Tuesday, June 10, 2014

My Everyday Makeup Routine + Younique 3D Fiber Lashes GIVEAWAY!


My mom does not wear any makeup, she never really has. Growing up in the Philippines, she always avoided the sun so now she still has soft, healthy and impeccable skin at the age of ... well she probably wouldn't want me to say, but she looks much younger than her age! Since she was never into makeup and I don't have an older sister, I had to teach myself once I was finally allowed to wear the stuff when I started high school. I cringe at how insecure I was! I was as insecure as you could be. I remember putting a mirror in my locker, and during the few minutes we got to change our morning books for our afternoon books, I would reapply my foundation powder, mascara, lip gloss, the whole she-bang. I want to bang my head on my keyboard just remembering that.

It gets worse since I would normally get up too late to put my makeup on at home so I would put it on in the car while my brother drove us to school. I would put on my tinted moisturizer with my fingers, but not wipe my hands after doing so. So then we would get to school I would pick up my backpack with my makeup covered hands and sling it onto my shoulders. Then during first period English class, I would notice that the shoulder of my white uniform polo shirt was brown. I was so embarrassed that I looked like Pig Pen, and I had no clue what was making it that way. This went on for a few weeks until I realized that oh! It's your attempt at blanketing your insecurity that's residing on your arm!

(The positive that came out of putting makeup on in the car is that Chris can fake slam on the brakes all he wants while I apply mascara. My brother beat him to it, and I have a steady wand-arm to show for it).

I don't know if it is that I wore makeup too soon so I burnt out on using tons or if I just wised up and only used makeup to accentuate rather than cover, but I started to use much less after a few years. It's more of a let-me-spruce-up fun thing rather than a need. It's a pick-me-up rather than a hide-me-from-the-world tactic. Here is what I have been using as of late for my simple five product everyday (I use everyday very loosely here since some days nothing graces my face) routine:
1. Younique Brilliant Daily Moisturizing Gel. I went to high school with Brittany's younger brother, she was in my brother's grade, and her little sister was in my sister's grade. Our families match up. She generously sent me this moisturizer, and it is, well, brilliant. Chris has been in California for a week now and his trip has coincided with Ryan getting a stomach bug and throwing up starting in the wee hours of the night (he is all better now!) and Conor teething and teething and teething. The boys and I are in Ohio which is an indescribable help, but the two nights before we left, I got a total of six hours of sleep because I'm of those wives who just can't sleep without my husband. I know. Come on, Katrina.

Anyway, back to the Brilliant Daily Moisturizer Gel. I started using it right when Chris left, and I really believe it is what is keeping me from looking completely run down. My skin feels hydrated all day, and I love that it has SPF 15. I'm not currently pregnant so any glow that I have had recently is coming from its restorative and revitalizing goodness. It doesn't feel oily, and it doesn't leave a greasy residue. The gel is made with natural silver, ginseng and pearl powder from freshwater pearls.

2. Bronzer. I have been using the same NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in All Over Bronze Glow probably since Ryan was a baby, and I was at Target in need of some bronzer and this was the cheapest option in the aisle. I apply it with a blush brush just under my cheekbones.

3. Transparent Powder. I just use the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder Transparent to take away the shine on my nose.

4. Hare Magic Moroccan Color Changing Lipstick. I discovered this from Sydney of the The Daybook last November, and ordered it lippity-split. I have pale, pale lips so I am a sucker for lip products that stay on and give some life to my face. It is green in the tube, but then it reacts to the pH balance and temperature of your lips and changes to a reddish-pinkish color. The shade is different for everyone! This magic stays on without cracking the best of any I have tried. I think I rub my lips together more than the average person so it comes off eventually, but I love how I can kiss my babies without it leaving lip marks all over them, as cute as that could be. The best part - it is so inexpensive!

I also like Revlon Just Bitten Kissing Balm Stain, Smitten is my favorite of the colors.

5. Lash (wink), but not least: Younique 3D Fiber Lashes. Brittany was also kind enough to send this mascara over my way, and this is the best eye product I have ever used since I started wearing makeup. The fiber lashes come with two parts: the transplanting gel and the fibers.

I just curl my short Asian lashes with an eyelash curler, put a coat of regular mascara on (you can skip this if you want) then I put on a coat of the transplanting gel which looks like mascara. Before that dries, you apply the natural fibers to your eyelashes (it looks like a regular mascara wand) and the fibers extend your lashes. Then you put another coat of the transplanting gel to secure the fibers. Voila! 


My naked face (with some leftover sunburn) and then with the 3D Fiber Lashes.  

The length and volume really are amazing, and I wouldn't be recommending it if I didn't love it. This is the first mascara that I have used that does not smudge at all. The mascaras that I have used normally start to create a gray ring under my eyes, and they end up turned a flaky dark gray before the day is over. The 3D Fiber lashes even lasted through two crying sessions in the same day - one during an emotional Parenthood episode and one during an overwhelmed moment. I was shocked when I saw myself in the mirror afterward ... my eyelashes were still long and curled and black, black, black. There was not a smudge to be seen. Ha, late last night I even woke my sister up right after she had dozed off to sleep to show her, "See! My eyelashes still look great!" 

Bottom of the lash line, this mascara is the best out there.

If you have any questions about the Brilliant Moisturizer, the 3D Fiber Lashes or any of the other Younique products, I know that Brittany would absolutely love talking to you. You can visit her Younique page here to order and use this contact page to reach her.

What's your everyday makeup routine? Anyone have some funny makeup stories? Would you like some of the 3D Fiber Lashes? Brittany is giving away a set of the 3D Fiber Lashes! This is a $29 value! Just visit her site and check out the other Younique products, and then come back here and comment on the blog what you product you would want most in addition to the 3D Fiber Lashes to help your everyday makeup routine. 

Good luck!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And I'm playing along with Hallie for Five Favorites!

26 comments :

  1. How funny -- I just posted my Everyday Routine today, too! I hadn't heard about Younique until recently, but I'd love to try their BB Cream in addition to the mascara. It looks awesome!

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  2. I feel like I can't log into Facebook without someone new showing up on my feed announcing that they are now a Younique presenter...the speed at which people are raving about the lashes has me definitely intrigued! The moisturizing gel also has me interested...I figure that now that I'm almost 30 I should probably do more than just my $3 drugstore cream routine...

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  3. I have dry eyes and so I do not wear mascara or eye shadow on the regular (much less at any other time), but I do like a little color on my lips at times! Yes, I just finished ordering your choice of lipstick -- thanks for the recommendation!

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  4. That mascara looks divine!! I would LOVE to try the lipgloss in "Luscious"...always on the lookout for a good red :)

    Aaaand I'm definitely going to need to get that "green lipstick"...my lips are naturally bright, but need a little oomph ;)

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  5. I'm super intrigued my this mascara! I'm also eying the Moodstruck Glorious Face & Eye Primer.

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  6. When I looked in the mirror this afternoon, I realized a new mascara is a MUST! I think I'll order that brilliant daily moisturizer gel. Currently using Aveeno, but my face is getting all irritated. I'm always looking for a good moisturizer! Good post!

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  7. i need a good primer and theirs looks awesome!

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  8. Awesome make-up routine! Your make-up always looks simple but elegant! I love it! :)

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  9. I really want to try their touch cream foundation for my troubled skin!

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  10. I've been interested in the Younique mascara for months now, I just can't bring myself to buy it. It's about $36 in Canada and, to be completely honest, I probably wouldn't buy second set because I refuse to spend more than $7 on a new shirt (holla, Value Village) so there's no way I could spend continually spend $36 on mascara.

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  11. I would love to try their Awake Facial Cleanser as well as their mascara!

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  12. I'd love to try the Brilliant skin moisturizer....that mascara looks awesome too!

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  13. I like (and use) BB cream, so I'd probably like to try that, although I'd use the mascara and it sounds fantastic!

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  14. Your makeup always looks so flawless! Ive never used a true face moisturizer before, if you say that this one is awesome, maybe ill give it a try along with the face wash by Younique!

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  15. Makeup has been on the brain lately. loved seeing your regimen.

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  16. I've wanted to try Younique, but haven't done so yet! Thanks for the opportunity.

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  17. The moisturizing gel looks awesome. I still use the same drugstore moisturizer I chose in high school, so an upgrade may be in order.

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  18. Love the Lucrative Lip Gloss!

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  19. I love the Luxe lipgloss, such a pretty pink!!

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  20. I love this post!! I'll have to check out that mascara, I've actually never heard of it.

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  21. I've been dying to try the Younique mascara - a friend of mine wears it and always looks like she has on false lashes. (PS You are absolutely gorgeous! I have a full army of products that are required to make me look halfway undead!) :)

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  22. I am definitely going to try the mascara! I also would love the face and eye primer. I have two primers now one for face and one for eyes, so just having one primer would be a time saver.

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  23. Thanks for the tips! That mascara looks awesome, and I'm intrigued by the face gel, I have never heard of such a thing. I have to say, though, since you're half-Asian you've got it all over us Irish girls without a stitch of makeup. Gorgeous!

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  24. So fun! I'm such a product junkie. I'd love to try the moisturizer- I'm a sucker for anything pearly looking

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  25. Excited for the giveaway tonight! You can view all the products including the amazing 3D fiber lash mascara, BB cream, Brilliant moisturizer, lucrative lip gloss with mirror on the side and others at www.youniqueproducts.com/brittanystiegemeier :)
    P.S.- Katrina, you are absolutely gorgeous!

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  26. always looking for something new to add to the skincare mix!

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