Happy New Year! My daughter, Alexandra did my make-up when we were together for the holidays and my sister and husband each commented: “Wow, you look great!” 🙂 It might have been a good night’s sleep…OR…Here are eight beauty products that are worth the splurge. Followed by some less expensive ones…and my general over-50 make-up routine.
Alexandra used a facial serum first (which I will tell you about–she gave it to me for Christmas). Hydration is really key…I know you know that!
Beauty Products Worth The Splurge
I. Summer Fridays has the new brightening serum with vitamin C that you apply first to clean skin. 2. This tinted cream has a 35 SPF 3. Renergie day and night creams, expensive, but this is a better cost combo deal (pat the day cream on your face over the serum). 4. Cleans better than a regular toothbrush so worth it. 5. Alexandra used this sponge, too…costs a little more but it gives your make-up a smooth finish. 6. These Sake Bomb products make my hair feel healthier than the cheap shampoo/conditioner that I sometimes use. 7. Smooths fly away hair. 8. Expensive eyebrow pencil, but I love how easy it is to use and says on all day. Sometimes I fill in with a drugstore brand to make this pencil last longer.
We made killer margaritas with my sister’s fresh Mexican limes from her “orchard.”
Value Beauty Products
- This powder is the Sephora brand and only $20. 2. I use this as blush and bronzer and it’s on the budget-friendly side as it lasts a long time! 3. This body exfoliating lotion was a Christmas present and a great value. 4. The petite lotion size is less expensive and a treat to keep in my purse. 5. Another Sephora brand micro eyeliner that I like. 6. This is my daily moisturizer with sunscreen. 7. This volumizing hairbrush/dryer is a good price. 8. Gold Bond recommended by my dermatologist..nice after a shower. It takes a while to “sink in” but feels great on dryer areas like your feet, knees, and elbows.
Sweater Blazer lots of colors • white blouse • jeans • belt • purse (similar) • loafers
My Daily Makeup Routine
These are the make-up products that I use every day (numbers 1 through 8). I use 9 and 10 (eye shadow and liner if it’s more special). The key for me is speed 🙂
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- Tinted moisturizer 2. Concealer 3. Blending Sponge 4. A matte lip stain that doesn’t go into lip cracks. 5. Great eyebrow pencil 6. Blush 7. Love this mascara. I buy the travel size. 8. Powder/foundation 9. Eye shadow that I apply and just blend with my finger. 10. Thin eyeliner that looks more natural.
A Smile Can Wake Up Your Face!
Oh, and I use Crest teeth whitening strips about every six weeks. Those green reading glasses are just from the drug store.
My sister, Teresa took this photo below in her pretty back yard in San Diego.
Really Comfortable Outfit
Cashmere J. Crew turtleneck (Christmas present from Howard–comes in lots of colors) • Velvet pull-on pants • Birdies loafers • The necklace was an impulse purchase with Cindy at a pop-up store in High Point.
Do you have any beauty products that are worth the splurge?
If you liked this post, you may also like Classic Casual Holiday Outfits.
Also, please follow me on Instagram as I’m trying to get to 10K followers for the swipe up feature…almost there and YOU could put me over the top! Thank you!
I wish you a beautiful, happy and healthy 2020! With lots of smiles!
Nippon says
Sound so innovative!! It’s so mesmerizing to read this
NC Sue says
Happy 2020! Love the latest pics of you…all great shots. Both the green T neck & that long red cardi are great colors on you & your make up is glowing.
One tip I have is that another layer just before BB cream should be a dermatologist recommended sunscreen. I have used elta MD tinted SPF 40 & really like it…use much less foundation after this layer. The latest my dermatologist is recommending is ISDIN SPF 50+…not only prevents damage but also repairs past damage. After many decades of no sunscreen at all, I do have past damage.
What is the lipstick you are wearing in red sweater pic? Love it!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Hi Sue, I will check into it. The Bobbie Brown tinted moisturizer has spf 35 though. But I’m interested in repairing all the old damage with the ISDIN! I think I have the same Nars lip tint on in all the photos. Happy New Year.
cindy says
Loved this post! I just ordered that sponge. I have heard so many good things about it. Totally agree about the toothbrush can’t live without that. I have to check that serum out. I am kinda cheap when it comes to beauty products, I still haven’t found one that is better than my $30+ Oil of Olay serum, but maybe that is why I don’t look as young as you !!! I use that mascara thanks to you and you are so right about buying the travel size! Who uses a whole tube before it goes South!
Vicky O says
Everybody needs a younger makeup confidante. I’m lucky to have my daughter and twin nieces in the 25-35 age range. To that end, I’ve fallen in love with my Benefits Gimme Brow gel and High Brow highlighter. I feel like I entered current day brow maintenance at warp speed. I am also thrilled to discover Charlotte Tilbury products, specifically lipsticks. Always a Chanel lipstick fan, these are really lovely, long-lasting and beautiful colors.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I want to splurge on a new Chanel lipstick! I used to use Benefit for my brows and loved it but I like the Bobbi Brown a little better. Now to check out Charlotte Tillbury!
Lindsey says
I use mostly clean makeup products now. Check out the Think Dirty app- you will be shocked at the chemicals in makeup and skin care products- some are carcinogenic!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much for the tip. I will! I noticed that a lot of the products that I recommended from Sephora have the Allure Clean Seal.
Melinda says
Search for the hard travel case for the revlon dryer and it will save the bristles when packed. It’s not a name brand and less than $20 on Amazon. I recently purchased a little pedicure sponge/tea tree soap combination at tjmaxx to keep in the shower. My heels are thankful.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Great idea about the hairdryer case as I do travel with the dryer now.
Nancy says
Clearly not a splurge, Lubriderm lotion. On a recent trip to Europe, I forgot all hair care products. To tame the frizzies, I used a small drop of Lubriderm lotion rubbed into my hair, worked great! I can’t tell you how nice and silky my hair was after two weeks.
Mary Ann Pickett says
My sister does that too, and her hair looks great!
Robin says
Always enjoy your posts, Mary Ann. Hope you enjoy a happy & blessed 2020!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Happy New Year to you, Robin! I really appreciate your comment!
JoannA says
I have the Revlon one step hairdryer and love it. It dries faster than my old one and straightens my hair so no need to flat iron. My daughters loved it too and bought their own.
I love Keri lotion for dry skin. I put it on my feet at night to keep them from drying. The doctor recommended it for my daughter who gets cracked heels.
You look very youthful. I’m jealous. 😉
Mary Ann Pickett says
I was jealous of my sister’s expensive Dyson but I love the Revlon, too!!
JoannA says
I’ve read that it’s great for anyone who’s hair is frizzy. Mine is fairly straight or I would invest in a Dyson, too.
Happy New Year! 🥂
bella says
Love everything about this post! Love hearing about new beauty products. I love my Clarisonic!
Liam Shepherd says
The Clarisonic cleansing system has done miracle for me. Extremely helpful for deep cleaning.
home before dark says
Good tips. Love the assistance in the eyebrow department. I didn’t think twice about not coloring my gray hair. But in the last year my eyebrows started to go more gray so that they are looking as if they had gone AWOL! Thanks for the Clarisonic recommendation. The yearly cleanse…sugar, carbs and alcohol…in the dead of winter. My god, you are brave!
Lisa says
Mary Ann I was so excited to see this post because I’m searching for some new skin care products. How sweet is your husband that he brought those back for you from his travels?? Thank you for the mention, I do love my Clarisonic and have my kids hooked on using it too! Happy new year to you and your family my friend……you are always such a joy to follow and I look forward to more goodness over here in the next year!
Design Chic says
I’ve been wanting to try Sake Bomb Conditioner and I definitely need the soda stream maker – I drink way to much Perrier! Wishing you and your beautiful family a healthy and happy 2018!!
Kathy Perdue says
I have some tried and true products I adore. I am going to do a post soon. My big splurge is LaMer but I only get it as a gift like you with the La Prairie. Love these post. So fun for we girls to share!,
Gabrielle says
I have the Dyson hairdryer. It is quick and I LOVE it .
[email protected] says
Love the Clarisonic! I always wondered about the Dyson dryer. It would be fun to try. These little beauty vignettes are so much fun to window shop through. I’m such a beauty product junkie. Now tell me how to find my counter to make my husband happy! :)Happy holidays! xo
Sandra sallin-apart from my art says
What do you use for a foundation?
Mary Ann says
I just use a tinted moisturizer (Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier) and the Chanel dual finish powder, Sandra. What do you use?
Mary Ann says
more here… https://classiccasualhome.com/2017/08/my-essential-beauty-product-recommendations.html
debra 2 5TH AND STATE says
I do have a huge fav that completely changed my hair, even my stylist says “who’s hair is this ?!?!”
it is a hair cleansing cream from SACHAJUAN (not shampoo) my thick frizzy hair is smooth & lush, no frizz at all, LOVE!
debra
Mary Ann says
Sounds great! I need to check it out, Debra.
Mindy Rose says
Thanks for the tips! Beautiful photo of beautiful you😘
Mary Ann says
I ironed Tommy’s shirts in exchange for him taking about 50 photos of me…this was the only one that worked. 🙂 Happy New Year.