My Holy Grails of 2011

I can’t believe the year is over. This coming year is a big one for me. I am hitting a milestone – my 40th birthday. Oh wow, I just admitted to being over the hill! I still feel like I’m in my 20’s anyway – mentally at least. Physically, the signs of age have been revealing themselves since I turned 30. I have slight arthritis, lower back pain, a slight droop in my eyelids and more freckles under my eyes – which is a familial trait. And not to forget the little pooch in my lower belly left by my two beloved children.

I don’t want to make any resolutions for the new year, but instead I need to make a list of things I should do this year. I feel that I have been a little overwhelmed by work and home responsibilities this last year and I need to be organized.

June 2011 I rediscovered the world of make up thanks to YouTube. My addiction is now about 6 months old. During the last 6 months I have been experimenting with different products, testing them out and I have made some picks of items I have decided are my Holy Grail beauty products.

Number 1 – Acne.org

This system cured my acne! I wish I knew about this sooner. I use this system twice a day. I remove my makeup after work with my favorite eye makeup remover and facial wipes. Then I wash my face with the cleanser. After I dry my face, I apply the benzoyl peroxide gel (treatment). I wait about 2-5 minutes for the benzoyl to dry then I apply the moisturizer.

Number 2 – Make Up Forever Eyebrow Corrector

My post about this

Number 3 – Revlon Lip Butters

I think I have 9 of the 20 colors by now. My favorite is PINK TRUFFLE!

 

Number 4 – Philosophy’s The Present

I love this primer!

Number 5 – Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup remover

I have tried different eye makeup removers and this one so far has performed the best. It takes off all of my waterproof eye makeup without irritating my eyes. It’s $9.99 at Target.

 

Number 6 – MAC Painterly Paint Pot

So far this is the best product to use as an eye shadow primer. I have the least creasing with this compared to other primers I use – this is over a 12 hour night shift at work. I also own UD Primer Potion, Lime Crime’s Eyeshadow Helper, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, NARS Eyeshadow base and others. They all work well for 8-10 hours but I still get a lot of creasing after 10 hours. I don’t think anything can really prevent my creasing for the whole night since I have really oily lids, but MAC’s Painterly Paint Pot does the best job.

 

Number 7 -  Physician’s Formula’s Eyebooster Eyeliner

The main reason I love this product is that the tip is so fine that I am able to line my upper lash line with such precision!

 

Number 8 – Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Foundation

I love the fact that this is a drugstore brand foundation that actually works well for me. I have used MAC’s Studio Fix for the longest time, and it can get expensive. I’m in the shade Tan. Most of the time, you can buy this at CVS for buy 1 get 1 50% off!

 

Number 9 – Maybelline’s Falsies Mascara

During these last 6 months, I have been trying out various mascaras. I have never curled my lashes or used mascara for my whole life, until now. I have always relied on eyeliner. I never knew how bright and open your eyes can look when your lashes are curled and wearing mascara. I recently learned that waterproof mascara holds the curl better than other types of mascara. Maybelline’s Falsies does the best job for me.

Number 10 – You Tube

I love watching YouTube gurus for make up tips, reviews and tutorials. I have a bunch of favorite gurus, most are Asian with the same skin tone as I so I have an idea of what shades go well with my skin tone. I would love to give a shout out to Rebekkah Celeste of Everyday Make Up Blog and MissBecky0207 on YouTube. She is such a sweet girl. We have been leaving each other comments on our blogs and tweeting each other. I encourage everyone to follow her as her tutorials focus a lot on drugstore brand make up which is awesome coz it’s so affordable. I wish her all the best.

Happy New year everyone! Be safe and healthy. God bless!