“Write about ‘best things’,” a gal pal advises. Okay, but with caveats.
No outrageously expensive things. No recommendations that we have not tried. And no selling.
Even with The Norwegian’s money, this girl did not buy crazy expensive stuff. Blame Christian Louboutin. Admiring the glorious red bottom shoe and placing one upon your foot are two distinctly different things. Uncomfortable doesn’t cut it. Screaming, “Get it off,” is closer to the truth. If I’m gonna own a show off shoe, I want to show it off. Evidently, that’s reserved for miniature footed people like Carrie Bradshaw. Same for Tory Burch ballet flats. How could a shoe so cute leave feet bloodied from battle.
Conclusion: Rarely is the the outrageously expensive worth it. It’s not just clothes.
Got talked into Armani Silk at Sephora. For that price, I want a new face. I want dew that threatens to drip off my chin and turns back the clock ten years. It’s kinda dry and even though I was professionally color-matched, the hue was meh.
Before we get to foundation, we have underlay. Start the night before. In the bath, cleanse your face with Garnier Micellar Water. Use their Micellar puff so you don’t pull on your old lady skin. After bath, slather on Albolene. This one is a million years old, used by my Grammie and old Hollywood stars.
Your face may sigh out loud when you apply Albolene. The seven-dollar price doesn’t hurt. It has the consistency of Vaseline and the magical powers of Hermione–leaving behind a clean face and a healthy glow. We’ve discussed it previously doll–it’s time for snail mucin. Yep, the stuff they leave in a trail behind them. It plumps, soothes, and you have to just not think about the ick as it slicks across your face. BTW–the Corsyx brand is the real deal. Don’t be fooled by the look alike. Shame on you Amazon.
Cover that with the best moisturizer on the planet. Laroche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer. Sounds French and fancy. It’s at Target. A dab covers the whole face, even those of us with overlarge heads. Go to bed and let all that goodness soak in.
Awaken, rinse and start all over again. You have some choices depending on skin type. Perhaps you’re a Vitamin C girl. If so, No. 7 Vitamin C is a bargain. Is Hyaluronic Acid your jam? Elf has a great one. Currently, this girl is into Elf’s Thirst Burst Niacinamide Serum. Whichever you prefer, start with a serum.
Over that, use your Laroch-Posay, same as last night. You can go straight to a foundation, but I like a primer. Right now I’m hooked on Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer–a little pricey but the pore coverage is straight voodoo.
By now, you’re a little moist. Ew. Go make the bed, give your prep a few minutes to dry, and ready to welcome the foundation.
Of course, we’re not done. But makeup–the shadow, the blush, the concealor–needs a tutorial all its own.
All in, it’s a half hour of your day. No excuses. No hiding that Goddess under a plain face.
The Duchess Diaries 