Favorite Things - Beauty Edition

I hope everyone had a happy New Year!   We went out for Mexican, then home to watch the Alabama-Michigan game.    My son-in-law is a huge Alabama fan so needless to say, he's a happy camper.   So happy in fact that he and their next door neighbor immediately bought their tickets to Glendale, Arizona for the National Championship game.

We went to their house on  New Year's Day for lunch....my daughter and I served ham, black eye peas, mashed potatoes, english peas, potato salad, two kinds of corn bread, and sliced onion.     The baby (who turned 1 on December 21st) is now on table food and I had a ball feeding him.   He loved the ham, mashed potatoes and english peas!

Now it's back to healthier eating!

I've shared some of my favorite beauty products in the past and wanted to update it.    You may see some of my favorites I've previously mentioned but that's because I really love them and use them all the time.

For years I used Merle Norman makeup.    I used to buy it here in town but the owner moved so I had to go about 20 miles to find another Merle Norman store.    Sometimes it wasn't convenient for me to go that far so I experimented with other foundations.    The one I'm using now is probably my favorite of all other brands I've tried.

L'Oreal True Match.   It gives pretty decent coverage and is a great match to my skin.   I wear "warm".

I apply it with a sponge I get at Target.  It's the Sonia Kashuk foundation sponge....two come in a package for around $5.79!

I set my makeup with a neutralizing powder I discovered a few years ago on one of the home shopping networks.   It also helps with redness on the face.

I don't have a huge makeup routine but I like to stick with one that is tried and true and these are the products I use every day. 

I  also use  Merle Norman lasting cheek color in Dusty Rose.

Since I'm getting to a "certain age" my usual full eyebrows have started thinning.    I don't have to have my hairdresser pluck them anymore!    I don't like to have a harsh drawn on eyebrow so when I found this little eyebrow pencil it quickly became part of my makeup arsenal.

Milini Easy Brow in Natural Taupe

I also like to use a little illuminator around different areas of my face......down my nose, across the forehead and to highlight areas of my eyes.   I found this chart on Pinterest on how to use illuminator and it really helps know where to place it.

Before I put on my makeup I use this moisturizer.    It lasts forever and I really like it.

To remove my makeup at night I use these wet cleansing towelettes I get at Target.

 I also use baby oil to remove my eye makeup.   I rarely wear mascara anymore so taking off my eye makeup is easy. 

I've shared this product before but I thought it was worth mentioning again.   It's their Moroccan Infusion Dry Body Oil.   I squirt this on my legs and arms for a little healthy glow.  I also will squirt on some of the L'Oreal Magic Lumi on my shoulders and down my arms with the Dry Body Oil....makes your skin gorgeous!  

I know it's wintertime and we're not  thinking of looking tan right now, but it can't hurt to get a jump on a little color!   I have a couple of products that I've used that give a good, natural looking tan without being orange or streaky.   

Famous Dave's Self Tanning lotion is a good self tanner.   I always apply all my self tanners with a mitt that I buy at Ulta.  

Jergens Natural glow instant sun.   Right now this is my favorite of the two products.   I put a little moisturizer on my feet and then work my way up from my feet to my upper thigh area.   I don't have to use anything on my arms since they tan pretty easily....my legs not so much so I need all the help I can get on tanning my legs.   I NEVER use tanning beds at all (I have in the past but I know they are terrible for anyone to use).

A have a friend whose daughter has a little spray tan business in their media room.    I used her for the first time last summer for the 4th of July at the lake and it was the most natural looking spray tan I've ever received.....it lasted about 7 days too!    I'll get more spray tans from her this summer and found out the "tan" won't come off in a salt water pool which is what my son has.  

As far as my hair products, I don't use a lot.    My favorite hairspray is Kenra Professional Volume Spray.  

Sometime back I shared how I was looking for a new hairdresser.    You can read the original post here.    Basically, I was looking to change hairdressers after using the same one for a number of years.    When I wrote that post, I had just found someone I liked a lot but since I was "looking" I had another girl I wanted to try out before making a commitment to someone.    I liked the 2nd person better than the first one I changed to and she charges a little less too!     Believe it or not, I have one other person I'm considering for a haicut (not color) since a good friend of mine uses her and I know she can cut my hair in the style I want.    I just don't want to commit to one person like I did before until I'm sure I'm going to be happy!

A few years ago I wrote a post asking for suggestions on perfume.   For years I wore Beautiful by Estee Lauder but unfortunately my body chemistry doesn't work with that scent any longer.   I got some great suggestions but so far I haven't found anything that "speaks" to me.   I'm still looking and would love any suggestions you might have.

Well, I guess that about wraps up some of my favorite beautify products/tips.     I'd love to know if you try any of them and how you like them.    Also, please let me know your favorite products,  I always love hearing your recommendations.

Have you put your Christmas decorations away?    We got ours down and put away and my husband put away the floodlights today.      It feels good to have my house back in order!

Have a great week!