A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

Hi there! Thank you so much for joining along and being apart of this little community that I just love so much. I am challenging myself to start and connecting more with not only my clients but with you all!

A question always comes up when I am doing a hair or makeup service is “what is your favorite…?”

I personally think this question is as wide as it is deep! With so many brands, products, and voices it is so hard to navigate what to buy for YOU.

SO that’s where I am starting … I think you have to first understand that what works really well for one does not necessarily work for another!

First step: knowing your skin type- are you dry, oily, normal, or combination? ( I am going to go DEEP into this step in another post)

Second step: is your skin sensitive to anything? frangrance?certain ingredients? or does your skin pretty much do well with anything?

Third step: what are your undertones Pinky, red, yellow, olive/green, or neutral? (another one I am going to dive in deep with)

Fourth Step: what is your everyday style- Are you the low maintenance throw on a hat and lets go or the I don’t leave the house without makeup type?! I think this question helps me to determine the style of makeup that you like the most and what makes you feel the absolute prettiest!

I am going to do a recap of products that I love for other skin types but for this post I am going to focus on my personal favorites and go tos of the summer!

Skin Prep

So I personally have sensitive skin that is normal to dry skin, light medium with pink undertones, and day to day I am typically low maintenance when it comes to makeup!

I use LaRoche Posay Micellar Water before cleansing with Algenist Gentle Cleanser.

Next I’ll use a toner to get a little deeper dirt removal and open up my pores so my serums can kick in and do THE best job!

I have been LOVING my very inexpensive skin care serums from the Ordinary brand! If you have not heard of this company RUN, DONT WALK to their website where they have a complete regimen guide for all your skin needs (ill link it here )! Seriously, if you do not know a thing about where to start with skin care this is perfect for you!

The current ones I use are Niacinamide and the Hyaluronic Acid I use them morning and lock it in with a light moisturizer from Weleda and top it off with my favorite SPF from Colorscience. At nighttime I use a Marula oil alone and a Caffeine Eye serum that tightens the eye contour area a bit!

Everyday Summer Makeup Favorites

My current obsession is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation I can’t even explain to you how good this is! It feels SO GOOD on your skin. It is so silky and smooth and the finish is seriously so stunning. Lasts allllll day long and its so buildable- so if you want a lighter coverage use one pump and if you want a fuller coverage use 2-3 pumps. I have the shade 5.5 in medium, peach. I use it first with a brush and blend it out with my beauty blender.

Next up is my Iconic London Sheer Blush. This is an oldie in the makeup bag for me but it is SO good, has the glossiest glowy finish, and it is so easy to use if you haven’t quite figured out how to apply cream products. I use shade “fresh faced” and it can literally be worn alone.

For a light contour, I don’t always do this step but the Makeup by Mario Soft Scuplt sticks are literally to die for and his color range is BOMB! Another favorite brand is Nudestick they are also very easily blended and have a nice color range. For Bronzer my forever forever fave is Marc Jacobs Omega Bronzer but they are GONE (so I am over here begging for rebrand, Marc Jacobs)!!

I have been using awesome drug store finds for my concealer, highlight, and mascara. For my concealer I have been using ELF Hydrating Camo Concealer ,and bonus its only $6. For mascara I have been loving Lash Paradise for probably over three years now- it’s a ride or die for me! And lastly a stunning highlight if you are really embracing that summer glow is Makeup Revolution Illuminate & Glow! Pro Tip: put one pump of the liquid highlight on the back of your hand and use the same damp beauty blender that you used for foundation to apply it on the skin! A little goes along way with highlight! Remember you can always add more for your glow but its super hard to take off!

For Powders and Lips

As far as powders go, I really don’t wear them on a day to day basis. If you are wanting super long lasting makeup powders (in light layers) are a MUST in my opinion. Remember though light layers too much powder can get really thick and cakey! My favorites are Huda Beauty Easy Bake Powder and Laura Mercier Translucent is an OG always and forever. For the best finishing/ blurring powder I LOVE the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Finish Powders they are the smoothest ever! Lastly, for blush, I use this ELF pallet that I have had in my personal makeup bag for a LONG time!

I could honestly do a whole post about lip combos that I am obsessed with but ill keep it short with my current go to for now: Iconic Nude Lip Liner by Charlotte Tilbury , Very Victoria by Charlotte Tilbury, and Collagen Lip Bath by Charlotte Tilbury. Needless to say Charlotte does it RIGHT when it comes to lips!

And that’s all for now! I hope you find some goodies and love these products as much as I do!

xoxo MP