How I Prevent a Meltdown....

As is the rest of the country, the heat around here has been BRUTAL.  We have been in the 100s, which is breaking records from what I hear.  It's so hot, last week I left for work at 7:00 am, got in my car and it said 88.  Are you freaking kidding me???  I HATE hot weather.  I'm not a "lay out in the sun, get my tan on, go to the beach kind of girl".  Never have been and never will be.  I don't even care about self tanners.  I'm pale, that's what color I was born with, and frankly I'm happy with.  Mainly because it keeps the wrinkles, blotchy peely skin, and skin cancer away.  Over the years, I've been trying different concoctions of products to help with my oily skin.  Which in this heat would be OILY skin.  I've found a combination that works really well for me.  Maybe it will work for you, or at least show you some products that you can combine with some of your favorites.  First up is my summer moisturizer:

Now why a moisturizer when the weather is so hot?  Its not really a moisturizer, it's a Shine Control Lotion, by Boots, which you can purchase at Target, or anywhere Boots is sold.  It's specially formulated to deliver oil free hydration with instant matte results.  (got that directly from the bottle lol).  All I know is it works.  I use half a pump, rub it in and on to the next...

Foundation.

sorry about the blur....i'm definitely no photographer

It's the Revlon ColorStay in 110 Ivory.  I accidentally bought the normal/dry skin one, so I'm sure it would be even better if you got one for oily skin.  This is apparently a dupe for Estee Lauder Double Wear, which I may try, although why pay $35 when this stuff is around $10.  It's got great coverage and doesn't feel like I'm wearing a mask.  Although I almost always wear foundation (I did purchase a great BB creme that I'll review another time), so I may not be the one to ask.....It lasts all day, doesn't turn colors after 8 hours and doesn't run, and doesn't break me out.  What more can you ask for in a foundation?

Setting Powder.

After I apply the rest of my make up, I use Rimmel's Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 004 Sandstorm.  This stuff is AWESOME!  I got it as a gift from my daughter in a little beauty bag she does for me now and then and I love it!.  I use a powder brush from EcoTools to put it on and it makes my skin very matte which I like.  It also helps to cover up my pesky large pores and it's very lightweight.  This is a must have, and I believe it's around $5-$6.

Setting Spray.

When I first heard about these, I thought...."so after I put all my products on to keep myself from being oily, you want me to spray something wet on it?"  I thought for sure it was going to make me look cakey, but that is far from the truth.  I'm currently using Urban Decay's All Nighter.  Let me tell you, this stuff works.  And works well!  When I'm done with everything, and ready to close down my make up station lol, I spritz it twice on my face and walk away.  And it sets everything and keeps it looking great!  I've also used the E.L.F. one and that one is nice too.  I believe the E.L.F one is $3-$6, and this one is $15 for a tiny bottle (this one is as long as my index finger.  They have a larger size also), so if budget is a factor, buy the E.L.F. one.  If you can splurge, get the Urban Decay.

Blotting Papers.

Normally I would be going through a pack of these a week, I kid you not.  With my new routine, I use maybe 2 at work and that's it.  These Neutrogena Shine Control Blotting Sheets are my favorites.  They work like they are supposed to, not a whole lot to say about them, but if you are oily, they are worth the money.  They run about $5, although I got mine for less then a $1 at Big Lots.  Score!!

And last, my M.A.C. Blotting Powder in Medium.  LOVE this.  Works well at getting rid of the shine and has virtually no color.  This goes everywhere with me.  Even when I downsize to a small clutch or over the shoulder bag for mall walking or festivals, this, along with the blotting papers go with me.  Can't leave home without em :-)

So there is my little "oil control" routine.  If you have any suggestions on anything you use to control oil, please leave it in the comments.  Thanks for reading, and have a great week everyone!

April Favorites (Make up version)

I haven't ventured into the world of YouTube yet, so I can't post my "April Favorites" out there like hundreds of other make up gurus do, so photos and a quick review of the products will have to do......These are the products I tended to gravitate towards during April:

I sometimes use a primer before I put on my foundation, but usually I just use this Clean & Clear Finishes Pore Perfecting Moisturizer.  It says it "softens the appearance of pores with light diffusing minerals".  I don't know if it does that or not, but I like the way it feels and my foundation goes on smoothly so it's a keeper.

YSL Multi-Action Concealer in the color "3".  What you see in the picture is all I have left, which is unfortunate, because it's expensive ($35 on Amazon) so I probably won't be repurchasing any time soon.  Although I did just buy Benefit Boiing which is $18.  I apparently have a lot to conceal....

Clinique "Even Better" Foundation, 03 Ivory.  This stuff works great, it is a full coverage foundation, and doesn't turn to that ugly orangy color some foundations do by the end of the day.  I'm about out of this one too, I purchased a matte foundation from Rimmel....we'll see how that one does.

Bella Bamba blush by Benefit.  Very pretty coral color, with a little bit of shimmer.  Very much like the famous Nars Orgasm (which I also have....go figure).  Nice color for spring.

Lorac eyeshadows in Enlighten, Bronze, and Dark Brown.  I've been using these almost every day.  Love them, they are easy to blend, great texture, and have good color payoff. 

Palladio Rice Powder in Translucent.  I absolutely LOVE this stuff.  It makes the texture of my face seem flawless.  I only put it on in the morning, (I touch up during the day with MAC Blot Powder).  It's finely milled and doesn't look "powder-ry".  Definitely will repurchase this one. 

Maybelline Ultra-Brow Brush on color in Light Brown.  This has probably been around since my mom first started using makeup, but it works well and it's cheap so it's a keeper.

NYX Goddess of the Night lipgloss in Sunshine; Hard Candy Plumping Serum in Girl Next Door.  As most of you know, I love my lip products, I think I have about 18 of them in my purse right now, but I've been using these almost every day.  My lips are pretty pigmented so just a quick swipe of one of these and I'm good to go.  Both are under $8 so that's a plus!

 

Cover Girl Volume Exact in Black.  I am extremely picky when it comes to mascara.  As I get older, my lashes get skimpier, so when I find something I like, I stick with it.  This mascara is great for adding volume, not so much for length.  My next big purchase is RapidLash (to help my lashes grow), but it costs $59 so let's keep that one a secret from my bf...shhhhhsh!  (on a side note, I use Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Whiskey, or Bourbon (something alcoholic lol) but forgot to photograph that...)

So there you have it, my favorites for April.  I would love it if you would leave me a comment with your favorites, I love to try new things :-)  I think my favorites for May will be of the food/snack variety....shake things up a bit (I know, I'm all kinds of wild and crazy :-).