Waking Up the Face

I'm pretty much convinced at this point that instead of having "Resting Bitch Face," I have "Resting Sleepy Face" - I've got people telling me I look tired left and right. Coworkers, doctors, friends, strangers - I've heard it from everyone. I've been putting in a little more effort to try to not look so tired all the time, even though I usually am.

STEP ONE: BRIGHTEN THE SKIN

When I'm tired, it definitely shows in my skin. It gets really dull and almost gray looking, and it gets easily clogged and congested. When people start reacting to my face as if I'm Charlie Sheen in the police department in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, I know it's time to whip out the big guns. To instantly brighten and decongest the skin I look no further than the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask (review). It really works to get rid of that dead, gray layer of skin and leave you bright and beaming. Afterwards I'll pile on a glow-inducing moisturizer to keep my skin looking perky. My absolute favorite is the Glossier Priming Moisturizer. It's glowy but not greasy and hydrating without being heavy. I also love using a luminous foundation - I haven't been able to get enough of the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation lately. It keeps the skin looking glowy and healthy, and it doesn't get greasy on me. To further amp up that glow, I go for a cream highlight. I don't know how I'm not shining like the Tin Man at this point, but all these products can really create a nice clean, healthy look to the skin. My favorite cream highlights are the Glossier Haloscope in Quartz (review) and the Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator* (review) - I use the Glossier on days I want to look ultra-dewy and the Marc Jacobs when I'm wanting more of an icy golden sheen.

STEP TWO: COVER UP

In addition to my skin turning gray, my undereyes start looking mighty sad when I'm tired. I don't get so much of a blue tint, but rather they become quite shadowy. I've found that instead of using color correctors, using a highlighting/illuminating concealer really helps in that case. I first lay down a layer of the Glossier Stretch Concealer to actually cover up any darkness there, and then I go in with a thin layer of the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter. It really helps to bring those shadowy areas forward and brighten up the undereyes. 

STEP THREE: OPEN UP THE EYES

Another way to keep the face looking awake is by opening up the eyes. I curl my eyelashes every single morning regardless of if I'll be wearing makeup, because it really does make such a difference. My curler of choice is the Tweezerman ProCurl, mostly because it's pretty and rose gold, but it does do a good job of curling the lashes and keeping them that way. On most days, I'll also put on some mascara. Two I've found that are magnificent for holding a curl are the Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Escalator Mascara and the Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara.*  And as a plus, neither are waterproof but they still manage to hold a curl all day and also not smudge. I'd call that a win.

STEP FOUR: ADD SOME COLOR

I'm incredibly pale, so if I wear any base makeup, even something light, it's pretty much a given I'll have to add some color back into my complexion to avoid looking like a corpse. I'll usually choose between either between blush or bronzer - my cheeks can get rather flushed during the day, and having both products on just really seems to accentuate it. My bronzer of choice as of late has been the Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed. I haven't been able to shut up about this lately because it really is that good, and it gives the illusion that I've been out in the sun when actually I've been a hermit under a blanket on the couch. For blush I've been loving the Marc Jacobs Air Blush Soft Glow Duo* in Kink & Kisses. It's the perfect pink for everyday that adds just that right amount of brightness to the face. It really makes me look like I've gotten all my beauty sleep. I also like adding a brightening color to the lips - I normally go for matte neutrals, but on extra tired day is when I change it up. I love using bright colors in sheer formulas - it gives the lips a bitten or stained look that really perks up my face. My top favorites for this have been the Glossier Generation G in Jam (it really makes it look like you've been eating grape popsicles for hours) and the Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss* in Malibu (looks scary in the tube, but is really a beautiful wash of pink on the lips - I swatched it here).

What products do you reach for to perk up your face?

Remember to visit glossier.com/reps/kelsey to get 20% off your first Glossier order! Details here.

*Some products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. See my disclaimer for more information.

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My Favorite Podcasts

I'm taking a quick break from the beauty posts today. With my new job this year came a much, much longer commute. It's taken about six or seven months (I can't believe I've already been at my new job that long), but I've finally realized I much prefer listening to podcasts in the car rather than music, especially on my way home. I get anxiety about driving, and listening to these podcasts has seemed to really help. There are four that I'm subscribed to and that are my go-tos, and unsurprisingly half of them have to do with beauty.

FAT MASCARA | This is my number one favorite. I listened to all the available episodes and then started listening to them again from the beginning while waiting for new ones. This podcast is by Cosmopolitan Beauty Editor Jessica Matlin and Marie Claire Beauty Editor Jennifer Goldstein, so they really know their stuff. Every week's episode covers beauty news, some products they've been loving, and an interview with someone in the beauty industry. So far, my favorite episode has been #23, where cosmetic chemist Ni'kita Wilson is the interviewee. 

LADIES WHO LUNCH | This is the one that got me into podcasts - I'm a big fan of Ingrid Nilsen, so when I heard she was starting a podcast with Cat Valdes (from Catrific), I subscribed right away. They talk about a different lifestyle issue/topic every week, and they're both a joy to listen to as they're so eloquent and intelligent. It's really interesting when they disagree on a topic, but they're able to communicate their opinions with grace. My favorite episode so far has been the episode on marriage - they brought two of their friends in, and they all had different opinions on marriage, from if they want to get married to whether they'd change their last name.

THE BEAUTY BRAINS | The other beauty podcast I've been listening to is this one by two cosmetic scientists, so it's really educational and informative. I'm a huge science nerd, so I love listening to these guys debunk the latest beauty myth or hyped-up product. This podcast has been around for awhile so I'm still working on catching up. My favorite episode so far has been one of their earlier episodes where they explain what a cosmetic scientist does (sense a theme here?). I work in a product development lab (in a completely unrelated field to cosmetics), so a lot of it overlapped, but it was interesting to hear of the differences.

YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS | I don't mention it much here, but I have such a huge interest in Old Hollywood actors and actresses. This podcast presents extremely well-researched mini biographies on different important people of the Old Hollywood era. Each episode typically focuses on a different person/related group of people, and there are a few multi-episode series (right now there's a series about Joan Crawford). I had already known a bit about the era in general because of my intense interest in it, but it's so fascinating to hear more details about a specific actor or actress, or what else was happening in the world during their rise to fame. A lot of the episodes are quite sad, as a lot of them lived somewhat unhappy lives, but it's still definitely a favorite of mine to listen to at the end of a long day. My favorite episode so far has been the one about Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, part of the series about stars during World War II - it's a heartbreaking one, though.

Do you like listening to podcasts? Let me know your favorites, I need more to listen to while waiting for new episodes of these four to come out!

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Makeup Lately #8

After going through another bare-minimum makeup phase, I'm finally starting to wear more on a day-to-day basis. I've stuck with the same group of products for the past few weeks, so I thought it was time for another one of my Makeup Lately posts.

I recently finally got the right shade of the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation, and I've fallen head over heels for it again. It gives such good coverage while still looking and feeling light on the skin. My dark circles have been a little crazy lately, so I've been reaching for the Glossier Stretch Concealer to cover them up. I like how hydrating this is so it doesn't make my undereyes crepe-y and dry.

I've been trying to add a bit of color back into my skin, as I've noticed I look a little ill without it. I'm sure you can tell based on my posts here and on Instagram lately that I'm obsessed with the Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed. It's the perfect shade of bronzer for me and just looks so natural. And since it's such a soft powder, it blends on effortlessly and is even quicker to apply than a cream. I've been alternating between two highlighters lately depending on how much time I have. If I'm a little more rushed, I go for the Glossier Haloscope in Quartz - this is my all-time favorite highlighter, and it's so easy and quick to apply. The moisturizing oils help it really glide on and blend out with ease. And if I'm wanting something a little extra and have the time, I use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild Glow Kit. Isn't it just stunning? For every day I mix a bit of Blue Ice and Pink Heart, the two shades on the left in the palette. 

As always, I've been starting out my brows with a bit of the Glossier Boy Brow in Brown to beef them up a little, and then I fill them in a little more with the Milk Makeup Gel Brow in Pilsner. Neither product is too strong, so they keep my brows looking fluffy and natural instead of block-y. I've actually been wearing eyeshadow too, ever since I got the Dior Fusion Mono Eyeshadow in Meteore. I mentioned this in my Five to Try because it's such an interesting formula, and the color is a stunning copper bronze that works well for an everyday look. My favorite mascara to use lately has been the Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara* because it behaves like a waterproof mascara without actually being waterproof. It gives me the perfect amount of drama that I like in my lashes for everyday, and it never smudges!

On my lips I've been going for easy-to-wear formulas and colors. If I'm not just wearing lip balm, the two I've been reaching for the most are the Glossier Generation G in Cake and the Surratt Beauty Prismatique Lipstick in Lili Doree. I don't know why it took me so long to get Cake - it's the perfect peachy nude, and the sheer matte finish makes it look incredibly natural. I don't always do this, but it looks perfect over the top of the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude. The Surratt lipstick is a new addition (I saw it in one of Jessica Clements's videos and thought it was the prettiest color), and it's pretty much NARS Orgasm blush in lipstick form. It's a beautiful peachy pink with a ton of gold shimmer. It doesn't feel gritty at all, but instead really creamy and moisturizing, and the shimmer really enhances the lips and makes them look fuller. It's not a full-on frosted effect, but just a really nice look for this warmer weather.

What makeup have you been wearing lately?

Remember you can visit my own Glossier rep page to get 20% off your first order! See my Exciting Announcement post for more information!

*Product mentioned has been sent to me for review, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information.