Makeup Routines – The Red Clutch

Product Review-E.l.f. Foundation and Concealer

I have been trying out a new foundation and concealer these past couple days and although my initial impression of it was “this is cakey as heck!” I am quickly growing to love it.

I stumbled upon these products while looking at an e.l.f. email that promised they could find your perfect foundation match. Of course, I was intrigued. I clicked and was taken to a short questionnaire that asked the amount of coverage you wanted, the finish (matte, semi-matte, luminous/glowing), and your skin tone.

I picked medium coverage (my skin has been a bit problematic lately), semi-matte, and light. This is the one I was matched with! It’s the acne Fighting Medium Coverage Foundation in Buff. It’s only $6 at Target but only comes in a few shades (Buff is the second lightest). That was the first downside to this. I was surprised with how dark it looked compared to my skin even though it was supposed to be on the lighter side. I went back and got the Porcelain shade which I was worried would be too light because I would never use the word “porcelain” to describe my skin tone but luckily it was a perfect match. I am keeping the darker shade for in the summer. I think it’ll match really well once I’m tan.

While I was there I picked up a concealer too. The first trip to target I got the Beautifully Bare Lightweight Concealer Stick in Fair/Light ($3 Target) but it wasn’t doing the job. It was too thick and it settles into the fine lines and didn’t cover my blemishes very well. So I exchanged it for the HD Lifting Concealer in Fair ($3 Target). This is way more effective at covering blemishes and really does give you a lifted wide awake look. The only downside is that the color of the concealer stick was much lighter and looked better when used for highlighting than the HD Concealer does which is more of a yellow base instead of a whiter base. Regardless I’m happy with my final purchases.

When I tried the foundation for the first time I was happy with how it looked. But as the day went on I could tell it was really just sitting on top of my skin and looking shiny as opposed to blending in with it and looking natural. I fixed this problem by setting it with a translucent face powder which I don’t normally do because the powder tends to accentuate my dry skin but the consistency of the foundation off set it really well and it lasted all day. It blends well when used with a beauty blender and has a nice amount of coverage without being too opaque.

I also got a lipstick which I loved…sorta… I liked the feel of it, it felt like lip balm and was hydrating, it was just the wrong color choice for me! I picked up the e.l.f. Moisturizing Lipstick ($3 Target) in Red Carpet. It was way too dark for my thin lips and light skin, at least for my liking. I ended up giving it to my sister who has more of an olive skin tone and thicker lips. It looked really nice on her! I would recommend it if you’re looking for a lip friendly lipstick that won’t dry out your lips. I plan on going back and getting a light pink shade.

Simple Everyday Eye Look

Being a college student, working girl and professional procrastinator has helped me be able to do my make up in very little time. Below are my simple steps to help create a natural polished eye look for the days when you are running a bit late…or don’t feel like spending hours in front of the mirror!

Step 1 Base

Start with a simple eye shadow base/primer. I know some people like skipping this step to save time but in the long run it’ll help your look stay put all day preventing you from have to do a mid-day touch up. I use NYX Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer. This is a great one especially since it has the added benefit of being waterproof. I just tap a little on my lid and blend the product on my entire lid and any remaining slightly up into my crease. I don’t go any further than my crease just to save time but if you want you can do it all over your lid and up to your brow bone. After I apply my primer I go over top with a nude shadow to help make my lid a uniform color.This also helps create a smooth base to blend other products on top of.

Step 2 Contour

Next I go into my contour palette (a matte bronzer will work too) and I use a blending brush to apply a small amount of product into my crease. Make sure to really blend this for a soft look. The slightly darker color of your contour/bronzer in your crease will help create a natural shape to your eye which will make the look more polished while still remaining natural. I am currently using my E.L.F. contour palette and just using the darker shades avoiding the highlight color.

Step 3 Lashes + Liner

The next step involves curling your lashes with a lash curler ( I use my E.L.F. Mechanical Lash Curler) and then applying liner (I use either my E.L.F. Shimmer Eye Liner Pencil in Black or my Jordana Best Pencil for Brow + Eye in Dark Brown). For the liner, I choose which color I want to use depending on the look I’m going for. Brown is a more natural look. I suggest curling your lashes before you apply liner so you avoid removing liner and having to redo it.

Step 4 Mascara

We’re already getting close to the end! Apply a mascara of your choice to your curled lashes wiggling the wand horizontally from root to tip to help fan out the lashes and give them some extra volume. If you get any mascara on your lid, for the love of all things holy, DON’T TOUCH IT RIGHT AWAY! Let it dry then wipe it off with a qtip (it’ll actually flake off). If you try to wipe if off right away while it’s still wet it’ll smear and ruin your shadow. I am currently using Rimmel London Super Curler 24Hr Mascara in Black. The formula helps keep lashes curled all day long which will keep you looking awake no matter what your day throws at you.

Step 5 Brows

The last step is filling in your brows if need be. This is a fairly natural eye look so if you’re not someone who fills in their brows every day then don’t. It’s up to you, I like doing it because it helps pull the whole look together but it’s ultimately your choice. I am currently using Maybelline Brow Studio Palette in Auburn.

My Everyday Foundation Routine

I will be the first to admit that I am not the best at some makeup looks but I will say I got some skills when it comes to my everyday foundation routine!

I have oily skin so finding a face product that doesn’t add to the shine can be difficult but I have found a BB cream that is pretty awesome. I start out the night before by washing my face and slathering on moisturizer. (Yes, literally slathering it on! Oily skin is often caused by the lack of moister so your skin tries to make up for it by over producing natural oils. By making sure to properly moisturize your preventing your skin from having to do it which in turn helps in the long run.) I then go to bed and when I wake up I do nothing else to my face except add more moisturizer if I need it. I let that sink in (this is where I start doing my hair or go get dressed) then come back and apply my BB cream.I use Maybelline’s Dream Fresh BB Cream. It gives enough coverage to help even skin tone but light enough to keep your skin looking like skin and not all cakey with makeup. It’s a great base for the rest of your products too.

I then give that a few minutes to sink in just like I did with my moisturizer. After that is set I apply my under eye concealer. I have used a couple different ones but my two favorites are Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer and Rimmel London’s Match Perfection 2-in-1 Highlighter and concealer. Maybelline’s Dark Circle Concealer has had so many positive reviews and I can see why. It blends nicely into the skin and after a long day I don’t see any settling into any creases. I do wish it has a bit more coverage as it’s a bit too sheer for my liking but overall it does the job well. Rimmel London’s Match Perfection has the coverage that is lacking in the previous one. However I do find that it settles in the creases a bit more. This one comes with a brush applicator which comes in handy when you want to spot conceal and Maybelline’s comes with a sponge applicator which is a bit more difficult to spot conceal with because it decently large. However it isn’t meant to be used as a concealer so I can’t really complain. I apply these product in an upside down triangle under my eye to really help conceal the circles.

Next I apply my contour. I don’t wear it everyday, just on days when I’m feeling a bit pale. I use E.L.F.’s contour pallet. It includes a high light powder (I don’t use it because it’s a bit too shimmery for my liking) and 3 shades of contour which I mix to create my perfect color. I apply it in a 3 shape to keep the look natural.

Next I apply blush. I use either Maybelline’s Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin which gives a natural flush of color, or Revolution’s The Matte Blush Powder in Nude. Both look very natural on the skin which is the look I tend to go for. Revolution’s blush is very pigmented so a little bit can be blended out very nicely and Maybelline’s is very buildable which is great for when you want more control over the intensity.

After blush I go onto the last step which is highlighter. I use Revolution’s Shimmer Brick Radiant. It has different colors of highlighters so it’s great all year long whether your tan in the summer or lighter in the winter. I apply it above my blush, under the outer arch of my eye brow, down the center of my nose and on my cupids bow. This give a natural all over glow without it being obvious or out of place for an everyday look.

I hope this helped you with your every day look. Give some of these products a try and see which ones work for you. Maybe you’ll find your next favorite product!