The Finished Look

Confession: I don’t always wear makeup on the weekends. Though I love a polished look, I am certainly comfortable going out without a stitch of makeup on my face. So often on the weekends, you can find me running errands about town in nothing but lip balm (and SPF, day cream, serum and eye treatment – skincare is ALWAYS a must). But this past weekend I felt like wearing makeup because I like to live life on the edge. I grabbed a few of my favorite items for an easy, but finished look.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation is one of my all time favorite foundations for it’s flawless finish and ability to wear forever. No primer or concealer (though if I did, this one and this one are two of my staples) with this look because I wanted it to be quick and easy. My Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette is always in rotation (I alternate it with this other favorite), and the Urban Decay primer potion is something I never do my eye makeup without.

I mixed the two shades Suspect and Pistol from the Naked 2 palette together on the lids to create a subtle smoky effect. A few coats of Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara gives me ‘wow’ lashes, and even though it was the weekend, I feel dramatic lashes are suitable for any occasion. I dusted the Bobbi Brown Brightening Powder along my cheeks and hairline, and then the NARS Outlaw blush on the apples of my cheeks. I was not a fan of this blush when I first saw it in the pan, but a friend convinced me to buy it and I’m so glad I did. It is one of the best blushes for giving a subtle rosy flush. Finally, Marc Jacob’s lip color in Roleplay was quite the sleeper hit when purchased. I figured I would like it and use it occasionally but did not expect it to emerge as one of my favorite lip colors of all time. I’m not sure weekend makeup will always be a regular thing for me, but it’s nice to do every now and then.

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The title of this post may seem like an oxymoron, but a bronzed makeup look does not have to be left only for summer.  And since I am a strong proponent of staying pale all year round with my dedication to SPF, makeup is all that I have to give that sun kissed glow.  This particular look is a subtle version of a more amped up summer style, and is incredibly easy to replicate.  Under ten minutes flat and I am out the door, looking and feeling polished yet glowing.   I begin with one of my favorite foundations, Urban Decay Naked Skin and buff it in using my Real Techniques buffing brush, followed by a quick swipe of Burberry’s sheer concealer under the eyes.  The finish on this foundation is a natural matte and wears for hours flawlessly.  I set it with my La Mer loose powder which is currently in rotation every day for its ability to tone down any shine and set my makeup for most of the day.  The eye look could not be more simple with a quick wash of MAC’s Woodwinked all over the lid after the eye is primed (Nars Eye Primer), and a subtle matte brow highlight with NARS’ Edie eyeshadow.  This subtle beige color has quickly become any every day staple for either brow finishing, dusting over a look to tone it down, or just to even out my eyelid before other shadows.  A few swipes of the best mascara in the whole world, Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara and a brow fill in with my Hourglass Brow tool in soft brunette – otherwise known as my holy grail brow pencil.  I swear by the this Guerlain Four Seasons bronzer for it’s ability to go with any and every makeup look I ever put with it – giving the most natural flushed and glowing cheek imaginable.  And to top it off, it comes in a slew of different skin tone colors, so there is a shade for all! My Rouge d’Armani in shade 101 has been rolling around my makeup bag for years since it can’t possibly give a more “my lip color but better” look.  I have this look on repeat constantly in the summer but throwing it on in winter feels just as appropriate and if for nothing more than to just put me in a better mood as I schlep through the slush and snow to work.  See the power of makeup?  It’s an instant mood lightener.  Excuse me while I fill up my virtual Sephora cart to get through the rest of winter.