Kisses of Approval

“The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural.”

So Calvin Klein said. And so, stereotypically, a quote Parisian women are said to live by. I honestly have no idea about the validity of this statement; though I do know that makeup is made to enhance one’s beauty.

I write this with a just-applied face mask – yes, the typical, thickly pasted minty things you see in comedies where women accidentally bump into the love of their lives encased by the frightening facial mask and consequently scare off the poor man – the minty tingling rather refreshing. What a pretty sight, non? I am pretty sure I just defeated the whole purpose of blogging, where one can type away in uncoordinated sweatpants & some baggy old tee in the early morning and still seem fabulous. Rest assured, I am not in such an ensemble, considering that I only own two pairs of sweatpants and both are worn strictly for the usage of dance. But imagining me in a mint green facial mask makes me more human, I suppose.

I adore your blog! I stumbled across it trying to find a perfect date outfit (one of your posts) and have been reading it since! I was wondering, because you’re great at finding the right look for any occasion, what’s your idea of the perfect day makeup? What does your daily beauty routine consist of? 

Thanks! – Linda

Speaking of beauty products. A couple of readers, like lovely Ms. Linda have asked me about beauty products I use and would recommend, after reading about my makeup suggestions in posts like this & this, where I’ve included a little blurb about what looks go with what outfit. I shall make a disclaimer here, as loud and clear as size ten or twelve point Georgia font allows me to. I am no makeup guru or expert, simply a lover of adorable pots and tubes of colorful cosmetics, who, ironically, never wears makeup on a daily basis. The only form of makeup I actually use are some sort of lipgloss or lip balm (lipstick for special occasions) and nail polish. The only other experience I’ve had with using actual makeup is for dance performances (and unless you wish to look like you have five pounds of stuff on your face…). Though I must admit that I’m quite good at doing variations of the smokey eye or winged liner.

And yet I have an overabundance of cosmetics sitting on my vanity, most of which are either gifts or free samples from my aunt. I usually end up saving them for special occasions, but they are quite fun to play around with. So here are my favorites products and suggestions:

My Daily Beauty Routine

It really is quite boring, honestly. I do wish I had the time and patience to develop some sort of a fabulous beauty regimen, but to be frank, I really am just too lazy!

1. I wash my face with whatever cleanser I happen to have sitting nonchalantly on my bathroom sink. Usually it’s some variation of drugstore brands. Neutrogena or something of the sort. Any suggestions?

2. Straighten the hair. Sometimes, if my hair cooperates with the weather (or vice versa?) I’ll leave it in it’s natural state, which ranges from having awkward waves to full-on waviness. Once again, however, laziness kicks in and I have no patience to do my hair beyond five minutes. I run my fingers through it once, no brush, tousle it a bit, and leave it down. My hair is barely up!

3. Before I go to bed, I apply many layers of chapstick on my lips. I wake up with soft, kissable ones! In the morning, I simply put on a coat of vaseline and lipgloss. Favorite ones at the moment: Lotta Colada (5 for $20!, Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush) & C.O. Bigelow Gloss in Plum Mint (on sale for $5, Bath & Body Works).

4. Curl the lashes, and coat them with vaseline (my little secret 😉 no makeup involved!) <- That was perhaps the most gratifying of the four little parts of my routine.

And the kisses of approval go to…

I absolutely adore Victoria’s Secret. So it really is no surprise that I am in love with their beauty products. VS offers the most deliciously sexy of scents, creams, butters, and colors. And so I must say that these few products pass with flying colors (as the cliche goes).

 Dream Angel’s Heavenly Eau de Parfum Spray ($39 – $59) is my favorite perfume of all time; the bottle is so simple and elegant, classic and sleek in it’s design. A sensual blend of smooth white peony, soft vanilla and creamy sandalwood, its topnotes consist of quince and cardamom; middle notes are white peony and freesia; and finally, the ever lasting low notes are a incredibly alluring melange of white musk, sandalwood, and vanilla. Oh this perfume does wonders! The boys like it, so I’ve been told!

 Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Lotta Colada (2/$12 or 4/$20) is a part of my new haul and a favorite color. Not only is the flavor ridiculously delicious (pucker up for the boys, darlings!), but the color is gorgeous! From the tube, it seems to be a coral-ish nude shade; once applied, it is the same shade, only a bit more neutral for a seductive pout.

 Pink Lip Butter in Ripe ($8) is a new product from Pink’s organic beauty collection. To be honest, I didn’t buy this for its organic shea & cocoa butter recipe; it simply smells refreshing and delicious, the grapefruit scent and color beautiful. A great formula for dry lips or just to add a hint of color!

 Chanel Teint Innocence ($47): Definitely worthy of your investment! Perhaps one of the best things bestowed upon womankind by the ever amazing Chanel gods. Luminous, beautiful, & does wonders. Nothing more to say, but simply to buy it!

 Rimmel Kajal Eye Pencil in Jet Black ($2): At your local drugstore! Ridiculously cheap and the most amazing soft kohl liner. Perfect for winged liner and smokey eye. I love a good find!

 Estee Lauder Mascara ($18 – $32): Estee Lauder was my first mascara – and the only I’ve used since the first tube I received from my aunt. I have very thin lashes, and yet, it never clumps! The navy blue and gold tube is aesthetically appealing too.

 Eyelash Curler: Mine is a $5 one, by Revlon. Sure, it may not be the best out there, but it does its job! If a $5 product has the same functions and results as a $20+ one, the former is for me, darlings!

 Peggy Sage Creme Reparatrice: I have no idea where to buy this miraculous lotion, nor how much it is. It was part of the haul that my beauty editor aunt sent over. It. Is. Amazing. It is the one lotion that truly does all it claims to do; with one application the skin is buttery smooth & soft. Like a baby’s bottom. I shall make a non sequitor arugment is saying that it is fabulous because it is Parisian. =]

 Aveda Elements Spray: A milky color but light consistency, a spritz of it into undone hair gives it a beautiful finishing touch and and makes it a bit more piece-y.

And an everyday beauty look…

Once again, I must reiterate that I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis; but here are the beauty looks I would wear, if I was not lazy! =]

Liner on the top & bottom (I rarely do bottom though) in black, a dusting of beige/brown shadow around the eye, a coat or two of mascara, a bit of light pink blush, and a coat of neutral gloss!

P.S.: Yes, I actually do have a bright green facial mask on, one that is restricting any movement of muscles as it cakes, resulting in this statue-esque like face with moving eyes. And no, I did not simply make that up for the sake of opening up the post with a sad attempt at humor. 🙂

xoxo,

La C.

P.S.: Thank you, Petit-Cheri, for awarding me with the “Your Blog is Fabulous” award! =]