Favorite Foundation, Concealer, Finishing Powder (& Primer): Then & Now (11 Years Later!)

What a long way foundation and concealer etc. has come since 2009!  It used to be that finding a nice, non-cakey full coverage concealer was only a high end cosmetic option.  Nowadays you can get great drugstore options.  Back in 2009, not a whole lot of people were using face primer.  The face primers that were available were usually silicone primers.  (Remember when Monistat Anti-Chaffing Gel was all the rage as an inexpensive option for a face primer?)

In 2009, I was using Clinique because I thought I was having allergies to my makeup and my makeup sponges.  It turns out I was allergic to shrimp & crustaceans in general.  I do not use Clinique anymore because they test on animals.

The KVD Lock-It Foundation has a learning curve as do most high coverage foundations.  Less is more with a foundation like this.  When people complain about cakiness with this and other high coverage foundations, it's usually because they are using WAY too much.  At the very most -- you only need ONE pump.  Use a non-silicone primer and some face mist to help the foundation spread better. You can even mix some of the primer with half a pump of foundation if you would like sheerer coverage (no need to get a separate foundation for that).  I use a nice dense brush with all of my foundations.

The same principle goes for high coverage concealer.  Slathering on high coverage concealer leads to cakiness and creasing.  Less is more.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

Baby Luna!

My Favorite Travel Essentials Pt. 2 -- Skin Care and Fragrance

I wanted to post this yesterday; but, there was a little snafu.  I accidentally deleted Part 1.  Aaaargh!

So here is Part 2.  My Favorite skin care and Fragrance travel essentials.  I try to keep most of the items I travel with in the bag, ready to go.  This is so I can minimize the time that I spend doing something I hate -- packing.  Hate it with a passion!

This bag and my makeup bag usually go into my personal carry bag, which I will show in a future post. Enjoy!

Fragrances:
I really LOVE Atelier Cologne fragrances.  They are especially nice in hotter climates and in summer.  Most of the fragrances are unisex (with the exception of Pacific Lime, which definitely smells like a woman's fragrance.)

Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatale:  Notes: Bergamot from Calabria, Lemon from Sicily, Heart of Bigaradier from Paraguay, Orange Flower Absolue from Tunisia, Violet Leaves, Black Plum, Heart of Vetiver from Haiti, Cedarwood from Texas, Dark Oud Accord.

Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis: Key Notes: Pomelo, Mandarin, Vetiver

Atelier Cologne Pacific Lime: Key Notes: Lime, Coconut, Eucalyptus

Atelier Cologne Vanilla Insensee: Key Notes: Amber, Jasmine, Vanilla

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine: Key Notes: Geranium, Orange, Blood Orange

Spray Vials: If I feel like taking more than one fragrance with me, I have some 10 ml vials that I decant my fragrance into.  If I'm just taking one, I'll either take my Pomelo Paradis or Orange Sanguine as I have them both in 1 oz bottles.

The Rest of it:
e.l.f. Hydrating Water Sheet Mask: I might use this on the plane during a long plane ride.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG:  I only use this during the day.  I mix it with the Niacinamide and the Lactic Acid.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%:  This really helps keep breakouts at bay.  Or helps clear them up when I'm hormonal.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA:  The exfoliating action of the Lactic Acid also helps keep breakouts at bay.

e.l.f. Slant Tweezer:  I learned about this from YouTuber emilynoel83.  These really are decent tweezers -- and they're only $2!!!

Clear and Black vinyl makeup/toiletry bag:  All of it fits in the bag.

Skindinavia The Makeup Primer Spray:  Really helpful for help keeping foundation on the nose, especially on oily days or humid days.

e.l.f. Brighten Up Peel Pads:  I like the convenience of having an exfoliating toner on an already soaked pad.  Unfortunately, I don't think they sell these anymore; but, the point of me getting these was to be able to refill the container with pads soaked in The Ordinary Glycolic Acid toner.

e.l.f. Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths:  When I need a little extra help taking the makeup off.

SIBU Age Defying Eye Cream:  Eye cream can help the undereye area look more smooth.

First Aid Beauty Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer:  I'm not into really siliconey (is that a word?) primers.  They make me feel like I've got a ton of oil on my face.  This works really well with my favorite foundations w/o the silicone feel.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray:  This really comes in handy in warmer weather.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask Mini:  I may also do this on the plane for a particularly long plane ride (like Australia).

Supergoop! Skin Soothing Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40:  This sunscreen does not feel greasy, it does not feel like silicone, it is a mineral sunscreen which is better for the skin.  It's also small enough that I can tuck it into my purse if I'm going to need to put some sunscreen on my arms.

Finishing Touch Flawless Brows Eyebrow Hair Remover:  Gotta make sure the brow hairs are in check.  This one really trims with precision!  


e.l.f. Daily Brush Cleaner:  Cleaning the foundation brush is a must to keep bacteria from causing breakouts.  I refill my container with a home made version -- a recipe which I got off of the web.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

Coco looking modelesque.

Favorite Primers, Foundations, Concealers and Powder

I missed this!  I do this for me and for anyone who cares to read.  I love makeup, music, gothy oddities and curiosities and books, to name a few things.  I decided to start with some makeup basics that I really like.  Enjoy!

Ta-Ta-For-Now!!!

(My friend's cat, Goblin.)