Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh…
Can you hear that? It’s my body relaxing and saying “Thank You Courtney for that wonderful massage.” ;)
FASHION FRIDAY is on it’s way! Let me just give ya’ll a quick rundown on my lovely spa trip first…
Today’s special treat brought me to a local spa, Kimberly’s A Day Spa.
Kimberly’s is basically your definition of indulgence. Everything inside is meticulous, the staff is very friendly, not to mention AWESOME at what they do! They also offer a bunch of their own products for purchase, which I had a nice time “window shopping” with.
Even their bathrooms are super luxurious…I could already start to feel the relaxation setting in. :)
My masseuse did a wonderful job of attempting to relieve all of the knots in my shoulders. At one point, she even said to me, “Wow, I could tell you had knots, but this is BAD!” (Me: :oops: ) She worked really hard on my upper shoulders and neck, which was a little intense at times, but in a good way. I left feeling totally refreshed and rejuvenated. Thanks Jay! :-D
After the massage, I had to stop and grab myself an iced coffee – it IS Coffee Friday ya know! ;)
Ok, real quick backtrack – if you guys remember from this morning, I had prepared myself a scrumptious VitaTop with PB. Well, I had set it on the kitchen counter and left the room for all of 5 minutes, to come back to find THIS:
Apparently I’m not the ONLY one around here with a love for PB!! He knew he was going to be in trouble — he was hiding with his sorry face on (or maybe it was his “haha, I got your peanut butter” face) – either way, he was in the “dog” house! I debated for about 2 seconds on still eating it, but quickly remembered how and where he grooms. :shock:
Fashion Friday
And we’ve made it to another Fashion Friday! For today’s topic, I decided to switch gears a little bit and give you guys a little insight into my daily skin care and makeup routine. I’ve had quite a few of you ask what I use or what I do, soooo, let’s get crackin!
Skin Care
My skincare routine is probably one of the simplest you’re going to find around. As much as I am occasionally drawn to try new products, I know what works best for my skin, so I just stick to it.
Cleanser: Noxzema The Original Deep Cleansing Cream
I love how cool and creamy it feels on my skin, I like that I can use it on my eye makeup, and I LOVE the fact that I can buy it for only $4 a jar!
Moisturizer: Olay Complete SPF 15 (for Normal skin) & Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
I’ve just recently started using the L.M. tinted moisturizer and I seriously LOVE it – especially for summer when my makeup routine is a little more lax. Currently, I’m using the L.M. for day, and the Olay Complete for night. In the dry winter months, I usually incorporate a heavier moisturizing cream at night. I’ve always used a moisturizer with SPF, so it’s just one less step to worry about. Plus, the feel of greasy sunscreen on my face isn’t my fave.
Scrub: Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream
I use this scrub about once a week, to try to get rid of excess oils and dead skin cell. My face can be pretty sensitive, but this scrub is gentle enough for me. It’s one of the only pricier items I’ve splurged on with skincare, but I think it’s worth it.
Most estheticians are pretty much appalled when I tell them my cleanser of choice, but whatever – they’re always the ones to come back 5 minutes later and say, “Oh you have such beautiful skin!” (Hehe, shows what THEY know!) ;)
Make Up
Last month, I talked a little bit about dirty makeup, so you may have seen some of my goods then; but this is pretty much my full “base” skin routine when it comes to makeup. When I’m not feeling too lazy, I’ll use the primer, but usually I don’t worry about it unless I’m going to a fun event. My foundation & bronzer of choice for the spring/summer are both Bare Minerals (I can’t use it in the winter – it just doesn’t blend into my skin right). Some days, if I don’t feel like wearing blush, I’ll use the Maybelline #10 bronzer on cheeks for an extra little “glow”. The Maybelline eye shadow you see there actually goes on my eyebrows after using the eyebrow pencil; I just like to fill them in a little bit and even them out with color. I’ve been doing it for years.
Currently, I’ve been a little lazy, so my makeup base looks more like this. I’ll rotate around with the bronzer and blush, but never use both at the same time.
Warmth is one of my best friends – I’ve been using only that with my tinted moisturizer for the past few weeks and it works like a charm.
When applying the warmth, I usually sweep each side of my face with the brush in a number “3” pattern. That way, I cover the forehead, cheeks, and chin/jawline, with an even sweep, and nothing gets too overdone. Because really, there’s nothing worse than looking at a photo of yourself and having the first reaction be: “Holy Bronzer!” ;)
When I feel like playing around with color, I consult these two pallets – one Urban Decay, one Maybelline – both of which I’ve been using forever. They both go on super smooth, and last for a really good portion of my day. I’ll also play around occasionally with eyeliners – either grey, black, or purple, which really looks awesome against super-dark brown eyes like mine.
Obviously, you can tell which colors are my favorites. ;)
And last but CERTAINLY not least, is mascara. Very rarely do I leave the house without it – just a touch of it is all you need to brighten eyes. My current obsession is Cover Girl Lash Blast in Very Black.
PHEW, that was a LONG one! I guess it’s a good thing I’m on vacation – otherwise that post probably would not have happened. ;)
So, as you can see, skin care and make up really don’t have to cost you a fortune. You just have to do your research, do a little shopping around, and find the products that work best for YOU. Many drug stores, such as Rite Aid, will even let you try and return used makeup that you don’t like. I’ve done it plenty of times — just save your receipts! But really, with a setup like that, what’s there to loose? :)
I hope that some of you found this maybe somewhat helpful or interesting!! If you have any other questions about anything you saw here, just ask!
What kind of a skin care / make up routine do YOU have?
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
I love Warmth too! I use Bare Escentuals and love my old school Maybelline mascara in blackest black (the pink and green tube). I am in need of some better cleansers now though. I have super dry skin.
Nancy says
Your fashion friday is much more exciting than mine was – you took photos!
I used to use BE Warmth, until I switched over to the wonderful Hoola by Benefit. Will never go back! Unless I try nars……..
Shanna says
Lash blast rocks. Great taste :)
ellaroo88 says
Love brown eye shadow. I’m a Neutrogena powder girl. It’s spf 20 and my derm. is a big fan. I also recently have tried liquid eyeshadow! Still not great at it!
amy says
I’m in love with Bare minerals. I love all their products. I use the matte foundation cause I’m super oily and in Fl and I use the spf25 mineral veil, faux tan for my bronzer(will have to try the warmth). Love their blushes, eyeshadows, and eyeliners. I recently started using the mineral liners wet and its awesome cause I can get a real fine line that way which works best with my small, deepset eyes. The sugarplum color looks great on green or brown eyes. They always have friends and family days where u get 20% off or buy 2 get 1 free eyeshadows.
Love ur makeup technique Courtney, ur eyes always look great.
Courtney says
Thanks, Amy! :)
Holly at Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices says
You comment about ‘how & where he grooms’ was SO funny :) He is just too cute to get mad at.
And, that is my favorite mascara right now too!!
Kelly says
I have zero skincare routine…so bad!!!!
jqlee says
I am a Clinique girl, nothing else touches my face. LOL. I just wash my face and put on mascara and bronzer. Very simple.
Laura J. says
I have that Urban Decay make-up palette! Smog was the first to go in mine too, haha :) I also LOVE M.A.C. eye shadows- they go on great and last awhile as well.
Veggielady4life says
I LOVE Noxzema. I have some in the shower and on my bathroom counter… I even like the smell. It just smells clean. It is my main cleanser and has been for years. Glad to hear you like it, too!!
sophia says
Um, I don’t use anything on my face…now I feel so unladylike. ;-p The only brand I recognize is Olay. My mom uses that sometimes! :-)
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
I loveee Bare Escentuals! I can’t imagine using anything else.
amy says
Courtney, it looks like u may have deep set eyes too. How do u apply ur eyemakeup. Shadow and liner? I’d love a good technique for my deepset eyes. You always look so natural, not made up. I like that.
amy says
Are the urban decay smog and sinful eyeshadows super shimmery? I hear the older u get the less shimmer u should wear. What are ur thoughts
Dana @ Eyewear Philippines says
This mascara is amazing. I also use a lot of bronzer to give color to my face.