Month: October 2023

I’ve never taken the step of actually doing a head-to-head test by taking photos and directly comparing a makeup look done with high-end products vs. a makeup look done with drugstore products, but today is the day! In today’s accompanying video I’ll apply a full face of my least expensive drugstore makeup, take some photos and then we can compare these photos to the ones I took of the high-end makeup look I did a week ago. And then I’d love to know your thoughts on which you feel looks the best.

I’ve already applied the same skin prep and used the same moisturizers and eye primer as I did when I applied my high-end products. But I did use my least expensive face primer which is Elf’s new Poreless Liquid Putty Face Primer. And because I know many of you want to know whether products are cruelty free, let me share that the only product I’m using today that is not cruelty free is from Revlon.

The Inexpensive Eye Look

For my eye brows, I used Elf’s Instant Lift Brow Pencil and the NYX Micro Brow Pencil. And I used just a touch of my “Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt Mascara” to cover up some white and grey brow hairs. My eyeshadow will be this amazing $3.00 Bite Size palette from Elf in the shade “I Love You a Latte.” One of the reasons I love this palette so much is because these shades are universally flattering. I also love Elf’s Bite Size “Cream and Sugar” palette and the “Pumpkin Pie” palette.

And in order to match the shimmer in the middle of my eyelid look I did with my high end Natasha Denona “Biba” palette, I’ll use just a touch of Elf’s Liquid Metallic Eye Shadow in the shade “Moon” just on the center of my eyelids. I’ll use the darkest shade in Elf’s “I Love You a Latte” palette as my eyeliner and then apply mascara.

The Inexpensive Face Look

Although I love L’Oreal’s Age Perfect Serum Foundation, it’s definitely not my least expensive drugstore foundation. But this one is: my Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation. And I’m going to combine a little of the dewy version of this foundation with some of the matte version, so I’ll end up with a slight glow.

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To help tone down the look of dark circles under my eyes, I’ll first use Elf’s Putty Color Correcting Eye Brightener and over the top of it I’ll tap on Elf’s Hydrating Camo Concealer in the shade “Fair Rose.” Since Catrice’s True Skin Concealer costs the same as the Elf Hydrating Camo Concealer, I’ll use it to cover my age spots and will put it around the edge of my lips to help prevent my lipstick from migrating into the fine lines around my lips.

The very least expensive drugstore contour option is Wet n Wild’s Contour stick, and I’ll be using the shade “Where’s Walnut.” Since this contour stick isn’t quite as creamy as some of my high-end sticks, I’m going to use a brush to pick it up off the applicator and then apply the contour.

The Inexpensive Blush and Highlighter Look

My least expensive drugstore blush is from Elf. I love both their regular putty blush (especially the beautiful pink shade “Bora, Bora”) and their Luminous Putty Blush which gives a little more glow to the skin.

I’ll go with the Elf Luminous blush version today in the shade “Maui” which I think is closest to the shade of blush I used for the video featuring my most expensive products. And by the way, I do wish Elf would put the blush shade names on the bottom in bigger print. Even with a magnifying glass I find it almost impossible to read the shade names!

Although one of my favorite drugstore highlighters is Wet n Wild’s Liquid Mega Glow highlighter, their stick highlighter is less expensive so that’s what I’m going to go with today. It’s the shade “When the Nude Strikes.”  I’ll pick some of this product up with my finger so I can warm it up a bit which will make it easier to apply.

Inexpensive Powder and Lip Options

Now I’ll finish up with a setting powder, lip products and setting spray. I have Elf’s Halo Glow Setting Powder in the pink shade and that’s what I’ll be using in my T-zone. For my lips, Revlon’s Color Stay lip liner will come first, then Wet n Wild’s Silk Finish Lipstick in “Retro Pink” and “Fuschsia Mixed with Blue Pearl” over it. Wet n Wild’s Color Icon Zodiac Gloss in “Libra” will be the finishing touch for the lips.

And last but not least is a wonderful setting spray from Elf. That is, it’s wonderful if you enjoy a coconut fragrance. It’s Elf’s “Dewy Coconut Setting Spray.” I’ll spray it onto my dampened makeup sponge and then pat it over my skin.

The Final Touch

The most expensive products I used today cost $10 each: Elf’s new Liquid Poreless Putty Face Primer and Elf’s Dewy Coconut Setting spray. The total cost of all the least expensive drugstore products I used today was $132.45. And just as a reminder, in the video where I applied my most expensive makeup just the cost of the eyeshadow palette alone was almost what this entire face of inexpensive drugstore makeup cost!

Which Looks Better?

My makeup is now done so let’s take a look at the photos in the video for the final results. You’ll find the photos at this spot in the video: 18:50. I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on which looks better – the makeup look using my most expensive products or today’s look using my least expensive drugstore makeup.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have a favorite drugstore makeup brand? What are some of your favorite drugstore makeup products? Are there some parts of your makeup routine where you prefer to use high end products?

As I write this article, I find myself in a phase of life where I am 61 years old and very suddenly having to supervise care for my mom who just turned 85. This situation is further complicated by the fact that our relationship has not been the most fabulous. She was an active alcoholic for a large part of my life, and I raised myself for the most part.

The feelings that I’m currently immersed in are everything from resentment (because I’ve taken care of her since I was 5 years old) to realizing that I’m doing the right thing to anxiety and worry in general about what the future might hold because there is a limit to what I can or am willing to do in this situation.

But I’m her only child. I’m all she’s got right now.

In my community, Life Balance After 50, I often hear from women who struggle with complicated or toxic relationships in their lives.

These relationships can occur with parents, adult children, spouses, siblings, and friends.

Managing them can be difficult and take a physical and emotional toll on us at this stage of the game. Following are my three top ways to stay healthy and balanced as we move through these situations.

Lean Into Your Supportive and Healthy Relationships

Your friends and family truly want to help, so let them! Cry, vent, or grab someone to join you for a movie or a cup of coffee. I always think my husband is sick of hearing me complain, and then I do again, and he gives me accolades because I’m doing what I’m doing. We should complain! It’s OKAY to complain!

Take people up on their offers to help if it’s something that would be helpful for you. I had a good friend who offered to go with me on a visit to my mom’s, and I loved that idea. If there’s a day I feel l need it, I will definitely ask her to go with me! And I know that she’ll be happy to!

Lean into your people. It’s validating for you as well as physically and emotionally healthy.

Practice Self-Care

We read it and hear it over and over, but many in this community don’t apply it to ourselves and our own situations: If we aren’t taking care of ourselves and keeping ourselves healthy and happy, we are no good to our loved ones or others that we might be caring for!

It is so important to carve out time for ourselves each day to do something that brings us joy and gives us purpose. Whether it’s getting ice cream with a grandchild, curling up with a great book, taking a walk outside, or volunteering, take the time and do it!

I had planned a weekend with my husband, children, and grandchildren at our beach home before all of this happened with my mom. As the date for the weekend came closer, I considered postponing it. After thinking about it, I decided to go ahead and go, and I was so glad I did. I had four days with my husband and two days with all of the kids and grands filled with laughter, ocean, sand, and fun. It was a great respite and one that was well deserved, if I’m being honest.

My going changed nothing of my situation with my mother. But it gave me days of joy, family, and love. It filled my cup.

Know When It’s Time to Let Go of the Relationship

This can be very difficult to consider, particularly if your toxic relationship is with an adult child. But there are times when it just has to be done. Being afraid of another person is a sure signal. If your relationship with that person is negatively affecting other healthier relationships, that can be a signal, as well.

And, of course, if you are feeling sick, anxious, stressed, not sleeping, or not eating because of the complicated relationship, it may be time to step back and/or set some boundaries.

If I think about cutting off ties with my mom, there’s all kinds of guilt that I feel followed by anger that I feel that way. The emotions and feelings when we think about cutting a relationship out of our lives are often intensely strong.

Although I will likely never cut things off with my mother because she’s 85, and I’m the only person there to take care of her, I will and have started to set boundaries in terms of my time as well as what I’m comfortable or not comfortable doing.

I’ve become more able to say “no” to certain requests without feeling guilt. I have put my behavioral background to use and am actively not attending to things that are said in an effort to rile me up.

Sometimes these tools work and other times they don’t. On the days they don’t, I try to give myself the grace that I need. I take extra breaks or don’t visit that day.

Most importantly, I tell myself that that’s okay. And I mean it!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have a complicated or toxic relationship in your life that you are managing? What are the biggest challenges? What small step can you take today to carve out a bit of time for you?

Originally posted at: Madison LeCroy’s Navy Pinstriped Vest

Originally posted at: Olivia Flowers’ Beige Corduroy Shacket

Originally posted at: Dorit Kemsley’s Black Quilted Leather Coat