So I thought I'd jump in on the action and answer those 40+ beauty questions that have been going around. I'm linking from Shannon's Raspberry Kiss blog - go check her out, she posts frequently and has some great tips and opinions to share!
So without further ado, let's dive into the questions. Get comfy, cos this might take awhile!
Skincare
1. How many times do you wash your face daily?
Two, morning and night. I don't have a set routine of cleansers at the moment, but I'll almost always use a different one in the evening than in the morning.
2. What skin type do you have?
I'd say normal to dry sensitive skin. I'm pale and pinkish, what can I say?
3. What is your current facial wash?
Like I said, I use different ones. Right now I'm mostly using two Origins ones - Checks and Balances and Make A Difference. The former is a foaming, refreshing one and the latter is a milky, very mild one (which quite frankly I don't think is up to much, but I want to finish it!).
4. Do you exfoliate?
I do, sometimes as much as every day, depending how my skin is feeling. Because I have sensitive skin, though, I try to use one that isn't too harsh.
5. What brand do you use?
I'm in the market for a new exfoliator - at the moment I use either the St. Ives Apricot Scrub or the Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub. I'm planning on trying the this works. exfoliator once I've used up the Burt's Bees, so I'll keep you posted on how that goes!
6. What moisturizer do you use?
Oh, a bunch of different ones! My most recent fave, as you'll probably know from a couple of posts ago, is the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (if you want to know more, read the full review here). I also like Clinique's Dramatically Different and, if my skin's in need of some TLC, Avibon.
7. Do you have freckles?
Yep. Scottish genes. Apparently when I first got them as a child and my dad pointed them out I freaked and was all "get them off, get them off!" I don't mind them so much now.
8. Do you use eye cream?
Yes I do. In the morning I use No. 7 Protect and Perfect eye cream under my eyes. At night I'm using Origins Ginzing, which I got a sample of, in the whole eye area.
9. Do you have acne-prone skin?
I got breakouts in high school, but never had intense acne, thank goodness. Now I get the odd hormonal breakout or if I'm stressed or sick.
10. Did you ever use Pro-Activ?
Nope.
Make-Up
11. What foundation do you use?
I normally don't use just one. I usually mix and match however the mood strikes me - often half a tinted moisturizer and half a foundation. Some of my all-time faves for foundation are Nars Sheer Glow, Lancome Teinte Miracle, MUFE HD and Dior Nude. For tinted moisturizer, I love Smashbox and Laura Mercier (the luminizing one).
12. How about concealer?
I need to find a new one for my dark circles. I currently use Benefit Erase Paste or MAC Moisture something or other - the one in the tube with the doe-foot applicator.
13. Do you know your undertone colour?
I'm assuming by this they mean either warm or cool. Definitely warm (pink, remember?)
14. What do you think of fake eyelashes?
Don't have any strong opinions. They can be really fun for special occasions, and the more subtle ones can be really pretty anytime. My only pet peeve is when girls go with the really huge, drag queen overstated ones during the day. Then they just look like spiders and it's not good.
15. Did you know that you're supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yep. I don't, but I know you're supposed to. With all my products I toss them when they change consistency, smell or color.
16. What brand of mascara do you use?
It depends. I've got a few - MAC False Lashes and Plush Lash are a couple of my faves. Also like Clinique Lash Doubling mascara and the Dior one isn't bad.
17. Sephora or MAC?
Both. I could never choose!
18. Do you have a MAC Pro card?
No, which is probably a good thing because I spend enough money there as it is!
19. What tools do you use in make-up application?
I have a few favorite brushes - the Sephora airbrush one (55, I think) for foundation, MAC 231 and 217 for eyeshadow, and a couple of the Real Techniques ones occasionally.
20. Do you use make-up base/primer for eyes?
Yeah, I have to. I have "hooded" eyes, so when I blink the skin folds and drags. If I don't use a really good primer, I end up with a line of shadow in the crease and none on the lid - it ain't pretty. My all time fave is Too Faced Shadow Insurance, but Nars Pro-Prime and Lorac aren't bad. I'll use MAC paint pots sometimes, but they don't have the staying power of the other ones.
Can I just pause for a moment and say that I can't believe I'm only halfway through these questions? My fingers are getting tired. Anyway...
21. For the face?
Yeah, most of the time. Though I have to admit that since starting using Embryolisse (which can be used as a base) I sometimes forget and don't really notice the difference. My fave is MUFE HD, but I also like Becca Resurfacing Primer and Nars Pro-Prime SPF 30.
22. What is your favorite eyeshadow? Colour or shade?
Oh man. How much time you got? I LOVE eyeshadows. It's a problem. I love a good neutral, like MAC Jeté, taupes are also great, as are bronzy browns (like Nars Fez) and plummy shades (Nars Kalahari has both of those). I like a nice matte mid-tone brown for blending (MAC Wedge) and you always need a shadow that matches your skintone to blend out edges (MAC Brulé works perfectly for me).
23. Do you use pencil or liquid liner?
Both - pencil in the daytime, liquid, gel or cream liner in the evening.
24. How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Never. Have poked my eye with a mascara wand, though.
25. What do you think of pigment shadows?
Uh... well, like any eyeshadow, it depends on the colour, texture and quality of a particular pigment more than just that it's a pigment. MAC and MUFE have some gorgeous ones.
26. Do you use mineral makeup?
Not specifically, but my face powder from MAC is one of the mineralize ones.
27. What is your favorite lipstick?
Just one? Really? What kind of make-up addict came up with these questions? I'll try to keep it to a few. MAC Rebel is awesome, also a huge fan of Dior Addict Paparazzi and MAC Sweetie.
28. How about lip gloss?
I like the Sleek Glossed ones, and MAC's Cremesheen are alright. Not a huge fan of gloopy, sticky ones though (ahem, MAC Lipglass).
29. What is your favorite blush to use?
MAC Petticoat, Nars Orgasm, Benefit Sugarbomb...
30. Do you buy your make-up on eBay?
Yes, but very cautiously. I know a lot of people would be appalled, but I've done a lot of research and have gotten to a point where I have a few sellers I trust who I've been shopping with for years, and I'm always careful to avoid some of the more popularly counterfeited items like MAC pigments. I mainly use it for discontinued products or ones you can't get in Canada.
31. Do you like drugstore make-up?
As a broad, sweeping statement? No. It's so hit or miss, there aren't testers of everything, and you can't return things that don't work. It may cost less, but you end up spending more trying to find a product that actually works. That said, I do keep an eye on what beauty bloggers and YouTubers are raving about and if I see enough good reviews about a product, I'll give it a try. So, things like the Revlon Raspberry Pie ColorBurst Lip Butter, Maybelline Color Tattoo pots... they're pretty good.
32. Do you go to CCOs?
No, because they don't have them in Canada. Wish they did, though!
33. Did you ever consider taking makeup classes?
Yes, but they're a huge investment and it's such a competitive field. And I blew all my money on regular university. C'est la vie.
34. Are you clumsy at putting on make-up?
Hmm. No, not overall, but there are certain things I am a bit messy at, like liquid liner, mostly because I don't do it very often.
35. Name a make-up crime that you hate.
Oh, where do I start? The biggest and most basic is foundation. If it's too light or too dark, it doesn't matter how perfect the rest of the makeup is, it's gonna look horrible. Also not blending it in, particularly if it's not exactly the right shade. Oh, and spider lashes - gloops and globs of mascara on top and bottom lashes. Awful.
36. Do you like colourful shades of make-up (lipstick or eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
Neutral eyes, colourful lips. Usually. But sometimes the other way around. Never both colourful.
37. Which celebrity always has great make-up?
Always? Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Kerry Washington, Charlize Theron, Kate Winslet - I like that their looks are simple, classic and flawless. But I also like Kristen Stewart's dark liner and Adele's more made-up '60s glamour.
38. If you could leave the house using just ONE make-up item, what would it be?
I'm assuming moisturizer and lip balm count as skincare, so I'd probably have to go with my MUFE waterproof eyebrow gel. I have Vitaligo, so some of my brow hairs have lost pigment. Unfortunately I have to color them every day to get them even! If I didn't have that though, I'd probably go with a hint of blush or a tad of mascara.
39. Could you ever leave the house without any make-up on?
Yeah, yesterday I just did my brows, which barely counts.
40. Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
I did when I was a bit younger and my skin was more even. Now I prefer to wear a bit of tinted moisturizer at least.
41. In your opinion, what is the BEST make-up line?
I can't really pick just one - each has its strengths. MAC's good for shadows and lipsticks, MUFE is good for HD products and those few little things like brow gel that no one else does quite right, Too faced for eye primer, Nars for blush... I can't honestly say there's just one line I think is fantastic across the board. But I guess if I had to pick one to use forever it would be MUFE.
42. What do you think of make-up?
Uh, hello, I have a make-up blog! I love it. I do think, however, that it should be fun. Something that helps make you feel just that little bit extra special. I don't think it should be caked on and I don't think you should ever get to the point where you hate how you look without it. It's gotta be an added bonus.
Phew! That took awhile! Okay, you're up. I tag you all - write or video your answers, and share your links in the comments!
xo M.