Lilly Lovin’

Tags

beauty, estee lauder, Lilly Pulitzer, makeup, shopping, skincare

It’s no secret I love Lilly Pulitzer and makeup.  So when I was asked to write about the Estee Lauder free gift with purchase at Macy’s featuring a LILLY PULITZER MAKEUP BAG AND EYE SHADOW PALETTE, I knew I had to write about it.  The free gift includes:

• Exclusive Cosmetic Bag in an Original Lilly Pulitzer Print
• Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II
• Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black
• Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
• Choice of Moisturizer: DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 or Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face and Neck Creme SPF 15
• Choice of Makeup: Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Sugar Honey or Pink Parfait, and Pure Color EyeShadow Quad in Sugar Biscuit, Nude Fresco, Hot Cinnamon and Lavish Mink or in Tranquil Moon, Iridescent Violet, Tempting Mocha and Amethyst Spark

I wasn’t compensated for writing this post, but I’m so excited about this promotion!  I can’t wait until I go home next week so I can get to Macy’s to pick up mine.  I hope they don’t run out!

Also, Estee Lauder recently released their Skincare Finder and Foundation Finder, which promises to match you with the right products just like at a beauty counter.

Confession: I don’t like beauty counters all that much.  I feel very uncomfortable when other people do my makeup, especially eye makeup.  I’m pretty sure I learned to do my own makeup for ballet recitals as a kid because I wouldn’t let my mom do it.  I also had a bad experience at a beauty counter a few years ago, and I haven’t really wanted to go back since then!  I asked for a lengthening mascara, and the woman behind the counter said “Well if you wore mascara, your eyelashes would look longer!”  And I WAS wearing mascara.  Hence why I asked for a new kind.  #cannotdeal

I really liked all of the questions in these quizzes, and I especially liked that I didn’t have to talk to anyone at a beauty counter!  Here are my results.

Is 1.0 the palest shade?  It probably is.  I need spring to come soon so I can get a tan!

I love that Estee Lauder makes oil-free moisturizer, and I especially love that the moisturizer comes in the free gift!  I can’t wait to try it!

Which Estee Lauder products should I choose to go with my free gift?  What are your favorites?

Little Things

Tags

collage, daisy, dog, farmers market, fresh, l'occitane, lip balm, little things, lotion, moisturizer, peppermint bark, photo, scone, skincare, snow, williams-sonoma, winter

Daisy’s first snow // My sister sent me photos from Daisy’s first walk in the snow.  She liked it!

L’Occitane lotion // My mom sent me a care package FULL of L’Occitane products.  The original shea butter body lotion can’t be beat.

Farmer’s markets // My sorority sisters and I went to the local farmer’s market a few weeks ago.  We tried some delicious pears, dips, and cider.  I treated myself to a chocolate chip scone… yum!

Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark // There’s nothing like a tin of peppermint bark to get me in the holiday spirit.  The bark is amazing, and it comes in a red metal tin that I save for organizing pens and stationery.

Fresh Sugar Lip Balm // I’ve raved about this product before, but it really is spectacular.  It leaves your lips feeling soft and smooth, and it smells incredible.

 

What little thing are you loving right now?

My Four Favorite Toners

Tags

beauty, boots, clean & clear, neutrogena, skin, skincare, toner

Toners are such under-rated products.  They can be used as gentle cleansers, as part of a skin-clearing regimen, and even as quick makeup removers for when you wake up with leftover makeup under your eyes.   Just dampen a cotton ball and wipe it over your entire face.  I use toner in the morning and cleanser at night to keep my skin fresh and clean.  Here are four of my favorites products.  You can find them all at drugstores.

For normal or sensitive skin

1 // Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Refreshing Toner

For oily or acne-prone skin

2 // Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple Action Toner

For sensitive skin

3 // Clean & Clear Deep Cleansing Toner

For dry skin

4 // Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner

My Skincare Regimen

Tags

bb cream, beauty, bliss spa, boots, cleanser, e.l.f., healthy, loreal, makeup, skincare, toner

I have good skin.  I was born with it and I intend to keep it.   I rarely break out and only get redness while I’m working out, which is pretty much like everyone in the world.  My skin is also extremely pale and sensitive, and for me the best way to keep it from getting all red and angry is to use as few products on it as possible.  I’ll never forget the one time I tried Clinique toner.  I felt my whole face burning and I thought, “Wow!  this is a great product!  My face will be so clean!”  Little did I know that daily skincare products should not make your face hurt.

The key to skincare is to do what works for you and don’t let anyone tell you how to care for your skin unless they have an M.D. after their name.  Here is my daily skincare routine, and though it may not work for you, it works for me and I hope you can find some new products to try from it!

 

Morning: Though I try to remove all my makeup at night, I usually have some left over under my eyes in the morning.  So, first I use Simple Skincare Eye Makeup Remover.  It’s gentle, fragrance-free, and doesn’t leave greasy residue.   I squirt some of the eye makeup remover on a cotton square, then fold the square in half and gently rub it on my eyelids and under my eyes.  Don’t saturate the cotton square, or else you’ll risk getting makeup remover in your eye.  Ouch.

$6.99

Next, I do a quick wash of Boot’s toner all over my face.  Boot’s Expert Sensitive Toner is gentle yet effective.  Saturate a cotton square and gently apply it to your skin.  No need to dry – the toner will evaporate quickly.  I think toner is a hidden gem – something you don’t know you need until you have it and think, “Why was I depriving myself?!”  It’s amazing.

$4.19

I then apply a pea-sized dallop of Loreal Paris BB Cream to my entire face, concentrating on my cheeks and nose.  I’ve raved about BB cream before on this site, and it is a great, easy way to make your skin look instantly brighter and healthier.

$10.95

I rarely use foundation because it clogs pores.  No matter how lightweight or breathable your foundation claims to be, it’s still goop that you put on your face.  So whenever you can afford not to use foundation, just skip it.

That’s it!  I’m ready for the day.  All I need is a Diet Coke and some motivation.

 

Night:  I like to wash my face in the shower, thus whenever I take a shower is when I wash my face.  I don’t wash it twice a day because my skin tends to get dry and red if I do.  I love Bliss Spa Fabulous Foaming Face Wash (try saying that 5 times fast) because it smells nice, makes my skin feel clean, and doesn’t leave any residue.

$22.00

I take my makeup off using the same eye makeup remover as shown above.  Then, using my fingertips, I gently apply a pea-sized dollop of moisturizer to my face.  Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Moisturizer works well, but I’m not too picky when it comes to moisturizer.  As long as I apply it lightly, my pores stay clear and my skin doesn’t look oily.  I’ll even use body lotion on my face when I can’t find facial moisturizer.  Which is probably bad.  But oh well.  Also… does the face on this moisturizer jar freak anyone else out?!

$5.19

All day long: face wipes.  These are great for when you’re tired and don’t want to take off your eye makeup at night, or for after a workout.  P.S.: always wash your face after you work out.  Even if it’s just with water on a paper towel.  Seriously.  I like e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths because they’re inexpensive.  Facial wipes can be extremely overpriced!

$3.00

Thanks for reading!

What is your must-have skincare product?

Elliptical Logic

Tags

bachelorette, beauty, elliptical, exercise, fear factor, gym, loreal, pool, skincare, summer, sun, sunscreen, television

I never thought I’d say this, but sometimes I use math in everyday life.  Like today, I realized that the number of cars in the gym parking lot is inversely correlated to the chance I’ll snag a good elliptical at the gym.  This isn’t really math, but it still made me feel like a genius.  It’s summer, people, I’m allowed to neglect using my left-brain for a bit. 😉

You see, there are the good ellipticals (Precor) that tell me I’m burning lots of calories and going really far.  They also have a handy crossramp feature, so I feel like I’m going up hills outside.  It’s as if they’re saying, “Go, Courtney!  You’re doing great!  Your choice of TV show is just so intellectually stimulating.”   Then, there are the bad ellipticals.  They have these pesky little screens that I cannot figure out how to use, and annoying foot petals that give me shin splints.  They say “You’re so out-of-shape, Courtney.  You won’t be here tomorrow because you won’t be able to walk.  Also, who watches SVU while exercising?  Ha ha!”  I’d rather do awkward waiting laps around the gym than use a bad elliptical.  Thankfully, today there were many good ellipticals open, so I got to pick.  WIN.

 

Also, the reason I watch SVU at the gym is because no matter how exhausted I feel, the people on that show always have it worse.

It was very hot outside today – I could probably have cooked an egg on the driveway… aside from the fact that it would be totally unsanitary and a waste of an egg that I could use to make banana bread.  I’m a very logical person, you know.  Anyway, 95 degrees in Chicago is unusual this early in summer so I had to go to the pool after my workout!

I brought along The Diary of a Mad Mom-To-Be by Laura Wolf, which I got for free but I can’t remember where.  It’s a light, easy, fun read, but not a book I’d spend money on.

I spent two hours reading, sipping a club soda with lime, and soaking up the sun.  I even went in the water a few times; it felt so nice to cool off!

And guess what?  I didn’t get sunburnt!  It was extremely sunny and hot, but I slathered myself in L’Oreal Sublime Sun SPF 50 as soon as I got to the pool and I was good!  This never happens to me: I always burn in the sun.  L’Oreal sunscreen really does work, and it feels so nice and non-greasy on your skin.  I highly recommend it.

After the pool, I went back home and rested for a bit.  I hate to admit this, but I watched Fear Factor and The Bachelorette on TV.  I don’t really like reality TV, but for some reason in summer I can never get enough of it!  I feel my brain cells slowly dying as I watch this rose ceremony.  Also it really bothered me that a guy on the show mispronounced quinoa.  It’s “kee-nwah”, not “kwi-no-a.”  That would be a total deal-breaker for me, and I have no shame about it.

I’m going out to dinner with my friend Lily tonight, so I’m off to get ready.  I love how “getting ready” in summer just means throwing on a flowy dress and putting on makeup – beach hair is always a go!  Expect a beauty review coming soon – I have plenty of new products to share!

❤ Courtney

Summer Beauty Essentials

Tags

beauty, beauty tips, essentials, eyeliner, eyes, foundation, lip balm, lips, lipstick, loreal, makeup, mascara, maybelline, revlon, rimmel, skincare, summer, sunscreen

Rimmel London’s Clean Finish foundation is EXCELLENT.  Like actually, the best foundation I have ever used.  It doesn’t clog my pores, and it actually makes them look smaller!  Though this is liquid foundation, it has the consistency of soft mousse.  It comes with a little palette knife, so smear some onto a foam triangle before applying it to your face.  I got it in “Warm Ivory” which is absolutely true-to-name.  It’s very fair with golden undertones, just like my skin.  And it wouldn’t be Summer without sunscreen!  This Loreal one makes your skin look great and doesn’t clog pores.  It also comes in SPF 50, which is the variety that I have.

Benefit’s “They’re Real!” mascara doesn’t just have a cute name – it works great, too.  This mascara adds both length and volume, and doesn’t clump or feel heavy.  For Summer, swap your black eyeliner for brown.  It’ll give you bright, beach-ready eyes without all the heaviness of black.  Remember to wear waterproof eye makeup if you’re going swimming!  Another tip: if it’s a hot day and you want your eye makeup to stay in place, close your eyes and spray hairspray over the makeup.  Don’t get it on your cheeks or your pores will get clogged, and do not do this every day, but it’s ok every once in a while and I promise it works!

Nobody wants chapped lips, especially in Summer!  Both of these balms will keep your lips moisturized and gorgeous.  I  layer them on top of one another: it makes the color last while sealing moisture in.

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Beauty Essentials Part 1

Tags

almay, beauty, cleanser, covergirl, eyeliner, eyeshadow, flat iron, john frieda, kiehls, lotion, makeup, mascara, mousse, neutrogena, revlon, serum, skin, skincare, tresemme

I’m kind of obsessed with beauty products.  For me, getting a new eye shadow palette is the grown-up version of getting a new Barbie doll!  Here are a few of my favorites.

 

My hair is extremely thick and frizzy, so straightening it takes forever!  But if you’re armed with these three tools, you can get your hair from puffy to straight in record-time.

1. After showering, while your hair is still wet, apply John Frieda Frizz-Ease serum.  It’s powerful, so you only need a little bit (about the size of a nickel) to fight frizz all day!

2. Blow-dry your hair, then straighten it using a good-quality flat iron.  Chi, Cloud 9, and Babybliss are top brands.  These may be more expensive than hair straighteners you can get at the drugstore, but trust me, it’s totally worth it to invest in a good one.

3. After straightening, apply an egg-sized dallop of Tresemme Climate Control Mousse.  This will protect your hair from heat and humidity, keeping it straight and healthy.

1. Bliss Lid + Lash Wash Makeup Remover – this is hands-down the best makeup remover I have ever tried.  It takes everything off, even waterproof makeup, and leaves your skin feeling fresh but not oily.

2. Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub – I have sensitive combination skin: sometimes it’s oily, but sometimes it’s dry, so choosing a facial cleanser is tricky.  This one is all-natural and gentle enough for sensitive skin.

3. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – in winter, your skin can succumb to the dreaded windburn, which is no fun!  Slather on some of this lotion before going outside, and your skin will look great even in the worst weather.

1. Apply Covergirl eye shadow in white to your eyelids from lash line to crease.  I like using other eye shadow colors, too, of course, but white is my favorite everyday look for day or night.

2. Swipe on a coat of Almay One Coat Dial Up mascara.  I keep the dial on “3” for voluminous lashes, but you can twist it to the other settings for a lighter coat of mascara.  This stays on all day and doesn’t irritate your eyes.

3. Apply Revlon ColorStay liquid eyeliner in black just above your upper lash line and just above your lower lashes.  I prefer liquid eyeliner because it provides a bold, precise line, but I’ll admit that it can be difficult to use.  The key is a steady hand and plenty of patience- if you’ve never used liquid liner, it takes practice!  Here is how I usually do it:

1. Open the eyeliner and hold the brush in your dominant hand.

2. Close the eye you want to apply the liner to, and with your other hand, gently pull the outer corner of your eyebrow outwards.  This will stretch your eyelid skin and make it easier to apply the liner.

3. Brush the eyeliner from the inner corner of your eyelid to the middle of it.  Stop and take a breath.  Fix if necessary.

4. Next, brush the eyeliner from the outer corner of your eye to the middle of it.  Again, breath!  You’re almost done!

5. Repeat steps 2-4 on the other eye.

 

I hope these tips are helpful!

 

What is one beauty product that you absolutely love?

July Beauty Review

Tags

beauty, blush, clean & clear, cleanser, foundation, maybelline, neutrogena, review, skincare

This month’s Review is all about skincare.  I’m a self-confessed facial soap junkie… whenever I see a new soap that looks good, I can’t help but try it myself!

My skin is very sensitive and very pale, but I rarely break out.  I’ve tried using potent toners and scrubs designed for acne-prone skin, but they made me feel like my face was burning off.  Not good. Here are the 2 face soaps that are gentle enough for my temperamental skin, but powerful enough that they actually work.

Clean & Clear Morning Burst Detoxifying Facial Cleanser

This gel cleanser actually makes my skin feel refreshed in the morning.  It’s got little tiny “microbeads” in it, which gently scrub your skin.  Confession: I use this at night, too.

Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask

As a cleanser, it is silky smooth and leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh.  As a mask, it is powerful and I can actually feel it working within the first minute of using it.

 

Now for face makeup.  I am about to show you a foundation that has changed my life.

Ready?

Ready?

I don’t think you’re ready…

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Okay, I’ll show you anyway.  It’s Maybelline Fit Me Foundation.  The foundation comes in a glass jar, which makes it seem super fancy and less akin to drugstore makeup.  The liquid goes on smoothly and stays on my skin for hours- even after a long dinner shift at work, my skin still looked great.  It doesn’t irritate my skin, and the color is perfect.  Next time you need foundation, please, try this product.  It is wonderful and amazing and I will never buy another brand.

Next up: Wet n’ Wild Ultimate Minerals blush.  I picked this up because it was 50% off, so it cost approximately $2.00.  The verdict?  It works fine.  Obviously not as good as a more expensive blush, but good enough that I will use the entire canister and probably purchase it again.  I don’t wear blush enough to warrant spending a lot of money on it, so this product is perfect for me.