The Morning Makeup Routine

Wow, there is nothing more eye opening than laying out every product you use every morning. I swear I chalked myself up as someone who doesn’t really wear all that much makeup. Last week’s IFB Project assigned us to talk about our makeup routine, and while I’ve shared bits and pieces, never all at once. So here goes.

Makeup and skincare go hand in hand. Without proper skincare, makeup is just a mess. I tend to put a lot into my skincare regime. Over the years it’s gotten more intense as I’m trying to keep my skin as supple as possible. There were a few years when I didn’t have very much money and tried skimping on skincare, and to be honest, it showed. Now if I have to skimp it would be on the makeup itself, and make investment in the skincare.

For some reason I forgot my cleanser, but if you’re curious, I use Cetaphil. It’s gentile, inexpensive and it gets the job done.

• Loreal Hydrafresh Toner: For the longest time I skipped toners, but they help keep pores in check by picking up anything the cleanser missed as well as adding the first layer of hydration. It’s great for my skintone and once I started regularly using toner, it’s been hard to go back.
• Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum: I’ve been using the moisturizer (next bullet) and after reading the reviews on Makeup Alley, I had to give this a try. I’ve only been using this a week, but can say that it’s really made my skin supple. It promises to increase radiance, skin density and reduce wrinkle.. all products do, but so far, I’m smitten.
• Algenist Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer: On my second pot already, and maybe have found the perfect moisturizer after years of looking. Seriously! I’ve been trying all kinds of products and this one really helps my skin look it’s best.
• Dermalogica Age Renewal Eye Complex- This has rentinol and caffeine so it’s the perfect eye cream to reduce puffiness and dark circles. I use a very tiny amount, so it’s been a few months and I have to say it’s pretty great.
• StriVectin Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles: StriVectin is known for thier firming properties as it was developed for women with stretchmarks after giving birth. I really don’t know why I use this so much, but I believe it helps firm up the skin under my eyes.

Now once I got all that moisturizing stuff on my face, now for the MAKEUP!

1. Apply Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20: I find that tinted moisturizers tend to be lighter on the skin leaving you look more radiant, so I use this as a way to even out my skintone.
2. MAC Select Coverup: This little tube goes a long way. I just use a tiny drop under my eyes and around some spots on my skin. It’s a bit heavier than foundation and totally brilliant.
3. Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil and Benefit Speedbrow: Having sparse brows means you have to get a great brow pencil and brow gel to set it so it doesn’t smudge throughout the day.
4. Eyeshadow: Not the best at applying eyeshadow. Now I’m using a Sephora pallet, but could really just use one natural color.
5. Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner: Because, after 21 years…  I always have the cat eye. Always.
6. Maybeline Falsies Mascara: After talking about how much I loved Loreal’s Voluminous, someone recommended Falsies. I like Falsies, but will probably go back to Voluminous when I’m done with the tube.
7. Urban Decay Razor Sharp Finishing Powder (gift) : Used sparingly to take away a bit of shine without looking powdered.
8. Benefit Cosmetics Dallas: Half blush half bronzer to add a bit of color to my face.
9. Bare Essentuals Pretty Amazing Lip Color: Quite possibly the best lip color that’s not quite lip gloss, not lipstick, but lush and the color stays for a long time. I can’t quite explain it, but they aren’t lying when they say pretty amazing.

Woah… after looking at this list, I’m a product junkie. What about you? What’s your list look like?