Silvya and I have been spoiled with some unseasonably warm weather as of late, which is making us yearn even more for the return of breezy spring days. Unfortunately for now we must settle for a few days of bliss before the chill sets back in. To counteract our winter blues, we've decided to look ahead wardrobe wise and start planning for spring. For us, to have a good look it's essential to start off with a good foundation for your clothes to go on. This means kicking off our spring planning with our desired make up and skincare routines for the upcoming season. For some it may seem silly to plan something like this out, but with all of the recent articles about the 'french' way of dressing in a carefully planned wardrobe of luxurious staples it only makes sense to do the same for everything else that goes on your body. If you assemble your wardrobe carefully you will never look at your closet thinking you have nothing to wear, and if you approach your beauty routine with the same critical eye, you will never leave the house not feeling your best. Pictured above is a summary of my winter beauty purchases from Chanel including two varnishes in Peridot and Black Pearl, Stylo Yeux waterproof eyeliner in Ebene, and Rouge Allure Velvet in L'
From top left: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrara, Derek Lam
Bottom Left: Christian Dior Haute Couture, Dolce & Gabbana, Giles
A look at the Spring 2012 collections provides much inspiration for those looking for a rejuvenation of their beauty routine. Silvya and I combed through the collections to find the top six looks we felt embodied the feeling of summer best. It was very refreshing to see that for the most part the looks created at the Spring collections were not elaborate transformations but rather simple enhancements that allowed the model's natural beauty to show through. The smokey eye or bold lip has been admired and coveted for a long while, and while the idea of a mostly bare face can unnerve many, I find the look modern and elegant. Some may look at the shots above and say that it is an unrealistic representation, that going au naturale can never look so polished. Au contraire! The secret lies in carefully chosen and applied products that create maximum impact without giving away you've put effort into your face. This is the look both Silvya and I plan to sport this upcoming spring and summer and I have already started penning my product wish list to help achieve this look.
Of course, before one can even think of make up, they must be assured the canvas they're applying on is in excellent condition so that the make up doesn't have to work too hard and be caked on. The top priority for me is finding a product that will help keep my break-out prone skin in check. I start off by cleansing my skin with Cetaphil Normal to Oily Cleanser ($9.00). It's a cleanser my mother has always used and I have adopted for myself. I find it removes makeup better than Cetaphil's gentle skin cleanser without stripping my skin. Afterwards, I apply Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner ($9.95) and after my skin dries I treat spots with Derma-E Very Clear Spot Treatment ($11.00). For the summer I would like to start using Derma-E Problem Skin Moisturizer ($11.00). I currently either use Cetaphil lotion or Johnson's baby lotion and I feel it may be too clogging for the summer months. I will continue my brand loyalty with Thayer's toner, but this time in the Aloe Vera formulation that will soothe any potential sunburn I may receive.
I have read many glowing reviews about Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($43.00) that speak of its powers to restore sleep deprived skin to a glowing state of health. It is certainly an indulgence, and not something that is crucial to my skincare routine but with my unpredictable sleeping patterns it may be what I need to ensure I keep my skin in tip-top shape this upcoming season.
You may notice I haven't mentioned any facial sunscreen yet, and that is because I've yet to find one that works well with my skin. Almost every one I have tried has left me with oily skin. I avoid the sun like the plague but I do still hope to find a good sunscreen soon, as it is the sun that gives us wrinkles, so it is very important to protect the skin!
I am a self-confessed make up junkie, and I often buy things just because I'm attracted to the packaging or color, not even knowing if the product is of a good quality. Recently I've vowed to make a list of well researched essentials for each season and to stick to only those products. This will also help ensure I use a product up before moving on to another and creating waste. This upcoming season's color palette is full of mostly muted tones, with gold, bronze, and coral accents. For the face, I plan on keeping foundation at a minimal to let my skin breathe in the humid summer air. Blush in peachy pink tones were applied at many of the shows. E.L.F.'s Studio Blush in Candid Coral ($3.00) creates a perfect flush that is universally flattering and is an affordable dupe to Nars Orgasm blush. A facial highlighter was used generously at the Dior Haute Couture show that gave the model's a beautiful glow. YSL's Touche Eclat ($40.00), applied down the bridge of the nose, the cupids bow, the inner eye/brow bone, and on top of the cheek bones can create a similar effect. When liner does make an appearance on the eyes, it is applied as close to the lash line as possible and winged out in some instances such as at the Dolce & Gabbana show. I have been obsessed with liquid liner as of late, but for the summer months I would like to try a pencil liner. Chanel's Le Crayon Khol ($28.00) is my favorite. There are some products that I do not believe in buying high end, and mascara is one of them. I have tried both drugstore and high end, and I find that they are usually comparable. Mascara is a must this season to create definition to a minimal face, as seen at Marc by Marc Jacobs. L'Oréal Voluminous ($6.00) mascara is one of my drugstore favorites. I do not need to purchase any shadows this season, as I have several palettes already. I envision myself using matte yellows and corals, and shimmery bronzes often this summer. Lastly, the lips were kept fairly simple at the shows. Smith's Minted Rose balm ($5.00) adds moisture and a hint of shine for everyday wear. Soft baby pinks and sheer red tints will be the lip colors of the season. YSL has released a glossy stain that looks amazing (see the swatch of #9 Rouge Laque above), but since it is an exclusive of Sephora I may settle for a baby pink lip like YSL's Pur Couture #6 Rouge Bergamasque ($30.00). I already own some of the above items so my Summer purchases will include:
- Yves Saint Laurent touche eclat in #1 Luminous Radiance
- Yves Saint Laurent Pur Couture in #6 Rouge Bergamasque or YSL glossy stain in #9 Rouge Laque
- L'Oréal Voluminous mascara
- Thayer's Aloe Vera Toner
- Derma-E's Problem Skin moisturizer
- Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
I think it is best to have a few good products of exceptional quality. It may seem insane to spend $30 on a lipstick or $40 on a skin highlighter, but I would prefer to spend more on a few special items, then next to nothing for unremarkable products. I think its important to learn you don't need a bathroom full of everything, that a little luxury goes a long way. What spring purchases are you planning?
Need more make up advice? Check out these sites for a wealth of information:
Into The Gloss
Temptalia
Makeup Alley
--Stephanie
Photo credits: style.com, sephora.com, polyvore, nordstrom.com
No comments:
Post a Comment