Prep Your Guest Bath for the Holidays

When you've kept up your bathroom(s) through a daily swish-and-swipe throughout the year, having guests over at any time shouldn't be such a big deal. If you haven't been doing a little bit of bathroom cleaning every day, I recommend that you start now- the earlier you start cleaning a bit at a time, the less work there will be to do on the actual days you have people over for the holidays. Please read my previous blog post on how to clean your bathroom little-by-little if this is something you've been struggling with. My goal is for you to be able to actually enjoy your own gathering this year, accepting compliments on your home with pride while feeling calm, cool & collected. Last year was the first time that I entertained & actually felt this way. I was able to relax, focus on my conversation with family & savor the great food I made. I hadn't been up all night cleaning before the family gathering, I was not making a mad dash to the grocery store at the last minute over forgotten items & dinner got on the table at exactly the minute I wanted it to! I'd gotten plenty of rest, the house looked wonderful & smelled great, too. I had plenty of time to shower, dress nicely (I wore an apron over my clothes to keep them that way), put on some jewelry, get made up, spritz on a little perfume, etc. My uncle kept saying how lovely the home looked, which meant a lot to me, as he's not one to give empty compliments. My mother actually marveled at how easy I made entertaining look! When I was growing up, entertaining meant my mother staying up all night cleaning top-to-bottom like a fiend, with her showering about a half-hour before guests were due to arrive, screaming & yelling at anyone she ran into along the way. I can't even begin to tell you how many arguments, hurtful words, blood, sweat & tears were spent on that nonsense. Don't live like this. And if you're a parent, don't put your kids through this. You deserve better & you can have the peaceful home that we should all possess in this season.

Make sure to put out a hand towel for your guests in the bathroom. There's nothing worse than needing to use someone else's restroom, only to find they've got nothing available to wipe your clean hands on but their used bath towel! Purchase a few inexpensive hand towels to keep out, not only for guests, but for your own family. Wash them in a small amount of powdered detergent with hot water before putting them out the first time, to increase their absorbency. Change the hand towel every day or every other day depending upon how much it gets used. Write this down in your routines if you're not in the habit already of changing the towels. Hand towel racks can be free-standing or placed over a bathroom cabinet, if you don't have an extra towel rod to hang them from. These come in lots of different finishes now. If you have the tools and the wall space, consider adding a hand towel holder permanently to your bathroom. This will free up vanity space & make your bathroom look even more organized. If you can find a storage shelf or cabinet with a towel rack built in, so much the better. This will give even more room for storing cosmetics, toiletries & first-aid supplies year-round.

http://www.amazon.com/InterDesign-Fingertip-Towel-Holder-Chrome/dp/B002GP7TT2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352317962&sr=8-1&keywords=hand+towel+holder

http://www.amazon.com/Over-Towel-Holder-Brushed-Nickel/dp/B001P5TUFA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_4

http://www.amazon.com/Taymor-Chrome-Over-Vanity-Towel/dp/B003EQ3CY8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1FFL5KSB8ZL4N&coliid=I1OHLERX3Z0RRX

http://www.amazon.com/Moen-DN8486CH-Inspirations-Towel-Chrome/dp/B0000DCFHM/ref=pd_sim_hi_1

http://www.amazon.com/Organize-It-All-Shelf-Towel/dp/B002YK4YHE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_29

http://www.amazon.com/Organize-It-All-Satin-Nickel/dp/B002YK4ZF0/ref=pd_sim_hg_20

http://www.amazon.com/Gatco-1541SN-10-Inch-20-Inch-Nickel/dp/B002G9TUZE/ref=pd_sim_hg_17

If you don't want to use actual guest towels that you have to wash, paper fingertip towels are a great disposable but nice-looking option. I highly recommend them in the quest for keeping some germs at bay in the bathroom.

http://www.amazon.com/Kleenex-White-Hand-Towel-Pack/dp/B00387F3RM/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

Take a look at the towels you already own to see what condition they're in. This is a good time to purge old ratty towels, sheets & other linens that have seen better days. Torn-up ones with holes, just trash- don't even think twice. But ones that just have a little fraying at the edges or have gotten thin might still have some life left in them. Most animal shelters are grateful to take somewhat-worn but clean towels & blankets for their furry friends to snuggle in. Call one or two up & see if you can drop these off at the local animal shelter or Humane Society for good use. This should be a time of year where we all feel the spirit of giving. Many people have sadly been displaced by either natural disasters, evictions or foreclosures in this depressed economy. Gently-used but clean towels, linens & blankets could be exactly what a local homeless shelter needs, if an animal shelter doesn't. If you're tired of your linens or they've worn a little thin, the shelters may be glad to take them off your hands. Always call them first to check on this, though. (If you do a giveaway like this, make sure to wash everything you give first in hot water & powder detergent. Use some Clorox bleach in the washer if the items are white, to make them extra fresh & bright. Hot water & the heat from a dryer will kill dust mites & remove body oils, hair + skin cells from the linens. Put the dry items in a white or clear, clean trashbag before giving away.)

If you'll be having overnight guests, consider carefully whether or not you need to buy additional washcloths, bath towels, an over-the-door towel rack and/or spare hooks so that people can hang up their towels, robes, nightgowns or clothes. An expansive line of 3M products also exists these days to add hooks anywhere you like. These little wonders also come in a variety of finishes & a water-resistant one exists for shower storage. These are awesome for hanging up back brushes with a rope loop, net bath sponges, shower caps & anything else that needs it's own little hook. Take a good look at your shower caddy, if you own one. If it's all gunky with old soap, product residue or is rusting, toss it & buy a new one.

http://www.amazon.com/OVER-DOOR-HOOK-WOODEN-ACCENTS/dp/B001HON04G/ref=pd_sim_hg_4

http://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-64500-Over-Wardrobe-White/dp/B001MY8TGK/ref=pd_sim_hg_20

http://www.amazon.com/InterDesign-Classico-Over-The-Shower-Door-Towel-Bronze/dp/B0051S8PY4/ref=sr_1_11?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352319975&sr=1-11&keywords=over+the+door+towel+rack

http://www.amazon.com/Metal-Shower-Towel-Chrome-17-75/dp/B003LKRPGI/ref=sr_1_47?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1352320056&sr=1-47&keywords=over+the+door+towel+rack

I would suggest putting out a room freshener or sanitizer that guests can easily see & use if they feel the need to. Lysol Disinfectant Spray is fine, but some other options smell even nicer, such as an orange-based room spray or Febreze Meadows & Rain. Or you can choose to put out an automatic air freshener that will periodically send a burst of fresh fragrance into the room. I like a neutral & natural scent such as lemon, orange or vanilla myself. These automatic machines run on a timer, and most will spray every nine, eighteen or thirty-six minutes. They take a battery or two to run on, but seem to last a long time without having batteries change. The sprays you place within them, which are refillable, also seem to last quite a long time before needing a replacement.

http://www.drugstore.com/air-wick-freshmatic-ultra-starter-kit-vanilla-indulgence/qxp382662?catid=184273

http://www.drugstore.com/air-wick-freshmatic-ultra-automatic-spray-refill-vanilla-indulgence/qxp217183?catid=184273

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=382657&catid=184273

http://www.drugstore.com/pure-citrus-air-freshener-orange/qxp217361?catid=184273

http://www.drugstore.com/febreze-air-effects-air-refresher-meadows-and-rain/qxp193005?catid=184273

http://www.drugstore.com/aquis-essentials-microfiber-hair-turban-with-button-closure-white/qxp84709?catid=290059

If there won't be young children around or you decide to choose a flameless option, having a candle or two out is a warm, inviting addition for the guest bath. Subtly-scented candles will also help mask any unwanted odors, as well.

http://www.drugstore.com/air-wick-gentle-color-changing-candle-vanilla-indulgence/qxp416698?catid=274108

http://www.drugstore.com/air-wick-scent-ribbons-candle-vanilla-and-soft-velvet-vanilla-and-soft-velvet/qxp363832?catid=274108

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=363831&catid=274108

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=326188&catid=274108

*I would not suggest adding a major bathroom chore such as repainting or putting down a new floor at this time of year, unless you absolutely love doing this type of thing or it is just an absolute necessity due to damage from a natural disaster or some other such issue. Some people are so skilled they can get this type of big thing done in a weekend, and if you are, consider yourself very lucky & very talented. If you have a little paint on hand & you want to do a touch-up on corners or a couple of other spots, that's fine. But don't add large, unrealistic household renovations or projects at this busy time of year unless they are of absolute necessity. I know that we all want our home to look great for holiday guests, especially ones that we don't get to visit with often, but adding a monumental household overhaul to the holiday season usually just adds stress/arguments/exhaustion to one's life. If your floor could look better, clean it very well by hand & then maybe add a fresh, new bathroom rug to the area for when people step out of the shower. There are some floor finish or shine products out there, but in a bathroom, you need to be very careful applying these, as they can make a floor more slippery. A bathroom is of course going to experience more moisture than your kitchen floor, so even if that shine product helps your kitchen floor look great, be cautious about using it in the bathroom. If you're at all unsure about applying this or any other treatment to your floor, I would skip it for now. If you have friends or family over that are so critical of your home after you've cleaned it well that they'd still say something nasty...well, you can probably already guess what I'd have to say back to them. ;)*

Guest Bathroom Holiday Supply List (purchase as needed or desired)
All-purpose disinfecting cleaner or spray bleach (for toilets, floors, bathtubs, etc.)_
http://www.drugstore.com/lysol-complete-clean-multi-surface-cleaner-lemon-breeze/qxp215962?catid=184274
http://www.drugstore.com/clorox-clean-up-cleaner-spray-fresh-scent/qxp185998?catid=184274
Candle(s)_
Cleaning wipes, such as Lysol or Clorox- I'm a big believer in using washable white cleaning cloths & a spray cleaner, but wipes like these are great when you need to do a really quick disinfecting job. I'd definitely keep these around if young children are around, because accidents can happen & it's important to sanitize spaces afterwards if they do._
http://www.drugstore.com/puffs-plus-lotion-facial-tissues-cube-4-boxes-56-count-each/qxp311852?catid=184677
Extra bar soap, bath salts, body wash and/or bubble bath, if you'll be having overnight guests_
Facial tissues_
http://www.drugstore.com/puffs-plus-lotion-facial-tissues-cube-4-boxes-56-count-each/qxp311852?catid=184677
First-aid kit, if you don't already own one or have supplies on hand_
http://www.drugstore.com/first-aid-only-all-purpose-first-aid-kit-softpack-299-pieces/qxp75575?catid=184292
Glass cleaner, such as Windex or white vinegar (whatever you like best for cleaning mirrors & glassware)_
Hand/guest towels_
Liquid hand soap_
http://www.drugstore.com/dial-antibacterial-hand-soap-with-moisturizing-aloe/qxp25965?catid=184091
http://www.drugstore.com/softsoap-liquid-hand-soap-refill-aquarium-series/qxp253203?catid=184091
New washcloths, bath towels and/or bathroom rug, only if needed_
Plastic grocery bags or trash can liners_
http://www.drugstore.com/glad-odor-shield-small-garbage-4-gallon/qxp150970?catid=184683
Pump bottle of hand sanitizer_
http://www.drugstore.com/purell-hand-sanitizer-pump/qxp352353?catid=184090
Room freshener/sanitizing spray_
Scrubbing Bubbles or another good tile & tub cleaner, if you need to do some deep-cleaning prior to maintenance clean-up_
Toilet paper_
http://www.drugstore.com/charmin-ultra-soft-bath-tissue-double-rolls/qxp301242?catid=184682

You can also download my above list for printing free on Scribd:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/120316509/Guest-Bathroom-Holiday-Supply-List

Here's to having an organized holiday season,
Liz

Get Clutter Under Control In Time For The Holidays | Speed Cleaning | House Cleaning Supplies, Tools and Tips from Jeff Campbell's The Clean Team

Get Clutter Under Control In Time For The Holidays | Speed Cleaning | House Cleaning Supplies, Tools and Tips from Jeff Campbell's The Clean Team

25 Things You Should Always Have In Your Car | The Simple Dollar

25 Things You Should Always Have In Your Car | The Simple Dollar

The Importance in Having a Day of Rest Each Week

I know that some people reading my post title might be balking at me right now. Some churches have very strict beliefs about what one can & cannot do on their Sabbath, and that can create a knee-jerk negative reaction to my suggestion for a chosen day of rest. But I promise that this is not a religious thing, in the sense that I feel compelled to do it or I might face a reprimand from God if I don't obey. And I don't want anyone else to feel that way or think that's where I'm coming from here. If you want to simplify your life, having a day of rest every week is a tool that helps create that simplicity. I realized a long time ago that having one day every week where I know I won't have to do a ton of work just feels better emotionally. I look forward to this restful day every week now. I don't believe that taking a day of rest should feel constricting or miserable- just the opposite. You should feel freed of backbreaking work & mental drudgery on this day. I recommend choosing to take a day of rest each week for everyone, regardless of your beliefs. This day of rest should feel wonderful, not something forced upon you. Obviously, I realize that parents of young children, those taking care of the elderly in their home, etc., don't technically get a complete day of rest each week. But below I'll list some ideas for keeping the day as minimalist & relaxing as possible, regardless of your situation.

Other than washing dishes, doing your bathroom swish-and-swipe, making your bed & other very basic daily chores, I highly recommend you don't do extensive housework or gardening on your day of rest. Unless it's really enjoyable to you, don't spend hours de-cluttering or organizing on your rest day, either. It's better to do a little bit over the other six days of the week than try to cram in hours of cleaning or de-cluttering on the seventh. This isn't out of dogma, but because your body & mind really do need a rest period each week like this. That day of rest leaves you feeling refreshed & strengthened for the next several days to come.

Sleeping in is a luxury some people like to indulge in & I don't disagree with doing it. Some people don't like to do this because it'll throw off their body's clock, make them go to bed too late the following night or make them oversleep the next morning, etc. It's up to you whether or not you want to sleep in & depends upon your lifestyle, as well. You may have church services or something else that makes sleeping in impossible. But I do suggest that you really try to get at least six hours of good, uninterrupted sleep this day.

Many people choose not to exercise or go to the gym on this day. I'm one of them. I find that after five days in a row of exercise (Monday-Friday), taking the weekend off is best for me. It allows my muscles, tendons, joints & brain to get a revitalizing break. When I worked full-time outside the home (I had a weekdays-only job), I cleaned house on Saturdays, so Sunday was a nice time to completely allow my body a break. What is known as "active rest", such as taking a walk, doing a gentle yoga practice or going swimming can keep your body moving while still allowing recovery.

I suggest that you make meals that only take a very short amount of time to prepare. It's entirely up to you, but one day off from standing for long periods of time in the kitchen & having to cook a big dinner is great to me. Eating green salads with lean protein, breakfast-for-dinner, leftovers, cold-cut sandwiches, pasta salad that was made the day before...there's lots of foods that can serve you well on these days for lunch & dinner. Some people love to go out to eat on their day of rest- if you can afford that easily & it's an enjoyable experience at the restaurant, this is a great idea. My great-grandparents always went for a drive & out to eat somewhere after church each Sunday. It gave Granny a day off from cooking & got them both out of the house to enjoy the West Virginia countryside each week. Granddad was a hard worker, but he definitely believed that Sunday should be a day free from heavy-duty yard work, housework & work for pay. He saw this as a blessing, not as a commandment meant to infringe on his freedom.

Shopping on your rest day is another personal choice that you'll have to make. Some religions essentially forbid this or spending money at all on this day unless it's an absolute emergency. With the Internet, shopping is actually quite relaxing for some people these days. I personally don't think shopping on Sunday is either good or bad, but I don't go out to the grocery store on this day, for example. Sundays are very busy days for grocery stores in my area & I'd rather avoid the crowds if I can. For myself, I just base my choices on whether or not they fit my goal of giving my body & brain a rest, and that's all. I don't forbid myself from spending money, shopping or going out to eat on my rest day.

This is my day of pampering or body care, to prepare myself for the upcoming week. I've written a blog on my weekly pampering routine before, so I won't repeat all of that here. Pampering is nice on this day because I'm not rushed, having chosen to make it a day of rest otherwise. Some women feel like this is just more work & won't want to include it on their rest day- do whatever works for you.

Some choose to make their rest day one of silence and/or they'll keep the electronics off- the radio, TV, Internet, etc. This is to help their brains wind down a bit more, meditate on their lives more deeply or keep their focus on the deity they believe in. Meditation, writing in a journal, taking nature walks, prayer, going to religious services or practicing yoga poses are popular rest day activities. A lot of people are drawn to this, while some do not like the time off. Not everyone wants hours to think or ponder quietly. There are those that take this time to go out & serve others in a soup kitchen or other community activity that gives back to the less-fortunate. I encourage you to do whatever refills your own cup and service to others may do just that for you. I recommend experimenting to see how much of a balance you need between solitude vs. service to others, and not just on your rest day. I believe that everything needs to be in balance. But certain people are very extroverted, finding time with others refreshing, while others feel just the opposite (that it's draining). And most of us don't feel introverted or extroverted all the time, but are a combination of both personality types. We need to respect both types of people & allow them their personal boundaries. Don't force others to accept your idea of or plans for a restful activity you love if it just doesn't work for them. Give everyone space & opportunity to find what replenishes their depleted resources week in & week out.

Prepping for the week ahead varies from person to person. I know those who lay out their clothes & shoes for the following week in order to be more prepared each morning when they go to work. This way they'll realize it in advance if they need more hosiery, have to get an item dry-cleaned or need to do a load of laundry in order to wear a certain outfit. Many bodybuilders or other fitness buffs spend their day preparing food for their clean eating regimen- including hard-boiled eggs, brown rice, grilled chicken breasts, broth-based soups from scratch, roasted vegetables, etc. They may fill up their reusable water bottles & pack their cooler with clean eats, as well, because they often have to wake up very early for daily training. I think anything you can do in advance which will make your mornings run more smoothly & quickly is always a good idea.

Elaine St. James wrote in her great book, "Simplify Your Life", to go to bed by 9 p.m. one night a week. If you work a traditional work schedule, the night preceding the start of your workweek is indeed a terrific choice for heading to bed early. Even if you don't try to go to sleep early that night (and I understand if this is the case- I'm a night owl through & through), you can simply choose to brush your teeth, wash your face, get into your nightclothes & read quietly in bed for the evening.

A nice activity to do on your rest day is plan for the week ahead in a proactive manner through writing. You can think about how you'd like your next week to go, write about what you'd like to see happen or spend time in visualization. You can use a calendar, day planner, journal or a whiteboard for this. The format really doesn't matter that much, just do what works for you. If you're at a place where you want to get a lot done in your life, I suggest doing an exercise that I call "The Seven Baby Steps". In this, you assign seven areas of your life that you want to regularly see improvement or meet goals in. For example, these areas can include spirituality, finances, health, household, education, family & friends. A spiritual goal may be to attend church that week. Finances? Put $20 into your savings account on payday. Health- take a multi-vitamin/mineral tablet every day the following week. And so on. This can be a terrific way towards meeting either short- or long-term goals. It's extremely useful if you're feeling stuck & stymied in your life. It's a positive way to focus your time & energy while meeting your own guidelines for success. I find that writing down these steps & then accomplishing them is a way to continually celebrate small victories day after day, week after week. To me, that is the ultimate goal- to live a life of celebration, where you're enjoying every day just as it is.   

Here's to being a relaxed organized minimalist,
Liz

The Organized Makeup Applier

A real hardcore minimalist may think I'm crazy if they read this article. I apply minimalism to a lot of things in my life, I promise. But makeup isn't one of them. However, I have a list of what I use every single day, I buy only what's on that list & I don't own loads of makeup that's unneeded. I throw out every single product that's gotten old, is not the right color for me anymore or is used up immediately. I keep an organized makeup bag. Anyway, I have no idea if "applier" is a real word- but it should be! For those who don't know me personally, I am a makeup junkie. Ask my friends. I've worn it since I was ten years old. My mother has never had to tell me, "Go wash that off." For some reason, I took to applying makeup like a duck to water. I'm not one of those women reapplying it in a restaurant or anything (I am a Southerner after all and that was taught to me as a no-no for a lady!) But before I go out, more often than not, I want my makeup fully & as flawlessly-as-possible put on. I got one of those faces that lucked out in the good makeup display department, but I assure you I did NOT get a body that displays clothing equally so well, so I take full advantage of my face being my canvas! Some people on the simplicity path will tell you to ditch the makeup completely. Or you may be one of those people who either don't need it or don't like the feeling of it. Some women just truly don't have the time or inclination to wear it, and that's fine. It's of no interest to you, this post will probably bore you to tears. But for those who wear cosmetics (or have always wanted to) on your face, I'm here to help.

The first thing which you should learn about makeup is proper application technique. Technique is truly what sets classy makeup apart from so-so application, no matter what brand of cosmetics you use. Cost is not always a great indication of how good a product will perform or look. There are superb grocery store picks out there & there are very poor-quality department store products. I'm neither for or against expensive makeup- I only recommend what works for me after over two decades of trying out virtually every brand on the market in both realms (grocery & department store). For example, I've used $40 eye shadow quads that appear exactly the same as $5 ones in the container, and the wear is usually about the same. Eyelids prepped with foundation & pressed power will hold on to eyeshadow much better than bare lids, especially for those with oily skin. Again, it's often the prep work & technique that sets apart makeup longevity, not the product itself. Regardless of how long one has been applying makeup, a refresher course never hurts. I re-review technique from time to time myself. There's scores of online & book-based lessons on makeup out there. But as a rule they tend to be for applying one aspect or technique of makeup at a time. I want you to start with the basics, from foundation on up to mascara application. The classic techniques used over & over again in magazine covers, photo shoots & more are the first to learn. Trust me, when those are mastered, the most complex eye design becomes doable. You can build on these techniques, even developing your own fresh ones to create your best look. The best tutorial on classic & thorough makeup technique that I've ever found is in the link below. It is from Paula Begoun & it's appropriately called "Makeup Application Step-by-Step". I've watched it several times. Even being the makeup hound that I am, I learned a lot from watching it a few times the whole way through.

http://www.paulaschoice.com/product/foundation-makeup-application

"Full makeup" application can take up to thirty minutes, until you get the hang of it. The quickest ways to shave time off of your routine? Apply your products in the same exact order every single time to develop speed. Lay out your makeup in the precise order in which you'll be using them, including the appropriate tools for application. Once you have the proper brushes, products & techniques available and you've mastered using them, it'll take about 15-20 minutes a day to apply. I've gotten it down to sixteen minutes on the nose now. I keep my products laid out in the exact order that I'll be using them in, brushes included. For me, when my face is looking it's best as I go out into the world- or even just spending the day at home- that is the biggest confidence booster ever. I have a philosophy that I attempt to follow every single day: be prepared for any eventuality that can come up. If someone knocks on the door, if I had to go to the emergency room for some reason or had an unexpected item to take outside, I do not want to feel embarrassed about the way that I look. There's nothing simplified or minimalist about feeling like you look frumpy when others see you. Not everyone will share my thoughts or opinion on the subject of makeup & that's perfectly okay. Don't feel that you have to "do it all", though. I like a full makeup look, but sometimes I just don't have the time to apply all of my products. I'll discuss how to modify the routine shortly. But below is a picture of yours truly, after using Paula's techniques for my own makeup application:

What you're seeing here is indeed my natural coloring- medium blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin. I used a berry-colored lipstick & blush here, with a white/cool pink/violet/plum eye shadow quad. Plum-colored eyeliner & black mascara were used in the case, FYI. While I can pull off a variety of different looks, I stay far away from rust, yellow, blue & green eyeshadow shades. Plum, cool/taupe-y browns, pinks, cool or true reds, berries, violet, grey, silver, white- all work well for me. I avoid anything yellow-toned like the plague, as I have a cool pink undertone to my skin. Yellow or orange bases in color make me look sallow & tired. Women with warmer skin, however, can accent blue eyes with a more pumpkin, bronze, ivory, gold or coral tone to their color choices. On the browbone, cool-toned skin looks good with a white, pale lavender, pale grey or pale pink shadow/highlighter (a little shimmer in the formulation can really look nice here, too). Warmer skin which is still light in color looks great with ivory or a very pale yellow as a highlighter shade. Darker skin looks great with a taupe, beige or light brown as a highlighting shade. I absolutely love shimmery bronze, deep cocoa, cobalt or navy blue, violet & black in shadow, liner & mascara on darker skin tones.

When I don't have time for the works, I cut out using concealer, contour, highlighter, lipliner, lipstick, eyeshadow & lower lash liner/mascara. I just use foundation, pressed powder (I hate loose power- it gets everywhere, goes up my nose & if it's dropped is disastrous to deal with), a neutral pink lip gloss, a neutral pink blush, blonde brow filler, dark brown eyeliner on my top lash line & brown mascara on my upper lashes. This is a nice, natural look that is fine for everyday plus still looks polished enough for going out.

Proper skin care is the difference between a smooth canvas & one filled with bumps, crevices & spots. Now, I love Paula's Choice for a number of reasons, especially her Skin Recovery line. I have temperamental skin. I don't get blemishes anymore as a rule, but I'm allergic to a lot of products when applied topically. Bismuth oxychloride is the big one. I didn't realize that I was allergic to this until I tried Bare Escentuals several years ago. It's nice makeup, don't get me wrong, and may be a tad quicker than "old-fashioned" liquid makeup to apply. However, within a day or two of using it, I had breakouts worse than I did as a teenager (which would mean BAD acne). I stopped using it- no further acne problems. I am also allergic or sensitive to most cleansers, serums, many moisturizers & a few toners out there. I am no celebrity endorser (I wish!), but Paula's Choice Skin Recovery keeps my slightly acne-prone, normal-to-dry skin happy. I don't go whole hog; I just use the cleanser, toner & moisturizer. I first use Lumene's Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover to get eyecolor off each night, though. I have drier skin in my T-zone & it's normal in my cheeks- no, I don't have that backwards, my skin's just weird- so a lot of times I just moisturize in the T-zone. I can use an AHA product every other day or a gentle exfoliating scrub daily, but not both. Either one keeps my fair undamaged skin exfoliated. Makeup should be removed every single night, no exceptions. I don't care if you use mineral makeup or not- take the makeup off. Your skin needs to breathe. Your pillowcases don't need to wear makeup. Not removing your makeup means you don't get the chance to remove dead skin cells through proper cleansing & toning. You don't get to reap any cell communication or healing properties your toner & moisturizer can provide. In other words, you're creating the opposite of the smooth canvas I'm talking about. Not removing makeup, even mineral makeup, can cause flaky skin, breakouts, whiteheads, milia, blackheads, cysts, eye infections, sinus flare-ups & allergic reactions. None of those have any place in a simplicity-bound life! Dead skin buildup alone can cause uneven foundation application. It ages you before your time- please, just remove the darn makeup each night!
If your lips are flaky or chapped, apply some unscented lotion to your lips, then take a damp washcloth & scrub the lips lightly in a circular motion until the lotion is removed. Then apply some lip balm to keep them smooth.

I'm always hunting for beauty bargains- but I would advise you not to skimp on your foundation. There are other areas of makeup you can save pennies on, I promise. A big, big advantage to wearing foundation & powder is the sun protection that it offers. I can only speak anecdotally, but I've noticed that the women who consistently wear foundation with SPF keep the brightest, firmest, most beautiful skin the longest (assuming they remove it properly at night & don't have other contributing factors to severe skin aging, like smoking cigarettes). Not wearing sunscreen and/or foundation with SPF 8+ will almost inevitably lead to sun damage in the form of discoloration or brown spots, and is a big factor in whether or not you'll ever develop malignant lesions on the skin due to skin cancer. My Uncle Gene, who served in the Navy during WWII, was forever running off to a dermatologist to get these small brown lesions removed from his forehead & biopsied. Though it wasn't for many years on end like some people, his time on a Naval ship in the harsh sun keeping watch for hours with no sunscreen on came back to haunt him later. And men generally have even thicker skin than women.

I'll be honest...I used to be a makeup snob. I refused to buy drugstore makeup. When you actually study the subject scientifically, though, you realize that a lot of drugstore formulations are no different than the department store ones! The ingredients are often exactly the same upon comparison. The packaging may be different, but the contents are usually just as good. Does it take some hunting? Yes. Thankfully, all of the online reviews throughout the Internet are a godsend & will help you find the very best cosmetics that exist out there. For example, I did not like anything in the Revlon line years ago. However, I gave it another shot about a year ago after reading a lot of positive reviews. I've found their products (which have been reformulated for the better in the last several years) to be pretty good, even above average in some cases. Their brushes have all been excellent- no bristles falling out, they wash & dry well, they look great with their black-and-red theme. I have absolutely no endorsement deals with any company- if I suggest something to your, I promise that it is because I've personally used it & like it.

*A note about the following list- when I say Shade 1, I mean this to be the lightest shade of my eyeshadow quad; Shade 4 is the darkest. An eyeshadow quad is the foolproof way to assure yourself that the eye color design you're applying is in shades which will work together well. Also, I did not build up my brush collection overnight- if you're like me, you'll need to budget it & work your way towards a complete set appropriate for what you apply each day. Don't feel the need to stick to one brand of brushes- some brands simply don't carry the size & shape that you might need. Different nationalities of women may need different-sized or -shaped brushes than what I own, especially when it comes to eye brushes, as eye shape obviously varies drastically from woman to woman.*

My makeup tool & brush essentials, in order of use:
A box of facial tissues (use for wiping off excess makeup from your brushes every single time you use them)
Swisspers Cosmetic Wedges (for applying my foundation)
Revlon Concealer Brush
Revlon Covered Lip Brush
Bare Escentuals Angled Cheek Brush (for applying contour- I use a matte, taupe-brown bronzer)
Revlon Blush Brush
Laura Mercier Brow Grooming Brush
Revlon Double-Sided Eye Brush (one side, which has firm, angled bristles, is what I use for applying potted eyebrow color; the other side is a very small, rounded brush perfect for applying Shade 4 of my eyeshadow quad)
Bare Escentuals Concealer Brush (I use this for applying Shade 1 of my eyeshadow quad, which goes on my browbone & lid)
Revlon Crease Brush (for applying Shade 2 of my eyeshadow quad)
Estee Lauder Eye Brush (for applying Shade 3 of my eyeshadow quad)
Revlon Eyelash Curler

My makeup essentials, in order of use (please adjust what you use to your own skin tone & preference):
Revlon Colorstay for Normal/Dry Skin in "Ivory 110"
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-photoready-makeup-ivory-001/qxp246954?catid=183554
Revlon PhotoReady [stick] Concealer in "Fair"
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-photoready-concealer-makeup-fair-001/qxp331969?catid=183547
If you like to use a highlighter on your browbone, bridge of the news, around the eyes and/or on the top of your cheekbones (and I do, because I have dark circles around my eyes & cheekbones that aren't prominent): Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-photoready-eye-primer-brightener/qxp387993?catid=183548
Revlon Colorstay Translucent Pressed Powder
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-colorstay-pressed-powder-fair-810/qxp197443?catid=183558
Revlon Pressed Powder Compact Bronzer in "Sunkissed Bronze" (This is used as my contour, not like a bronzer; when you use a bronzer as contour, make sure you choose a matte formulation! Some people prefer to apply bronzer over areas where the sun naturally hits. I think this is fine, but my skin is so pale that I look a little weird if I apply bronzer like that. It's just a personal choice. In either case, bronzer is completely optional.)
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-bronzer-pressed-powder-compact-sunkissed-bronze/qxp88180?catid=183546
Revlon Powder Blush- Matte in "Blushing Berry 002"
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-powder-blush--matte-with-brush-blushing-berry-002/qxp217376?catid=183545
Physicians Formula Mineral Glow (if you like a powder highlighter instead of or to be used on top of a liquid highlighter)
http://www.drugstore.com/physicians-formula-mineral-glow-pearls-powder-palette-translucent-pearl-7040/qxp316055?catid=183558
Revlon Colorstay [Lip] Liner in "Blush"
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-colorstay-liner-for-lips-blush-680/qxp221755?catid=183586
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick- Creme in "Rose Velvet"
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-super-lustrous--creme-lipstick-rose-velvet/qxp196890?catid=183590
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in "Pink Whisper"
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-super-lustrous-lipgloss-pink-whisper-130/qxp217414?catid=183585
Laura Mercier Brow Definer in "Fair" (which is best for medium-to-dark blonde, red or auburn eyebrows) (A good grocery store alternative is Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil & Gel in "Dark Blonde 104")
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-brow-fantasy-pencil-and-gel-dark-blonde-104/qxp92140?catid=183536
For a neutral-to-warm color palette: Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eye Shadow in "Canyon Classics" (the older you get, the more matte shadows look best, as they don't emphasize lines & wrinkles as much)
http://www.drugstore.com/physicians-formula-matte-collection-quad-eye-shadow-canyon-classics/qxp90567?catid=183538
For a cool eye color palette: L'Oreal Studio Secrets Smokes Quad Eyeshadow
http://www.drugstore.com/loreal-studio-secrets-color-smokes-quad-eyeshadows-blackened-smokes/qxp308579?catid=183538
For a neutral-to-warm color palette: Physicians Formula Eye Definer Automatic Eye Pencil in "Taupe" (for my lower lash line)
http://www.drugstore.com/physicians-formula-eye-definer-automatic-eye-pencil-taupe/qxp145768?catid=183537
For a cool eye color palette: Physicians Formula Eye Definer Automatic Eye Pencil in "Charcoal Grey"
http://www.drugstore.com/physicians-formula-eye-definer-automatic-eye-pencil-charcoal-grey-567/qxp145767?catid=183537
For a neutral-to-warm color palette: Physicians Formula Eye Definer Automatic Eye Pencil in "Dark Brown" (for my top lash line)
http://www.drugstore.com/physicians-formula-eye-definer-automatic-eye-pencil-dark-brown/qxp145776?catid=183537
For a cool eye color palette: Physicians Formula Eye Definer Automatic Eye Pencil in "Ultra Black"
http://www.drugstore.com/physicians-formula-eye-definer-automatic-eye-pencil-ultra-black/qxp145769?catid=183537
For a neutral-to-warm color palette: Lancome Defincils High Definition Mascara in "Brown" (a good grocery store alternative is CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara in "Brown 815")
For a cool eye color palette: Revlon Lash Fantasy Total Definition Mascara in "Black" (I like this product because it has a lash primer. Lash primers are awesome for making lashes look longer & fuller. A tip: Lancome's Lash Primer is AWESOME. If you can afford it, I highly recommend buying that product. My mom adores it because her lashes have gotten finer, shorter & lighter with age. I have nice lashes naturally [thanks to good genes], but they're light blonde at the tips, so I need lots of color & lengthening in my mascara.)
http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-lash-fantasy-total-definition-mascara-black-102/qxp197875?catid=183541

Here's to being a beautiful organized minimalist,
Liz