Miss New Beauty

Make up is fun for me. I like to try new colors & products. I find that taking care of your skin along with adding color to your face is an essential part of your overall appearance. I adjust the shades of eyeshadow, lipstick and blush that I wear to compliment my outfit and season (but not too much - I'm a creature of habit).

Here are some new beauty products I've been wearing lately ...

NAVY EYELINER - I remember my Mama wearing navy eyeliner, I think it was because Princess Diana wore it.  I picked this one up on a whim and have really liked wearing it.  I keep the line dark and thin.

FACE TANNING DROPS - these are awesome! For decades my face has been hidden from the sun with sunscreen & hats so not only have my millions of freckles faded but its natural fair color is very bright! I add a drop of this to my face lotion at night and wake up with a bronzed glow! 

I find this allows me to feel more confident being bare faced.

Tips: wash hands immediately - I avoid my T zone - use makeup remover for any concentrated areas.

FACE MASK - I started using this Clarins face mask last year and decided to try this one on a recent sale promotion. It's amazing! It's cooling and really refreshes the face. I apply this in the mornings.

FACE SERUM - I also started this and find it moisturizes, adds glow and is healthy.

REDNESS SERUM - I have redness around my nose and chin and have always been bothered by it.  I've been using this for a while now and find it really helps!

PINK LIPSTICK - I'm very inspired by the show Palm Royale's 60's style.  The fashion is so colorful and the makeup has such a cool retro look. I was on the hunt to replicate the frosty light pink lipstick and found this one in shade Gentlemen Prefer Pink on a random trip to CVS! 

As with fashion, I'm always excited for new pretty things to try.

I encourage you to incorporate a new color or skin care product to your routine for summer!

Dress Your Face Beautifully 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Skin Care

Gals, despite an array of feelings I have, my 40th birthday will happen (God willing) next month. As this milestone approaches I have found myself caring more for my skin and using products that hopefully will make it healthier, brighter and less blemished. 

I have also decided not to pursue injectables as part of my regime (if they were significantly less expensive you best bet I'd be in the chair on a regular basis) but instead I'll just cross my fingers that all these serums and creams have some magic in them.

I'm no expert but I do believe that cleansing, using a toner, vitamin C, retinol and a good moisturizer are all great.

Here's what I've been using ...

Cleanser - I've been using this one for a couple years now morning and night with warm water.

Toner - I use this morning and night after cleansing. Witch hazel is a great option for a toner! I have a gal pal that swears by it and it's super inexpensive.

I use these cotton pads with the toner. They don't absorb as much preventing wasted product!

Vitamin C - I've been using this in the mornings after toner for 2 years now. It is for brightening and health.

Retinol - I use a prescriptive strength from my dermatologist. I'm not a diligent using it as it is very drying. I use at night after toner and most often mix a pea size amount with my moisturizer.

Moisturizer - I use this morning and night as my last step all over from my hairline and down my chest.

Eye Cream - I've been using this one for a few years and find it very light and refreshing.

Lip Mask - I have this by my bed side and try really hard to remember to put it on each night.

Face Mask - I use this hydrating rose mask morning or night (when I remember) and often Vivian use it with me :)

All of these products last a very long time and I have confidence in their ingredients.

Please share your favorite skin care products with me!

Dress Your Face Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Primped & Polished

I remember watching my Grandma and Mamma primp everyday with mascara, blush, red lipstick and  always a shiny coat of polish on their nails. Now, my Mamma was a nurse so there were times that painted nails weren't practical.

When it comes to beauty, I'm a DIY gal (it's about the only creative skills I have). I can count on one hand the number of manicures I get in a year.  I find it to be expensive, time consuming and I enjoy changing the color every week as part of my Saturday routine so that they're nice and pretty for church.
On that note, I don't spend on any beauty services other than haircuts 4 times a year.  And there's the Vivian element, Ryan works nights and weekends so I save my babysitting for more important things, like gathering with my gal pals.

It is said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".  Well, I'm blushing because my Vivian imitates so much of what I do, including my beauty routine.

I believe that simple, polished beauty is the most poised.  With maturity I've come to appreciate those very lessons my Mamma and Grandma worked so hard to teach me when it came to beauty and style.
You want people to see you, not your makeup!

I wish the adolescent me would have never picked up that ice blue eyeshadow and bright pink blush. 
I used to overcompensate for my youthful appearance those first several years of my career with dark eyeliner and overly fussy hair. 
Sigh lessons learned

So here's what I think make for a pretty polished look that will enhance the beauty God gave you without the 'made up' look.

Face: healthy clear skin requires very little coverage.  Mine is prone to breakouts so I choose products that help keep that issue at bay. (especially now that I'm trapping it with a mask).
I use this face wash, daily exfoliant, moisturizer, eye cream and sunscreen!
I highly recommend using Vitamin C & a retinol.

I love almost every single thing about Jackie's style ... her hair was a bit too coiffed

Makeup: A CC cream topped with a setting powder, a touch of bronzer & blush, filled brows, matte eyeshadow, soft eyeliner and a mascara is all you need. And don't forget a soft lipstick (avoid the high shine glosses).

Princess Kate has the most beautifully style hair!

Hair: Soft and effortless. Forced hair styles just scream that your trying too hard and it can look harsh. Messy or untouchable hair isn't timeless.
I like classic headbands and barrettes to hold it back, nothing too trendy.

Polish: I believe you can wear colors outside pink and red but keep your nail shape natural and shorter.

I wear these thin gold hoops practically daily for years.  

They make a shiny statement without overwhelming.

Accessories: Let your jewelry reflect your personality. For example, I like daintier pieces because they are proportionate to my petite structure.  I also like vintage baubles as I have an affinity for things with a story and my style is traditional.  My sister has more of a natural style and likes beaded jewelry.

Our Sunday Best Yesterday

I do wear a little extra color on my face on Sundays

Extreme styling dates yourself and I promise you'll look back shaking your heading wondering what you were thinking.  I'm all about staying current with the trends but in small doses and in moderation. Let your clothing embrace the trends and keep your makeup and hair timeless.

Dress Beautifully with Polished Beauty

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Skin Care

Beauty regimens have changed a lot over the years.  I remember my grandma using cold cream and big powder puffs.

Today there are creams to color correct, make wrinkles disappear and the best part most contain sunscreen! (it's the sure fire way to avoid those aging lines and the 'C')

My skin is super sensitive, prone to blemishes, and has a lot of redness.  So, I need products that can keep my skin clean but with out harsh ingredients that can irritate. 

So here's what I use everyday ...

Makeup Remover Towelettes: These really do remove ALL my make up! It's really important in preventing breakouts. 

Clarisonic Mia:  This is a Gem!  I use it everyday.  It exfoliates and leaves my skin super clean. 

Cleanser:  I started using this because almost all of my makeup was bare minerals.  I've stayed with it because it's free of Parabens and other irritating chemicals. 

Eye Cream: Again, a fan of products free of chemicals.  It's calming and reduces puffiness. 

Moisturizer:  I use this jar of dry skin hydrating cream because I do have dry skin which can make break outs worse.  I like that it's thick and extra moisturizing with out leaving my skin greasy.

Redness Treatment:  This is fairly new to me but I'm happy with it.  Being a red head I have very rosy skin primarily in the T-zone areas (nose & surrounding skin, and chin).  It's tinted and you only need a tiny bit. I wear it under my make up but on days like weekends when I want to be more minimal and natural I wear it alone. It give a slight bit of coverage.  It's also free of harmful chemicals. 

Tip:  Change/wash your pillowcases every few days. Think about it, your face rubs and lays on them for hopefully 8-9 hours every night and bacteria and dirt can build up on your pillow. 

Make sure your hands are freshly washed before touching or applying products to your face to also prevent the spread of bacteria and dirt. 

What products are a part of your beauty regimen??

XOXO

Sarah Louise