This site is MOVING!

Blog is MOVING!!

Hi All,

An update - I am moving up and now this blog will be hosted at a new site!

www.BeautyintheEmptyNest.com

Woo hoo!!  

Please check this out and have positive and fun days!

Review of Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Shadow Palette - Not to give it away, but can I say "Yes!"??

For me, one of the most creative parts of applying makeup is what you do with your eyes.  There are so many ways to approach it and so many avenues to do something different.  In my case, however, I have deep set or what everyone calls hooded eyes, so my options are a bit more restricted than for those of you who do not have hooded eyes.  For example, no matter what eye shadow I put on my eye lid, it does not show except for when I blink and even then it is for a split second.  I also have to deal with the overhang of my upper eye onto my lid, which if handled incorrectly - for me - can make my eyes look even more closed.  I am always playing around with different techniques, but my tried and true approaches include using matte colors and applying colors to make my hooded lids recess back so that they do not take over my whole eye.  

With that out there...I need a good variety of matte shadows; although I do still like to play with more sparkly ones just carefully applied.  In the past, I have bought many palettes (e.g., UD Naked 1, Lorac Pro Palette) only to use half the colors because sparkly colors dominated the collection.  I did find the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty eye palette very nice and it is ALL matter and very nice matter shadows; however, it did not rise to every day use.  In the duration, I put together Z palettes of Makeup Geek and Mac single shadows and deported the mattes from my other palettes.

And then one day...I found the Too Faced Natural Matte Eye Shadow palette ($36)!  

These shadows were not only color-coordinated (a nice perk for someone like me who needs some prompts as to what coordinates well) but smooth and blendable.  There is some fall out as you can see on my photo, but the transfer of color from pan to eye is ideal.  There are so many looks that you can create with this palette.  The provide ideas in a handy booklet provided or you can use the rows that depict a step-by-step application - a good first use guide.  What I like to do, however, is to mix a little here and there and just PLAY.  All colors "work" together so free for all time is opportune with this palette.  Another key point about this palette is that it travels very well, which is a big plus for me.

Can you tell that I like this?  Watch my video below for more swatches, etc.  What are your thoughts?  Any other good matte palettes out there?

Until next time - have a positive and productive day!

Waterproof AND Nourishing Foundation?  Yes - Mac Longwear Waterproof Nourishing Foundation

I have said that I have three Holy Grail foundations and here is the last of the three - you can check out my Favorites section and lower on this page for the other two.  I actually was not looking for another foundation but the characteristics of this one (longwear, nourishing AND waterproof) caught my eye.  On top of that it was a Mac product, and I do like Mac products.  Long story in a shorter version...I decided to try out this foundation when the summer hit because (kids had summer swim meets outside and that means big time sweating, we were headed on a cruise in a few weeks, and every now and then I shed a tear and hate ending up with streaks down my face) the conditions were favorable.

And what did I think?  First things - the packaging is very typical Mac (i.e., nothing frivolous, extravagant, or cool).  The foundation comes in a plastic tube with a dropper dispenser.  It is very easy to control - that is, it is not like Mac Longwear concealer that delivers way too much - at least for me.  I think this container will be easy to use the last drops and will also provide a good view to know when it is running low. 

I used a typical amount, which is about the size of two peas (would that equal a lima bean?).  The consistency is not runny and definitely not moussey (e.g., Tarte Amazonia Clay foundation).  It blends easily and provides adequate (medium coverage) with one passover.  I used both brushes and Beauty Blenders to apply and both worked nicely (it will be your own preference here).  I did use primer and found that they all worked well.  That is, no one stood out as THE primer for this foundation.

Once applied, it settled to a semi-matte finish.  I did apply some light powder but that may not be needed for everyone and also may not produce the desired finish if you like a glowy look.  A word of caution is that there is no SPF in this foundation.  For some that is a plus but others may consider that a negative characteristic.  I am fine either way but just have to remember to apply my SPF when I use this foundation.

Did it last?  Yes, this foundation lasts through a typical day with no signs of wear except for a little break up on my smile lines and around my nose.  Was it waterproof? I admit that I tested this not by being caught in a rain storm but, admittedly, after shedding some tears (well many tears but that is another story).  The answer is that "yes" it holds up even after a storm of tears but my blush is another story!  Will I repurchase?  Oh my....that is such a tough question!  Yes, if nothing else rises to the top of Holy Grail foundation, I will repurchase but you know how that goes!

Okay...I would love to hear some comments and feedback!  Have you used this foundation?  Is there a primer that "clicks" with it?  What application process do you find works best?

Here is a video review of this foundation.  Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and also give me a "thumbs up" as a way of sharing some encouragement.

As always, have positive and productive days!

-----------------------------------------------------

Review of Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid Foundation

Hi All!  I am so excited to share my thoughts on this product - the Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid Foundation!  It is definitely one of my Holy Grail foundations! This product is easy to apply, dries to a nice satin finish, and feels as light as air.  It boasts medium to full coverage (very true) and is easily build-able.  I love applying it with my Beauty Blender but my Sigma F80 also does the job so nicely.  The coverage lasts all day with very little breakdown (a bit around my nose) but nothing different than any other foundation. I am wearing the color Ecru - as a reference point, I am an NC 25 in Mac.

What makes this foundations so much better than others?  I love the ease of application - but you HAVE to SHAKE it - the coverage, longevity, and the fact that I forget it is on my skin.  This foundation also does not seem to sit in my fine (maybe a bit more than fine) lines as much as others.  I think it also looks very nice.  I do apply powder over it (typically Laura Mercier Translucent Powder); but I always feel the need to powder, which I guess is a remnant from my younger (oilier skin) years.  Be careful how much powder you apply as it can get a bit cakey easily, which is probably a trigger to tell you that you do no need powder.  I use primer and find that the Laura Geller Spackle Hydrating Under Makeup one to work beautifully.  I also use my tried and true Benefit Porefessional that works wonderfully as well.

 

Did I miss anything?  Is there anything else that you want to know about it?  Has anyone else tried this foundation? 

Thanks all!  Have positive and productive days!

 

 

New Favorite - It Cosmetics CC+ Cream

A New Favorite:  It Cosmetics CC+ Cream

This is serious!  I have found a new HG foundation - well a CC Cream that acts like a foundation - It Cosmetics CC+ Cream!  Just loving this stuff!

Yes, this has been out for a while, but I finally decided I needed an all-in-one product that would hydrate, protect, cover - or beautify - and feel great.  Did I also mention that this has SPF 50+?!  This truly does sit right alongside my other HG foundations (Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless in Ecru and my MAC Nourishing Waterproof Foundation in NC 25)!  

This CC cream blends well, feels great, and last all day.  I have applied it with my fingers, a dampened Beauty Blender, and several brushes (RT buffing, Sigma F80) and have been happy with all finishes.  The finish is pretty satin-like and maybe a bit dewy but very minimal as I tend not to like "glowy" foundations.  I most often do set it (very lightly) with a powder and have found that the It Cosmetics Celebration Powder Foundation works well if you dust it lightly but my Laura Mercier translucent powder gives me the best finish.

What are all your thoughts?

As always - enjoy and have positive and productive days that are filled with smiles and even some laughter!

Hello!

A New Journey Begins...want to join me?

Hi All!  Wow!  This is something new and exciting and has been a goal of mine for a while. What pushed me to create this on-line side to my life?  Well, not so much a creative urge but the void that I felt when I followed my obsession with the on-line world of beauty that was dominated (and all for good reasons) by women of much fewer years than myself who were not only dealing with a whole different set of life parameters (many of which I have already walked, skipped, or run through) but whose facial canvas had experienced much less of an impact of time than mine. On top of that I found myself dealing with very different life experiences than those beautiful whom I looked for beauty tips, product recommendations, and how-to sessions.  This does not mean that I do not enjoy every minute I devote to following their blogs, You Tube channels, and social media posts because I do very much, but when I pause a video or close my virtual world, the truth hits me - I am living in a different (not better or worse new but different) and I need advice, recommendations, and tips that fit in my real life world (i.e., a way beyond 40 year old married woman with two children, one of which is in college and one of which is in high school). -

So this is my attempt to talk to and with other women about fun beauty products and tips, family life, and things that make life fun.  I will start off with a strong focus on beauty and add content as you all recommend or as the mood or life event hits me.  this is my first post; and it is (in my world) worthy of attention - and my goal will be to m women who love the families, their worlds around them, and things that make being a woman/wife/mother (fill in your descriptor) fun.   I am not an expert or even well versed, but I love playing with beauty products!

Stay tuned if you are at all curious.  I am excited as I start this journey at a point in my life where things are changing I am having to rediscover myself from a mom of young children, to a mom of teenagers, to a mom of kids moving off on to college and their own lives.  

I look forward to "meeting" all of you.  I hope your days are positive and productive and now a little extra fun!

Until next time!