It took me quite a while to find the perfect vanity because I really had to decide if I wanted products displayed on top or to be hidden in drawers. I also had to be realistic about how much makeup I would be accumulating over the years.

Before we start looking into the different vanities, it’s important we ask ourselves some questions first:

How many beauty products do I have?

This answer will ultimately determine your vanity size. Do you want a bigger vanity area to keep all your makeup in one spot or a smaller one for your day-to-day while you house all your extra makeup in a storage system?

Do I want to keep my lotions and perfumes in this vanity as well?

What is my mirror and lightning situation like?

Do I have a stale lighting situation and need the artificial lights that come with some vanities?

Or am I able to use the natural light and get by with a standing mirror on my vanity?

How much space do I have and where is the ideal spot to place it?

Can I have a makeup vanity desk that takes up a lot of space or do I need a small table and small mirror?

Now that we are armed with those answers, let me show you 5 different vanities that I’m sure will suit everyone.

Ikea Alex Drawers

If you are someone who needs lots of makeup storage, then this is the vanity for you. With 10 drawers, varying in-depth, there is more than enough storage space for the average makeup user.

The great thing about this makeup station is the top is not nailed down to the drawers. If you ever want to change your station you can remove the table top and use the drawers somewhere else in your home.

This design has no mirror attached, so I think a hanging mirror above this would be really pretty.

Staystation Plus 2.0

This vanity is beautiful and functional and the glass top gives it a nice look of elegance. This makeup station comes with plenty of additional storage as well. Since the glass top is so pretty you could store aesthetically pleasing things up top and keep the rest of your makeup in the drawers. Though to be fair, some cosmetic companies have really stepped up their game and their packaging is worthy of display.

Another thing to mention is that glass is very easy to clean after the inevitable foundation spill, so that’s a big perk. This vanity comes in plenty of colors and gives you the option of purchasing the coordinating mirror as well.

Related: 7 Best Jewelry Boxes for Earrings to Arrange and Showcase Your Favorite Pieces

Haimes Wide Vanity

This is perfect for people who have a small space but still want it to look nice. This vanity comes with three drawers and four cubbies on top. It also has areas on the side that will hold your blow dryer and curling iron too.

Not only is this a stylish makeup vanity but the drawers are soft closed and the stool is included. Win, win, and win.

This desk would be perfect for the person who doesn’t have a ton of makeup or someone just getting into it the beauty world. The three-paneled mirror on this vanity does fold so just imagine all the different angles you are going to get.

Gesche Wide Vanity With Mirror

This is a very simple but stylish white vanity. This vanity has clean lines and a large mirror. This is another one that would be great in a small room for a chic look.

The drawers are deep so you would have more than enough space to hold all your cosmetic products too.

If the all white look is not for you then a great and easy idea would be to switch out the hardware for something fun. New hardware may seem like a little thing that won’t make a big difference but I assure you, it will.

If you were looking for a bathroom makeup vanity this would be a great option for you too. If I had to choose just one vanity from this list to get, it would be this one!

Mid Century Vanity Desk

Even though West Elm is calling this a desk, I would buy this to be my makeup table. First off, the desk is so beautiful. Yes, I know I said I would choose the one above, but if I was needing a vanity and money was no object, I would be buying this one.

(I’m also not sure why West Elm has this in the kids section – I’m an adult and I would love to own this.)

It comes in three different colors, has a simple design, and would match any room aesthetic. I obviously think it’s perfect but a simple way to make it more modern would be to switch out the hardware.

With deep drawers and an attached mirror, this desk was just made for applying your makeup.

Now you have easy access to some of the best makeup station vanity ideas. These five could look really nice in a small bedroom, large room, or even a bathroom. If you still can’t find anything you like, I would suggest buying something second hand.

That way you can sand it, paint it your favorite color, and make it the vanity of your dreams. Because after all, the most important thing is to have something you love.

Now that you’ve found the right way to organize your makeup, it’s time to make sure your accessories are organized too. Figure out how you can do that in this post- 7 Purse Organization Ideas That Make Finding Things a Cinch!

The post 5 Makeup Station Ideas That Are Functional and Aesthetically Pleasing appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.

As you get older, your skin changes. You develop age spots, wrinkles, and the appearance of fine lines start to show up. So, the important thing you would need to do is switch up your makeup routine. And the best way to do this is by finding the right foundation that will give your entire face a flawless finish.

To improve your search for the best foundation for aging skin over 50 easier, we have made a list of the best foundations. However, before you choose the perfect foundation to add to your existing makeup products, here are four important factors to consider when buying the best foundation for aging skin over 50:

Hydration

Older women over 50 are more prone to dry skin. Once women reach menopause, the skin starts to change and women experience dehydrated skin.

This is why hydration is an important factor to look for in a good foundation. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil can do a great job of offering you a dewy finish.

Coverage

You need to search for foundations that have buildable coverage to help you hide dark spots and to blur the appearance of fine lines (without sinking into wrinkles). But all in all, it depends on your personal preference. You can either choose a lightweight coverage for a more natural finish or a full coverage foundation for a flawless look.

Skin texture

Mature women start to lose elasticity in their skin. So to keep it looking plump, it is best to pick a foundation that contains Vitamin C to increase the production of collagen, which effectively helps make your skin firm. (Or as some beauty experts call it, “Spanx for your skin.”)

Anti-aging benefits

The best foundations for mature skin types should give you extra moisture. This can be found in ingredients like hyaluronic acid which helps to retain the skin’s moisture. Vitamin E is also a key ingredient that gives anti-aging benefits. It does a good job at instantly protecting your skin from sun damage.

Now that you know what factors to look out for, read on to find the right foundation that will give you a youthful glow.

1. Makeup Forever Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation

The name of this foundation will be music to the ears of mature women with dry skin. This light coverage foundation has a hydrating formula called Camellia Japonica which helps to moisture the skin. And thanks to the special ginseng ingredient, you don’t have to worry about your skin getting less collagen because it supports natural collagen.

It also arrives in different shades in fair, medium, and dark, so finding a perfect match for your skin tone won’t be hard for you!

What women love about this foundation: “I’ve been searching for a foundation that feels good on my face, covers without sinking into fine lines or accentuating pores, and is a shade to match my pale skin. I may have just found my favorite foundation so far!“

2. Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45

As the name implies, this medium coverage foundation is designed to nourish your skin. It is infused with chia seed extract, probiotic technology, and ion-charged water to hydrate and soothe dry skin.

It is also the perfect option for women over 50 because it has a radiant finish that evens skin tone and dark spots. The vitamin E in this liquid formula will also help to defy the visible signs of wrinkles and fine lines.

What women love about this foundation: “Wow!!! Covers melasma and freckles and is dewy, not thick. It is great for sensitive skin. The foundation doesn’t settle into fine lines, and it lasts under a mask!! It Makes my 50+-year-old skin look fresh. Use with a foundation brush or beauty blender.“

3. It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare

If you are searching high and low for the best drugstore foundations, this is it! It’s a great foundation for anyone that is not a fan of heavy foundation. This lightweight formula offers medium coverage that minimizes the look of large pores while delivering a natural finish.

This skincare-infused foundation also features hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, plus vitamins E & B5 to plump, moisturize and protect the skin from UV rays.

What women love about this foundation: “I bought this as a recommendation from a 40+ YouTuber and, I’m so glad I did. It’s foolproof. I can slap it on with a beauty blender. Zero effort. No cakiness, no settling in fine lines or, my huge pores! No primer is needed. It is really what the bottle states, your skin but better. I’ve recommended it to my mother, aunt, family, and friends. This foundation saved my self-esteem!“

Related post: 5 Best Makeup Brands for Women Over 50

4. L’Oréal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation

If radiance is what you are searching for, this L’oreal foundation is your pick. It is formulated with a hydrating serum, so your mature skin type will stay glowy throughout the day.

It also has the bonus of having vitamin B3 and SPF 50 to stop your skin from getting sun-damaged.

What women love about this foundation: “This is an excellent Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation. It is best to obtain so many benefits in a single product for mature skin, perfect coverage, easy application, and they do not form marks on the skin.“

5. Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation

This lightweight foundation boasts pseudo-Ceramides to keep skin hydrated for up to 18 hours.

It also offers a radiant finish that visibly minimizes pores and wrinkles for airbrushed-looking skin.

What women love about this foundation: “This product is wonderful!! I am 75 years old, I don’t like heavy cosmetics, and was previously using just a BB cream for my foundation. After reading the reviews, I decided to try this product. I love it!! It gives slightly more coverage than a BB cream but doesn’t look heavy at all.“

6. Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

You need to add this Nars Sheer glow foundation to your makeup routine. This mature skin-friendly foundation is perfect for brightening dull skin without masking your natural complexion (all thanks to the vitamin C ingredient.)

It is packed with Turmeric which enhances the radiance of your skin tone while giving your a natural finish.

What women love about this foundation: “This is EXCELLENT. The finish with this foundation is perfect. I’m very foundation fussy, as I should be with gracefully aged skin. I would always default to BB creams that were more forgiving with my fine lines. It goes on beautifully with blender or brush, blends well, and sets perfectly; it matches your natural skin tone! Not cakey, and with setting spray, you will glow. This will be my forever foundation.“

7. Tarte Shape Tape Cloud Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen

If you loved the cult-favorite Tarte Shape Tape concealer, you are also going to like their foundation. The foundation leaves you with a natural matte finish that feels like skin.

The tape technology and the crease-proof formula also helps to blur and smoothen fine lines and wrinkles.

What women love about this foundation: “This is a new favorite. . I have been struggling with dry textured skin that nothing looks good on. This blurred my texture and didn’t burn my skin. It felt hydrating and soothing. Very lightweight on the skin. I applied it with my fingers, and it blended like a dream.“

8. Pat McGrath Labs Sublime perfection foundation

This high-end foundation is undoubtedly expensive, but the long wear and natural formula make it worth the splurge. It is infused with Unique Polymers to not only provide lasting wear but also a luminous finish.

Available in 36 shades, this foundation has easily buildable coverage that decreases the appearance of wrinkles.

What women love about this foundation: “Found the holy grail foundation for my mature skin. Blurring, dewy, and light. Make my skin look amazing. Also, I love the wide color selection.“

Whether you need a new foundation for special occasions or to improve your everyday makeup routine, this list will help you find the best foundation for women over 50 that will restore your radiant glow.

Now that you have found the best foundation for aging skin over 50, it’s time to discover the best fashion brands for older women

Up next: Where to Shop for the Best Women Over 50 Fashion

The post 8 Best Foundations for Aging Skin Over 50 appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.

Today’s genius beauty companies have released numerous types of BB creams and moisturizers, so it can be hard to pick the right one. This includes a BB cream with skincare ingredients and tinted moisturizer to help you perfect your natural makeup routine.

To take the guesswork out of picking the right product, we have created the ultimate guide to bb creams vs tinted moisturizer. You will get to know the different purposes and makeup formulas of each makeup product. You will know which ones are worth adding to your beauty routine and the pros and cons of each.

Keep on scrolling to learn about the breakdown of the different types of face makeup:

What is a BB cream?

BB stands for “beauty balm” or some cases, “blemish balm.” It is your best bet for a flawless complexion. Not only does it give your makeup look a natural finish, but it also has skincare benefits! It evens out your entire face and hydrates the face.

This clever merge of makeup and skincare was invented by German Dermatologist Dr. Christine Schrameck. Before it became a makeup must-have for beauty lovers, it was initially created for patients to use after laser skin surgery, peels and microdermabrasion.

Even though the BB cream was released in 1967, it was only until the 2010s that it became popular (especially in Asia, particularly the Korean beauty market).

Today, beauty enthusiasts around the globe can’t get enough BB creams. And we can’t blame them. There are a plethora of reasons why BB creams are good for daily use.

Benefits of BB creams:

On top of streamlining your makeup routine, BB creams are a great option for other reasons:

Skincare benefits: Many BB creams have skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, Humectants, and SPF protection. These key ingredients help hydrate the skin, cover blemishes, and shield your skin from UV damage.

Lighter coverage for a skin-like finish: This one-and-done product provides less coverage than standard foundations. The main goal of the sheer coverage is to give you a natural-looking finish. So if your personal preference on how you wear your makeup is minimal, you will like this!

The downside of BB creams:

Not a wide shade range: The available shades are three blanket names like dark, light, and medium. Due to the lack of shades, It can take some trial and error to find the right BB cream that matches your skin tone.

What’s the difference between BB creams, DD creams and, CC creams?

With so many alphabet creams on the market, it may feel like only makeup experts can decipher what each product is used for. Thankfully, these beauty creams are not as difficult to understand.

While BB creams give the lightest coverage, CC creams (stands for color correction) offer you medium coverage and sometimes full coverage. The other main difference between CC creams and BB creams is that it, as the name suggests, is used for color correcting uneven skin tone.

The last cream on the list is the DD cream, “Daily defense” dynamic do-all — whatever you prefer to call it, this beauty product has the exact texture of a BB cream. But the biggest difference between the two creams is that the DD cream has more SPF protection. Additionally, the dynamic do-all cream can be used as a color corrective.

The best tools you should use to apply BB creams

The simplest way to apply a BB cream is with your fingers. However, if you are looking for an airbrushed finish, expert makeup artists suggest using a beauty sponge or a foundation brush.

Shop the best BB creams

BB creams vary in different levels of coverage and finishes (matte, dewy, and natural) so it is important to find the right one for your skin type.

BB cream for oily skin

If you are just like me, and your face gets greasy and shiny by noon, then you would know how hard it is to find a face product that will not melt away very quickly.

Instead of opting for a matte foundation, try this Tarte all-in-one beauty balm. The formula works to provide you with a natural matte finish and a creamy weightless feel. And the best part about this medium buildable coverage BB cream is that it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores.

BB Tinted Treatment 12 Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30

What women love about this product: “The formula is great for oily to combo skin. I have a combo and, it’s a natural matte finish. Great coverage but, it still looks like skin. It wouldn’t work for anyone with dry skin. I currently use it during winter (My skin is a bit on the dry side in some areas). The only downside is that it’s a bit on the orange (I got a medium tan). I will exchange it for medium shade to see if it’s a better fit. Overall would buy again.“

Pros

• It holds up on oily skin for 12 hours.

• Protects your skin against UV rays with broad-spectrum SPF 30.

Cons

• It has a slight tint of orange. This tint of color can be unflattering for anyone that has a fair skin tone. Reviewers have also said that they wish that there was a wider shade range.

BB cream for acne-prone skin

If you are about to attend a special occasion but you suffer from skin issues like acne, you may want this BB cream to hide your blemishes.

The silky formula is jam-packed with vitamin e to provide antioxidant defense against environmental stressors. It also contains silica to smooth out the look of large pores.

Prime Time BB Primer-Cream Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30

What women love about this product: “I use this product as my only base face product. I will use concealer over it if I want to minimize my pores out of existence, but the velvety smooth texture of this primer is amazing and, it blurs all my imperfections and skin discolorations. Not completely. But it is enough to satisfy me to wear it alone. And I love the fact that it has SPF.“

Pros

• Acne-prone skin is usually textured and bumpy. However, this BB cream is infused with aloe leaf, chamomile, licorice root that soothes, softens, and conditions the skin.

Cons

• There are not enough shades.

• The cream also has a slight orange fragrance. So if you are looking for a scentless bb cream, this might not be the right one for you.

Related post: La Mer Skincare Review | Miracle Products or Just Really Good Marketing?

BB cream for dry skin

This BB cream will give you the maximum hydration that your skin needs. It is infused with nourishing natural ingredients like jojoba and sea oil that can make your skin feel hydrated for days on end. The lightweight formula also has an SPF 15, so you won’t get sunburnt during the day.

Burts Bees BB Cream with SPF 15

Pros

• It has anti-aging ingredients that reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Cons

• It could have more shades.

What women love about this product: “I love this stuff. I feel like it makes me look so glowy and healthy. The light coverage doesn’t cling to dry patches. It even looks better after a couple of hours of wear.“

What is a tinted moisturizer?

Some days we are unwilling to go full glam with makeup on. Luckily, tinted moisturizer exists to give us perfect-looking skin without feeling cakey.

This is not your ordinary moisturizer. It is an all-in-one product that incorporates skincare ingredients and makeup. It will be your new go-to beauty product to effortlessly blur wrinkles and achieve a dewy finish.

Benefits of a tinted moisturizer

It refreshes the skin and leaves it with a natural glow without the need for an Instagram filter.

Tinted moisturizers are formulated with a broad-spectrum SPF for an added dose of protection from UV rays.

There is a wide shade range for nearly every complexion.

Downsides of a tinted moisturizer

If you want to cover up dark spots or hyperpigmentation, the sheer coverage of tinted moisturizers won’t effectively hide those marks.

Shop the best-tinted moisturizers

Tinted moisturizer for sun protection

A heavy foundation is the last thing you would want on your face during hot summer days. This is where tinted moisturizer comes in.

The Nars radiant moisturizer will leave you hydrated, glowing, and protected. All thanks to the key ingredients like the Kopara extracts that hydrate and smoothen the skin. Not to mention the vitamin c that effectively protects skin from environmental aggressors.

The Nars Pure radiant tinted moisturizer SPF 30

Pros

• Buildable coverage, synthetic fragrance-free, and 16 inclusive shades!

Cons

• It needs to be set with foundation powder.

• It is also quite pricey.

Tinted moisturizer with oil-free formula

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Natural Skin perfecter broad-spectrum SPF 20

You will not have to worry about your moisturizer turning your face greasy anymore, thanks to this oil-free product. The oil-absorbing powders help to control shine. It also leaves your skin with a demi-matte finish.

Pros

• 20 inclusive shades, SPF 20 to protect skin from getting damaged from the sun, all-day shine control

Cons

• A little pricey
• Oxidizes over time

Bb cream VS tinted moisturizer final verdict:
BB creams and tinted moisturizers share similarities. The creams contain skincare ingredients and makeup qualities that can create a flawless natural finish. However, the tinted moisturizer is the better option because it has more shades to blend in with your complexion. It will ultimately help you truly achieve the best no-makeup makeup look.

Found the right face cream? It’s now time to get inspired by this minimal makeup routine.

Up next: My Minimalist Makeup Collection & 5 Minute Simple Yet Polished Makeup Routine

The post BB cream VS Tinted Moisturizer | Which is Better? appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.

1. Charlotte Tilbury

About the brand: British professional makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury launched her namesake beauty brand in 2013. With fancy packaging and different products inspired by red carpet looks, her brand quickly gained a cult following. Her sprawling selection of beauty products includes everyday eye shadow palettes and nude lipsticks.

A product you should try: 

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation

One of the best options from Charlotte Tilbury’s makeup line is her iconic and revolutionary Airbrush foundation. It is a holy-grail foundation for mature skin! It contains magic ingredients like hyaluronic acid that promotes supple skin. Other mature-skin-friendly ingredients found in this liquid foundation include vitamin C, a fabulous ingredient that helps to make skin look brighter.

And for a more youthful look, this foundation is infused with replexium. This ground-breaking ingredient is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. Just set your foundation with some setting powder and you have got yourself some flawless poreless-looking skin.

What women love about this product: “I used Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless, I was blown away. I have mature skin with a little bit of rosacea (with just a slightly oily nose). This foundation looks good even, holding up on an oily nose.“

2. Clinique

About the brand: Clinique has established itself as the best makeup brand for women over 50. It is also the home of one of the best skincare products. It was launched by US Vogue editor Carol Philips, Evelyn Lauder (daughter-in-law of Estee), and lastly, dermatologist Norman Orentreich MD in 1968.

This trio merged skincare products with cosmetics to create the best makeup primers for a natural look and moisturizer that gives a healthy glow. Besides its good skincare, this legendary brand is also popular for its nourishing lip colors.

A product you should try:

Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum

As your skin changes, so should the beauty products that you use! Using this is one of the best ways to take care of your skin before you apply makeup.

It contains hydraulic acid to re-plump wrinkles and it is infused with a potent retinoid that smoothens skin. Thanks to the collagen repairing ingredient (CL1870 Laser Focus Complex), this wrinkle-correcting serum is a great option for mature skin.

What women love about this product: “It’s a fantastic serum that has become a staple in my skincare routine. I use it day and night. It layers great under makeup and other skincare products. The retinol is gentle yet very effective. My skin has never been more radiant!“

3. Bare Minerals

About the brand: Bare Minerals is arguably the best makeup brand for women over 50 who are looking for natural, healthy-looking skin.

It was launched in 1995 by Leslie Blodgett after she got famous for her DVD makeup tutorials. In that same year, the company unveiled its ORIGINAL loose mineral face powder. This Bare Mineral makeup product impressed beauty editors and makeup enthusiasts alike that the brand gained popularity globally.

A product you should try:

bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 

The loose powder is the best choice foundation for oily skin. If you are struggling with excess oil, then adding this to your beauty routine would be a good idea!

It has five key ingredients, including titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. This ground-breaking ingredient has mineral-based SPF protection to shield you from UV rays. There are also natural ingredients like iron oxides that offer a natural-looking color and coverage.

What women love about this product: “I do have VERY oily, yet mature skin. This foundation does not seem to settle into the fine lines around my eyes. I get very oily and require much blotting throughout the day – YET, this product does NOT break me out. I feel like this product works well with my aging, yet oily and sensitive skin.“

Related post: My Minimalist Makeup Collection & 5 Minute Simple Yet Polished Makeup Routine!

4. Laura Mercier

About the brand: What first started as a search to find the perfect makeup products quickly ended up a global beauty brand. The founder Laura Mercier began her namesake label in 1996 to help all women reach their full beauty potential. Since its inception, Laura Mercier has become a staple for the beauty scene especially for women over 50.

A product you should try:

Mini Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector Broad Spectrum SPF 20

If there is one hero product that needs to be added to your makeup bag, it’s the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. It is formulated with Vitamin E to protect you against the damaging effects of the sun.

Additionally, this highly-rated moisturizer has licorice root extract to soothe irritated skin.

What women love about this product: “I’ve spent a small fortune trying to find a foundation or tinted moisturizer I love. I read an article that recommended this for mature skin and decided to give it a try. The coverage is light and, it feels like I have nothing on my face. It’s what I was hoping for. It doesn’t settle into my fine lines and, the finish is so natural looking.”

5. Lancôme

About the brand: Lancôme first started as a luxury fragrance brand in 1935. Two years later, the founder Armand Petitjean moved on to makeup and unveiled a pink-red rose-scented lipstick. This lipstick was so beloved that it remained a bestseller more than 30 years later.

A product you should try:

L’ABSOLU ROUGE CREAM LIPSTICK

It can be a challenge to find an age-defying lipstick that will not bleed into fine lines. Luckily, this Lancôme lipstick has the opposite effect.

This hydrating and lightweight formula makes a long-lasting lipstick and it packs your lips with rose flower extract to soften and replenish them with moisture.

What women love about this product: “It’s always so hard to come across a lip product that does both jobs well & this does the trick! The color stays on well and stays moisturizing.“

When it comes to wearing makeup, what works well for a woman in her 20s and 30s might not be good for mature skin. The good news is that you can find the best makeup brands for women over 50 to help you adapt your makeup routine to suit your aging skin type!

Now that you have found the best makeup brands for women over 50, it’s now time to find the best places to buy dresses for mature women!

Up next: Top 9 Dresses for Women Over 50 That are Classic and Chic

The post 5 Best Makeup Brands for Women Over 50 appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.

Okay, you got me started. When I attempted to put false eyelashes on myself I somehow glued my fingers together. The eyelashes were nowhere to be found.

But secondly, the time. Who’s got it?

Unless makeup is something you enjoy applying, most of us want to look good with very minimal effort. That’s when a minimal makeup routine and collection come in handy. I’m a big fan of having a minimal makeup collection for several reasons!

The benefits of a minimalist makeup collection

Save money
A minimal makeup collection can save you tons of money because you’re not buying into every trend or new product out there in the beauty industry and instead, you’re sticking with the core items (just like capsule wardrobes).

The average woman will spend $225,360 over the course of a lifetime on her appearance. I have even heard of women that have gone into debt over makeup! Now, I’m not saying that spending on your appearance is wrong. In fact, I’ve recently just dabbled in getting facials.

The difference, however, is that I know exactly where my money is going and what I’m doing with it instead of spending $40 here and there on random makeup only to throw it away a few months later, barely used. A minimal makeup collection not only saves you money because you’re buying less, but it helps you to be more intentional with what you’re spending your money on too.

Save space & have less stress
There are times when I’ll browse through a makeup aisle and go a little crazy, only to feel the consequences of my actions later. My makeup bag is overflowing. My backup storage basket is overflowing. How can one person use all of this? Do I really need 15 lip colors?

It took me a while to give myself permission to either pass these on or toss them because I didn’t want to “waste money”, but by not even using them, the money was already wasted. So why not just clear them out and get my sanity back? That’s worth all the money in the world to me!

It’s scientifically proven that clutter and mess can cause stress. Having less makeup gives you more breathing room in your home and storage spaces because you’re not having to make room for a makeup collection that rivals one of a professional makeup artist.

Save time
Your minimalist makeup collection consists of just a few steps instead of a million. Looking put together in 5 minutes or less? Yes, please! Using minimal products not only saves you time getting ready in the morning, but it also saves time cleaning because you have less to organize. AND it saves you time shopping because you have less to buy. Plus, once you find your favorites all you have to do is quickly reorder (if you shop online), taking your shopping down to mere minutes.

Have healthier skin
Using higher quality products can help acne-prone skin and putting less makeup on your face can give you more youthful skin too. After all, it’s good for the skin to breathe and research has shown that regular use of excess makeup can lead to early aging and aggravate fine lines.

Embrace your natural beauty

I’ve always thought that I don’t want someone to see me without a full face of makeup and think that I look tired, sick, or worse, completely different. Using less makeup helps you appreciate your natural look more. This will only help you embrace and love the real you!

If I were to wear a ton of makeup daily, I’d get used to that being my look and when it was time to take it off, I’d feel naked and if I’m being honest, probably a little ugly. Heavy makeup is reserved for photoshoots and special events; I don’t give myself a chance to think a glam look is my main look.

As you can see, a minimal makeup collection not only saves time, space, and money, but it can give you more radiant skin in the long run too. Now here’s what I use to achieve my simple and polished makeup routine that takes less than 5 minutes. Yep, I timed myself!

My 5 Minute Makeup Routine

After doing my skincare routine and mixing my moisturizer with these tanning drops for a little glow, I’ll start with my cream concealer from Glossier.

Concealer

I LOVE this cream concealer. It melts into your skin and looks very natural. Plus, there are so many shades that can cater to every skin tone. This product is just the thing for natural-looking makeup.

Related: Glossier Stretch Concealer Review | Worth the Hype?

If I’m having a breakout or my skin tone is looking uneven and I need a little extra coverage, then I’ll lightly apply bareMinerals powder.

Bronzer

This step makes me feel like I’m “coming alive” and this bronzer is perfect for adding a little bit of color to your face. I love this particular product because it looks so natural. Plus, I can feel good about the products that will be sitting on my face for hours. Just like in fashion, fewer products but higher quality is the goal.

Cloud Paint (Cream Blush)

A little bit of this product definitely goes a long way. Though Glossier products can be on the expensive side, they’ve been lasting me for a long time. Blush in general is great to add some warmth and rosiness to your face and I love this one because it looks so natural.

Brow Gel

Brows can completely transform your face! I embrace the more natural brow look, so I love a little bit of brow gel just to keep them in place. My brows keep their shape all day thanks to this gel! This is another one of my all-time favorite products.

Mascara

I don’t feel complete without mascara. Mascara makes your eyes pop and it’s like the lipstick to your face. Wait, no never mind, that’s actually lipstick. Either way, mascara is more than worth having in your makeup bag!

Lip gloss or lip balm

A little swipe of something on your lips and you’re ready to head out the door! For home, I usually just complete my makeup look with chapstick, but something with a little bit of color is a great way to look put together too.

Puting Together Your Minimalist Makeup Collection

When putting together your own minimalist makeup bag, it’s important to personalize it to suit your needs.

My skin is acne-prone so I personally don’t use liquids, but a bb cream or tinted moisturizer instead of concealer or powder foundation can be great for a light yet polished look. The best makeup routine is the one that takes into account your skin type!

With so many new beauty products constantly hitting the shelves, it’s tempting to want to fill your makeup drawer with things you probably don’t really need. And then there’s social media, where beauty influencers can sometimes make you feel like you just need that latest eyebrow brush or new technique. And I’m not criticizing, I understand that it’s their job!

But when looking to add something new to your makeup collection, ask yourself what it is you’d like to conceal or improve. If you have dark under-eye circles then add a concealer that’s made for under-eye creasing. If you’d like to improve your skin tone, then look into getting a great bb or cc cream.

Before buying new, try to shop your stash first. If you have tons of products threatening to topple off your bathroom shelf, then you won’t even use what you have!

Here are some essentials of a minimalist makeup collection to put together your own minimal makeup look:

• Concealer
• Lightweight foundation, bb cream, cc cream, and/or tinted moisturizer
• Bronzer and/or blush (something to add a little color)
• Mascara
• Brow gel or pencil
• Lip balm

Makeup brands to check out:

• The Honest Company
• Burts Bees
• bareMinerals
• Glossier
• BeautyCounter

The best part is that you customize your makeup collection to work for you. Though I skip the eyeshadow, that might be the one thing that makes you feel alive. Whatever the products, try to keep it 9 products or less, if you start getting into 10-15, well, then that takes away the whole point of a minimalist makeup collection!

Another way to have less and get more bang for your buck is to look for items that can take the place of other products.

For example, a tinted multi-stick can work for your cheeks, eyes, and lips. Or instead of having an eyebrow pencil and a clear brow gel, just get tinted brow gel so it shapes your eyebrows and colors them in at the same time. Having items that can be used in different ways is a great thing to keep in mind for your capsule makeup collection!

If you want to enjoy the process of putting on makeup every morning, then make sure your bathroom or vanity is clean and organized!

Now, complete your collection! Find your chic minimalist makeup bag in the widget below:

Don’t worry about trying to keep up with the latest beauty trends or fads. It’s all going to change anyway. Remember when beauty blenders were the huge thing? Then contouring and highlighting? Then having groomed brows was the style. Then bushy brows were cool again. And now I’m sure there’s something else that’s popular that I’m not even cool enough to know yet.

Find what you love and stick to it! Of course, if you want to switch something up you totally can, but do it because you want to, not because social media or marketing makes you think you need to.

I hope this minimal makeup routine has shown you that you don’t need a lot of makeup to look put together! Using a few quality items will have you looking polished in no time, ready to start your day with style and confidence.

If you’re looking for other ways to start your day off right, check out the post below for my best getting ready tips!

Up Next: 6 Tips to Make Getting Dressed in the Morning Easier

The post My Minimalist Makeup Collection & 5 Minute Simple Yet Polished Makeup Routine! appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.

About IT Cosmetics

IT cosmetics is more than just a beauty brand. Created with the help of dermatologists and plastic surgeons, IT Cosmetics creates products that not only look beautiful but help with your skin concerns too, such as sparse brows, large pores, and redness. Each product has a skin-loving formula that nourishes even the most sensitive skin.

Product Description

“Discover your most naturally pretty eyes with this must-have palette that’s perfectly sized to go wherever you do. Naturally Pretty Essentials features six all-new, full-size, anti-aging shadows that, with a tap of the bonus Transforming Hello Light shade, transform from matte to radiant satin for a total of 13 eye-opening colors! Infused with hydrolyzed collagen, real silk, peptides and proprietary No-Tug Technology, each talc-free shadow glides on beautifully to brighten your eyes and smooth your lids. A must-have for every IT Girl’s makeup bag!”

Ingredients

Mica, Dimethicone, Magnesium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aqua/Water/Eau, Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Cholesteryl Chloride, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Perfluorodecalin, [+/- Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77499 CI 77492 CI 77491), Manganese Violet (CI 77942), Ultramarines (CI 77007)

There are extra “lid-loving ingredients” in this matte palette too, with hydrolyzed collagen, real silk, and peptides that are meant to help with aging and the look of lines.

Shades In My Palette

• Imagine
• Wonder
• Dream
• Passion
• Intrigue
• Allure
• Transforming Hello Light

Though other Naturally Pretty Palettes also have sheer joy with a transforming pearl shade (radiant pearl).

Where To Get “IT”

This product has been discontinued on It Cosmetic’s website, yet it is still available on Macys, Nordstrom, Walmart, Amazon, and Ulta.

How To Apply

“To turn any eyeshadow from matte to radiant satin, dip your favorite IT Cosmetics brush into your choice of matte shadow, then tap it into the Transforming Hello Light shade & apply. Shades can be worn wet or dry, as shadows or liners. Apply the Transforming Hello Light shade above and underneath your brow bones, and to the inner corners of your eyes, to highlight your features and create a beautiful, eye-opening look!”

Related: Glossier Stretch Concealer Review | Worth the Hype?

My Experience

As somebody that loves neutral and natural eye shadows, I was very excited to try out these matte shades, and well, they did not disappoint! I’m not a makeup pro so I want something that’s easy to use and looks good, no matter if I mess up or not. Because I most likely will haha!

These matte shadows go on beautifully and are pretty easy to blend. I find it takes just a little bit of effort to blend because of the product formula, but on the flip side, this means it should last for a really long time. And they do!

I was able to give myself a smoky eye and it lasted 8+ hours. In the summer. And hiking! I kept checking the mirror for creases and to see if it was fading, but the fading and creasing were very minimal, and I wore it for at least 8 hours!

The “Transforming Light” is a nice touch, but it’s not very transforming, I will say. It’s subtle and adds a little bit of shine and luminance, but it’s not drastic.

One more thing. I’m not sure if it’s my skin tone or not, but “Intrigue” and “Allure” come across as little light purple on me, and I’m not sure if that’s the most flattering color for my skin tone or not. So I will probably not wear those two much in the future.

{above} The light is making “Allure” look blue, but in reality, it’s more of a charcoal color

Pros

• Easy to apply
• Lasts all-day
• Little to no creasing
• Beautiful colors

Cons

• A little pricey for the size

Conclusion

This is an ideal palette for those that love neutral and matte colors. It’s easy to apply for non-makeup pros like me, and lasts all day! It has ingredients that are good for your skin as well and should potentially help with keeping your eyes looking youthful.

What Other Women Are Saying:

“Love IT eyeshadows. They are non creasing and stays on all day and night.”

“LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS”

“My very favorite and it looks good ona 65 yr old woman !”

If you want to give this palette a try, you can check it out here.

Interested in more beauty posts like this IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette Review? Keep reading!

Up Next: The Best Natural Lip Balm? Hurraw Lip Balm Review

The post IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette Review | Luxe Eyeshadow Palette appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.

Glossier- The Company

Glossier is not your average beauty company. While most beauty companies are focused on well, beauty, Glossier has a focus on skincare first. After all, your best dewy skin is going to come from healthy skin! But not only that, Glossier keeps their ear to the ground and only tries to create the products that you and I want.

Emily Gloss, the CEO, started Into the Gloss first, a beauty website where women share their favorite products and get inspired by all things beauty. After interviewing hundreds of women, Emily saw a need for a new type of beauty. And that’s how Glossier was born.

Glossier Stretch Concealer- Claims

So what makes this product so special? Learn why, straight from their website:

• Adaptable mineral pigments give a brightening effect and blend seamlessly into skin for natural-looking coverage
• Elastic micro waxes move with your skin instead of caking on top of it
• Comes in 12 shades developed to enhance and—most importantly—disappear into a wide range of skin tones

Okay, so, adaptable mineral pigments and elastic micro waxes? What does that even mean?

Basically, this concealer is a buildable concealer that’s supposed to cover everything from dark circles to blemishes and redness, all the while leaving you with a glowy and dewy finish.

Some traditional concealers look obvious and cakey, while this Glossier concealer is meant to cover your spots, disappear into your skin, and leave you looking as dewy as the grass on an early spring morning.

Who’s it for?

Glossier stretch concealer is for all skin types and all skin tones (I got G7). They have 12 shade ranges and whether or not that sounds like a lot of options to you, it does cover a lot of skin tones from the lightest shade to medium shades and of course, the deep shades as well.

I have a combination skin type (both oily skin and dry skin in different spots-yay me), and I was able to use this product. Though I do not have sensitive skin, it is both fragrance-free and ophthalmologist tested!

Ingredients (taken from the website)

• Beeswax & Microcrystalline Wax Give concealer a super elastic consistency which allows it to move with your expressions, not stiffen and cake.
• Avocado & Jojoba Oil Nourish skin, prevent water loss, and give a natural dewy finish.
• Cocoa Butter A natural fat full of the good stuff that promotes skin suppleness.
• Adaptable Mineral Pigments Merge seamlessly with a wide range of skin tones for natural-looking coverage.

How to Apply

The best way to apply this concealer is to start by warming it up. Nope, not in the microwave. You can do this by gently swirling your fingertip over the first layer. Start with a little bit at a time and do a light layer. Gently pat, dab outward, and build as needed.

Packaging

Glossier is a very cute and stylish brand. You can tell they are targeted more to Millennial women by their website to their social media and of course, their packaging. My products (yes, I got more than just concealer…I’ll share later) arrived in a cute pink bubble wrap pouch with some cute stickers and a free sample. The concealer is packaged in a little glass pot and it looked good!

Glossier Stretch Concealer Review

Maybe you got way more information than you wanted to, but here we finally are. The review!

Before writing this review I made sure to use this product on a daily basis for weeks. I paid attention to how it applied, looked, and lasted.

First, a little goes a long way. Though it’s a buildable concealer and you may need extra layers, you’re still not using a lot of product.

Once applied, the concealer is seriously undetectable. I almost can’t see it on my face and even though it’s light coverage, somehow my dark spots and discoloration are covered at the same time. I don’t know how it does that!

This beauty product lives up to its claim and it really is a dewy product. Previously I’ve been using Bare Minerals concealer and though that’s a fine concealer, it doesn’t melt into my skin as the stretch concealer does.

Before doing my own, I read a fair share of other reviews about the Glossier stretch concealer, and truthfully, I was a bit shocked by the negative ones as this is one of the best concealers I’ve personally used. Other reviews said they didn’t like it because the coverage was very minimal.

Honestly, that was one of the things I liked about it. It’s a buildable concealer, so though it starts as very light coverage, you can put more on until you reach your desired coverage.

I got a breakout right before I bought this product (thanks, postpartum hormones) and though I wasn’t thrilled about my new spots, it was “good timing” to show you how the concealer can cover spots and look natural. Below is with just 1-2 layers. No filter.

And yes, I’ve got uneven skin texture, but I just started my microneedling series. Excited for those results!

Related: My Honest Good American Jeans Review

Cons

I will say that it is not good for under eye circles, even though the product claims that. It looks good at first but after a few hours, you’ve got creases for days.

Also, the price could be a potential con. $18 seems like a lot for .17 ounces. Personally, I don’t find that to be too much of a hindrance because it will last longer than you think and the pricing is competitive with companies like Bare Minerals. If you are used to drugstore concealers, however, you may feel like you just spent a lot on a small product.

If you read the ingredients, you’ll see that this product has oils in it. It’s necessary in order to achieve that dewy glow, but be mindful that this can break out some skin types.

This product is not for you if you are wanting a heavier concealer or a matte finish.

So, to answer this big question,

Is Glossier Stretch Concealer worth the hype?

Absolutely. This is one of the best concealers out there (if not the best) if you’re looking for a lightweight concealer to cover your spots and make your skin look healthy and dewy, not cakey and flakey! This is one worth adding to your makeup bag if you are after a natural look while simultaneously covering up your problem spots.

If you want more coverage, it’s recommended to use the Perfecting Skin Tint, a skin enhancer that evens out skin tone and blurs pores. And if completely dewy isn’t your thing, then Wowder, the weightless finishing powder gives your skin a matte finish and helps it to last longer.

As I was checking out I added two more cult products to my cart, because why not? And because they were so good I figured it was only fitting to tell you about them in this review because Boy Brow and Cloud Paint are 100% worth adding to your makeup bag too.

And though I don’t want to hijack this post and bore you with all the background deets of those products, I will say that Boy Brow is a must-have for groomed brows. All you have to do is take one look at my photos and you’ll see that I lean more towards the natural brow look.

Shaped and thin is not my personal style. My brows just aren’t meant for that but mainly, I don’t want a style I have to keep up with. So natural it is. Because of that, I’ve used a lot of brow gels in my time and Boy Brow is the best one. The brush is smaller and shaped better for grabbing onto the hairs and the brow wax shapes but doesn’t stiffen. My brows stay in place all day!

And last but not least, Cloud Paint. I’m usually not one for blush because though I love the look, I don’t want to look too made up for my day-to-day life. Cloud paint achieves that naturally flushed look without looking like you’re wearing a lot of makeup. It’s the perfect amount of color and it doesn’t look cakey or powdery. Just like the concealer, it melts into your skin. I got “Dusk” and I’d recommend that shade!

Below you’ll see a before & after picture of me wearing the products. No filter, same lighting, taken minutes apart. You can see that my skin looks even and glowy and I’m only using 3 products!

This was my first time using Glossier products and between the Boy Brow, the Cloud Paint, and the Stretch Concealer, it’s safe to say I’ve given into the hype. And I’m loving it.

Up Next: The French Girl Beauty Guide for Effortlessly Beautiful Skin

The post Glossier Stretch Concealer Review | Worth the Hype? appeared first on MY CHIC OBSESSION.