Customize Me

While I was in New York, I finally was able to scratch something off of my “beauty bucket list.” Much like a life bucket list, there are many “beauty-related” experiences I want to have before I die. For example, purchase a jar of Crème de la Mer, wear a Pucci scarf around my head a la Jackie O, find a “signature scent” that captivates everyone, AND….indulge in customized make-up!

Several beauty blogs have been buzzing about Prescriptives Custom foundation and tinted moisturizer for awhile, and in particular, one make-up artist and blender extraordinaire at Bloomingdales, Jason. Jason helped me pick out make-up for my wedding when he was at Bergdorf, and everything he suggested was wonderful! Now, a year later, I am scraping the bottom of those jars and palettes, and I was ready to try a custom blend.

It is truly amazing! Not only do they customize the foundation color to your skin tone, they customize the formulation, coverage, and can add things like “radiance” or “candlelight” which literally makes your skin glow as if you are being lit from within! I just needed something for everyday, so Jason mixed me up a light-medium coverage foundation with just a touch of radiance. I have been wearing it for several weeks, and I love it! I have abandoned all of my other foundations and tinted moisturizers, most of which I now realize were too yellow or pale. I have gone customized, and I can’t go back!

The Great Mascara Debate: Drugstore vs. Department Store?

The other day I was lured into my local Macy’s by a “beauty bonus” from one of my favorite brands. You know, a cute little bag filled with trial-sized make-up and skincare. The lipstick and shadow colors are never exactly right, but nevertheless, I had to have them! I decided to splurge and get a mascara that receives a lot of media buzz and is supposed to be quite wonderful. I usually get mascara from the drugstore, so I was excited to try it.

However, the next day while doing my morning routine, I try the new “splurge” mascara is it is just…okay. Several days later, my lashes seem to be more clumpy, and I am seriously irritated with myself for straying from my beloved Maybelline Lash Discovery and Define-A-Lash.

I get a lot of make-up and skincare products from the department stores, but I think my lashes have cheap taste, and the drugstore brands work well for me. Is mascara a product that you splurge or save on?

Gold Metal Beauty

In the spirit of the Olympics, I would like to recognize a few beauty products in my life that deserve gold metals. These products are truly outstanding and can always be counted on to deliver an amazing performance! I read a post similar to this on a beauty blog, and it was fun to think of my favorite beauty "performers."
First up, I love Bare Minerals make up, and recently I discovered that their skin treatment line is also quite good. This blemish treatment kit is perfect for stressful flair-ups and seems to really work overnight!
I would never believe that a drugstore hair product could work so well on my dry hair. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask deserves extra points for being accessible and affordable!


I had a signature scent, this would be it. Not a lot of fragrances smell good on me, but Coco Mademoiselle always does. It just “works.”

I honestly don’t leave the house without a brush of Prescriptives Pressed Powder Leaves in Royale Radiance. This product just gives the perfect amount of color. It is more sun-kissed on me than rosy, but my best friend is paler and uses the Rose Radiance and loves it too!

What are your “gold metal” beauty secrets?