I am obsessed with finding things to make life prettier, but without adding more work. This is called Lazy Beauty.
If you are relatively new to Hollywood Housewife, I just want to assure you that it's not always so...shallow around here. But it's a crazy busy time right now, and I post as quickly as life happens. Stick around and you'll see that I can get really deep, like the time I tried to get out of writing Thank You notes.
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I was strolling down Broadway on Friday in New York when I came upon a Bare Escentuals truck parked on the street outside of Sephora. They were offering free make unders, so I signed myself right on up for that. Free and makeup and you don't have to twist my arm.
I was first introduced to Bare Minerals when the makeup artist used the product on me for my wedding day. I absolutely loved the way I looked, and was impressed with how natural it looked and how long it lasted. I bought the starter kit right away.
I wore Bare Escentuals for about a year before I started to feel like my skin was way too dry for the product. It sat on the top of my skin instead of melting in like it was supposed to, and I thought it emphasized my dry flakiness. My suspicions were confirmed when I accompanied a friend to the MAC makeup counter and they told me that I looked dead. (No, really. She said that. And then I bought new stick foundation from her. I think maybe I didn't eat lunch that day.)
Recently it dawned on me that all my makeup looks better when my skin is properly moisturized. For years I hadn't been using moisturizer as often as I should. So once that was under control, I gave the Bare Minerals another try. But I still wasn't totally satisfied. I felt like it make me look really, really white.
The Bare Escentuals make under gave me several tips to make the product work better. First and foremost, I was using the wrong color. This is always the trick to foundation. When I first purchased BE, they only had five colors available. I fell closest to Fairly Light. Now they have twenty color options and we determined quickly that Golden Fair was a much more flattering color.
I also learned to apply the "warmth" bronzer that looked so scary, and the right way to use the Mineral Veil as a final touch. On top of it all, I used their makeup remover wipes at the beginning of the consultation and I was swooning. They were thick and nice. I'll definitely be buying a package of those.
The consultant at the roadside truck spent a half hour with me explaining everything. It was free and she wasn't selling the product. I had to go into Sephora to buy the new foundation color, and while I didn't mind doing so, I thought it was a nice and no-pressure way to learn about BE.
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I am now thoroughly impressed by the products featured at my favorite hotel, the Mercer. These are by FACE Stockholm and include a protein shampoo, a luxurious conditioner, cucumber lotion, and bubble bath. I've used them all several times since we checked in last week, and brought home full bottles for future use. Great products.
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I had to pick up a travel sized hairspray at the drugstore once I arrived in NY since you can't travel with aerosol. The only option was John Frieda Moisture Barrier Firm Hold. I couldn't believe how well it held my blunt-cut bangs in place without looking like they were shellacked to my head.
I bought the full-size version today. It takes a lot to swing me from my Elnett hairspray, but sometimes a gal needs a little more help.
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Everyone loves a good beauty recommendation. Have you discovered any lazy beauty products lately that you want to share?
