You have been loving my last gift guide, so today I’m back with four more, including skincare, makeup, fragrance, and sales.
Welcome back to Makeup By Makena! You have been loving my last gift guide, so today I’m back with four more, including skincare, makeup, fragrance, and sales. Enjoy!
The holiday season is by far one of my favorite times of the entire year, but the cold weather combined with a few too many sweet treats can definitely be hard on my skin. However, I have been relying on the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup to help my skin look and feel its best!
The holiday season is by far one of my favorite times of the entire year, but the cold weather combined with a few too many sweet treats can definitely be hard on my skin. However, I have been relying on theNeutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup* — my most favorite product from the brand — for years to help my skin look and feel its best! It is a high quality, affordable foundation with natural medium coverage and a luminous finish. During the Winter, makeup often emphasizes my dry skin, but as long as I properly moisturize before, this provides a fresh glow; I find that I do not need to wear powder over it and it looks prettier the longer I wear it. I also have acne-prone skin, and unlike other base products which can clog my pores or cause breakouts, I never worry about wearing this on a daily basis. Because of its adaptable satin finish and buildable coverage, I think this would work well with all different skin types. Its unique formula, which is available in 14 shades, contains antioxidants and SPF 20 to visibly improve luminosity, tone, and texture for healthier looking skin. If you would like to see some of my other blog posts where I talk about this incredible product, feel free to read my Drugstore Foundation Guide, my Glamorous Holiday Makeup Look, and What’s In My Autumn Makeup Bag.
Swatches from Left to Right: Primer, Foundations in ’50’, ’60’, and ’70’, Brightening Eye Perfector in ‘Light’, Hydro Concealers in ‘Light’ and ‘Light-Medium’, ‘Sunkissed’ Bronzer, ‘Vibrant’ Blush, ‘Fresh Papaya’ Color Stick, and ‘Mink Brown’ Eyeshadow Palette with shades starting top to bottom
Neutrogena was generous enough to send me all of the products needed to recreate the metallic bronze smokey eye and pink lip that celebrity makeup artist Amy Oresman created for Eiza González’s red carpet look. To achieve a flawless base, I am first going to prime my face with the Healthy Skin Primer*; this evens and brightens skin, extends the wear of makeup, contains SPF 15, and feels very hydrating. Next, I am going to apply none other than the Healthy Skin foundation* in the shade ’60 Natural Beige’ using a damp makeup sponge. I have repurchased this several times and if I could only use one of Neutrogena’s products, it would definitely be this because it is such high quality. Then, I am using the Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector* in ‘Light’, a lightweight highlighting twist-up concealer, under my eyes, and the Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer* in ‘Light’, a buildable stick concealer with hyaluronic acid, on any additional discoloration and blemishes. These last all day, blend out easily, and work so well with my dry skin. I am then blending the Healthy Skin Blends Bronzer in ‘Sunkissed’*, a warm matte tan color, under my cheekbones and along the perimeters of my face for an effortlessly natural radiance. For a pop of color, I am dusting the Healthy Skin Blush in ‘Vibrant’*, a bright pinky shade, on the upper, outer part of my cheeks. Both of these powders have smooth, pigmented, and blendable formulas, wonderful for enhancing a winter flush. For my eye look, I am using the Nourishing Long Wear Eyeshadow Palettein ‘Mink Brown‘*, a collection of four long-lasting and shimmery golden-bronze shades. First, I will take the second shade from the top, a light and shimmery champagne, to highlight the inner corner, the inner 1/3 of the eye lid, and the first half of the lower lash line. On the outer 2/3 of the lid and lower lash line, I am patting on the satin taupe shade located at the top of the palette. To achieve an intense smokey eye, I will build up and blend the third shimmery bronze shade through the upper crease and outer corner for a lifted and elongated effect. Lastly, for soft focus definition, I will line my eyes with the deep matte brown shade at the bottom of the palette. Although these eyeshadow are not super pigmented, they are buildable and blend so easily, which I really like. To finish off the eyes, I am using the HealthyLengths Mascara in ‘Black’*, which strengthens lashes and makes them extra long. To complete this lovely makeup look, I am going to swipe on my MoistureSmoothColor Stick in ‘Fresh Papaya’*, a pinky coral shade with a sheer, shimmery finish and an extremely hydrating formula, which I absolutely adore.
After my foundation and concealer are complete.
The brand was kind enough to offer all of my followers 25% off any Neutrogena makeup purchase from their website, so feel free to use the discount code HEALTHYSKIN25 at checkout, valid until the end of January. Please keep in mind that this is not an affiliate link and I do not receive any commission from any aspect of this post. If you need more makeup inspiration for Winter, feel free to see additional celebrity looks here. Thank you so much to Neutrogena for partnering with me on this post and, of course, thank you all so much for reading and be sure to let me know what your favorite glamorous seasonal makeup products are below!
Disclaimer: This post contains one or more beauty products that companies have been kind enough to send me free of charge for review purposes. PR Samples will always be indicated by an asterisk (*). I only support products that I genuinely use and love, and I only collaborate with brands about which I feel passionate and whose values align with those of my blog and myself. As a result, all opinions expressed on Makeup By Makena are always honest and are never influenced by an outside source.
March of 2018 will mark the third anniversary of Makeup By Makena and after nearly three years of beauty blogging, I have learned so many priceless lessons, some of which I would be honored to share with you today…
March of 2018 will mark the third anniversary of Makeup By Makena and after nearly three years of beauty blogging, I have learned so many priceless lessons, some of which I would be honored to share with you today…
Never compare myself to others. With so many beautiful blogs, captivating blog posts, and dedicated bloggers out there, I am the first to admit that it can be hard not to feel inferior. There is absolutely nothing wrong with admiring the talent and success of others, but that does not mean I have to question my own talent and success. Everyone deserves to be proud of their accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem and ultimately, the only person I should compete with is myself because for me, blogging is about empowerment, not degradation or opposition.
Never underestimate the importance of having purpose and goals. I believe that staying true to my values and character is a crucial aspect of blogging; working towards the fulfillment of my mission statement with deliberation and intentionality will guide each of my posts in the right direction. To all of my fellow bloggers, please never lose sight of the reason why you started and never forget your hopes for the future.
Always be Honest. There is absolutely no reason not to tell the truth about a beauty product and I am always completely honest and genuine because nothing is worth betraying your trust. Although I would continue blogging even if no one ever read my posts, I am aware that my blog would not be the same without my readers and because I want my content be as helpful as possible, I always convey my forthright thoughts on products I am reviewing.
I do not have to be perfect, no matter how much I would like to be. Although I am aware that a small part of me will never be completely satisfied with the lighting in my photos or the hook at the beginning of my posts, I have come to realize that as long as I try my hardest and am proud of the final product, I am good enough.
Everyone has the potential for creativity. I know this seems silly, but for the longest time, I thought that because I excel at and enjoy academics and expository writing rather than dancing or painting for example, I was not creative. However, blogging has taught me that by definition, creativity is unconventional and constructing a rose gold smokey eye, styling intricate flatlays, and writing about my most loved eyeshadows are all amazing ways that I express myself.
Pursue my passion no matter what. I started blogging because I love writing about what makeup I am loving and that will always remain true regardless of ever-changing statistics. I truly appreciate every single view, like, comment, and follow and even though I do have big dreams for my blog, it is important to do what I love and only produce content I am passionate about.
Work harder than I ever thought possible. No one can realize how much work blogging actually takes until they experience it firsthand and one of the qualities that I appreciate the most in an individual is a strong work ethic. I love the feeling of being able to know that I worked as hard as I could and then found the strength and passion to work even harder; as a result, I now have each of my blog posts.
Learning is never-ending. No matter how much I may know, I am always willing and able to learn more information and acquire new skills, and this ongoing process is one that makes me extremely happy. The fact that I can learn new things from my readers and other bloggers and in turn teach them new things is both comforting and inspiring.
Never stop evolving. I am constantly striving to improve myself and my website in every way possible. Whether I am perfecting the perfect shade of blush pink for my links, experimenting with my eyeliner, or falling in love with a new rhetorical device, I always try my best to challenge myself and be better than I was the day before. Mastering the art of reinvention can be difficult, but as long as my core values remain the same, the alterations I make to my blog will only be for the best.
I can care about people I have never met. Above all else, three years of blogging has taught me that I can care about people whom I have never met before. I can feel a deep sense of obligation to individuals whose names I do not know and I can hope that dreams of individuals whose faces I will probably never see will one day come true. So although I cannot guarantee that you will love a lipstick as much as I do, never for a moment doubt that a day does not go by without me loving and appreciating each and every one of you.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for teaching me each of these lessons. I truly hope you found at least one of these meaningful for your own life. What has blogging taught you? I would absolutely love to know!
Winter is a very special season featuring a myriad of things to be excited for; Christmas traditions, cozy weather, and time spent with family are all obvious examples, but another thing that always brightens my day is, of course, the thought of makeup. This post is dedicated to five beauty products that help make me enthusiastic for the cooler months ahead.
Winter is a very special season featuring a myriad of things to be excited for; Christmas traditions, cozy weather, and time spent with family are all obvious examples, but another thing that always brightens my day is, of course, the thought of makeup. This post is dedicated to five beauty products that help make me enthusiastic for the cooler months ahead.
Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in ‘Dolly’: To me, this lip gloss just screams Winter! It’s cool, plum undertones provide an effortless transition into seasonal makeup, especially when paired with complimentary eyeshadow or blush. Although I am not looking forward to the combination of this product with long hair and strong winds, this specific shade always makes me look forward to the following months.
Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow in ‘Faux Fur Jacket’: Embracing the spirit of the season is as easy as can be when I have this sultry shadow sitting in my makeup drawer! The shimmery bronze hue with cool taupe undertones is stunning regardless of how it is layered — it is so pretty that it even causes me to be uncharacteristically eager to take a break from my signature warm eye looks.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup: During the cooler months, I want my skin to be extra hydrated but I do not always want to have to wear an extra dewy foundation; I love reaching for this one because it applies beautifully over my dry patches while maintaining a soft and natural luminosity. It has buildable coverage, lasts all day, and is compatible with all skin types.
Milk Makeup Highlighter: Cream highlighters are a wonderful option for dehydrated winter skin and this golden champagne shade that I received in my Birchbix is no exception. The natural warmth of my skin immediately softens it, allowing it to melt into my skin for a ‘lit from within’ glow. It blends like a dream with fingertips or a damp beauty blender and it is sure to add life back to your makeup look.
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in ‘Party’: This line of blushes is one of my very favorites because of its smooth, perfectly pigmented, and long-lasting formula. I received a mini version of this for my birthday gift from Sephora and I think this light dusty pink shade with cool, mauve undertones is so beautiful to wear in colder weather.
I hope you and your family had an incredible Christmas! What makeup products get you excited for Winter?
Today’s post is dedicated to teaching you how to create a very special and celebratory makeup look. It features champagne eyeshadow with a pop of color, natural, glowy skin, and a classic red lip, all of which are perfect for the holiday season! If you would like to learn the steps that I took to construct this look, then please keep reading…
Swatches from Left to Right: ‘Peaches ‘n Cream’, ‘Georgia’, ‘Charmed, I’m Sure’, ‘Luscious’, ‘Cobbler’, ‘Enchanted’, ‘Diva’
Hello and welcome to the 8th day of my Twelve Days of Christmas on Makeup By Makena. Today’s post is dedicated to teaching you how to create a very special and celebratory makeup look that I plan on wearing tomorrow for Christmas Eve. It features champagne eyeshadow with a pop of color, natural, glowy skin, and a classic red lip, all of which are perfect for the holiday season! If you would like to learn the steps that I took to construct this look, then please keep reading…
~Face~
My skin, especially my under eye area, has been super dry lately, so today I am using the Whish Botanical Primer that I received in my latest Birchbox because it is very hydrating under makeup. For foundation, I am wearing my brand new Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, a luminous medium to full coverage base product that looks natural yet glamorous. I know I did not have the best things to say about this in my recent first impressions post, but I later realized that it was because my skin suddenly became very dehydrated and none of my usual makeup would work either. I combine two pumps of this foundation with a light weight moisturizer, first stippling it onto my skin with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and then blending it out with my beloved BeautyBlender, which I also use to pat my Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer on the areas I want to conceal and highlight. Right now, I do not need any powder on my face, so I am just dusting a touch of Rimmel Stay Matte under my eyes to prevent creasing.
To start this special Christmas-inspired eyeshadow look, I am using my Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette (review here) and blending ‘Peaches ‘n Cream’, a pale matte cream, all over my eye lid up onto my brow bone for an even base to help all of the other shadows blend more easily. On a big fluffy brush, I am blending ‘Georgia’, a muted matte pinky-beige shade, through my crease and outer corner and then defining the same areas more precisely with ‘Charmed, I’m Sure’, a cool-toned matte brown. To make my eyes pop, I will pat on my favorite shimmery champagne shade, ‘Luscious’, all over my lid followed by ‘Cobbler’, a shimmery rosy-bronze in the outer v and slightly in the crease. I will use my cheek highlighter on my inner corners and brow bone for a brightening effect. I am adding the finishing touches to my festive eye look by blending ‘Enchanted’ and then ‘Diva’ from the Morphe x Jaclyn Hill Palette (review here) all along my lower lash line. You can achieve the same look by using any matte forest green and shimmery silvery green shades already in your collection, but these happen to be the only ones I own. As always for special occasions, I am using my Maybelline Gel Eyeliner to line my eyes and then I am coating my lashes with Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
~Lips~
When I wear a red lip for the holidays, I usually prefer a glossy finish, but since the rest of my makeup is very luminous I want to balance everything out, so I am using the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color in ‘Passion’(review here). This affordable product has the most long-lasting and moisturizing formula and this particular red shade is not too deep or too bright, which can often be difficult to find.
I hope this ‘Get Dolled Up With Me’ gives you inspiration for your own holiday looks; after I finish my makeup tomorrow, I will use hot rollers to loosely curl my hair, change into an off the shoulder, black fit and flare dress with burgundy peep toe pumps, and head to my great-aunt’s to spend Christmas Eve with my family. Please leave any questions, comments, or requests below and have an excellent day!
Every year, I have celebrated the holiday season by sharing my most loved festive lipsticks and Christmas songs and that is exactly what I will be doing this year.
Every year, I have celebrated the holiday season by sharing my most loved festive lipsticks and Christmas songs and that is exactly what I will be doing this year. Enjoy!
My Favorite Holiday Lippies
Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick in ‘Bombshell’: When I envision the ideal holiday lip product, I often think of a bold crimson shade, but sometimes — whether it is because I am wearing colorful clothes, rocking a dramatic eye look, or just wanting to stay in my comfort zone — a classic neutral can also be an amazing option. Thanks to its amazing formula, this warm pinky-tan color lasts what seems like forever, making it perfect for long Christmas parties and delicious dinners.
L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Lip Color in ‘Sugar Plum’: Everything about this product screams Christmas to me, even down from its name. I love the berry color and it is so smooth and hydrating. Normally, I try my hardest to steer clear from frosty lipsticks, but this golden sheen looks so pretty and makes every eye color pop.
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in ‘Bit of Berry’: For a festive twist on the classic feminine pink lip, this bright plum color is a wonderful way to add something special to your makeup, especially if you are not in the mood to wear those deep, dark plums. This affordable formula is so rich and creamy while the sheen glides over dry winter lips.
Tarte Drench Lip Splash Lipstick in ‘Cabana Boy’: This mauve shade with berry undertones is an excellent example of what I like to call a wearable bold because it is deep enough to make a statement without being intimidating. I love pairing this with plum-inspired eyeshadow and blush for a unique monochrome look, and this matte finish feels unbelievably creamy. I really want to get a full-sized version soon because it truly is like no other.
Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in ’10’: Last, but certainly not least, this bright cherry red is the quintessential holiday lipstick! All of the shades from this line are highly pigmented and last really well withiut ever feeling drying. I know that I will be getting a lot of use out if this as I get closer to Christmas day and I think it will look so stunning paired with a shimmery champagne eye and glowing skin.
My Favorite Holiday Lyrics
Christmas ‘Medley’ by Dolly Parton: This combination of Winter Wonderland and Sleigh Ride never fails to put me in the holiday spirit, and, like always, Dolly’s voice is beautiful in this song.
‘Baby! It’s Christmas’ by Jessie James Decker: This year, Jessie has been one of my most favorite singers and celebrities in general — her makeup is always so gorgeous! This song’s fun and festive vibes always make me want to sing and remind me a lot of Mariah Carey’s famous All I Want For Christmas Is You.
‘My Favorite Holiday’ by Jessie James Decker: Another one of favorites, this song is so unique and catchy and always inspires me to pop on a red lip and vintage dress. I definitely recommend checking out her songs!
‘All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan’ by Kenny Chesney: For those of you who are like me and love both country music and tropical, beachy vacations, this Christmas song is the perfect pick! The lyrics are so applicable to my family and I and it is a great option if you are tired from the amazing classics.
What are your favorite holiday lipsticks and Christmas songs this year?
I have drawn inspiration from my own personal experiences with beauty and my most iconic role models to assemble a lovely list of my fifteen most timeless and empowering makeup tips that I strongly believe every girl should be aware of.
Our modern society is replete with ever-changing ideals of what it means to be beautiful and these unrealistic standards can lead to harmful consequences on our self-image. However, I have drawn inspiration from my own personal experiences with beauty and my most iconic role models to assemble a lovely list of my fifteen most timeless and empowering makeup tips that I strongly believe every girl should be aware of.
Although investing in high-end skincare and cosmetic products is completely worthwhile, drugstore alternatives can be equally amazing.
Wash your face with cold — not warm — water before doing your makeup to reduce redness and the amount of concealer you will later need to use.
Instead of purchasing a primer, moisturize your face before appying makeup to help your base products go on more smoothly and last longer.
If a foundation is too matte or heavy, add a moisturizer to it to make it more dewy and sheer.
Use bronzer, blush, and highlighter as the perfect neutral eyeshadows for your skin tone.
Rather than identically copying tutorials, learn how to apply makeup for your unique facial structure and eye shape.
For a natural and professional look, always blend your makeup more than you think you should.
When applying mascara, coat both sides of your upper lashes for even more volume and length.
Do eyeliner before eyeshadow and then retrace it after so that you do not have to worry about making any mistakes.
Everyone looks amazing in red lipstick; you just have to find your correct undertone.
Use dish soap and olive oil to deep clean your makeup brushes and prevent breakouts.
Focus on using makeup to enhance your favorite features rather than concealing your perceived flaws.
Rather than pursuing the current beauty ideal, which is usually unrealistic and will inevitably change, establish your own signature look.
An expertly crafted smokey eye can be very memorable, but no matter how you choose to do your makeup, always radiate confidence because ultimately, that is what people will admire.
You do not have to be perfect; you are beautiful with and without makeup.
I hope you found today’s post helpful! What are your best beauty tips that have stood the test of time?
There are so many things in life that make me truly happy and rose gold is most definitely one of them! With its effortlessly glamorous, feminine, and sophisticated undertones, this trendy yet timeless metallic color has gradually infiltrated into almost all aspects of my life, especially my makeup collection. To honor my signature shade, I have chosen six of my most loved rose gold makeup products to share with you in hopes of helping you add more of this perfect hue to your cosmetic bag.
L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow in ‘Amber Rush’
L’Oreal Infallible Paints Eyeshadow Metallics in ‘Rose Chrome’
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in ‘Yogurt’
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter in ‘Rose Gold’
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in ‘Rose Gold’
NARS ‘Supervixen’ Lip Gloss
Swatches from Left to Right: L’Oreal ‘Amber Rush’, L’Oreal ‘Rose Chrome’, NYX ‘Yogurt’, Becca ‘Rose Gold’ Liquid, Becca ‘Rose Gold’ Powder, NARS ‘Supervixen’
There are so many things in life that make me truly happy and rose gold is most definitely one of them! With its effortlessly glamorous, feminine, and sophisticated undertones, this trendy yet timeless metallic color has gradually infiltrated into almost all aspects of my life, especially my makeup collection. Rose gold is my absolute favorite shade to wear for makeup because it is suits both warm and cool skin tones, complements all eye colors, and looks beautiful for natural everyday looks and dramatic evening looks. To honor my signature shade, I have chosen six of my most loved rose gold makeup products to share with you in hopes of helping you add more of this perfect hue to your cosmetic bag.
L’Oreal Infallible Paints Eyeshadow Metallics in ‘Rose Chrome‘: Unlike ‘Amber Rush’, this particular product is more of a light pink shade with strong peachy-gold undertones, making it lovely for Spring and Summer. Its soft glow makes it ideal for a brightening all-over-the-lid shade and a beautiful cheek highlight. For an even more metallic finish, dampen your brush before applying it.
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in ‘Yogurt’: For a quick and easy everyday eye look, this silky cream eyeshadow is a wonderful option because of its bendable formula and beautiful light rose gold shade. Unlike lots of cream eyeshadow that I’ve tried in the past, this does not disappear when blended out and it stays in place all day. It is so pretty all over the lid with a neutral matte crease or layered under another rose gold shadow for maximum impact and it really helps define different eye shapes.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter in ‘Rose Gold’: This luminous, rosy liquid highlighter is one of the most versatile products you could ever own and it is a must-have if you are obsessed with rose gold makeup. If you plan on mixing it in with your foundation, I think this would look best for those of you whose skin has pink undertones; on deep skin, this would make such a stunning highlight, but since this is a medium-tones shade, I love using this like I would use a blush. Such a beautiful and dewy glow!
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in ‘Rose Gold’: This shimmery rose gold highlighter with warm, copper undertones is so beautiful to sweep over the apples of the cheeks for a blush overlay for light to medium skin or for a regular highlighter for darker skin. It instantly makes your complexion look healthier and glowing, and can be used an eyeshadow, too, I would recommend getting the travel-sized version because you only need the smallest amount and the pans last forever.
NARS ‘Supervixen’ Lip Gloss: This rose gold-inspired mauve shade is a great alternative to the metallic lip trend going on right now because it has a stunning, lustrous golden shimmer throughout. If you are on the search for a unique and high quality lip gloss and are willing to spend a little extra money, then this would be my recommendation because it is neutral with an extra special twist that is capable of transforming any neutral or mauve lipstick. It has the perfect amount of pigmentation and sheen without fading easily or feeling sticky.
I hope that this post resparked you love for all things rose gold and that you found some new products you would like to try. What are your favorite rose golden makeup items?
As the temperature decreases, the dullness of our skin increases and many of us are left to embark on a never-ending quest to attain oh-so-coveted luminosity. Despite how it may seems, achieving the perfect glow that everyone dreams of is not impossible — not even with the driest of skin or in the harshest of Winters. Just follow these five simple steps and you will completely forget that your complexion was once anything but luminous!
As the temperature decreases, the dullness of our skin increases and many of us are left to embark on a never-ending quest to attain oh-so-coveted luminosity. Despite how it may seems, achieving the perfect glow that everyone dreams of is not impossible — not even with the driest of skin or in the harshest of Winters. Just follow these five simple steps and you will completely forget that your complexion was once anything but luminous!
~A Sheer Dewy Base~
The first, and possibly most essential, step in achieving that gorgeous glow we all strive for is to ensure that our skin looks fresh and natural. I love using the COOLA Rōsilliance Organic BB+ Cream SPF 30*(review here) because it has a very sheer coverage that allows your skin to shine through, and an extremely dewy and youthful finish! Opting for a more lightweight formula as opposed to a more full-coverage foundation means that your base will not emphasize any dry patches; If you struggle to find a product that actually makes your dry skin look truly glowy, then I highly recommend this one.
~A Natural-Looking Concealer~
Next, I like to apply additional coverage where needed using concealer; the key is to choose one with a lightweight yet buildable formula and a natural finish. My favorite — as you may have guessed — is the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, which can be layered to camouflage blemishes and discoloration, or to highlight the center areas of the face for more dimension. Unlike other concealers I have tried, this is very compatible with dry skin types because its blendability and luminosity truly help it look like skin.
~A Glowy Liquid Highlighter~
Now that our skin is even and radiant, we can move on to the fun part — highlighter! Liquid highlighters like the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectorare a great option because they are easy and versatile. You can mix it in with your base product for a more subtle glow or you can apply it on the high points of you face after your base is complete to make your features pop. Pat a small, pea-sized amount on the tops of your cheekbones the apples of your cheeks, the bridge and tip of your nose, cupid’s bow, brow bone, and the inner corners of your eyes. Liquid formulas are ideal for dry Winter skin because they glide over dry patches and provide a dewy, wet-looking finish that looks stunning in person and in photos.
~A Luminous Powder Highlighter~
For an even glowier visage, I enjoy using the Hard Candy Baked Highlighter in ‘Tiki’, a truly unique powder that has a lovely, natural sheen without even a trace of shimmer! It can be layered over the previous liquid highlighter for more intensity or it can be combined with a translucent powder of your choice to set the t-zone and brighten the under-eye area. It makes your skin look so luminous and healthy without any sparkly lines of demarcation left behind by those ever-so-popular blinding highlighters. This is definitely a must-have for individuals with mature or dry skin and for the price, it is a steal.
~A Hydrating Facial Mist~
Products like the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herb, and Rosewaterthat revive dehydrated skin with one simple spritz are absolute must-haves for colder weather. This facial mist is wonderful for refreshing bare skin after you wake up, priming dry skin before makeup, melting powder products into your skin while boosting your glowy complexion once your makeup is complete, and drenching your face with before you go to bed to soothe dry skin!
Now that you know my top tips for glowing all year long, I would love to learn yours! What is your favorite way to achieve a Winter glow?
Today, I will be writing about my most-used and loved makeup of the month! The products I have been loving during November are all effortless ways to carry your look into Winter and are sure to look amazing and work well on everyone
For the past two years, I have been celebrating the holidays on Makeup By Makena with The 12 Days of Christmas by writing a total of twelve beauty- and holiday-related blog posts throughout the month of December. Today marks the commencement of this special tradition, so like always, I will be writing about my most-used and loved makeup of the month! The products I have been loving during November are all effortless ways to carry your look into Winter and are sure to look amazing and work well on everyone.
‘Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation: This luxurious base product, which I reviewed here, is very much worth the price because it literally looks like my real, natural skin, but more even and healthy! The lightweight liquid is extremely buildable, allowing me to go from a sheer to a light-medium coverage without ever looking like I am wearing anything on my face. Another reason why I have been reaching for this so often throughout November even though I regard it as my ideal Summer foundation is because it has a demi-matte finish, but is still compatible with my extra dry skin.
L’Oreal Glam Bronze Powder Duo in “102 Brunette”: This affordable bronzer that I bought on my Europe trip is also another great option that I have enjoyed using this past month because it blends so well, has a completely matte finish, and has really nice red-undertones to mimic a natural tan. Like many makeup lovers, I often wear orange and red-based eyeshadows during this time of year, so this matches perfectly.
Bourjois Little Pot Blush in ’85 Sienne’:This adorably-packaged blush that I purchased at a Parisian drugstore is a rosy-tan color that adds the ideal amount of warmth to bring my paler-than-usual skin back to life. Blended upwards from the apples of the cheeks, this sheer, but buildable neutral is a very chic way to transition from Autumn to Winter without breaking the bank.
Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in ‘Dolly’:This high-end lip gloss is wonderful because it is a beautiful shimmering mauve shade that gives the illusion of fuller lips without any stickiness. I enjoy experimenting with this unique, highly-pigmented color because it always looks so multi-faceted layered over different lipsticks! Once swiped on the lips, it immediately adds a little something extra to a casual look while also being able to enhance a glamorous full face.
Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve in a Tube: This very affordable and lip balm from Sephora is so helpful now that the weather is starting to get colder! I love how versatile it is since it can be used to moisturize chapped lips, to add a sheen over lipstick, and to heal any minor cuts or dry skin on the body. The little tube is so convenient to throw in my purse and I really like how this has a subtle pink tint so it does not wash out the natural pigmentation of my lips.
Thank you so much for spending time with my blog and me, and if you would like to read my previous posts from this holiday series, feel free to type ’12 Days of Christmas’ into the search bar!
March of 2018 will mark the third anniversary of Makeup By Makena and after nearly three years of beauty blogging, I have learned so many priceless lessons, some of which I would be honored to share with you today…
Makeup By Makena 