Everyday makeup and skincare.

I used to spend a big chunk of my income on make-up, Mac products in particular. It got to a point where every payday saw me going in the store and having the sales girls put aside new products that they thought I would like. I own 0+ in eyeshadow, 0+ in makeup brushes, and countless other pigments and such that I haven’t touched in 3 years or so. See, I stopped wearing makeup in the spring of 2008 when I started going through my while clothing phase (more on that later). Since heavy makeup and white clothing don’t go well together, and hugging friends and leaving make-up stains on their clothing wasn’t something I wanted either. So I stopped and put aside my eyeshadows, foundations, concealers and sticky lipglosses.

Don’t get me wrong, it took a few weeks to get to fully comfortable being  “nude” in public, but the benefits were phenomenal. My skin cleared up, and gone were the little bumps that appear after having your pores clogged with makeup for 16-18 hours a day; gone was the fear of touching my face and freaking out at the thought of rubbing something off, and gone was the urge to buy new things to paint on my face.

Now I’ll be the first to say that I am lazy and not wearing makeup most likely has more to do with laziness than caring about my skin. That extra 10 mins in the morning means I can sleep in a bit longer, and not have to worry about falling asleep without taking things off.

The only drawback to not wearing makeup is the I need to pay more attention to my skin.

A few things I want to note:

  • I hate facials. They make your skin breakout and feel very abrasive.
  • I don’t like the idea of spending a ton of money of products when the cheaper version will do.
  • I ONLY use hypoallergenic products as almost everything else causes a reaction.
  • I’m far from being a skincare product snob, but have been blessed with sensitive skin that doesn’t do with certain chemicals
  • I would use Dove soap and water everyday if I could, but it doesn’t work out well.
  • That being said, I have tried quite a few different things and finally arrived at the holy grail (for me) of skin care and makeup products that make me and my wallet very happy.

C. Booth Microdermabrasion Scrub, Green Apple 4 fl oz (118 ml)

I first found this product where I find most of my skin care experiments, in Winners (Marshalls?). The prices are normally cheaper than that normal department store.

It is the best facial scrub I have ever used. It smells like apples, and feels like you are rubbing sand on your face. I use it 1-2 times a week and normally lasts me about 3 months. At $9.99, its a steal. My face feels really soft and smooth after using it.

Not only does it unclog pores, but it keeps them blackhead free.

 

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild Facial Soap

I use a combination of Clinique Face Cleanser and Dove soap to wash face. I would be just as happy washing with Dove all the time, but my sister takes all the Dove products from my bathroom. This is the next best thing. Its a really mild cleanser and you only need to use a VERY VERY small amount. It is great for break-out prone skin and feel gentle enough that doesn’t feel harsh on just showered skin.

The problem is that it cost $25.99 which a bit steep, but the good news is that you can buy a package of different products based on your skin to reduce the price.  The bottle lasts a long time if used properly.

I normally buy it at the Duty Free in the airports because I find the prices cheaper there.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 Facial Astringents (Dry to Combination)


I use this product everyday; right after washing my face. It works wonders on the blackhead prone areas, like your nose and chin.  I have officially converted my skincare product hating sisters to it.  It comes in 2 sizes and the smaller one usually lasts about 2 months. You don’t need a lot, and only need to use it once a day.

The price can range between $20-26.00 depending on where you buy it from. Its worth the investment.

 

 

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

I can not live without my Clinique moisturizer. I frist came across this product in an airport on our way to Asia. I had forgotten my moisturizer and needed to pick up something for my face. I love the consistency of it, and it is perfect for my skin type. It’s also available for different skin types.

 

I use 2- 3 drops worth and the bottle lasts me about 6 months. Its the perfect thing to go on top of the toner.

 

MAC Powder Blush Style

There are days where my natural glow just doesn’t cut it and I need a bit of colour to brighten up my face. I still love Mac, but now only buy their blushes.  I am on the lighter side of tan normally so anything pink or peach used in moderation perks my face right up. I only use it in the winter or for a special event as the minute that there is anything type of sun, I am tanned and my skin doesn’t need anything else.

Mac products are hypoallergenic and don’t react with my skin. The texture is great and does what it supposed to. I own 3 different shades.

 

Oh, and I use vaseline for my lips if needed.

 

I understand that the prices may seem higher than what is in the normall drug-stores. I can honestly tell you that I have tried 10-20 different brands (some high end, but mostly drug store) for each one that I am happy with.  Seeing as I used to spend $500-$800 a year of makeup alone to cover my skin, I am ok with spending $120 or for a years worth of the best skincare products for my skin. This elimates any need for facials or money wasted on products that don’t work.

Are you loyal to a product? What are your go-to skincare products that you can’t like without?

 

16 Comments

  1. I so wish I could go without makeup, but I always look tired and I find my face without makeup = unprofessional. I don’t really wear a lot, usually just some concealer, foundation, blush, mascara and eyeliner. I love MAC though!

  2. Have you heard of NuSkin? My mother sells that. I tried it once. I felt younger but I was also younger when I put it on so I might have just been young. 🙂

  3. I don’t have a very nice complexion so I feel like I have to wear foundation if I need to look nice (for work, special event etc.). Before having a baby, I would not leave the house without foundation on because my skin was almost always broken out. When I got pregnant however, I guess the hormones agreed with me and I haven’t broken out since (he’s now 10 months old). I could not be happier. The state of my skin was always a huge embarrassment to me. Now I will venture out of the house without makeup if I am just going shopping or for a walk or something and not worry about seeing someone I know.
    I use a Lise Watier foundation that is semi expensive. (I think I spend about $30 a month on it- maybe a little less if I can get a bottle to go a little further.) This feels dear to me and I have tried to find cheaper ones but have had little success. I have very fair skin and other foundations often make me look a bit orange.
    I wish I knew more about how to wear makeup properly so it looks good and such. My mother never taught me anything about beauty or fashion because it was not a high priority to her and what little I know I learned from my older sisters but since they have the same mother… they were pretty much just guessing themselves. If I have a daughter I would like to be able to teach her stuff like this but since I have such little knowledge there is little hope. I wish there were some sort of skin care/ makeup class or something I could go to. 🙂

    1. I honestly feel like that $30 a month is worth the confidence of leaving home without makeup.

      Have you looked for videos on youtube? You’d be surprised at what is online these days.

  4. I love clinique products!!!!!! I just started using them late last year and my skin has noticed a huge difference. I have really bad acne prone skin and have tried almost everything. I’m going to try the Clinique moisturizer you talked about, I use the acne solutions one right now but it dries my skin out.

    I wear simplistic make-up too – nothing too fancy. I honestly can’t tell the difference between a cheap ELF blush and a high-end $40 blush!

  5. I started doing the no makeup thing too this summer after I had my second child. I had not walked out of the house without makeup on in like ten years, so it was like you said for me as well… scary at first, very much like being naked. After the first month, though, it was freakin’ REMARKABLE how clear my skin was. Remarkable.

  6. Your path away from makeup mirrored my own. When I was a journalist, I wore a TON of makeup (kind of came with the territory, even though I worked behind the scenes). When I “retired” from that career, I also retired the bulk of my makeup. I’ve noticed my skin getting worse – maybe age, maybe environment, maybe hormones running wild after having two kids in three years! I’m going to have to try some of your suggestions, particularly the Clinique products. Used to swear by them back in the day!

  7. I wear makeup most days, especially to work. I feel like I look like a horror show if I don’t. I mostly wear MAC but for items that need to be replaced often, I use a drugstore brand. For washing and moisturizing, I use Aveeno soap and Oil of Olay moisturizer with SPF. I’ve found that they work as good as any fancy brands I’ve bought. And I love my 1800 different versions of lip balm (no brand preference) and 4700 nail polish colors (definite brand preference here–Essie or OPI).

    But if I had to, to quote Aloysa, go “nude” in public, I couldn’t live without my moisturizer, lip balm and mascara. Which, oddly enough, are the least expensive items I buy.

    1. Its funny that most people can go “nude” in public, but just choose not to. Also, I love OPI nail polish.

  8. My lip plumper,moisturizer cream and my nail polish is always with me every time i cant go out without them…Never 🙂

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