paint by numbers

I realize a make-up post is waaaay overdue. Just a warning...picture heavy, link heavy, and description heavy post is what awaits you. Consider yourself warned. (Btw, please keep in mind that what works for me might not work for you...I should also mention that I have extremely dry, extremely sensitive skin that is prone to break-outs. I also apply Differin Cream every night before my night cream to prevent any unwanted zits.)

1. Wash face with Cetaphil in shower (as last step to rinse off the other chems from shampoo/conditioner).
2. Apply Isa Knox lotion.
3. Apply Nivea Creme under eyes and other dry areas. (I also use the Nivea Creme as a night cream - it's the only thing that helps with my chronic dry skin and doesn't break me out. I use Vaseline at night as my eye cream.)
   
4. Use MAC 195 concealer brush to apply MAC Concealer in NW25 on problem areas.
5. Powder face with Shiseido Powdery Foundation in O60 (I've been using this for almost 10 years...it's the only thing that matches my skin tone and provides good coverage)

1. Take MAC 266 angle brush, dip into MAC Charcoal Brown eyeshadow, apply to brows.
2. Brush off excess powder with MAC 204 lash brush.
3. Take MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Spiked - define brows using soft, short strokes.
4. Again, brush off excess with MAC 204 lash brush.
5. To groom my brows, I use this eyebrow razor. Sounds scary but it's great. I don't pluck because my mom believes plucking stretches the skin around the eye area - who knows if this is true. But I've been using this since I was a teen so it's what I'm used to.
   

1. Take an eyeshadow brush and apply MAC Pigment in Vanilla on brow bone.
2. Apply MAC Paint Pot in Painterly on eyelids as an eyeshadow primer/base with my right ring finger.
3. Take make-up sponge and generously apply Wet 'n' Wild loose powder in 270 under the eyes to catch any loose eyeshadow. (Any light, loose powder will do. There are 2 benefits to doing this - 1) it prevents loose eyeshadow dust from settling under your eyes which eventually smudges. Not only does this look messy but it can also enhance your dark unde reye circles. And 2) using a much lighter powder will brighten up the unde reye area and help camouflage dark circles.)
4. Take right finger and apply MAC Mulch eyeshadow all over eyelids.
5. Take another eyeshadow brush and apply MAC Carbon eyeshadow along crease and upper eye area.
6. Take 1st eyeshadow brush, dip in MAC Pigment in Vanilla, and use to blend the darker eyeshadows so there's no harsh lines.
7. Take Chanel #4 brush, wet it with water, and dip into Carbon eyeshadow to make a paste. I use this as my eyeliner. (I usually fill a shot glass with water so I have it on hand when I need to wet the brush again. It'll take several dips for you to create a nice paste. Oh, and this eyeliner brush is the best I've used. And it's lasted me over 10 years. Make sure you clean it after each use - I pour a little bit of MAC Brush Cleanser onto a wash cloth and just rub the brush back and forth.)
8. Take a clean powder brush and gently brush off the loose powder under the eyes.
9. Curl lashes with Shiseido curler.
10. Apply Fresh Supernova Mascara on lashes.
11. While 1st coat of mascara dries, take MAC 219 brush, dip into Carbon eyeshadow (on a dry spot of the eyeshadow), and line lower lashes. Then, swipe brush on a dry wash cloth to clean off excess eyeshadow. Dip brush into Mulch eyeshadow and line lower eyes over the Carbon. (I like to use 2 colors on my lower lashes cuz I find it blends in well w/my upper lids and it's not as harsh looking. I always use Carbon first and then apply whichever eyeshadow color I have on that day on top to layer.)
12. Curl lashes again and apply 2nd coat of mascara.
13. Re-powder with my Shiseido powder again to clean up face.
    

1. Take a powder brush and apply MAC Enough Said powder along lower cheeks and temples. I use this as a bronzer/contour. (Unfortunately this color is discontinued.)
2. Take Chanel #8 brush and apply Bourjois Blush in 34 Rose D'or on apples of cheeks.
3. In the photo above, I am wearing Chanel Brush On Creme Lip Color in Creme Caramel.

1. Revlon Lipstick in Blackberry (awesome red)
2. Milani Eyeshadow in Black Out
3. Milani Eyeshadow in Beach Sand
4. Kiehl's lip gloss pot in Tawny Gold (this is discontinued, also)
5. MAC Lipstick in Rebel
6. MAC Lipstick in Blow Dry
7. MAC Lipglass in Soft Wave
8. MAC Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe
9. MAC Eyeshadow in Top Knot (gorgeous rich purple)
10. MAC Eyeshadow in Knight Divine

And some miscellaneous stuff...

1. I clean my make-up brushes with MAC Brush Cleanser.
2. I wash with Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash.
3. I apply Lubriderm Sensitive Skin Lotion on my entire body after each shower.
4. My hands love Neutrogena Hand Cream.
   
5. In the evenings I wash my face with Kracie Kanebo Naive Cleansing Oil in Olive Oil. This thing takes off everything including water proof mascara. Pour some in your hands, quickly put your hands together so both are covered with the oil, and on dry skin (do not wet your face) rub all over face. Then just rinse with warm water. I also use a wash cloth when I'm rinsing this to exfoliate a bit. This oil is water soluble so it won't leave a nasty film on your skin. It completely washes off.
   
6. When I need to exfoliate, I use an asprin and honey mask. Take 2-3 uncoated asprin tablets (must be uncoated), lay them on your palm, add a couple of drops of water to dissolve the tablets and create a paste (make sure your asprin paste isn't watery at all, but thick). Mush them with your finger just a little, then pour honey over it, rub your hands together to mix the honey and asprin paste, then rub all over face. Avoid your eyes and rub gently for a couple of minutes. Then let the mask sit on your face for about 5 min. Rinse with warm water. My skin is amazingly soft and glowing each time I do this. It's good to do it at least 1-2 imes a week but my lazy ass probably gets to it about 2x a month.

Whew, that's it! If you've gotten this far...wow, thanks for reading the entire thing. haha Hopefully it was somewhat informative. Happy painting!

P.S. Oh yeah...my hair... I basically just dried it and curled it with a large barrel curling iron. No products. For my usual regimen, go HERE.

Image Credits: sephora.com, MACcosmetics.com, drugstore.com,
chanel.com, cvs.com, evecare.com, and google images