#beautyhaul Another Life Journey; Right to the Makeup Counter
I’ve never really been a fan of makeup. *shocking*
Wait, let me rephrase that. I’ve always been a fan of makeup, I just never really liked to take the time to put it on, even though it made me look better. I spent my life perfecting the simple 10-minute routine. As I got older, I wore a little less. As I started to work from home, I stopped putting it on unless I left the house.
What really makes me laugh is that even though I have tried various products and brand over the years, for the most part, my make up today at 40 is just about the same as it was at 20 (probably almost even at 16.)
With everything else going on in my life, I think it is time for a change. I’ve been making all of these baby-step changes in life, so why not perk up my makeup routine?
- It will help with my depression (hello mania! hello sadness…hello I’m Bipolar!)
- It will boost my self-esteem
- It is better than using food to feed my emotions
- It’s just time for something different
My Michigan bestie had some time without her kids and her husband (gasp!) and instead of having some “me” time she decided to spend some time with me. Yah! Honestly though, I <3 this girl so much because without her here, this journey would be so much harder than it has been.
Now, here is the good part.
I drove. I took a 30ish minute road trip from my house to her house.
By myself.
Without the ex. Without kiddo.
Just me.
Now, for some of you this you are probably going ‘big fracking deal’ because you drive all over alone all the time.
Well, I used to.
But the last few years I have been dealing with some serious breakdowns in my mental health and driving/leaving my house was one of them. We’ll get in to more of this as we discuss more of my journey, but just know, I am in therapy and have been for a few weeks now and once again, I will battle my mental health. But for now, I don’t want to make this post about that stuff. I told my therapist on Tuesday about my weekend trip and let’s say, she was thrilled! As was I.
Once I got to besites house we headed to Ulta, then we headed to the mall. After that, Mejer for a few odds n ends.
Haul
e.l.f
Picked this stuff up at Meijer:
Foundation Brush
Total Face Brush
Smudge Brush
Defying Eye Brush
Blending Eye Brush
NYC
Picked this stuff up at Meijer where it was buy one get one 50%
White Eyeliner Pencil
City Proof Twistable Intense Lipcolor 011 Brooklyn Brown
City Proof Twistable Intense Lipcolor 031 Grammercy Park Plum
HD Color Eyeshadow Pallet 786 Skyrise Steele
Ulta
Demi-Matte Foundation
Fabulous Face Pressed Powder
the free kit contained: ( free with $19.50 purchase and the offer has been extended until March 12)
1 makeup bag (you could pick from green or pink)
1 tube Ulta Voluptuous Volume mascara in Jet Black
3 pcs set of Ulta brushes: blush, small eye shadow and large eye shadow
1 Ulta Brow Pencil in Warm Brown
1 Ulta Dual Unded Liner in Black/Brown and Halo (white)
1 Ulta Matte Lip Cream in #475 Allusive
1 Ulta lipstick in Mauve Me
1 Ulta face highlighter in Apricot Blush / Yellow Diamond
1 Ulta eye makeup remover pads
1 Ulta Flawless Prime
1 Ulta Spring Time eye shadow pallet in 6 colors.
1 Ulta nail polish in Lilac-ing You
Sephora
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Exorcism
free gift Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
So, I know you are dying so see some of this fabulous makeup.
I can take a selfie with the best of them, but trying to do your makeup…well that is a whole new ballgame. So, I am going to have to unpack (yeah, its stillllll packed) the dslr and set up shop.
For now, here is a pick of me with the new Ulta makeup, the Kat Von D everlasting lipstick and I tested out some green and plumb eye shadows already on hand. It was dark, so the natural light was gone which makes my face look red and dark.
What I really want to show you is my very first attempt at a wing. I’ve never used liquid eyeliner and have never tried to draw a wing / cat eye. It looks horrible, but I am just proud of the fact I am stepping out of my comfort zone.
And, never mind the grey hairs 😉
This picture is from the next day. I am using a new blush I already had on hand. It’s a peachy color paired with the NYC lip crayon in Brooklyn Brown.
I have to say, this was a fun experience for me and has boosted my self-confidence – not just in the makeup – but knowing that even though I still have a long road ahead; I’m getting better and better with time.
My next stop is to deal with my unruly eyebrows! YouTube tutorials, here I come!
These are great picks. I love ELF makeup. Good job on getting out there, as well! P.S. I love the ink!
How awesome to be able to spend sometime with your bestie. YOur post makes me miss my close friend from back home.
My daughter swears by ELF brushes. She is really into makeup and they are her brush of choice.
I LOVE all of your finds! I was always cautious of ELF because I thought the prices were too good to be true, but I LOVE it all! You look great, BTW. Good luck with your brows- mine are always a mess!
I love all that you picked up! I haven’t stepped out of my comfort zone in a while. That’s a problem!
The makeup looks awesome. More than half of my makeup is ELF products. They are inexpensive and work just as well as the more expensive products (if not better).
I don’t wear makeup every day, but when I do, I always feel extra beautiful. I am all about cosmetics that are reasonably priced too.
Total side note – As another gal with a full chest piece, I love yours!
I’m pretty sure I’m carrying around the same tube of lip gloss that I was back when I was 15 haha So, I know the feeling of not wanting to change makeup habits!
Sounds like a great trip out with the bestie! You got great makeup items too! Every woman needs a little r & r time with her girlfriends!
It looks like you got a wide variety of goodies. I typically don’t wear very much makeup.
That is a lot of makeup that I would have no clue what to do with … haha! Looks like a beautiful collection though, and I would love to learn more about how to put makeup on properly. I never was taught but my teen is famous for watching YouTube for tutorials so I will show her these selections and see if she wants any of the options!
I am like you. I don’t usually put on make up unless absolutely necessary. However, I admire women who can really work wonders with a brush! My daughter does a great job putting on make up. I guess because she needs it when she attends meetings at work.
Lots of nice things you got there. You’re beautiful just the way you are….be sure to take care of YOU!!! I bet that tatoo hurt…did it?
So pretty!
I don’t really do much make up but a few months ago I went out and spent a good amount of money on some. I got ELF brushes and let me tell you – LOVE!
I’ve been wearing makeup for years and have never been able to perfect the wing. Yours looks a hell of a lot better than mine! Great bargains on the makeup!
Great post – way to go with keeping your trends the same now at 40 as you did at 20!
Shout out to us 40 somethings! I think cosmetics is a nice replacement for food also!
Ok first of all I’m obsessed with the chest tatoo! All the intricacies and symbolism is beautiful. I love going to the make up store with friends. I have some fond memories of cross country friends visiting and hauling to Sephora to share lastest finds. Girlfriends are great.
I have never tried ELF makeup, but those brushes are calling my name! Those white eyeliner pencils from NYC are my favorite too!
I’ve recently decided to wear more wake up as well and step out of my comfort zone by going out in public more and doing more outside my home.
To some, buying a lipstick or liner is a no brainer,no big deal. But some of us, it means a lot. It’s what changes a black day to a bright day. I’m glad you got spend some much needed time with your bestie!
I haven’t tried ELF products but I see from the comments that it’s pretty popular! You look great and I’m glad you had a nice day out.
What a haul! I need to do something with my eyebrows too. So I’m going to check YouTube soon too. 🙂
I love make up and anything from NYC & ULTA! I love ELF too but I’m not really a fan of there brushes. But you look beautiful sweetie keep going strong! 🙂
Thanks for being candid about your personal life. I see a little sadness in your eyes and I really hope you can get back to your happy place…I know its a litte rough on you. I think I need a makeup upgrade too seeing all of these Youtubers are basically all pros and such! Makeup isnt going to fulfill your happiness but I hope you got some good colors and shades you are happy with that can at least boost your mood and self-esteem a bit. Getting into that girly girly energy can help and so happy you were able to be with a friend who loves you! XOXO
These are all great. I love using elf products and I am a huge fan of make-ups.
I love makeup hauls. I stopped wearing it unless I would go out. And I rarely ever go out now with baby.
I’m makeup obsessed and just recently tried out Elf after seeing it all owe Pinterest. Such a great brand with an even better price!
I love shopping for makeup! It’s so much fun to get new products and colors, especially when you get them at good prices!!!
You have some great finds. The colors are lovely. Nice to enjoy being made over with a friend.