How I Apply My Face Makeup: Foundation, Concealer, & Powder

It's the end of the weekend (boo, right?). I am pretty excited about this upcoming week, though, because I will interview a local theater's crew on a play that is coming out in July, Nunset Boulevard, for What Now Magazine!

This post is all about my face and how I apply foundation, powder, and concealer. My routine can vary from day-to-day depending on how much time I have to get ready or if I want to try a new trick. 

Step 1: Apply moisturizer to your clean face. Apply one with SPF, or you can apply sunscreen, too.

Naked face with only moisturizer applied.

Step 2: Apply your foundation.

Current Foundation: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Liquid Foundation in Classic Ivory

I use a round latex-free sponge (mine are from Ulta) to dot the foundation on my face. I get four uses out of my sponges by using the front and back sides, bottom and top. 

After dotting my foundation on my face with the round sponge.

Next, I use a round stippling brush (mine is from BH Cosmetics) to blend my foundation well and to create clean, even texture and tone.

After using my round stippling brush to blend in my foundation.

Step 3: Apply concealer. 

Current concealer: CoverGirl CG Smoothers Concealer in Light 710

My concealer is a creamy, lipstick-shaped one, so I smooth it on my problem spots. I then use my round stippling brush to blend it in.

After applying my concealer and before smoothing it on. I look pretty fierce, right?

Step 4: Apply powder.

Current powder: CoverGirl Professional Loose Powder in Translucent Light 110

I have combination skin, and I find that loose powder covers and sets best for my skin type. I use the included puff to gently powder my face. Sometimes I use a powder brush instead.

My finished face!

If I have time, I like to apply highlighter at the end of my basic routine. That's for another post, though!

I hope this is helpful to you if you're stuck in a rut with your face makeup. What do you do to cover imperfections?

Pretty Panda's Ponderings:

• Animal Crossing: New Leaf came out today for the 3DS! I don't own a 3DS, so I pre-ordered the special edition bundle pack! I'm picking it up tomorrow after work.
• I slept so much today. I was just exhausted from last week.
• I want to see Now You See Me!

Wen Cleansing Conditioner by Chaz Dean Review

I would like to credit and thank my friend Mindy for recommending this hair care product to me. :)

I have been using the Wen cleansing conditioners (my mom bought a special seasonal set from QVC for Christmas and gave my sisters and me each one) whenever I am not trying to use up my drugstore shampoo and conditioner. I began using Wen last year around April for the very first time, and I fell in love.

I am currently alternating between and loving Wen's Summer Mango Coconut Cleansing Conditioner and Fall Pumpkin Spice Cleansing Conditioner (seasonal scents). Every female in my household has been going ga-ga over this product's healthy and undeniable results. 

My mom first ordered Wen from QVC last year in the Spring Gardenia Green Tea scent. I loved that scent; fragrant blossoms make me feel at home. The only reason we don't have an auto-delivery system set up for Wen is because of its high cost.

 

Here's the official site!

Here's QVC's site!

My hair is naturally curly.  No, not the cute-wavy curly.  More like the tight, ringlet-y curls that seem to reach out for frizz like a kid reaching for an ice cream cone.  Humid Southern weather does nothing to remedy this mess, but every so often I feel as though my hair is acceptable and model-esque.  Chaz Dean, I love you because you have given me the Master Sword needed to conquer the gruesome bad hair days I have too frequently (I'm a big Legend of Zelda nerd, so pardon my allusion).

Wen's cleansing conditioner doesn't lather, which surprised me at first.  The product lacks sodium laureth sulfate and detergents, which can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause damage (gulp).  I wondered whether my hair and scalp would be clean, but I just followed the directions and massaged my scalp.  I clipped my hair up and finished bathing, and I then unclipped my hair and rinsed out the product with cool water, running my fingers through my hair like a comb at the same time.  Manageability?  YES!

I then towel-dried my hair (major no-no, I know, but I didn't have anything else to use) and put a tiny amount of Wen in my palm.  I spread the product throughout my hair; the bottle's instructions suggested that I could use it even as a leave-in conditioner.  I dressed myself, brushed my teeth, and then applied my make-up to let my hair have time to dry.

I then took notice of my hair.  I stared into the mirror in disbelief: my frizz was virtually nonexistent, and my hair was softer and shinier.  I applied a tiny bit of mousse to keep the dream a reality, and I then went about my day as usual.

*I still apply hair spray on humid days.*

My mom and middle sister have straight hair that sometimes comes with oily scalps, but we all have had the same fantastic results.  I would like to try the fig version in the future, though; it's supposed to be perfect for curly hair.  What could be better, though, escapes my imagination.

Research the site, check out QVC specials, or seek out Chaz Dean yourself if you must.  Wen's Cleansing Conditioner is the best haircare product I have used yet.

I have heard some co-workers and friends complain that Wen did nothing for their hair; some even said that it made their hair worse. I'm a firm believer in not-knocking-until-I-try; I also am aware that not everyone has the same hair issues.

Should You Try It: Yes. Yes. Yes. I recommend checking out specials on the site or on QVC to save some money. If you don't like it, I'll take it. ;)

What: Wen Cleansing Conditioner by Chaz Dean

MSRP: Varies but is usually $29.00

Pros: Manageable, soft, virtually frizz-free hair; delightful scents

Cons: Does not lather--takes some time to get used to

Have you used Wen before? Have you tried products other than the cleansing conditioner? Let me know!

Pretty Panda's Ponderings:

• Warm Bodies came out yesterday on DVD! Nicholas Hoult is a cutie pie as a zombie--and as himself.
• My godson and his parents are moving to North Carolina this weekend. :( This will be a huge adjustment since we have lived two minutes away from one another for three years, but I am happy that Mike received such a great promotion in the Coast Guard! Ashley, we must Skype often. :)
• Lean Cuisines make lunch bearable. I grew so tired of sandwiches. 

6.3.13: Tarte Sale

Another sale slipped under my radar this afternoon: Tarte!

I haven't tried any products from Tarte yet, so I checked out the site for information (I was looking at Emily Eddington's blog, Beauty Broadcast).

I recently reached my spending quota for the month, though, so I can't promise that I'll purchase anything. :(

Just wanted to share the joy of savings and makeup! <3

6.3.13: HauteLook Sale on Urban Decay

Good morning, and happy Monday! I hope this past weekend was relaxing/eventful/fun/normal for all of you. :)

I just received an e-mail about HauteLook's sales this week, and Urban Decay is on there!

Check it out! (Remember: you must sign up with HauteLook--it's free--to browse the items and to purchase items.)

Have a great day! <3

Guest Feature: Saving Your Hands & Feet in the Summer

Happy Friday, all!

I hope the weather stays this sunny and beautiful for the weekend so I can swim, swim, swim!

Every now and then, I will feature a mini "interview" I had with a friend or family member. For this post, I asked my cousin Kim, who is a professional beautician and manicurist, about summer hand/foot care and popular nail polish colors.

Q: What is the best way to take care of nails, hands, and feet in the summer? 

Kim: Always wear gloves when working in the garden. Also, cuticle oil is very important. For the feet, exfoliate. During the summer, your heels especially will dry out because people mostly wear sandals.

Pretty Panda recommends:

• Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree Oil Cooling Foot Scrub
• Avon Foot Scrubs
• bodycology Exfoliating Sugar Scrub
• Make your own hand/foot scrub!

Q. What colors are popular for summer 2013?

Kim:  Green seems to be popular, along with aqua and teal.

Pretty Panda recommends:

• Color Club's Age of Aquarius
• Ulta Nail Lacquer in Mint Condition
• Essie Nail Polish in Mojito Madness

Q. Do you prefer any brands over others? If so, why?

Kim: OPI is the most popular and the one that lasts the longest.

Pretty Panda recommends:

• OPI Nail Polish in A Rose at Dawn, Broke By Noon
• OPI Nail Polish in Cajun Shrimp
• OPI Nail Polish in Suzi Says Feng Shui

Thanks for your help, Kim! 

What colors do you guys like right now?

Pretty Panda's Ponderings

• Brett bought me pair of fresh new kicks as part of our anniversary gift exchange! I love Harley Quinn so much! (I didn't have a chance to snap a picture yet--sorry!)
• He also bought me a gift card to Ulta! We don't have a Sephora close by, but Ulta seems to be working out very well. :)
• Songza.com is my addiction.

Kim is a nail technician at Dulce Salon in Houma, LA.

Can It Survive 9 to 5? 5.29.13

Technically, I work earlier than 9 AM and get off earlier than 5 PM, but then this post's title wouldn't rhyme (and that would be tragic).

I will post a "Beginning of the Day" picture and an "After the Day" picture on some work days to see how my makeup and hair lasted. I did not add any makeup, blot my face with a tissue, or add anything to my hair in the "after" picture; you're going to see me after a long day without any alterations!

Please refer to My Beauty Profile for extra information.

Today, May 29, 2013

Beginning of the Day: 6:50 AM

Makeup (in order of application)

• CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation (claims to be a primer, foundation, and concealer in one)
• Yaby concealer sample from my May Ipsy bag
• CoverGirl Professional Loose Powder
• Pink blush from a daiso (dollar store) in Japan
• Concrete Minerals Electric Eye Primer
• Too Faced Boudoir Eyes eye shadow palette (In the Buff on brow bone, Fuzzy Handcuffs on lid, and Voulez-Vous in the crease)
• e.l.f. Essential Shimmer Eyeliner Pencil in Gunmetal
• Rimmel Volume Flash Mascara The Max in Extreme Black
• Ulta lipstick
• Estee Lauder lipgloss 
• Mary Kay Makeup Finishing Spray by Skindinavia

Hair Products (in order of application)

• Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream
• Garnier Fructis Curl Sculpting Cream-Gel
• TresEmme TRES Two Extra Hold Hairspray 

Outside factors to consider

• Weather: Humid, some rain, mostly sunny and warm
• Environment: Mostly in my office
• Crying/Sweating: No
• Eating/Drinking: Yes, for lunch and some water during the day

End of the Day: 5:00 PM

I look pretty tired, eh? The Mary Kay spray helped me out tremendously; my skin felt fresh at this time, even after a long day at work. My blush seems to have disappeared, causing me to look less lively. My lipstick and lipgloss left this party after lunch, obviously.

Now let's focus on my eyes: creased shadow and vanishing liner. I have owned the Concrete Minerals primer for about two years, and I have been trying to love it--I truly have. My eyelids are slightly oily, though, so that could be a major reason. I have read that not all primers work perfectly for everyone, so maybe someone with drier eyelids would have better results with this primer. 

I do think I would need to powder my face at least once in the afternoon to keep my "fresh" look, and I would also need to reapply my lip products (duh!).

My hair held up surprisingly well despite the humidity. I had extra wisps of frizz at the top of my head at the end of my work day, but a little hairspray or styling cream could have conquered those beasts!

How did your face and hair hold up today?

Pretty Panda's Ponderings

• I met my mom for lunch today, and we both have leftovers for dinner. Two meals for one price? I'll take it.
• I swam for over an hour after I took my "after" picture. The water was perfect.

How I Clean My Makeup Brushes

I am guilty of neglecting makeup brushes.

I used to rely solely on whatever brushes, sponges, or puffs accompanied my makeup. After using my sponges up, I would just toss them and buy new ones. I still like to use them occasionally, but after I bought my Mary Kay and EcoTools brushes, I entered into a love affair (and have been saving some money!).

Back to my bad brush habits. I always have rinsed off my brushes with warm water and soap after each use--I still do this so I have clean ones for the next day--but just like my skin and hair, my brushes need deep cleaning, too. I saw different beauty tips on Pinterest, and one cleaning method seemed simple enough: warm water, dish soap, and olive oil.

OK, yeah, soap and water makes sense, but olive oil? Yes, I use a tiny amount of olive oil to keep my brushes soft (kind of like conditioner). My favorite soap to use is Dawn's Hand Renewal because it cleans without as many harsh detergents as regular dish soaps. I deep-clean my brushes once a week (usually on Sunday after I have applied my makeup for the day) and let them soak for at least two or three hours.

I didn't have any olive oil on hand for this last cleaning, but the Dawn Hand Renewal dish soap is gentle enough to allow me to use the olive oil every other week.

Here's what I do:

• I take a bottle of dish soap and squeeze out a quarter-sized amount into the bottom of a large plastic cup (the cup I used is the blue one in the background). If I am using olive oil, I pour a nickel-sized amount into the cup.

• Then I take my longest brush (my foundation brush) and use it brush-side-down to swirl the soap around. I then place all of my brushes into the cup.

• Now I wait for about two to three hours (sometimes overnight if I am lazy and know that I won't be wearing much makeup the next day). I then take the cup and gently dump out the water and brushes into the sink. I rinse off my brushes until the water runs clear, and I gently pat them dry with a soft cloth. 
• Finally, I lay my brushes down to dry on the cloth. Make sure the location is safe from siblings and pets (my indoor cat, Katsuke, thinks brushes are his toys and will not hesitate to "assist" me!).

The drying process can take several hours, so if you know you need to use some brushes the next day, I suggest deep cleaning only a few at a time. 

Supplies: Tall plastic cup, warm water, dish soap (I use Dawn Hand Renewal), and olive oil (occasionally)

Length of soak time: At least two to three hours

Length of drying time: Several hours (sometimes up to 12 for completely dry brushes)

What method(s) do you use to deep clean your brushes?

If you use this same one, tell me how you came across it. If not and you try it, tell me how it goes!

Have a great evening! <3

Pretty Panda's Ponderings

• I had an unusually busy day at work today, but I'd rather the time pass quickly.
• Happy 6-year Dating Anniversary, Brett! I think you'll enjoy what I bought for you. ;)
• Biscuits with butter and honey. Amen.