Favorite Makeup Products Right Now

During Hurricane Harvey, Brittany and her son had to make a quick exit in the middle of the night… The next day, while trying to keep our minds off the devastation, I asked her what makeup she packed and she replied “the ones I can’t live without.” This led to a conversation about our favorite makeup pieces and what we would bring anywhere! Coincidentally enough, we each use a couple of the same items, so if we exit together we could share on a couple items and still look great.  Every cloud has a silver lining…at least that is what we are telling ourselves.  

Brittany’s Favorite Makeup:

Stila “Huge” Mascara- $23

Confession: I am totally a mascara girl. I very, very rarely leave the house without mascara. I mean not even to the gym or the pool!  Therefore, I am ALWAYS on the lookout for THE BEST mascara.  I am currently loving Stila “Huge” Mascara from Ulta or Sephora.

This lightweight, ink-like volumizing mascara instantly drenches your lashes in the deepest black. A blend of soft malleable waxes keep lashes feeling flexible and soft, while allowing you to apply multiple coats without lashes feeling or looking clumpy.  Lashes remain soft and weightless but look fuller, richer and blacker. The unique wand has dense, flexible, multi-length bristles that are crimped to hug, catch and coat each and every lash, for instantly HUGE lashes.

 

Urban Decay “24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil”- $20

For YEARS we have both been using this creamy, forever-lasting, award-winning and waterproof, eye pencil! I have tried others but always go back to this one.  It is perfect for those of us who have watery, allergy eyes.  The eyeliner stays put all day.  It is, hands down, the best eye pencil ever! We don’t think you will find another waterproof eyeliner that is this creamy.   There are over 20 colors and hues including metallics.  Between the two of us we probably own all 20!

 

 

Arbonne “Got You Covered Mineral Powder Foundation” $44

http://www.arbonne.com/PWS/SophiaPerez/store/AMUS/product/Got-You-Covered-Mineral-Powder-Foundation-SPF-15-Sunscreen-Natural-6618,1455,263.aspx

We both use this lightweight, silky mineral powder foundation.  It makes skin look smoother and conceals your imperfections.  It’s great for when you just want to quickly put on a little makeup and go.  It’s also buildable, if you are needing more coverage.  It is made with vegan, botanical ingredients tohelp balance and perfect your complexion and not clog pores. On top of that, its SPF 15 sunscreen protects against UVA/UVB rays, which we LOVE!

 

 

 

It Cosmetics- “Your skin but better CC Cream with SPF” $38

I use this color-correcting coverage cream with anti-aging hydrating serum as a base layer before applying my mineral foundation.

 It is so moisturizing and skin correcting.  On days that I don’t need or want a lot of makeup, I will just apply this by itself.  I also has SPF 50  UVA/UVB Broad spectrum sunscreen.  This awesome CC cream comes in  7 Shades!

 

Benefit “They’re Real! Double the Lip” – $20

I just discovered this product and I am hooked! This lipstick & liner in one features a custom teardrop tip with two perfectly paired satin-finish shades.  It provides lasting (like hours!) color and keeps your lip moisturized.  I love all 8 shades that come in matte finishes.

 

 

 

 

Ellen’s Makeup Faves:

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray $32

I love this setting spray.  It truly makes your makeup last all day.  Even when sweating at Epcot Center, my favorite makeup still stayed put! You spray it on in an X shape across your face.  It lowers the temperature of your makeup to keep it in place during humidity, heat and wind (and Hurricane Harvey).   It also gives you a lovely dewy glow.  If you don’t like the  dewy glow then you can opt for their De-Slick Oil Control Setting Spray, also $32

Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner $25

I was on the search a few years ago for a waterproof eyeliner.  This is the other liner I discovered and have been using ever since.  I use it for a natural look without eyeliner pencil.  It is put on with a flat eyeliner brush and water.  You place it in the lash line for a natural or dramatic lined look.  It comes in 3 colors (black is my fav) and stays all day long.

 

 

 

Cle de peau Beaute Correcteur Visage – $70

Okay, this one is a little pricey.  Something happens as you near 50.  Skin becomes crepey around the eyes and concealer settles in those little crevices in your skin.  The look is unattractive.  If you wear glasses, as sometimes I do, then the lenses magnify the caking settling look.  If the concealer is too light weight, then it just doesn’t conceal those late nights.  It really is a after 50 makeup conundrum! So, I have been on a search for some time for the perfect concealer.  My makeup drawer is full of them.  Yet, I think I found the perfect one!  This offers under-eye coverage without settling in crepey crevices.  So far, I am loving it!  If $70 means I can quit wasting my money and time looking for the perfect one, then I figure it is worth it. I have saved money and time in the long run.  I bought mine at Saks.com

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush $38

Brittany and I both use this blush, just different colors.  I love the Luminous Flush shade.  Brittany uses the Diffused Heat shade.  This beautiful blush combines pigment and light for a smooth, even and enhanced look, rather than a masked look.  I brush it on the apples of my cheeks for a youthful glow.  You can get it at Sephora.com

(Hourglass also has great foundation.  If not using the Arbonne Mineral Powder then I use the Hourglass Illusion Foundation $56)

 

 

 

Tie: YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick $37 and MAC Matte Lipstick $17.50

I asked Brittany if I could have an extra one.  You see, I am a lipstick girl and  I usually have two lipsticks tucked inside my purse  – a neutral and a color.  Although I have quite a few lipsticks and am always trying new ones, these two have been in my make-up arsenal for  years.

discovered the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick years ago at Sephora.  Although they still carry this lipstick, they no longer carry my favorite color, #340 Or Cuivre (a peachy, pink and brown all in one with shimmer).  I now have to buy it directly from www.YSLbeauty.com.  Regardless of shade (there are well over 40 matte and satin finishes), the consistency is lovely, the color is highly pigmented hydrating and it really stays on!  Staying power is important to me because I tend to eat and talk mine off.  Plus it comes in a beautiful case!  It really is an affordable luxury and treat for oneself.

MAC Lipsticks, in general, are fabulous.  They are truly the best of the affordable lipsticks, in my opinion.  There are a bazillion shades and finishes 

from which to choose.  They have well over 100 shades, but my favorite is the Matte Lipstick in Chili.  The Matte Lipsticks are very creamy with a high color, no-shine finish. Chili is my favorite shade.  It is a brownish orange-red, perfect for us warm skinned-toned gals.  With its great price, you can afford to try a couple colors.  Also, MAC is green.  If you bring in 6 empty tubes (or any 6 MAC makeup containers for that matter) they will give you a free lipstick of your choosing!

 

So, there you have it!  Our ten…err eleven favorite makeup products that help us put our best face forward.  We hope these will give you some ideas to check out next time you are at the makeup counter.  Please share with us what your favorite makeup items are, so we can try them out too!  

 

Until next time….

Fashionably yours, Ellen and Brittany

8 Comments
  1. Love me some MAC lipsticks! The only one I don’t lick off.

  2. My new favorite is It Naturally Pretty Eyeshadow Vol. 2 Romantics. I am letting my gray hair grow out (with the help of blonde highlights and needed some softer, cooler colors. They are matte except for the brow highlighter. They mix and match wonderfully even for someone who is less than an artist.

    http://www.ulta.com/naturally-pretty-romantics?productId=xlsImpprod13161043

    Also love my Bobbie Brown foundation in both liquid and stick. And Estee Lauder power.

  3. Yay, if I use these, will I be as gorgeous as you two????

  4. Thanks Ellen,
    Fun and practical too. I love the MAC lipsticks and the REAL, the liner part helps with non-bleeding of color, Yea!

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A Little About Ellen

Ellen Caldwell, personal stylist in HoustonEllen was chosen as a top personal stylist in Houston, Texas by CBS Houston! I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Houston Baptist University with degrees in Finance and Business Administration.

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