Monday, January 24, 2011

Save Your Skin

As I've mentioned (confessed, really) before, I have worn the same makeup types and brands for so many years, it's amazing that most of them are still in production.  I recently had to stock up on some discontinued lipgloss on eBay- a pretty gross thought, really, but desperate times call for, well, pre-owned lipgloss. However, I recently was looking through photos of myself on Facebook (oh, come on, you do it, too) and I noticed something disturbing- I have a tendency to get shiny a few hours after I get made up. And not in that pretty-fresh-dewy-glow way (more in a I-just-rubbed-a-slice-of-pizza-on-my-forehead way). I first noticed this issue in a series of photos from my friend's wedding last summer (witness the horror at below right), but I consoled myself that it was a warm summer day, and I was probably just a little overheated. But my distress increased as I flipped further and further back in time, and realized this has been a bit of a chronic problem. Like, since forever. How did I not know this about myself, you ask? I'll tell you how- denial. It's powerful stuff, people.
And as if that wasn't enough, this discovery coincided with another unpleasantness, which was the arrival of my first legitimate facial wrinkles. Pretty much the same day that I stopped getting zits with regularity, my skin decided to inflict a different kind of punishment on me, in the form of smile lines and crow's feet (which can also be spotted in the photo at right). Ugh. It became clear to me that I needed to add a new weapon to my grossness-fighting arsenal. Luckily, my friend T, whose make-up skills have evolved since college, showed up just in the nick of time with exactly what I never knew I needed: BareMinerals powder foundation ($25, from Sephora.com). It's a super-light and natural looking powder that looks and feels way better than a liquid foundation; it just gently masks the flaws and leaves you looking like you. And it's SPF 15, too, so it actually prevents more wrinkles! Plus, it's made entirely out of natural minerals that won't poison you or clog your pores, and cause the acne to show up to the party, too, when you fall asleep with your make-up on (which I never do, particularly not after friends' weddings). My only suggestion would be to try to get to a Sephora store, or a make-up counter that carries BareMinerals to make sure you pick the exact right shade for you (there are 20 to choose from)- the only thing worse than a wrinkly oil-slick is the Kabuki mask of wrong-color foundation.

19 comments:

Unknown said...

I honestly thought that photo in your post was an "after" photo! I think you look great and can detect no abnormal shininess or wrinkles! But new beauty products are always fun, so good for you. :)

Jess (hellowifeonline.com) said...

Bare Minerals has been my go-to for years. Every time I stop using it (during the broke times!) I end up covered in zits. It's more like a medical necessity at this point than a makeup choice. I wonder if my insurance with cover it? Hm...

Anonymous said...

While I don't deny that Bare Minerals is a great product, I think it should be said that it is NOT made of natural minerals entirely. If you want REAL organic makeup - including powder mineral makeup, check out saffronrouge.com. They carry only truly organic products made from only natural ingredients. I love Alima Pure powder minerals! And it's way more affordable than Bare Minerals!

0 said...

I am really excited that you're posting this because I had the same makeup problem a few years ago and then I switched over to Bare Minerals. I love it. I still get compliments on how "great" my skin is, when it truth, I have crazy oily skin that loves to show through other liquid foundations.

Bare Minerals has saved my skin for 4 years now, and I've actually spent LESS in the long run because I don't have to buy 4 million drugstore foundations in order to find a decent one.

LOVE IT!!

Crafty Carol said...

You look beautiful in the photo. Don't be so hard on yourself. :)

Crafty Carol said...

Also, thank you for the advice. I'm kind of clueless when it comes to makeup.

Lily said...

@Anonymous- You are right! It's not all minerals- I misspoke. Or mistyped, or whatever. It is all natural (but not organic), with only five non-chemical ingredients. Saffronrouge.com seems great- thanks for the tip!

@Crafty Carol- thanks for being so nice. The original photo looks much worse- I think Blogger auto-airbrushed me when I posted it or something. Yet another reason to love Google.

Amanda said...

I'm in need of a new make-up regimen. Thanks for the tip!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip! I just tried Almay TLC (truly lasting color) foundation and it is the best liquid that I have found. I always say I could fuel my own OPEC Nation with all the oil my face creates! hehe
I'll have to try the Bare Minerals here soon! Great Posting!

lynsey♥ said...

bare minerals completely changed the way i wear makeup too about 3 years ago. I also succumb to the nasty shine monster here and there. HOWEVER. in the winter i do not think the original bare minerals gives me enough coverage for the pasty paleness shine i get in the winter. so i was ecstatic to find out bare minerals makes a MATTE formula as well and it has completely become my winter savior. so i tend to stick with the original formula in the summer and matte in the winter. just thought i'd share the genius of the matte formula just in case you feel you need more mattefying fabulousness!

cailen ascher said...

i LOVE bare minerals. i found it a few years back and it's definitely the best makeup i've ever used. it has great coverage yet doesn't feel too heavy. amazing!

www.cailenascher.blogspot.com

Muffy said...

Oh, hush. You look fantastic and fabulous with blogger auto-airbrushing or not. Haven't taken the mineral "plunge" yet but might just have to look into it!

Sandra Coffman said...

I have been curious about Bare Minerals for so long but have been too afraid to actually try it!
I think I just might have to now!
I tend to get very oily as well so it's nice to know it helps with that!
Thanks for the great post!

amandaintennessee said...

Although I am old enough to be your mother (in fact, my oldest child is a daughter and is the same age as you) I've been using Bare Minerals for 5+ years now. My situation didn't have so much to do with oil as with foundation build up in my "laugh lines" (which I lovingly call my wrinkles). Bare Minerals evens the skin tone without "enhancing" the laugh lines. Also, over time I've found that I spend less on makeup as one container lasts for ages as long as you keep your brushes clean.

Unknown said...

Mineral makeup is great. I use PurMinerals and LOVE it! Just started about a month ago and I will never change. I like that your skin can breath and it isn't too much. Love reading your blog!

Herbal Medicine said...

I am also a user of Mineral Make Up and I like the effect. I highly recommended this to all ladies.

● C E L I N A ● said...

I used to LOVE bare minerals. Lately I just feel so powdery. I think I like it better in the summer.

♥ theMRS.

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Anonymous said...

Bare Minerals has been my go to ever since I found out I'm one of the .5% of the population that's allergic to the parabens that cosmetic companies use to preserve their products, and not only did my skin stop getting irritated, my 18-year old acne cleared up! When I went to college last fall, Bare Minerals was one of the sacrifices I had to make in order to afford my education, but one of my roommates told me about a line from e.l.f. with the same ingredients as Bare Minerals for a third the price! And it works! I'm a fan of the entire mineral collection, and so is my skin.

A Mummy a Wife a Glamorous Life said...

Love Bare Minerals make up - recommended by a friend and now I'm never without my medium beige foundation and faux tan matte bronzer! Topped up with a dusting of Mineral Veil... love love love!

http://mummywifeglamorouslife.blogspot.com/