Personal Digest #2 (Makeup & Retail Therapy)

There are few cosmetic staples that separate low-fuss beauty from high-maintenance glam, in my opinion. False lashes and highlighting/contouring products are best left forgotten if you’re in a hurry (well, maybe…), but there is one product that is so borderline essential that it should be deemed of same importance as your daily moisturizer. That’s right: a foundation base (or primer).

My once forgotten bottle of Chanel Base Lumiere Illuminating Makeup Base now has a special place in my makeup bag. I dispense a dime-sized amount onto my fingers, mix with a little of my favorite serum or moisturizer, and massage it onto my entire face. I now have a nice glow going on, but it gets better. Everything that goes over it – foundation, blush, eyeshadow, whatever – stays put all day long with minimal touch-ups! My usually oily skin is beautifully matte, yet glowing. Containing marine extract to minimize imperfections, this potion leaves your face looking and feeling like a million bucks.

My girlfriend Janine would be delighted to know that, with using a makeup primer, her Wet ‘n Wild blush will stay put along with her Body Shop eye colors. Primers enhance staying power of cheap to steep makeup, saving money on product and minimizing the need for frequent touch-ups.

Steeper	Cheaper
Chanel Base Lumiere $38.50	MAC Prep + Prime $22

I am absolutely in love with fall/winter styles this season. They’re amazing. I get to go color and print crazy well into fall, and then transition back to my default business fab wardrobe of blacks, whites, greys, & silver. The great thing about shopping for fall pieces is that they’re all on sale right now before wintery gear rolls in – more deals & steals!

Urban Outfitters has a rockin’ sale going on, so naturally I ransacked the place and came out with brilliant pieces by Lux that I purchased for less than half of retail price:

» Green/blue print tunic: $48 $15
» Tangerine shirt dress: $53 $20
» Black kimono dress: $53 $20

…As well as a few accessories and two pairs of Havaianas flip flops – a celebrity favorite comfy thong that resists wear, essential for when you live in flip flops as I do.

Tonight’s running around has got me pooped, so I’m going to finish up my tea and hit the sack. Office dwellers will appreciate the fact that tomorrow is not only jeans day for most, but a half day for most, also (a stellar opportunity to break in my Havaianas and run some pre-weekend errands).

Have a blessed holiday weekend, everyone!