You know what I love? Low-maintenance friends. They gently remind me that the simple life does not mean skipping my monthly facial. It’s means saying Yes! to the experiences that elicit joy, curiosity, and just enough trepidation to keep us on the dirt road to self-discovery. Sarah Von is one of those friends, and a friggin’ amazing writer to boot. As I type this she is galavanting around the globe, wearing harem pants, and probably making eyeliner out of black eye shadow and her own spit (true story). It gets better: Sarah is carrying her life in a single BACKPACK. While she didn’t have room for jeans (I don’t understand), she did pack makeup. Naturally her beauty essentials are simple and brilliant:
(l to r) Almay Smart Shade Makeup: Why isn’t every single person on earth using this?! It’s from The Future, you guys! Really and truly, it comes out of the tube white and then changes to match your skin tone. I’m fair and pink-y and have a tough time finding foundations that match my skin. This one does. And it costs $9! And it’s not tested on animals! Go get some. Yesterday!
Maybelline Lash Stiletto: I actually tried this mascara on Elizabeth’s recommendation. And it’s fantastic. It’s one of the only mascaras I’ve ever tried that doesn’t create the dreaded Spider Lash when you add a second layer. I like it so much I’m wearing it just for funsies even though I recently got my eyelashes dyed (see photo, above).
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey: I feel like a total grown-up when I buy this—partially because I have to interact with fancy, lab-coat wearing ladies, and partially because its price is a double digit. But it’s absolutely worth it. The color is sheer and natural-looking and totally sexy in a “I just ate a bowl of cherries” way.
Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector: I actually refer to this product as “Robot Face.” Because if I use it all over, I start to look like those robot/humans from the movie AI. So, in lieu of applying it to every blessed inch of my face, I save it for my forehead and nose. It works wonders on cutting the shine!
Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam: Luckily, this product works really well. But even if it didn’t, I’d keep using it based on the smell alone. Musky, sexy, mysterious-o. When I smell like this, I want to fly first class, order martinis, and pinch the bums of all the cute stewards.
Rimmel Powder Blush: Costs $5, lasts forever, and I can put it on with my finger. Done.
Covergirl Shadow Blast: Someone at Covergirl must have been living inside my brain. Creamy, neutral shadow that I can smear on at 6 am, without getting my fingers dirty? And if I’m feeling particularly awake, a second, darker color? Hellz yes. Perfect for lazy people. Or travelers.
Filed Under: almay smart shade foundation, aveda phomollient, clinique black honey, clinique pore minimizer, covergirl shadow blast, maybelline las stiletto, rimmel blush, sarah von bargen, yes and yes
This is such a helpful post! Anyone know if the Almay foundation is decent for sensitive skin? And I’m psyched about the Shadow Blast thing! I used to have a Mary Kay version of it, but it was discontinued. I used that stuff until the edges of the tube were scraping my eyelids whenever I tried to apply it. Looks like I now have a replacement!
As a fair, pinky lazy makeup-wearer, you have my attention! I’ll have to try some of these— I wear Almay’s Smart Shade blush as a cream eyeshadow. It’s subtle, easy to apply, and it’s lasted a long, long time.
Thanks, Sarah!
i love me some black honey from clinique. i actually stopped wearing it in favor of their black lily lipstick but that was discontinued, boo! so i bought a bunch on ebay and put it in the freezer. i need to get some more black honey to keep me from using up all the stashed black lily too fast.
ok, i’m fair and pinky too. and i like my foundation to mask some of my exuberant pinkiness. i’m wondering… does that smart shade makeup actually exactly match my skin tone, so i would still be all pink if i wore it?
Bought the Almay Smart Shade foundation, and can safely say it’s not magical; it has little beads of color that explode when you rub the foundation on your face. It does not psychically intuit your skin color, which is why it comes in different shades.
It IS, however, a nice sheer foundation, which I’ve wanted for a long time. So, I’m still a satisfied customer/reader. =)