The Routine- Makeup

I'll admit, I lean towards being more of a minimalist when it comes to my daily makeup routine. You wouldn't know it by looking in my makeup chest (yes, chest, not bag). I find that, for the most part, if I take care of my skin, I don't need much makeup, as far as base/foundation is concerned. I do not have perfect skin by any means, there are defnitely flaws that need to be addressed.

BB creams, tinted moisturizers and primers are staples in my routine. Right now, I'm playing around with different samples I've received through Birchbox, Sample Society and TestTube, as well as a beauty trends show I recently attended.

I really like to go minimal during the day:

BB cream, tinted moisturizer or primer
Powder
Blush
Mascara
Lip Gloss

In the evening, for nights out, I do love to play around with my treasure trove of colors! I have several makeup palettes with eyeshadows, blushes and lip colors, along with other separate shadows, pencils, lipsticks, highlighting powders, you name it. And, of course, an awesome set of brushes and tools for application.

I do go heavier on foundation, though not chisel-worthy. I used to use mineral makeup a lot, and still use some Bare Minerals or Jane Iredale sometimes, but decided to go out on a limb at one point and try something new. If I'm going full-blown coverage, I now use the Revlon PhotoReady line. Hi-definition makeup looks fab, Make Up For Ever makes the best, but on a budget, I'm happy with Revlon's.

My Must-Haves:

BB Cream- Dr. Brandt Flexitone or Miracle Skin Transformer
Primer- Smashbox Photofinish or Sephora Collection Primer
Stila Tinted Moisturizer
Revlon PhotoReady Foundation and Powder
L'Oreal Translucide Powder (for light coverage)
L'Oreal Infallible Powder (for more coverage- I keep this in my purse in case I need a day-to-night look on the fly)
L'Oreal De-Crease Eye Shadow Base
Benefit Benetint Cheek Stain
Smashbox O-Glow Intuitive Cheek Color
Maybelline Volum' Express the Falsies Mascara
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes (I do not need either of these mascaras, but I like to take my lashes to the extreme!)
DuWop Lip Venom Lip Plumper
Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish
And, of course, my makeup palettes, which have a gazillion colors to play with! Some are professional palettes, some I've gotten through places like Sephora.

An afterthought: This is a time of year where I actually scale down on makeup a lot. Summer in Florida can be merciless. I'm blessed in that I do manage to develop a nice tan, even with stringent use of sunscreen (I'm part Cherokee). Many days (and nights), tinted moisturizer, a touch of powder, some blush or bronzer, dramatic lashes and glossy lips do the trick.

Next up: Forty and Fabulous! Sharing some of my favorite things with you as I celebrate my birthday!