I'm going to double-check how much I spent on cosmetics last year, but I'm pretty sure that it was less than $75.
Approximately $20 in prescription acne cream
$25 in make-up
$25 for improved shampoo (do I need to say how much I love Paula Begoun?)
$5 for Paula Begoun's suggested drugstore products.
I have a feeling this year will be much different. For one thing, I'm not pregnant so I don't have as many limitations on what I can use. I'll be keeping closer tabs on my spending as well, so I'll report at the end of the year.
Showing posts with label Make-up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Make-up. Show all posts
Friday, January 8, 2010
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Two-month evaluation
I should probably say that I hope it's obvious that this is a slow process with a baby. But my LG is getting a bit more independent, although that doesn't mean that he is good about sitting in his bouncy seat while I attend to my appearance -- he's starting to get bored.
However, I bought a lot of make-up for my birthday and discovered the following:
1. Tinted moisturizer with sun protection is my best friend. I bought this from Paula Begoun's site and it is wonderful. The coverage is as good as my foundation, but it doesn't make me break out like my other stuff. My only problem is that the tube isn't very large so I don't know how long it'll last me.
2. Lip stain. Generally, I prefer a lip balm or lipstick with SPF protection, but a quick-dry item that doesn't rub off on my baby is at the top of my list. I bought this from ELF.
The problem with buying make-up over the internet is not getting a chance to really look at the colors, but that's a problem if you're also buying at the drugstore anyway. The color I bought from ELF was a little more coral than I expected, but then I realized I was putting too much on! Now it's a nice tint to my lips that's not like any other color I own.
However, I bought a lot of make-up for my birthday and discovered the following:
1. Tinted moisturizer with sun protection is my best friend. I bought this from Paula Begoun's site and it is wonderful. The coverage is as good as my foundation, but it doesn't make me break out like my other stuff. My only problem is that the tube isn't very large so I don't know how long it'll last me.
2. Lip stain. Generally, I prefer a lip balm or lipstick with SPF protection, but a quick-dry item that doesn't rub off on my baby is at the top of my list. I bought this from ELF.
The problem with buying make-up over the internet is not getting a chance to really look at the colors, but that's a problem if you're also buying at the drugstore anyway. The color I bought from ELF was a little more coral than I expected, but then I realized I was putting too much on! Now it's a nice tint to my lips that's not like any other color I own.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Month One Evaluation
My Little Guy is teething, which means that spare time is even more specious for me right now. But it's been nearly a month since I started this project and I thought I should reassess the changes I've made.
1. I'm already pleased with the improvement in my appearance in my photographs. Before I began this project, I was appalled with my appearance in about 95% of my photos. Now I'd say it's closer to 50%, and that's mostly because LG is demanding and adorable, so while I may not have a chance to do my hair and make-up every day, LG is too cute for a day to pass without a photo opportunity.
2. I wonder if a year is going to be enough for me to make any progress?
3. I'm going to need some faster products. I can do foundation and powder on some days, but not all. I think I'll trade those in for a tinted moisturizer with SPF protection.
1. I'm already pleased with the improvement in my appearance in my photographs. Before I began this project, I was appalled with my appearance in about 95% of my photos. Now I'd say it's closer to 50%, and that's mostly because LG is demanding and adorable, so while I may not have a chance to do my hair and make-up every day, LG is too cute for a day to pass without a photo opportunity.
2. I wonder if a year is going to be enough for me to make any progress?
3. I'm going to need some faster products. I can do foundation and powder on some days, but not all. I think I'll trade those in for a tinted moisturizer with SPF protection.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Skin
My focus right now is on make-up, but any cosmetologist will tell you that you have to start with a good canvas. I've struggled with acne since I was 13 and let me tell you, it has been a battle. I've tried everything from Proactiv to prescription products and everything has worked for one year, then stopped. The best my skin has ever looked was at my wedding. That year I spent about $1000 on chemical peels because my skin was pretty weathered, but I was also following a strict regimen that involved three different chemicals and 10 minutes of icing my face every night. And I still needed two cortisone injections the week before my wedding to avoid a flare-up.
This means I am extremely sensitive about my skin. I have a few family members who received my grandmother's beautiful skin who still manage to suggest that I have an acne problem because I don't know how to take care of my skin. Have I ever considered seeing a beautician? Have I tried X line of products? You know, they just are a little careful about the make-up they choose ... have I heard of hypoallergenic foundation?
Lord help me. I've lost count of how many dermatologists and cosmetologists I've seen. They all get excited when they see my skin and they know, they just know that they can fix my skin. After a few months they're still spinning their wheels. "Well, let's try this semi-controversial product ... it may give you cancer, but it should clear up your skin."
I'm being facetious, but only sort of. It's amazing to see my skin become the bane of someone else's existence.
Now I have another issue with my skin care: I'm breastfeeding. While I was pregnant I had to stop most of my typical regimen. My doctor prescribed an ointment that was safe to use while pregnant and it did pretty well. But now that I'm nursing my son, the options are wider ... sort of. It is really difficult to test products for safety and efficacy in pregnant women. In nursing women? I don't know if it's difficult or if no one thinks to do it. I'd like some really conclusive evidence about glycolic acid and breastfeeding, but apparently it's too new to be included in the books of my La Lache League leader or the lactation consultant who runs one of the playgroups I attend. They think it should be fine, however, so I'm using it.
Already my skin is looking better. Of course I still get flare-ups. And I'm not sure whether some of them aren't caused by my foundation. But I'm back to a three-part ointment system and supposedly because they're only topical and don't enter my bloodstream, they're safe for my son.
Here's hoping.
This means I am extremely sensitive about my skin. I have a few family members who received my grandmother's beautiful skin who still manage to suggest that I have an acne problem because I don't know how to take care of my skin. Have I ever considered seeing a beautician? Have I tried X line of products? You know, they just are a little careful about the make-up they choose ... have I heard of hypoallergenic foundation?
Lord help me. I've lost count of how many dermatologists and cosmetologists I've seen. They all get excited when they see my skin and they know, they just know that they can fix my skin. After a few months they're still spinning their wheels. "Well, let's try this semi-controversial product ... it may give you cancer, but it should clear up your skin."
I'm being facetious, but only sort of. It's amazing to see my skin become the bane of someone else's existence.
Now I have another issue with my skin care: I'm breastfeeding. While I was pregnant I had to stop most of my typical regimen. My doctor prescribed an ointment that was safe to use while pregnant and it did pretty well. But now that I'm nursing my son, the options are wider ... sort of. It is really difficult to test products for safety and efficacy in pregnant women. In nursing women? I don't know if it's difficult or if no one thinks to do it. I'd like some really conclusive evidence about glycolic acid and breastfeeding, but apparently it's too new to be included in the books of my La Lache League leader or the lactation consultant who runs one of the playgroups I attend. They think it should be fine, however, so I'm using it.
Already my skin is looking better. Of course I still get flare-ups. And I'm not sure whether some of them aren't caused by my foundation. But I'm back to a three-part ointment system and supposedly because they're only topical and don't enter my bloodstream, they're safe for my son.
Here's hoping.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Make-up
First order of business? Get rid of old make-up! I'm a bit of a pack rat so this means getting rid of anything I don't remember buying in the past year (conjunctivitis anyone?). And anything I hate -- like the mascara that makes my eyes water and the eyeliner that's so soft that the pigment breaks off every time I use it.
So today I bought two new lipsticks and so far I'm pleased with the color and wear of both of them. The trouble? Kissing. My husband doesn't like to mess up my make-up by kissing me on the lips and I don't want to get lipstick all over my son. But I'm a demonstrative person and I can't go without kissing. I might have to try one of those new lip stains I've seen advertised.
But I still need to buy new mascara and eyeliner and research brushes. My mentor here is Paula Begoun because she is a font of information and I also am too intimidated to go to a beautician for lessons. Besides, anyone else feel like they sometimes just lie to you to sell products? At least with Paula I have the distance of it being over the internet or in a book. Especially since I can't see anything without my glasses so when someone else is being made up I can't follow the instructions.
So today I bought two new lipsticks and so far I'm pleased with the color and wear of both of them. The trouble? Kissing. My husband doesn't like to mess up my make-up by kissing me on the lips and I don't want to get lipstick all over my son. But I'm a demonstrative person and I can't go without kissing. I might have to try one of those new lip stains I've seen advertised.
But I still need to buy new mascara and eyeliner and research brushes. My mentor here is Paula Begoun because she is a font of information and I also am too intimidated to go to a beautician for lessons. Besides, anyone else feel like they sometimes just lie to you to sell products? At least with Paula I have the distance of it being over the internet or in a book. Especially since I can't see anything without my glasses so when someone else is being made up I can't follow the instructions.
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