round.

Alba Un-petroleum Jelly – I apply this all over my face and neck right after I wash my face before bed. It doesn’t smell the best, but it is all natural & has a more thicker application to where you wake up in the morning with the softest skin! It is thick, but doesn’t feel greasy and shouldn’t make you break out.

Once a week:

Olay ProX Advanced Cleansing System – this brush is made to be gentle enough to use daily, but since I don’t have time to do it that often, once a week seems to be just right! Since I have been using this, I noticed that the blackheads on my nose & on my chin are going away! My skin feels softer and just looks more radiant! It’s a great kit and very affordable!

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque or it’s generic brand – after I use the Olay cleansing kit, I either apply this all over my face, or just on my nose (since it’s my biggest problem area). It really just feels refreshing after applying this face masque & it removes impurities from your pores (also I notice it helps make my pores look smaller.)

I caught this last night and thought this was GENIUS, so I had to share this short segment!

“It sounds ironic, but (makeup artist) Mathew uses the same red lipstick as a camouflage for blemishes. You want to work with it in a very, very sheer way and use very little of it. Take just a bit, rub it on the hand and just dab, dab, dab,” he says. Add foundation and the blemish will be gone!”

Click here to watch the first minute of the video:

Runway to Real Way

While we are at it, let’s talk nails! The crackled look on the nail will continue to be popular. With colors, you will want to switch it up from the very florescent to very pale tones. The reverse french tip with two different colors is a fun twist on the old french manicure. Also try a matte nail color or add some kind of fun design down the nail.

• Always cleanse your skin well to make sure your face holds on to the makeup you apply. Here is a product that I’ve heard works really great to really give you a deep clean (it’s on my shopping list to buy soon): http://www.beautychoice.com/products/DermaNew_Acne_Oil_Clarifying_System_5_piece-12748-0.html
• Moisturize! If your skin is dehydrated it’s going to pull moisture from your makeup.
• Use eye cream during the day, not just at night, and choose a gel variety – works almost like an additional primer.
• Use a silicone-based primer and really work it into your skin to make your makeup stick.
• Cream-to-powder eye shadow and gel-based eye liner have the most staying power. Steer clear of wax-based pencils, which tend to melt.
• Opt for waterproof mascara or use a waterproof top coat to seal regular mascara.
• After using concealer only where you need it, layer translucent powder or rice powder on top of it.
• Find a foundation that has sunscreen, then use as little as possible, applying with a brush in small feathered strokes.
• In summer, switch to a powder blush instead of cream blush that might melt. Use a small amount high on the cheekbone.
• Try using a light, shimmery eye shadow on lips, topped with gloss for all day color.
• Spritz a toning mist/setting spray over your finished makeup to seal in the look.

Here is the goodie bag that I left with (I will be doing product reviews on a few of the items soon):

Stila: liquid luminzer/Smashbox: photo finish primer/Naimie’s: small storage tubes & mascara wands/Auraline Beauty: lipstick palette, (2) lip liners, spatula & tray set & curved eyeliner brush

*Primer all over the face – fills in the wrinkles – use a green-toned primer to get rid of facial redness

*Light application of liquid foundation all over the face – evens out skin tone – matte finish for oily skin, light reflecting foundation for dull skin – make sure it has SPF (if you don’t already use an SPF moisturizer) – powder can settle into the wrinkles and make facial hair more prominent

*Thicker-consistency concealer applied under the eyes (upside down triangle from inner corner to mid-point), all over the eye lids, & around the nose – fills in wrinkles and gets rid of darkness & redness

*Optional: light application of translucent powder – sets foundation & concealer

*Pink-toned blush on apples of cheeks – cream blush can give skin a great glow rather than powder blush

*Powder that matches hair to fill in eyebrows – darker brows frame your face & make you look younger

*Brown/black pencil to line top & bottom of eyes – extend out just a little past eyelashes – make sure to soften the line by smudging – can use brown eyeshadow as well

*Brown/black thickening mascara on top lashes only

*Matte neutral-toned eyeshadows with a highlighter just under the browbone – shimmer makeup can settle into wrinkles and make them more obvious

*Nude lip liner with a light colored lip gloss makes chapping less noticeable – use Chapstick daily