In Pursuit of Beauty (Part II)

It's my birthday this weekend, and with the gain of another year I thought I'd take my annual dip into the topic of beauty. Yes, inner beauty is of utmost importance, but there's no reason you can't look pretty on the road to enlightment.

Beyond the tips I had last year for turning back time and an economical approach to makeup experimentation, I thought I'd share the makeup tips and products I've been using that have been working for me.

I'm like every busy mother, and because I work from home, there are plenty of days that I roam around without makeup. But that makes the days when I am wearing it a lot more fun. And while I still enjoy experimenting, I also need to get out of the house in a timely fashion, so here's my tried and true.

Lay the Foundation:

I was always a liquid foundation lover, but you can't beat the ease of mineral makeup. I tried a number of brands before settling on my favorite, Raw Natural Minerals Active Mineral Foundation. I've been using it for the last couple of years and it's hands down my favorite of all the mineral makeups I've tried. It stays in place for a good twelve hours, holds up to heat and humidity, supplies coverage from sheer to full, and doesn't look shiny or shimmery. I do have to mix two shades to get the exact color I need, but it's easy to combine the powders in the lid. I love it!

 

Highlight the Eyes:

When you're tired it shows up in your eyes. And as you get older, it shows up more and more. If you use a product like Eye Beam from Smashbox, you can highlight the inner corners of your eye and the brow bone. It's an instant brightener that makes you look younger and more alert.

 

Lale Beauty

Tightlining:

This is a little trick I picked up from Pinterest. If you lift your lid and apply liner at the lash line, from the inside of your eye, it gives you subtle definition that still looks natural. It's great for everyday wear, when you don't want to go all out. I still use the technique at night and apply liner on the top of my lids as well.

Beautylish

 

Enhance the Lips:

I'm lucky in that I have naturally full lips. But I do notice a certain deflation that's taking place over time. It's subtle, but I endured a lot of teasing as a child over my lips. I've earned them and I'd like to flaunt them as long as possible, not to mention that fuller lips automatically make you look younger (unless you've gone the extreme surgical route, which we've seen the unfortunate results of on celebrities who should know better).

So here's the trick - highlight the upper ridge of the lip. This could be a highlighter pencil or even a lighter concealer  (I use an inexpensive highlighter from Maybelline - DreamLumi Touch Highlighting Concealer). The other product I use on top of my lipstick is Sally Hansen Full & Radiant Lip Definer. I like the texture and it adds just enough luminescence to enhance my lips without looking fake and overly shimmery.

The Beauty Department

 

Go Nude:

In my twenties I was all about red lipstick and much deeper shades. The older I get, the better I look with lip shades that are more natural (it also makes your lips look fuller than deeper shades do). This year I went even more natural with Kevyn Aucoin's Flesh Tone pencil in Medium (I use it on my entire lip). I can't tell you how many women stop me and ask what lip color I'm wearing. It's natural, but somehow dramatic. 

 

So there they are, my beauty tips for the year (along with self-confidence, a perennial favorite). And I may be a year older, but you know what - I'm getting better and better with age. I bet you are, too.

Comments

[Penguin Games]

These are great beauty tips, thanks for sharing.

[Beauty Salon games]

Great tips thanks for sharing

[navyblueshoe]

Have a Happy Birthday weekend, Suzonne!!!!

I have read about the Tightlining trick a few years ago, and love the effect it creates. It give this look of heavy eyelashes, as if you applied fake ones. The only issue I have: it is kind of difficult to remove it, so the next morning I wake up with the color of the eyeliner I used the day before all around my eyes. :) I still use it, all the time!

[Suzonne]

Teresa, I combine Light #1 and Light #3. They used to offer a Free Trial kit, but that seems to have been discontinued. I'd check with Dermstore.com and see if there are color samples available or a return policy in case you order the wrong thing. Once you find the color, though, I think you'll be hooked. And it's GREAT for a lazy makeup person!

[Suzonne]

Dear Mrs. D'Emilia, I know my patience pains you. Just 3 more days...xo

[Kendra D'Emilia]

I think you should open your birthday present from your friend in NY!!!

[teresa granath]

Ok, I need to hear more about the Mineral Foundation that you use. Which one is it on the page that you linked? I have been using Aveda pressed powder for many years but they have changed it slightly and I'm thinking of trying something else. I have light skin like you do so I'm curious which color is the one you use. :)

Thanks Suzonne. I can use make up tips, I'm such a lazy make up person. I've had a pretty good complexion my whole life so I don't use much. That is sad you were teased about your pretty lips!