Should My Approach to Cosmetics and Skincare Change Now That I'm Almost . . . Forty?

When I first met my husband, I was 22 years old.  My skin was naturally flawless.  I did not wear much make-up . . . just a little mascara, blush, and lipstick.  I did not even wear eyeliner because wanted to look natural.  I certainly did not need to wear foundation.  Fast-forward 17.9 years and the case is very different.  My skin is either oily or very dry.  I also breakout very easily.  I have not been happy with my the appearance of my skin for at least 7 years and now that dissatisfaction has peaked.  I have already begun wearing eyeliner in recent months because my eyes always seem to look tired and less . . . there.  Now I am considering adding a foundation to my make-up routine.

How do I go about choosing the right foundation for me?  Should I go with something liquid or powder?  Since I never was able to pinpoint what makes my skin breakout, I am inclined to think I should choose a healthy natural foundation.  From there, I think I may need to go the trial-and-error route.  After all, what one person loves might not be great for someone else, especially when it comes to cosmetics.

After shopping around for a bit, I came across the tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation.  This natural foundation is said to be very light, but still offers full coverage.  If the coverage really lasts for up to 12 hours, that would be ideal for me.  I am not one to reapply makeup throughout the day.  The only drawback I can think of when it comes to a powdered foundation is that it does not offer any protection for the sun's harmful rays.  Another product to consider, which is also made by tarte, is the Maracuja Miracle Foundation.  This foundation also last for up to 12 hours, but it has a broad spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen built-in.

Both products seem to be well-rated, but the Amazonian Clay foundation appears to have received a slightly better rating than the Maracuja Miracle Foundation.  Which would you choose?

Get Ready for Back-to-School with e.l.f.'s Birthday Makeup Sale

There is just about one month left before school starts up again and even less time for those who need to head off to college orientation.  In addition to the usual school supplies and a back-to-school wardrobe, the start of school is the perfect time to clean out your teen's makeup drawer and replace old eye makeup, lipsticks, brushes and applicators . . . all things that need to be clean and germ-free.  The fun of choosing new makeup is just an added bonus!

Since e.l.f. is likely one of the most-used brands of cosmetics and beauty tools in your home, the e.l.f. birthday makeup sale would be the perfect excuse to get started on replacing some of your or your daughter's old and outdated cosmetics.  e.l.f. is currently celebrating its 8th birthday with 8 weeks of special promotions.  For example, the e.l.f. Studio 11pc Brush Collection (regularly $30) is only $.88 with your purchase of $60 or more when you checkout with Code: BDBRUSHES or you can receive Free Shipping on your order totalling over $25 when you checkout with Code: SHIP25.  Both promotions end on August 5th, 2012 and you can only use one promo code with each order.

Since the beginning of July, I have been starting to think ahead for Christmas.  Stocking stuffers would be so much easier if my daughter were old enough to wear makeup.  Now is the time to take advantage of e.l.f.'s birthday promotions to pick up a few bottles of nail polish and some glitter eyeliner for your teen's stocking.  For more ideas, visit EyesLipsFace.com to checkout their "Gifts for Teens" category.

Stocking Stuffers 2010: Leslie Tyler Cosmetics Lip Gloss

Recently I was sent a sample tube of Leslie Tyler Lip Gloss in Mint Kiss, courtesy of It’s a Glam Thing. Mint Kiss is a favorite lip gloss of Award Winning country music star, LeAnn Rimes. Personally, I liked it quite well. It’s a smooth formula that is hydrating and tastes great. Its mint flavor is very subtle, but still tasty.

My only problem was that there was no information in the packaging, on the tube, or online about what ingredients are in it, a factor that’s very important to me. After emailing the company, though, I received this information. It contains Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isoe Stearyl, Neopentanoate, Spearmint, Vitamin C&E and aloe vera. Because of some of these ingredients, this is not a ‘Green’ lip gloss, for those that are interested in being eco-friendly. Nonetheless, my lips felt hydrated, refreshed, and very shiny while using it.

You can buy Leslie Tyler Lip Gloss online at LeslieTylerStyle.com. To learn more about Leslie Tyler Cosmetics and about its founder, visit Leslie Tyler on Facebook.

Thank you to It's a Glam Thing for sending us a complimentary sample product to base this review upon.

Giveaway: New L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Absolute [CLOSED]

There could not have been a better choice made by L’Oréal Paris when they asked actress Andie MacDowell to be the spokeswoman for the new L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Absolute. MacDowell makes looking beautiful in her 50s as easy as it looked while she was in her 40s. Aside from possessing a natural beauty, how does she maintain such youthful beautiful flawless skin?

In addition to sunscreen, MacDowell uses SPF 17 Visible Lift Serum Absolute Advanced Age-Reversing Makeup, which is essentially an anti-aging cream. This product is available in 12 shades and is suitable for all skin types.

Find out what other things Andie MacDowell does to keep herself looking and feeling youthful . . .

To learn more about the new Visible Lift Serum Absolute and other L’Oréal products, visit LorealParis.com and L’Oréal Paris USA on Facebook. You can find this product at major retailers, such as Target, Walgreens, CVS, and Amazon.com .

Thank you to VIDICOM for providing the information, images, and video for this article and for also providing a prize for this contest on behalf of L’Oréal Paris.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a 1.0 oz. bottle of L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Absolute in the shade of their choice.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Take a look at the Visible Lift Serum Absolute Makeup shades. Then leave a comment telling me the shade that best matches your skin tone. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2)

For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND

L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Absolute

. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4)

For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 1 extra entry each, follow L'Oreal Paris USA on Twitter and/or "Like" L'Oreal Paris USA on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.

6)

Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)

Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)

Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)

Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10)

Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, September 13th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

My Photos (W/E 9-12-09)

This week seemed to fly by in a blur. It felt slightly disorganized and I don't think I got much accomplished. Here are some photos I did manage to take . . .

"Mealtime Masterpiece"

"Blast Off!"

"Chocolate Brown"



"A Declaration"


Thank you for taking the time to view my photos this week! If you'd like to play along or see more great photos, stop by to see Lotus at Sarcastic Mom.