Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Makeup Update

April 25, 2024

Well since I talked about skincare I’ll talk about my makeup basics. I have products in most categories but very few products in each category. I pared down my products many years ago to simplify and keep me from buying a bunch of products I probably don’t need and won’t use. While I have gone off the rails in that regard from time to time, I always keep my stash minimal and cull it when I know a product isn’t going to work or something has been around and gone unused. On the other hand I rarely repurchase items because I just don’t use that much makeup anymore and I use so little that it lasts a long time.

Primer – I don’t usually use one. That said, the ONE primer I do like is the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer. It has titanium dioxide for sun protection and does a good job of keeping my face makeup looking good for the majority of the day. I’ve purchased three minis of this and some day I’ll probably be buying the big one.

Foundation– Because I just feel better with my skin tone evened out due to the redness. Lately though I’ve been trying to find one I can live with long term because the one I really like I can’t find in the color I need. So, still working on finding one or maybe two good formulations that will work until I stop wearing makeup. (Note – as of three days ago I tossed my last bottle of foundation because it wasn’t working. Currently going makeup free until I have time to get to Ulta.)

Blush – I don’t always wear blush but if I do I use cream blushers these days. They are easy to use, have good staying power, and work well with my dry skin. I tend to get colors in the pinky nude or very light bronze shades to offset the rosacea. And I don’t mind bouncing around in this category because it’s fun to play around with products.

Eyeshadow – I have been using cream shadows for the last year and really enjoy them – very light colors (I don’t need much at my age) and they just add a little enhancement to my eyes. I also have used Urban Decay’s Anti Aging (I hate that term!) Primer Potion for shadow for a long time as well but it also does make the other shadow products last longer and get better color payoff.

Mascara – When I want to. Lately I have been kind of not wearing it a lot because I just don’t know if it makes that much of a difference. That and it’s so hard to find brown shades. It may be the first beauty product I chuck for good.

Eyebrow – I have a few products from color to styling gel to keep my unruly brows in check. On minimal makeup days it’s usually foundation, lip balm, and some eyebrow something depending on how I feel about my brows that day. Really, it’s all I need.

Lips – I usually start with clear lip balm and top it with a color product if wearing one. I really prefer glosses to lipsticks as they are shearer and are more moisturizing. Tinted lip balms are good too but I also wear those over my base balm.

That’s it. As I’ve stated before I put on as much or as little as I want on any given day. With a minimal lineup it’s easier to find what I want and it doesn’t take much time in the morning either. And the older I get the simpler I want things. I’ve never gotten into lip or eye liners (except for that black eyeliner phase in the early 80’s) or concealer. I used to use powder religiously when I was younger, but with dryer, older skin I don’t need it anymore.

Stay tuned because I’ll probably start dropping names of products and colors at some point. But even then I don’t always stay with one thing forever. I’d kind of like to though just to simplify it all.

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My Skincare Formula

April 20, 2024

(PS – this is slightly edited from when I first posted.)

Again – emphasis on MY – so if you care to adjust what you do just remember your mileage will probably vary so use what works for you even if you have to go through a few products to find what works. If you need more products that’s okay too. Everyone’s skin is different and mine is quite finicky. For reference I am 61 with dry/dehydrated and sensitive/reactive skin.

I also will add that I have a little notebook to keep track of what I’m using and note reactions from products, how well they work, and how I like them. It helps me to see what I’ve used in the past and keep what works and toss what doesn’t and why they didn’t work. And sometimes I take pictures of current routines in case I haven’t written anything down (supposed to be for Instagram – heh). and it helps to see exactly what I’ve used at a certain point in time in case I want to repurchase something that has worked and can’t remember what it was.

I decided last summer to just go back to basics with these five products after jumping in with too many new products and messing my skin up. It’s really the formula I’ve used for a long time and for a good reason – it works. It also keeps my routine easy with only a few products so it’s easier to stay consistent. I still have the idea of a skincare wardrobe with different products to choose from within my formula categories depending on weather and skin needs. It’s something to work towards.

One thing to add – I only use fragrance free products since I have very sensitive skin and I’m not big on oils because even though I have dry skin, oils still do tend to clog. And HA kept to a minimum if at all – it just doesn’t work for me.

Morning Routine
- Cleanser – A good basic foamy cleanser. Gels tend to be dryer so I prefer cushier cleansers and they clean better than super gentle formulas which really don’t work for me. Sometimes I use a good micellar product if I’m feeling lazy or time is of the essence.
- Toner – Right now I have three in rotation – one gentle (no alcohol, fragrance free) for a basic prep step. I have another that is an essence/toner but more moisturizer when I feel I need that. The other is an exfoliating type when I feel I need to clear the deck so to speak. A lot of people say toner isn’t necessary but I love this step and my skin just does better with it.
- Moisturizer – A good all purpose moisturizer to keep skin hydrated all day. It can vary during colder weather or more humid weather, but generally something basic.
- Sunscreen – I use mineral sunscreens only with an SPF of 30 max usually. And I only use a pea size amount. Yes that is sufficient for my skin to keep it protected. Last summer I was using way too much and it dried the crap out of my skin because apparently zinc oxide can be drying. So, this is all I need for ME. There are two sunscreens I’ve used with higher SPF but they are lighter and thinner in formulation without sacrificing the protection.
Evening Routine
- Cleanser – A good cleanser that takes all the makeup off in one swoop and rinses clean. I’ve tried double cleansing and it does more harm than good to my skin. I’ve tried cleansing balms and oils and don’t generally like the feel of them, and balms have to be wiped off which my skin just doesn’t take to that well. I can also use my micellar cleanser and moisturizer after if I’m too damn tired for a full routine. If I’m not wearing makeup my morning cleanser can do the job.
- Toner – Same as in the morning.
- Moisturizer – Same one I use in the morning. Again, like I said above, this can change from lighter moisture to a heavier cream depending on how my skin feels during weather transitions.
So as you can see it’s only four products – cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen and five if I use a different cleanser for makeup removal at night. This base formula does not change. I can also see if a new step or new product works or doesn’t since I use the same products on the daily. Currently though I’m using up some of my stash but staying within the formula. I need to find my holy grail products so that I use only those for the long term and can add other things in should I desire. So, still some kinks to work out but on the whole keeping it simple.

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Small Update – Mid April 2024

April 18, 2024

So yeah, it’s been awhile since I posted but…eh…no excuses. I just haven’t done it. No reason – just haven’t done it. Let’s change that right now with a short update on my life since March 2.

No major issues going on and things are going fairly well (knock on wood). My skincare routine got upended so I’m going to order two new things tonight and get back on track. At least I know the four products I need to use daily to have a base to work from.

I haven’t lost any weight, but I dusted off my Food Mover (Richard Simmons) and plan to start tracking again. Of course I need to not just plan but actually do it but planning is a step in the right direction. I’m even watching old videos of his for motivation and get me moving again.

The weather has been gorgeous – even almost summer like lately – but today we’re going back to fall for a few days and I have to say it’s a refreshing change. It reminds me of springs in London (England) when I lived there in my much younger days with my family.

My grandson is almost a year old and will be visiting me at the end of next month – now that is something I’m really looking forward to! Even though he’s not a baby anymore and not as easy to cuddle, I plan to read to him. I’m hoping he’ll be open to letting me do that.

I’m reading the Gospels for my spiritual reading and reading books on the third part of the Catholic Catechism – Life in Christ – to go with. Easter season is a good time for that. As far as regular reading – not much lately. Just reading bits and pieces here and there as I choose.

I’m watching the Waltons for the first time in a really long time. I’ve forgotten how good they are and it makes me feel a little closer to my mom – we would watch the show every week together. It was one thing we had in common.

I found two great cd’s (used) and have added them to my collection. One was rock classics and the other soft rock classics. Loving them both and so are my kiddos.

Well the oven timer went off so it’s time to eat but I just wanted to take a few minutes to say I’m still here and hopefully I’ll write a little every day. Maybe even just a paragraph on nothing in particular. At least it’s something. Peace to all.

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» 2024 » April » Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Makeup Update

April 25, 2024

My Skincare Formula

April 20, 2024

Small Update – Mid April 2024

April 18, 2024

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