Milk and Cookies
with Linda and Kristen
Milk and Cookies is a savory web venue for cool products, useful tips, and idea-sharing, prepared especially for busy moms like you. From the must-haves to avoid-at-all-costs, we're dishing out tools for a delicious life balance.
Visit Linda's fitness site at Bodies in Motivation and check out Kristen's blog at Swistle.blogspot.com
I recently detailed my everyday makeup routine in order to recommend the various beauty products I’m addicted to, and since that writing I’ve gone and had myself a baby. As it turns out, newborns really put a cramp in a girl’s ability to primp, something about “needing to be fed and cared for all the time”. God, you’d think they were INFANTS or something.
Anyway, I thought I would post my Absolutely Must Have makeup items — the products I can slap on my face in twenty seconds if I’ve got two wailing children to attend to — and hopefully hear your own in response. I picked the three beauty products that would make the difference between feeling human and feeling like a train wreck if I were to, say, venture out in public.
(Those of you with naturally beautiful skin who never wear a stitch of makeup can watch from the sidelines, hopefully while sitting in gum. What? Come on, the universe needs to be unkind to you in SOME manner, don’t you think?)
Bare Escentuals foundation. I have recommended this makeup so many times I’m sure I sound like a carnival barker at this point (”Step right up, folks, and getcher mineral-based, magical mending miracle powder rightCHERE!”), but it’s only because I love it SO MUCH. I know this stuff doesn’t work for everyone, and I know there are less expensive alternatives, all I can say is this foundation covers a multitude of sins on my own personal face. If I could have only one makeup item for the rest of my life, this is what I’d pick — it smooths, hides, and prettifies, without ever looking cakey.
Benefit’s Hoola bronzer. Don’t get turned off by the word “bronzer”, there is no metallic tone to this stuff. It’s basically a multipurpose warm brown powder that I use for everything. I put it on my cheeks, nose, and eyelids; and most importantly I use it to define my eyebrows, which are overplucked (I know I shouldn’t do it and yet I CAN’T STOP) and look too spindly/harsh without being filled in a bit.
Revlon ColorStay lipstick. I kind of hate the way lipstick feels but I’m convinced it does wonders for my face, primarily because I swear to god once I hit thirty my lip color just sort of faded away. There’s no natural rosiness to my lips, and every photo I see of myself without lip color looks washed out. This particular lipstick does a great job of lasting for a long time without leaving your mouth super dry and unhappy.
Your turn! Tell me which three makeup items you never want to go without.
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I love hearing about other people’s can’t-live-without products!
I rely on Bobbi Brown’s tinted moisturizer as a moisturizer/foundation/SPF protection product.
Couldn’t live without Lancome’s Definicils mascara for my short and light lashes.
And so since I’m pretty broke after buying those products, I head for Burt’s Bees shimmering lip stain in Watermelon or Raisin for a quick way to spruce up. Easy to apply at stoplights, too!
Heather Mundell | February 23rd, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I just bought some of the less expensive mineral powder foundation (Loreal, about $10.50) for the first time and I really like it.
My eyelashes are completely blonde, so if I do nothing else, I must put on mascara. I use Loreal Volumnious.
I burned the crap out of my lips with Carmex last AUGUST and have since not been able to wear actual lipstick. I use the Burt’s Bees lipgloss stuff in Raisin, too!
Cara | February 23rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I’m with you on the mineral makeup — since I discovered it, I never use anything else!
I use JLynne’s line, and have for a few years now. My 3 must haves:
JLynne Mineral Foundation in Light Warm 2.4
For dark circles and to cover up skin imperfections: Benefit’s Boi-ing concealer in 02 (Medium)
I pretty much won’t leave the house without eyeliner on. I never wear lipstick … but my eyes absolutely need to be defined!! My favorite shade is JLynne’s Tease (a green color) but it’s been discontinued. I also love Femme Fatale, which is kind of a coppery brown.
Wendi | February 23rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I also love the mineral foundation. I use one called Everyday Minerals. It’s roughly half the price of Bare Escentuals and seems to work exactly the same (or maybe even a tiny bit better) for me.
Next on my list of can’t do withouts is Benefits Bad Gal eyeliner pencil. It’s inky black and has just a hint of sparkle which works nice to bring out my eyes without adding a bunch of glitter.
Last but not least, I’m almost embarassed to admit that I’ve loved this product for years but Maybelline eyebrow powder is the only thing that helps to fill in my skimpy eyebrows.
Janet | February 23rd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I’m wondering if anyone knows of a good bronzer powder like the Benefit one above that works for VERY FAIR complexions. Something to give a little sunny color to a very pale skin tone, without looking crazy-fake? Or can Scandinavian-heritage blondes just not wear bronzer???
Shannon | February 23rd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
MAC concealer — been using it for a year and have no idea what I did before. Somehow really works to cover the dark circles.
MAC blush in Plum.
That pink and green mascara, don’t remember the brand, but been using it for many, many years now. Most days, these three things are all I use.
I’ve been wondering about mineral makeup — will have to check it out.
Nataly | February 24th, 2008 at 12:46 am
I too would like to know about some for ‘fair skin’. Also, I did try Bare Escentuals and liked it but the mess it made. Any suggestions? Or it could’ve just been me….
Heather | February 24th, 2008 at 12:47 am
I have two things I feel I MUST apply if I am to leave the house looking like I am among the living:
Lip gloss and translucent powder.
These days I have been happy with Physicians Formula Mineral Wear and Cover Girl Lipslicks Lip Gloss (usually in a shade of red). I have tried expensive brands of mineral powder and had no complaints at all. But I don’t need a lot of coverage since my skin tone is pretty consistent all across my face. I’m also not dealing with blemishes or dark circles so I don’t need anything to perform big cover-ups on my face. So the less expensive brands work just great for me!
For anyone that is interested in Mineral Powders I would say start with a less expensive brand and see if it works for you. If not, don’t give up! Go to a salon and try something a little pricier. You won’t be disappointed!
KathyHowe | February 24th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
First off, I have very fair skin. As a redhead with freckles and a blue-toned complexion (the universe obv. has a funny sense of humor), I cannot live without my mascara, undereye concealer, and bronzer. Fair girls, don’t be afraid of a little bronzer. Operative word: “little.”
Items to try:
Physicians Formula Bronzer
Clinique Powder Bronzer
Cover Girl Lash Exact Mascara
M.A.C. “X” Mascara (love love love)
Estee Lauder concealers
Benefit Boi-ing Concealer
Loose mineral makeup is a risky proposition for fair ladies (and gents, I would imagine). Be very careful to get the appropriate color, or else. They don’t do much for me, but OH how I wish they would. Right now, I use a powder foundation by Clinique - MAC StudioFix is great as well.
Jamie | February 24th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Arbonne has all of the above and more and you get an all natural product - no animal
bi-products, mineral oil, talc. Oh - and the bronzer and kabuki brush are the best. The best part is that you can get online, order what you want at a discount and have it shipped right to your door.
Kristie Humphrey | February 24th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I am a Bare Escentuals gal, and I found an amazing mascarea at Sephora called Fiberwig. It ads a bit of fiber somehow to fluff up your lashes without clumping. Best of all, you never get racoon eyes! This stuff is super easy to remove with water or make up remover, though. It kind of rolls off.
Super product for contact lens wearers (like me). Natalys mascara is made by Sephora , also a great product.
As for natural bronzers for the fair skinned and more, I find the face bronzer lotions by Aveeno or Jergens work really well and are gentle enough not to cause a break out. I use the same stuff for the body and it really does make you glow, without looking like you have the fake and bake deal.
Molly Gales | February 24th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I hardly ever wore makeup, but then I turned 30 and OY. Seriously, I’m now 34, and when I don’t wear any, people at work ask me if I’m sick. So sad.
Anyway, my must-haves:
Stila tinted moisturizer (I use Tone)
Bourjois mascara
Boi-ing concealer (thanks to you, Linda)
Stila lipstick in Ava
OH!, and most importantly, my Shu Uemura eyelash curler
foodmomiac | February 24th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Heather–here’s a tip for the messiness of the mineral products. I’ve used Bare Essentuals for a couple years and always made a mess. The B.E. salesgirl in the Atlanta airport told me that she recommends that poke holes through the plastic adhesive for powder to get through rather than removing the entire adhesive on a new makeup pot. This way you can have more control over how much comes out. If you’ve already removed the plastic adhesive, take a piece of tape and cover up some of the holes.
Denise | February 25th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I’ve too joined the Bare Ecsentuals cult and can’t go without the foundation (This is also thanks to Linda - you should be getting some sort of kickback by now!)
Rimmel eyeliner or it appears I have no eyes.
Voluminous mascara (see above).
Kim | February 25th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I must say, even after two children, I have not given-up my addiction to new cosmetic products. I try lots expensive, cheap…doesn’t matter. The ones I keep are VERY FEW and Bare Esuticles is one of them. Also Kevin Action has come out with an absolutely great conceler (better for me that ka-boing by Benifit) and Allison Raffel has a blush stick/tint that looks absolutely natural and you don’t need to use your fingers, so they don’t get tinted.
Jackie | February 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I too use Bare Minerals Foundation, and can’t live without it either!
Smashbox brow tech, I too have over plucked/waxed and need to “fill in”
Clinique mascara high def, and MAC gel eyeliner in dip down. I know it’s 4 things but they all are a must!
Kym | February 29th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
hi girls! it was fun reading about people’s favorites. i just turned 31 a few days ago. my favorite products always seem to change, but here goes:
raw minerals brand mineral makeup: i’ve used neutrogena as well as larenim (which is really good), but so far i like raw minerals the best (available online). i discovered the brand a few months ago and i’m hooked. for you fair skinned girls, give the “warm glow” a try…i never used any bronzer, but this color is so great and you have control over how much goes on. just practice a little and it really makes a difference how it warms your appearance.
i have found that no matter what mineral product i try, nothing lasts all day. i think it’s just my cursed oily skin, not necessarily the product.
i have yet to find a mascara i love, but i’ll take some of your suggestions. everything seems to end up under my eyes by mid-day! this is why i can’t apply mascara to my lower lashes EVER. lately i’ve been using origins, and it’s okay. i tend to lean towards natural products, because my eyes get very itchy and sensitive.
i also like NARS orgasm blush and burt’s bees lip products. i’m a stickler for a lip balm with SPF, but burt’s pomegranate balm is really nice. also wonderful is the brand eco-lips.
lastly, i stopped buying any facial grainy/exfoliating products. instead, everyone once in a while i just add some baking soda to my face wash, and i have a natural, cheap face scrub! you can try sugar body…that works too.
cheers!
Laura | April 16th, 2008 at 4:50 am
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Gabrielle Daniels | November 12th, 2008 at 10:25 pm