Yesterday was a good day because 1) I managed to put on some makeup, and I felt really good about it (especially the base, because dang, it’s been a minute since I’ve mixed and layered and just played, ya know?), and 2) I did something almost, well…normal.
Connor’s fall dance classes started yesterday, so I took her to her dance studio for the first time since February? March? I can’t remember. It’s been a loooong time.
It’s still hard for me to believe it was somewhere we went every week for two years…
Anyway, she started doing outdoor, socially-distanced dance classes this week, so for the first time in six months I dropped her off to do something without me, and yeah, I teared up a little. Happy tears, though, because she was overjoyed to do something with other kids. ?
While she danced, I ran errands around town and popped into TJs, where it occurred to me that once upon a time, in pre-pademic life, days like this were commonplace, and I didn’t give them a second thought, but yesterday it just felt SO GOOD. Maybe it was because it was a little taste of normal life again, which made it that much sweeter.
Regarding my makeup, I’m wearing chocolate brown wings on my lash lines here, along with matte peach and pink tones on my lids, cheeks and lips. It’s a very clean, classic look.
I put a little more effort into the base than I usually do, and I think it made a difference. I started by applying a foundation primer, then mixed a full-coverage foundation with a pearly illuminating lotion and buffed a thin layer of that all over my face.
Next, I mixed a couple drops of face oil into a medium-to-full coverage concealer, then applied it in thin layers on my cheeks, nose and around my mouth, taking care to seamlessly blend all of the layers together.
To finish, I set everything with the lightest dusting of loose powder…
What I like about this type of base is that you get a good amount of coverage, but it doesn’t look or feel heavy!
Oh, and one last thing — I test drove a few new-ish things in this look from MAC and Laura Mercier for the first time. I used a couple of the Powder Kiss Soft Matte Eye Shadows, a MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipstick and a Laura Mercier Translucent Honey Loose Powder. I’ll let ya know how I feel about them after I’ve had some time to ruminate!
Makeup worn in this Look
EYES
- NARS Tinted Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base in Medium
- MAC Powder Kiss Soft Matte Eye Shadow in Best of Me
- MAC Powder Kiss Soft Matte Eye Shadow in What Clout!
- MAC Costa Riche Eyeliner
- MAC Brushbrown Liquid Liner
- MAC Liquidlast LIner in Coco Bar
- Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara
- MAC Hush Cream Colour Base
- Urban Decay Brow Blade in Dark Drapes
CHEEKS
- MAC Glow Play Blush in Grand
- MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul
- MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Hush
LIPS
- MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour in Mull It Over
BASE
- Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
- MAC Studio Fix Foundation in NC42
- MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklite
- Kevyn Aucoin Supernatural Concealer in EC06
- Wander Beauty Glow Ahead Face Oil
- Laura Mercier Translucent Honey Loose Powder
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy hump day! ?
I’m happy to hear that Connor was able to enjoy some time with other children.
Your skin look so flawless in those photos, now I think I may need a full size of Strobe cream.
Yes you do! It’ll last you forever and in the summer you can apply it to your arms, shoulders and legs if you want a little something-something!
Girl you look bomb dot com! I love that liner and now I want to head straight to MAC to get that eyeliner. Also, you did a post on the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleansing face wash and i picked it up when you said it breaks down your makeup and I have been LOVING it! Thanks so much for the recommendation. Also, I am not a mom yet but I know I would be shedding lots of tears too! Glad your baby girl was able to have fun and see her friends❤️
I’m so glad that you love the liner! It’s such a hidden gem, right?!
Yeah! Connor got to dance again. Those dance teachers are creative! I love the outdoor space they’ve created for the dance lessons to continue.
You have such a talent for winged liner! Every time you do a look with a wing, I think, “Dang! Those wings are spot on!”
And your base looks like juicy, fresh, skin! I love you in peachy, fresh colors!
So question, what’s the difference between MAC Paint Pots and MAC Cream Colour Base? Which do you prefer to use as a base color for your eye shadow looks? Which is easier to work with for those of us who are eye makeup, skill challenged?
Glad things felt a little closer to normal for you guys! How’s your air today? Ours is crummy. It’s even seeping into the house. So glad Dear Husband got us an air purifier.
OK, so Paint Pots are thicker than the Cream Colour Bases, and they tend to be more opaque. The Cream Colour bases are slightly more slippery/slick, and have a dewier finish.
The Paint Pots are primarily used as a cream eyeshadow or a cream eyeshadow base, while the Cream Colour Bases are usually for cheeks/highlight/bronzer — although you *can* use the Cream Colour Bases as a cream eyeshadow (which I’ve totally done in the past), but I would advise against doing that if your lids are oily. On dry skin they’re fine.
I like both for eyeshadow base, but it just really depends on what you’re going for. The Cream Colour Bases tend to be glowier and glossier and can be very forgiving, especially if your lids have fine lines, however expect your shadow to move and crease a bit.
The Paint Pots are better for creating depth and structure to the socket, especially if you use a matte shade like Groundwork. Great for layering satiny or shimmery shades on top on the lids. You can use fingers to swipe them all over the lids but I prefer a 217 domed brush and a buffing motion. I wear Groundwork and Indianwood a lot!
OH, and when the Paint Pot starts getting dry, you can add a little bit of your fave face oil to bring it back to life.
Lemme know if you have any other questions. 🙂
OMGosh! Thank you for such an in depth and thorough comparison. This really helps. I use Painterly and Bare Study paint pots as a base for eye shadow looks. I’ve never used a cream colour base. I’m not sure I’ve ever even tried one at the counter.
From your description it sounds like I’ve chosen the right product for my desired look and results. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my question.
You’re welcome. The Cream Colours are really great for soft, sheen highlights. Hush is seriously one of the best highlighters ever!
Love this look and your blog! At the beginning of the pandemic I found an old post of yours about Mac’s lipstick in Modesty. I was intrigued and bought it online. It was my first Mac purchase. I love the shade, the scent, and the texture of the lipstick. I wish I could wear it outside now but…masks and lipstick tend to mix in undesirable ways:) Thank you for that post and for this one. I should try some more Mac!
Hi Steph,
Modesty is a classic! It goes with so many MAC neutral workhorse colors. It’s especially pretty worn with Satin Taupe eyeshadow. 🙂
I love the ingenuity of Connor Claire’s dance studio; it’s wonderful to be able to allow them to learn and move with camaraderie.
Your FOTD is a beautiful one to celebrate, in the words of a recent article, “the most blessed day, the birth of our Virgo lord and savior, Keanu Reeves.”
P.S. I hope you get to try the Rare Beauty line by Selena Gomez. I was all kinds of skeptical at another celebrity coming out with a makeup line but after seeing a melanated sister swatching out the products, my interest was piqued!
You just made me LOL so hard! I should’ve probably made birthday cookies for my pretend husband today, huh?
And yes, I love her dance studio. Even before Covid, the did so much to make every dancer feel special. I hope she continues to dance because it’s such a welcoming community!
The makeup looks terrific and very flattering.
Thank you, Beth! I had a fun time with this look.
The many things my kids miss due to the pandemic (their sports, regular playdates, birthday parties) is so much harder on me than the things I miss myself. Fingers crossed we will get some of that back for them soon, when a vaccination is here.
Beautiful, as always – and I totally laughed at the senior portrait comment. All you need is the black, velour, off-the-shoulder cape. And you know “some people” still think senior pics should look like that. HAHA!
I’m so happy for Connor that she’s able to go back to dance class! Were parents ever allowed to watch? It was always allowed in the boys’ youth sports but it’s not for school sports. I can’t tell you the number of hours I spent in a rink watching hockey practices. Sorry, I think I have something in my eye…. 😉
I see ’80s-style senior portraits making a major comeback. (Next stop: the return of the Glamour Shot!) So I guess “some people” (LOL) who have a penchant for vintage styles like the mullet are already ahead of the curve?
Pre-Covid, the parents used to congregate in the lobby! There was a big window where you could watch the kids dance. Connor was a little nervous at first about me leaving her there and not watching here but the moment she saw the other kids and her teachers she basically was like, “Later, mom!”
Seriously, what are you going to do with all your time once they graduate?!
HAHA! Totally trend setters. 😉 OMG, the Glamour Shot. Can you imagine? Then again, I’ve heard that Instagram filters can make every photo look like a glamour shot. HAHA!
Oh, fun! One of the rinks that the kids played at also had a dance space and it was the same (big window). It’s so nice to be able to watch them enjoying themselves with their friends. <3 Mr. Mullet was the same way when he was little. Very cautious and it took a bit of time to feel comfortable. You'd never guess it now.
I hope we'll travel more and play more golf. After my last couple of outings, it's clear I could benefit from more time on the course. HAHA!
Do the boys have plans yet for after graduation? I know a lot of young people are taking gap years because of Covid.
And can I just say that I’m a little shocked that we’re actually having this conversation because I swear they were still in middle school two seconds ago.
What a gorgeous look!
Rumors are our governor might open gyms and dance studios again soon – I’m definitely missing my aerial classes
I hope that you’ll be able to take a class soon. I know you love performing!
Ummm that last shot needs to be your new profile pic. Looking so confident and stunning!