I admit, I’m definitely not a makeup artist or fashionista, but I am a woman from Mississippi…
And being a woman from Mississippi, there are two things that all of us, or at least all of us that were born in my generation in my neck of the woods were expected to learn…
First of all, how to cook…which I’m having to unlearn all of the bad habits and cooking techniques that I grew up with now that my husband has been diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes…
And secondly, how to always look your best….even when you’re simply going to Walmart…
After all, you never know who you might run into…
This year one of my main goals has been to live a simpler and more minimalistic lifestyle…in all aspects of my daily routine, starting with my daily makeup routine.
BUT…
I have found myself with three different trains of thought as to buying makeup…
- Brand Loyaty
- Cheap as Dirt
- Cruelty-Free
Regardless which of these three options I continue to pursue in the months, and even years, ahead…
There is one main thing that I want to be consistent…My one big “key word” for the year…
Minimalism
So in this post I am going to talk about what makeup trends I have spotted this fall,, the different stess involved in each category, and which products I am considering adding to my makeup bag sometime soon.
1. Face Primer..Primers seal in your skincare products, help fill in pores and fine lines, create a smooth surface on which to apply your foundation, and help your makeup last all day. Look for an oil-free, water-based primer…Cruelty-Free Pick…Vapour STRATUS SOFT FOCUS SKIN PERFECTING PRIMER
2. Foundation..Opt for an oil-free foundation. Oil-based products improve the risk of your makeup “sliding” out of place. Use a beauty blender to apply light layers to create a smooth, natural look…Cruelty-Free Pick…Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Mineral Foundation
3. Concealor…Concealor should be lightweight and actually help get rid of undereye dark circles, allergy-induced redness, and occasional breakouts…not simply hide them…And of course, a natural concealor should contain no skin-irritating synthetics, chemicals, wax, preservatives, parabens, phthalates, or talc…all without looking dry or cakey.
Which concealor you use depends on what problem you are trying to cover…
- To cover bluish undereye circles, use a yellow-tone concealer.
- To cover brown or yellowish circles, peach-tone concealers are best
- To cover fine lines around your eyes, pat moisturizer all around the eyes, using your ring finger. Allow it to sink in for a few minutes before applying concealer. Creamy, hydrating concealers work best for the delicate and dry skin around the eyes.
- To cover redness, choose a concealer that matches your skin exactly.
- To cover pimples, dot a pigment-rich, opaque concealer directly on the pimple. Sweep the brush around the base of the pimple, using tiny strokes in order to precisely blend the concealor without using your fingers.
Using Concealor..
- Place three tiny dots of concealor under the eyes from the inner corners to the centers, using a synthetic concealer brush. A synthetic brush is best for applying concealor. Applying concealer with your fingers results in creasing and caking. Applying concealer with a natural bristles results in applying too much color..
- Blend in with your fingertips.
- Apply a lightweight, loose translucent powder to set the concealor and prevent any shimmer and shine…Pressed powder can draw attention to fine lines by settling into creases.
4. Powder...A lightweight translucent pressed setting powder sets your makeup for longer wear and can easily be taken with you and used to soak up any excess oil throughout the day….Cruelty-Free Option.. Jane Iredale pure Matte Finish Powder.
5. Setting Spray...Setting sprays seal your makeup for a very natural look that lasts all day and refresh your makeup throughout the day…Cruelty-Free Option …Dr. Axe’s DIY Makeup Setting Spray with Lavender Oil
1. Mix together…
- 1Tbsp aloe vera gel
- 1Tbsp witch hazel
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- 2½Tbsp purified water
2. Funnel into glass spray bottle. Shake well.
3. To use…Hold the bottle a few inches away from the face and mist the face with one or two pumps of this spray after applying your makeup…Allow it to air dry.
6. Blotting Papers...Blotting papers may soak up oils during the day, but often take off more of your makeup than you would probably like. Try using Beauty Blender’s Bloterazzi Sponge instead.
7. Blush…As far as blush goes for this fall, the two colors to look for are “earthy” tones”—more specifically peachy-pink and orange….This is great for those of us who want to embrace a “no-makeup” look.
To apply…Concentrate the color on the highest points of the cheekbones to give the face dimension and a more angular shape. Placing blush on the high points of the cheeks instead of the apples.
EYES
Eyeshadow
This year there seems to be several trains of thought as to eyeshadow…
- Glitter
- Pink
- Shimmer
- Statement
- Tan
1. Glitter…Glitter eyeshadow may be the perfect way to transition from your everyday minimalistic makeup look to a more decadent look that is perfect for the upcoming holiday festivities.
2. Pink…Pink eyeshadow can range from a subtle and practical “neutral” to a wild statement piece. The best way to wear these, or at least for real women walking sidewalks instead of runways would be to think of this as if it were a tan eyeshadow and not a big deal.
3. Shimmer...Shimmer eyeshadow is another festive choice and is way more conservative than glitter eyeshadows.
4. Statement…Focusing on one area, such as your lips or eyes, and keeping the rest of your face with a neutral “no-makeup” look is almost always better than a full armor of makeup. This look offers a tension and contrast that adds interest to your overall look.
Just as higher hair doesn’t make you any closer to God, neither does a full face (“armor”) of makeup indicate that you have put on the “full armor of God.”
5. Tan….Another eyeshadow trend for this fall is tan shadow. Tan eyeshadow is a practical and classier choice that flatters every woman,
These “tan” shadows offer several great options—such as deep golden tan, deep camel, golden brown, or pale cappuccino.
Eyeliner
Black
- Black eyelinmeri is to eyes what classic red is—well, classic…
- Black eyeliner has been used ince the days of Cleopatra and is always an excellent choice amd can run the gamut of looks—from dainty and sophisticated, to bold and daring000seductive.
- Make sure that the black eyeliner that you choose is a deep midnight black.
Colored Eyeliner
- For minimalists who actually take the time to still ut on makeup, there are two basic choices as far as eyeliner—black, obviously, and colored for those brave minimalists out there…
- Colored eyeliners brighten your eyes and bring out your natural eye color.
- Colored eyeliners are also an unexpected way to add some color into a minimalistic everyday makeup look.
- As far as color, certain colors look better for certain eye colors.
- Blue eyes look best with blue, pink, purple, and orange
- Brown eyes look best with light purple, deep green, and navy blue….
- Green eyes look best with purple, burnt pink, and light blue shades.
Waterlining
- Waterlining and tighthlining your eyes will help define their natural shape.
- Waterlining…Waterlining involves using eyeliner to line the tiny, little sliver of skin underneath your eyelashes.
- Tightlining…Tightlining involves using eyeliner to line the skin above your lower lashes. Tightlining makes your lashes look even thicker.
- These techniques can be done along with your normal eyeliner, or instead of your normal eyeliner.
- BUT…
- Waterlining and tightlining can both make your eyes look smaller….so if you want your eyes to look bigger, forget the idea.
White Eyeliner
- Using white eyeliner to line your lower lashes, on the other hand, can make small eyes look bigger, and tired eyes look more awake.
- Regardless if you are waterlining with a colored eyeliner or a white eyeliner, the product and technique will be exactly the same.
- First of all, what type of eyeliner should you use?
- Use either a waterproof pencil or waterproof gel/cream, not a liquid> Liquid liners are too fluid and will not stay on your waterline.
- If you’re brave, you could dip an angled brush into an eyeshadow that’s the same color as your liner, and press this over the liner that you applied to your waterline. Not sure as a contact wearer, that I’m quite that brave.
Mascara…As far as mascara for this fall, it run from one extreme to the other…
- Colored mascara—such as blue or green—may seem a little bit of a very unexpected stretch for minimalists.
- No Mascara…For minimalists, this is awesome news. ou don’t absolutely have to wear mascara to complete your makeup look. In fact, too much mascara can actually make your makeup look too “made up.”
Brows…Thank goodness that pencil-lined arches and bold painted silhouettes are now a trend that has come and gone. Fortunately the latest “trend” calls for undone, au natural, “textured,” bigger-is-better brows….filled in with an eyebrow combs and brow gel.
Makeup Tips for Women Who Wear Glasses
Lately I have been walking around barely able to see. I ran out of contacts, so I had to wear my glasses…
But being cheap I had not ordered the bifocals that I should have ordered, and having glasses on, I obviously couldn’t put on reading glasses.
It took about three weeks for me to finally order my contacts and for them to come in.
But in the meanwhile I felt very self-conscious in my glasses, especially at first.
Eyewear makes your eyes the immediate focal point of your face, so it’s imperative to apply your makeup in a way that’s flattering to both your frames and your face.
Less is definitely more. Applying makeup to wear with glasses is not a matter of piling on more and more makeup. Instead it’s about using the right makeup and techniques…things like keeping your eye makeup simple, using a light hand, blending everything carefully, and keeping your makeup tidy, well-defined and as close to “perfect” as possible.
Yet putting on eye makeup can not be thought of as merely a waste of time because any makeup that you apply will simply be hidden behind your glasses.
LIPS
So in this second segment of trasitioning to fall, I thought it would be fun to share a few tips on lips…
Even though choosing lip colors is a very personal thing…
When choosing your lip-whatevers, it’s important to consider at least five things…
- Eye Color
- Hair Color
- Lip Color
- Personality
- Skin Tone
And being a minimalist, it would be so incredibly easy to stay stuck in a rut and simply wear the same neutral color of Burt’s Bees for the entire rest of my life…
So even though I am becoming more and more minimalistic with each and every trip that I make to Mission Arlington, I still feel a need to have more than one magic wand in my arsenal—including lipsticks, glosses and hybrid lip stains—to help create different looks for both everyday life and special occasions.
Typically lip “stuff” falls into the following four color groups…
- Clsassic Red
- Colorful
- Neutrals
- Pinks
1.Classic Red…Bold red lips are the classic icon of everything from being the perfect go-to accent for the LBD to being the most-important accessory of Hollywood legends.
Red lips are magical and mysterious, are great for waking up a tired look, brightens up your smile, and giveyou the appearance of whiter teeth.
All that being said, my three choices for “classic red” lips this fall are…
2. Colorful…Bold and colorful lipsticks—such as fuchsia pink, bold orange, or coral—are always fun, sassy, and playful. Look for a richly pigmented creamy coral lipstick that has the following characteristics…
- applies opaque in just one coat
- basically an orange lipstick, yet very close to a neutral
- bright, bold, and brilliant
- gives good staying power
- super hydrating
One of the best ways to wear the look this fall would be with the rest of your makeup having that “no–makeup look” that all minimalists love. The bold lips serve as a stark contrast with your bare skin.
- Brand Loyalty…Best 7 Clinique Options
- Cruelty-Free…Pacifica Lipsticks
- Discount Bin…Best Drugstore Red Lipsticks
3. Neutrals
One of the biggest trends this fall as far as makeup is concerned is the neutral lip. This means that even Mississippi women can dare to go to Walmart without wearing any liner, gloss, lipstick, or anything like that at all.-
So how’s that for true minimalism?
Neutral lipstick—such as matte shades of browns, light pinks, mauve, tan, and caramel—are the go-to lip choice for everyday life.
And needless to say you always take your own lips with you everywhere you go—with or without makeup.
Make sure that the neutral lipstick that you choose is not too matte or too beige…and one that you can apply even without a mirror.
- Brand Loyalty….Clinique
- Cruelty Free…Best Cruelty-Free Lipsticks
- Discount Bin…Best Drugstore Neutral Lipsticks
4. Pinks…Pink lips supposedly make you look younger….So from now on, I think that I will simply always wear pink lipstick.
And if pink lipstick makes you look younger, why not go for pink hair also?
Pink lipsticks truly run the gamut—from blush to magenta to burgundy to purple and beyond. This fall the “pink” lipstick of choice is wine. Wine lipstick is compelling, mysterious, and intriguing. Wine lips work great with dark eyes and messy curls or bare skin and nude eyes…
So go ahead and invest in a quality wine lipstick….Brand Loyalty…7 Best Clinique Lipsticks
