Fall Makeup Routine

When it comes to makeup, I like to keep my routine as simple as possible. More often than not, I’ll consider how much work it’ll be to take off makeup when I’m picking out what to put on. The only big variation is in my blush and lip colors - everything else is the same day in, day out! The best part is that it only takes a few minutes (three? four?) in front of a mirror.

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Foundation

I’ve been using Bare Minerals for many years and out of all of the options, I like the Complexion Rescue tinted gel cream best. It has a built in SPF and the coverage is good without being cakey. On sticky days I’ll top that with their Original Foundation powder as well.

Concealer

I recently got back into the habit of dabbing a little concealer under my eyes, which really helps me to look more awake (pregnancy insomnia rears it’s ugly head!). I use Bare Minerals Correcting Broad Spectrum SPF .

Brows

Between a thirty year old scar through my right eyebrow and some sparseness beyond each arch, a little brow pencil really goes a long way for me. I’ve been using Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil in #3 for about a year and I really like the way they’ve updated it (a sharper mechanical style version eliminates the need for sharpening!) Sometimes I also use Benefit Gimme Brow gel on top too.

Eyes

I’ve narrowed down my eye makeup to just mascara. I really like Lancôme GRANDIÔSE - Wide-Angle Fan Effect Mascara. I like the wand shape and two quick coats makes a big difference in opening up my eyes!

Blush

I alternate between three shades from NARS - Desire (a bright pink), Seduction (a wintery flush) and Orgasm (a natural glow). Sounds racy! 

Lips

My new favorite shade is the Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Jam from Bite Beauty. It’s food grade pigment and the color is super saturated. It’s a purple-y pink, like a strong berry stain. I also rely on my old favorites from NARS in satin and matte finishes (Afghan Red, Scarlet Empress) and Clinique (A DifferentGrape).

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What I Wore | Anchors Away

WhatIWore: I write this post from my office on campus, and I can’t help but get a little sentimental as the semester wraps up. Last night we ran a few errands, but opted to take snake through the neighborhoods near campus and finally drove down Jordan Avenue, past my old sorority house. I wouldn’t trade today for yesterday, but it really is fun to look back. I’ve really enjoyed teaching and spending time with students and I hope to be back into a classroom in the near future!

When: May 5, 2014

What:Shades: Karen Walker ‘Northern Lights'Lips: NARS 'Red Lizard'Anchor Necklace: Elma Blint (similar)Striped Tee: ASOS (similar)Jacket: Anthropologie (similar)White Maternity Jeans: GAPHeals: BCBG (similar)

Where: Campus office (grading!) and errands

This outfit is only slightly inspired by my college days, but there’s definitely a tie in. I’m a Delta Gamma and the anchor is our symbol. There’s a real US navy anchor (permanently on loan) in the front yard of our house on campus and I’ve been rocking my little signature anchor necklace for over five years. 

The other thing that pulled this outfit together was an abundance of clean laundry, including my striped Breton tee. There’s no disguising my bump these days (and I was never really one to hide it in the first place), but my regular tops are starting to retire into bins for next summer. Either they don’t fit my chest, my belly or are too short at this point. I’m kind of freaking out now that my options are getting seriously limited, but I have those flowing hippie dresses and a mass of navy, black and striped knits to keep me going (see more of my maternity style here) . I’m just going to do my best with accessories and remind myself that getting dressed isn’t a contest (although sometimes it totally feels like it when you write a fashion blog. Ugh).

Today I feel pretty great though, so I’m just going to run with it! Have a great week!