Summer Morning Face Needs

 

 

 

 

Texas is HOT and my face needs several things to protect and treat. The above products are a necessary and easy way to do just that. Let's talk about these!

 

 

Nuance Cleansing Facial Oil (just found out that they no longer carry this :(). This does an excellent job cutting through sunscreen residue, foundations and waterproof/resistant products. No odor to deal with and good for your skin ingredients.

 

 

Biore Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub. Gentle, cool on the face and best for daily exfoliation.

 

 

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. Great ending to the morning face wash. The glycolic acid is a necessity in my (aging face) skincare. No odor, a little goes a long way and washes without stripping my skin.

 

 

Ole Henricksen Truth Serum Collagen Boost. Chock full of Vitamin C and great for hyperpigmentation and prevention. Smells like an orange creamsicle and a couple of drops are a way that I can help my skin daily.

 

 

NuFace Powerhouse Peptide serum. This is absolutely awesome in that it protects and shields the skin from free radicals and sun damage. No odor and sinks in quickly.

 

 

Benefit Dream Screen SPF 40. Goes without saying, sunscreen is a must and this dries down almost matte and has no irritating odor. One of many sunscreens that I rotate.

 

Garnier Anti-Age eye cream. Now this is technically a night cream on it's label but I love how it does smooth my undereyes and almost has a silicone "slip". Not greasy, not heavy and perfect for hot sweaty days.

 

 

Skincare has been my main focus for about a year now and I am constantly tweaking the lineup but have loved using this for my summer cleansing. What are your favorite summer skincare must-haves? Do tell!

 

Thanks for stopping by the blog, Blessings, Sherry

Milani Everyday Eye Palettes

Milani Everyday Eyes in left: Earthy Elements, right: Bare Necessities
Swatches: Top: Bare Necessities
                  Bottom: Earthy Elements



I grabbed these palettes from my local Walgreens because they looked just like what I would wear in the spring and summer months. They are nudish (?) and basic and right up my alley. They each have mattes included as follows: in Earthly Elements the 2nd and 3rd from the left respectively and the second from left in Bare Necessities (ok I CANNOT get out the Jungle Book song outta my head now!)

There is plenty of shimmer in the other colors but not disco ball shimmer and not enough to run my older eyelids away from using them. There is a fair amount of fallout/powdery kickup and several of the colors have to be built up to get it to show on the eyelids. But, overall I am pleased with these easy to use and very well thought out palettes. I am also one of those that love having the instructions on the back that gives me ideas on how to place on my eye. Adventurous much Sherry?

I didn't need another palette, absolutely not. But hey, these are compact, lid closes tightly and great size for traveling. They carry everything I would need for a complete eye and a couple of shades that could be put to use as blush and highlighter. I adore multitasking products. So there you have it. They came out as a big deal and I think they are a big deal.

Now I have to play with that orange/burnt sienna one in the Earthly Elements. Because ya'll that is outta my comfort zone LOL.

PS: The brushes included are rather good, surprised :)

Blessings, Sherry

Wet N Wild Fergie Viscious Varnish High Shine Lip Stain

Dollar Tree find:
From top:
A307 Ball in Viena
A306 Global Fierceness
A305 Legendary Face
A309 Epic
A303 Street Queen

Brush Cleaning and Tips from blogger/vloggers

Brush cleaning is a chore, no doubt about it. Although I have met some ladies who love it because it's therapeutic (kind of like me scrubbing the house). There are scads of products to clean them including nubby mats that look like soap dishes. And there are lots of liquid products that clean them as well. Everybody does it differently and uses different products Below I will show you some products and also some tips that I learned from other people.

I didn't use brushes in my makeup routine until the last 5 years, yes seriously the last FIVE years. Now that I am getting more proficient with them, I can't imagine doing some things on my face without them! I have just always washed my brushes with gentle shampoo and laid them out on a towel to dry. No wrong way I say!

Stock photos from Internet

 

 

There are soooo many cleansers and I also found some DIY recipes in my search. All different price points as well.

 



There are "trees" to hang your brushes upside down, machines to whirl them around to dry them and loads of DIY brush hangers!

 

Pic from Internet stock photos

Some people soak them and then scrub them. Some spritz and rub on a towel. Now here are some tips that I researched and now use several of them!

 

 

1) Those jars/bottles/cups that hold my brushes and get covered with dust? I used to cover them with Saran wrap to keep dust off them and my hubby used to laugh. An Instagram tip was to put them in a cardboard box to store between uses. The first picture is the zippered makeup bag that I now keep mine in AND it freed up space on my vanity!

 



2) You don't have to spend big bucks on cleanser solution! There are lots of DIY recipes on the web and a tip I got was buy an inexpensive large bottle of Dr. Bonner's Castille Soap (liquid) and dilute it with water. Will last a looooonnnggg time and smell good to boot!

 

3) Now available are brush cleaner wipes if you are in a hurry and/or want to use the same brush while you are doing your makeup. EcoTools has a pack for $7 at Walmart, MAC, Milk makeup and other brands carry them as well. Random thought: why wouldn't makeup remover wipes work? Hmmm

 

4) Schedule your brush cleaning. Ok, that might work for some people and although it sounds good in theory, I am lazy, seriously. It's like scrubbing windows. *Sigh

 

So ladies, tell me your brush cleaning and storing tips. Would love to hear how you make this as easy and wonderful as possible!

 

Blessings, Sherry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Written Note in a Digital World

This is going to sound so frickin old LOL!  We are a people and generation of internet: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr etc. We are the instant gratification generation and it usually works that way because internet has allowed us that "now". Nothing whatsoever wrong with the speed and efficacy of the internet, I would be lost without it!

The story starts with me sending some random cards/letters out via snail mail to some friends and family. I got shocked reactions because nobody writes letters or really sends postcards anymore. This led to a discussion about how there are people who have their day made if they receive a card or letter in the mail.

I have some really pretty stationary, some gorgeous cards and plenty of envelopes that just sit in my office. So I challenged myself to get them out, pick a card and pick a person and send away. Something funny, encouraging, commiserating, praising and just letting that person know what they mean to me and how they have done great in their lives. Simple right?

My mailbox only gets circulars, a couple of bills (as I pay most online) and packages. I can't remember the last time (other than Christmas) that I received a letter/card from my family or friends! But do you remember when you did get snail mail? How it made you feel?

I even think that Thank you cards aren't sent anymore because of email and texting. So I am making an effort to use those stationary and stamps that have been sitting around and brighten someone up with a little snail mail.

Have you written off writing in this digital world? Do you have stationary that makes you happy? I challenge you to drop someone a letter or card and watch the love and positivity!

Blessings, Sherry

Bare Minerals Products for an easy summer face

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream
                         BareSkin Sheer Sun Serum Bronzer
                         Correcting Concealer Duo in zipper case


When it comes to summer, easy is queen. Texas is frickin hot and lately the humidity is off the charts! Enter a trio that makes my life easy and lets me look at least put together.

The Complexion Rescue gel is absolutely a must for my dry (yet sweaty) skin. Light to medium coverage, easy to apply and a bit cooling on the face. A serious no brainer in my book.

The correcting concealer and mineral veil setting powder, I use to cover those pesky dark circles and hyperpigmentation. Set with the powder and yowza, I look alive!

Ok so I fell in love with the Sheer Sun serum bronzer. Quick, easy and a believable warmth to my face without looking overboard. It's sheer and gorgeous!

A quick swipe of mascara, a bright lippie and I'm out the door. SO what are your simple summer face secrets and products? Do tell!

Blessings, Sherry

Lip plumpers for mature lips!

NYX pump it up lip plumper
BITE Beauty Cinnamon Plumping Lip Oil
Physicians Formula Plump Potion
Soap & Glory sexy Mother Pucker
Soap & Glory sexy Mother Pucker Extreme Plump


Ya'll I have a set of "mature" lips, I ain't gonna lie! About 6 months ago I shopped my stash and found that I had some neglected lip plumpers and an idea was born.

Normally when I do my makeup for the day, I put on a balm or other lip product to "percolate" while I am doing my face. Enter lip plumpers. I started using these as my lip product to get my lips ready for the day and boy has it made a difference!

Now I will tell you straight up that lip plumpers sting is my jam. No I am not a masochist, I just think that they are working better LOL.  Back in the day DuWop lip plumpers were all the rage (hey I think I have one still!) and they stung let me tell ya. These are more on the DL and not as painful, but they work to even out the wrinkly lips and subtly plump them up before I put on my lippie of choice for the day.

So now it's straight up routine every time I get my face ready and it works. So, the lip plumpers are in rotation and I think it will remain in rotation!

What ae ya'lls lip plumper favs? Horror stories? Do tell!

Blessings, Sherry

Oils for cleansing- The Saga

Nuance Marigold Oil Cleansing Facial Oil
Holistix Lite Oil Treatment-Argan
Physicians Formula Argan Oil
Marula Foaming Cleansing Oil
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil


The older and drier I get, the more I use oils in the majority of my skincare and bodycare. I especially like to first cleanse with an oil. Oils are definitely having their moment in the spotlight. You can get many at all different pricepoints and from a scad of brands. I found that getting sunscreen off my face requires an oil to get it completely off my skin!

The first one (you can tell it's much loved) Nuance roped me in when I was looking for an oil to cleanse my face. I was at CVS and these products were intriguing. Now this oil is definitely my favorite to use for first cleanse and works well without leaving me greasy. I just found out today after much research that CVS doesn't carry this anymore. NNNNNOOOOOO. You can purchase this on Amazon I found. But never fear, there are plenty of oils to use for cleansing!

The next 2 are not sold as cleansing oils; however, I use them that way.

The Holistix I purchased at Whole Foods and being that it is Lite I don't feel like a grease slick after using this product. It also is very nourishing. It can be found on Amazon for around $16.

Physicians Formula has topped the game with many of their products including Argan oil, cosmetics and skincare items. This one is great as an off label cleanser, but works especially well for dry skin!

The Marula Foaming Cleanser I received in one of the Sephora Favorites kits and fell in loooovvveee. Then I found out Sephora doesn't carry it anymore!!!! The Marula website sells them for $34 for a big bottle. Not sure I want to pay that much :(

Josie Maran is famous for her Argan oil line and has the regular and light versions of this product. I have one bottle of the light and this sample size in regular. I have to use these sparingly to clean as they are seriously potent and can leave me greasy in a heartbeat. However, a little goes a long way!

Winter time, the oils just have a multi purpose use and they feel so nourishing. In the Texas summer, these are only used for cleansing and dry knees, heels and elbows.

Do you have favorite cleansing oils? Any you recommend? Do tell!

Blessings, Sherry

Holy Toledo Mascaras

Ladies, this is my poor lashes without a stitch of product on. They are very blonde and puny looking without mascara. So I thought I would show you some of my favs and how they work. Please excuse the super bushy brows, this girl has never had brows done and think it's time!!!

All mascaras shown on my eyes are one coat, no primer, straight up. Also because I am old and blind as a bat without my readers on, the mascara smudge problem is real LOL.

 

Givenchy Nior Coutoure Mascara

 

The wand is the iconic 3 stage areas and gets super into the lashes. It is a "wet" formula but dries quickly. I was turned on to this mascara by a Sephora associate, AND given a lesson!!

 



Tarte Lights Camera Lashes

This wand is my preferred. Not too bulky big but just right! This is a sample that I received and although it just lengthens, it doesn't bulk them up. Still like this though.

IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes Extensions

Another iconic wand with the ball on the end to really get into the spots that are missed. Definitely makes my lashes long and has a bit of bulk to them. On a side note if I get this in my hands it burns like FIRE.

 

Loreal Voluminous Butterfly Sculpt

 

 

This wand has had a lot of buzz in the beauty world. But for me, this wand kicks butt! It lengthens, bulks and get the corners really well. Love how this looks on my eyes.

 

 



CoverGirl The Super Sizer

This wand is skinny minny and the formula is "wet". This one shocked me at how much it lengthened and my hubby even had something to say about my lashes when I tried this one on. Albino blonde lashes be gone!!!!


These are currently in my rotation (although waterproof mascaras are needed in this heat!), and several of these surprised me that I liked them so much. What are your favorite mascaras? Do tell!

Blessings, Sherry