|

|

Spring Up Your Beauty Routine

Now that spring is here and the weather is starting to warm up, it’s time to think about updating your beauty routine! Today I’m sharing how I’m freshening up my makeup for spring and summer and the latest products from Nordstrom that I’ve added to my bag o’ tricks.

I like to reassess my makeup and skincare at the change of seasons and make sure what I’m using is still working for me and see if there are any new products or colors I should try.

I always notice it first with my foundation. I recently started observing in pictures that my face looks a lot whiter than my neck and arms, and I realized it’s time to get a darker foundation and setting powder for spring and summer. I also wanted to get some new eye shadows and maybe a new lip color, so I set out to the mall on Saturday to see what I could find.

Nordstrom is always my first stop for new makeup because of their top notch customer service, well-trained beauty stylists, and of course their no hassle return policy. Never is that more important than when trying out new makeup.

They also have a wide range of top makeup and skincare brands, so I’m guaranteed to find something that will work for me, whatever it is I’m looking for.

I’d been hearing some buzz about the Charlotte Tilbury setting powder and Magic Away concealer, and I’m already a fan of her lipsticks and lip liner, so I started out there.

The beauty stylist working the counter obviously knew the line well and immediately matched me with the powder in 2 medium and the concealer in the color 4. She tried 3 and then 4, and then shook her head and said, “I should have known… everyone always ends up being a 4.” So 4 it is!

When I got home, I realized there are like 16 shades of that concealer, so I have no idea how everyone ends up being a 4, but if you’re wanting to try it, that sounds like a safe color to try.

I love the applicator on this concealer. It’s got a sponge tip that you apply directly to the areas where you need extra coverage.

For me, this is my under-eye area and the top of my nose where I have a scar from an accident a few years back. Foundation never seems to cover that scar, so I have to put concealer on top and then set with powder, or the redness shows through.

Then all you do is tap with your ring finger to blend it in, and it really does have a way of disappearing into the skin, blending into my foundation, and covering those darker areas under my eye and the redness on the top of my nose. The best thing about it is, it lasts all day, and my skin doesn’t get scaly or creased.

I’m also loving the Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder. It’s translucent yet still provides extra coverage on top of my foundation.

How they manage that, I’m not sure. As I said, it only comes in 3 colors, so it really does take on the color of the foundation you’re wearing, and it gives my skin a smooth finish that truly does look almost airbrushed.

As for my new foundation, I haven’t made a final decision on that just yet. The beauty stylist I was working with didn’t care for the way the Charlotte Tilbury foundation colors were working for me, so she took me over to the Chanel counter. I have a lot of pink and red undertones in my skin, and most foundations are too warm for me.

This is one example of why I like to shop for makeup at Nordstrom — she tried two colors in two different formulations and sent them both home with me to test out for a few days.

It really is hard to decide on a foundation color in a department store, without natural light, and sometimes I like a shade that’s a little deeper than what the beauty stylist thinks I should wear, so it’s really nice to get to take a couple of options home and test them out for a few days in all different lighting situations, and also with the rest of my makeup.

I’m still trying to decide which one I like better, but I can say that the Chanel foundations are absolutely gorgeous and go on my skin so beautifully. It’s a big difference from the Estée Lauder Double Wear that I was wearing before, which had a matte finish that was too dry for my skin and made it look older and more dry than it is.

I know that some of you love that one, and it was a great color match for my winter skin, but I’m definitely looking for something more moisturizing this go-round. It just goes to show, everyone’s skin is different and different products work differently for each person, so you really do have to try a few to find the right one.

If you like a full coverage foundation, MAC Studio Sculpt has always worked well for me. The Chanel is a bit lighter, but the coverage is still really good, and it does last all day.

I also took this opportunity to refresh my favorite lip liner and lipstick — both in Pillow Talk. The lip liner is so smooth and goes on easily. It’s also designed to reshape, resize, and balance your lips without feathering or bleeding into your skin. I have thin lips, so I always draw just a bit over the edge of my natural lip line — especially on the top lip.

Then I fill in with the Matte Revolution Lipstick, also in Pillow Talk. I’ve been using these two products for months, and it’s a great everyday neutral combo. Her lipsticks also go on super smooth and are long lasting without drying out your lips.

I typically apply a gloss on top — MAC Lipglass in Cultured is my long-standing favorite. In fact, you can see in the picture of all my makeup that it is time for me to get a new one! It just adds a nice glossy finish that isn’t sticky, and I feel like it helps my lips look fuller too.

My next stop was the Trish McEvoy counter for some new makeup brushes — which are how she got started and kind of her claim to fame, but I ended up with new eye shadow and blush. Her eye colors are all mix and match, so you purchase the compact and then fill it with your colors.

I chose this Double Decker refillable compact because it is such an efficient use of space! After using huge eye shadow palettes with a gazillion colors and a separate blush compact, this single compact holds all I need for both, and it’s so small and compact. I just love it.

For my eye shadow, we put together three pretty shades — blackberry granite, rose quartz, and white peach.

I also purchased her #6 Deep Eye Contour Brush because I’ve been wanting a brush that is more precise for applying eye shadow to the corners and crease. The beauty stylist at the counter showed me how to place the color with this brush and then use a bigger brush (one I already have at home) for blending.

Finally, I filled the other side of the compact with two powder blush refills — coral and sunbeam. You can use the coral for the main blush and the sunbeam as the highlighter, but she just mixed the two and applied, so that’s what I’ve been doing.

As for the rest of my makeup, I’m still using Lancôme’s Monsieur Big Mascara and Le Stylo waterproof eyeliner in black as well as Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Brow Pencil in dark brown.

And here’s the final result! It’s fresh and springy and as close to “peaches and cream” as this 46-year-old brunette is going to get.

Shop the Post:

This post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links, it helps support my business (at no additional cost to you) so thank you!

photos: Alison Cornell

Join The Conversation

34 Responses

  1. I have a Mary Kay party coming up (I do not sell the brand) and was wondering if you have ever reviewed their products or have any you recommend?  We don’t have a good department store makeup counter in my area to try on products.

  2. You look so young and fresh, Jo-Lynne. Makes me want to change up my make-up colors for spring! I just started using Chanel Vitalumiere foundation and I love it. I went into Nordstrom and was pleased with the assistance I received. I think I’ll be going there rather than Sephora when I need help. I found less pressure to buy in Nordstrom and they’re great about giving samples.

    1. Yes, I am STILL using the samples they gave me almost 2 weeks ago. I can’t believe how much they gave me. I did end up ordering a combo of the 2 samples – I went with the lighter color and in the other formulation. It came and I haven’t opened it yet b/c I’m afraid in a few weeks I’ll wish I’d gone with the darker color. Ahhh… the struggles! LOL!

  3. Hi Jo-Lynne
    Love your make up post! I am sorry I can no longer get Sonia Karachuk  Roseberry lipstick , your recommendation a few years ago. Is the lipstick shade you used today similar? 

    1. That was such a good color!!! Pillow Talk is lighter, and not quite as pink. I have one from her #NSale special edition that I love and it’s darker, but they don’t carry it anymore. I need to bring it in sometime and see what is the closest match.

  4. The new makeup colors look beautiful and very natural on you. I could probably use a new foundation color. I rarely change that unless I’m just out and need something new. I am always rotating colors for everything else though. I love doing something different everyday.

  5. I purchased a large set of Trish McEvoy brushes 20 years ago and they are STILL my favorites that I use daily. If you take care of them, they will last you a long, long time….obviously! Ha! I think her brushes are THE BEST! Now, I’m interested in checking out some of her beauty products!

    1. That is good to know! I love her brush bags too – there was a really fun leopard one they showed me. I wanted to get it – would have made great pix for this post so I probably should have – but I already have a pretty decent brush collection, and I keep them all in my makeup bag and didn’t really need a separate brush bag. But it looked really cool. A great gift idea!

  6. I have been wanting to get instructions on makeup lately. I’ve been to Sephora a few times but always feel the associates at our store are young & aren’t always looking out for what looks best on me. Would love to go where I can get “REAL” help and instructions on applying different makeup. Do you need an appointment at Nordstrom or do you just go and also did they do your whole face or just one side & you have to do the other side?

    1. I’ve always been really pleased with my experiences at Nordstrom – and I’ve been to their makeup counters in different cities too. They have special events sometimes where they do full makeovers, and you may need an appt for those, but no appt needed to walk up to any of their beauty counters and get help. They will pretty much do whatever you want – just a few products or probably your whole face if you wanted. I have never had them do just one side – they always do both!

    2. Oh, two more things. I recommend going on a weekday or first thing Sat a.m. – when they’re not so busy. I have still had great help during busy times, but it’s much more relaxed on days when it’s not as crowded. Also, I always try to seek out someone who is closer to my age. It doesn’t have to be, this last time both girls who helped me were quite young, but it was crowded and I took who I could get. Normally I do look around and go up to a woman who looks more mature and has her own makeup applied in a tasteful way that I think I’d like for myself.

  7. I ordered the Charlotte Tilbury concealer and took a chance on “4” being right for me, too!  Great post…I need to thoroughly purge my bathroom of unused makeup, etc.  I also need to remember to return products that don’t work for me.  Nordstrom is so great about returns!

  8. Thanks for sharing this today. I was noticing yesterday that I need to switch up my foundation. I also love your nail color. Can you tell us what it is please? Have a great day.

  9. You look beautiful in your new ‘peaches and cream’ makeup colors. Thanks for sharing your makeup counter experience with us. I am a faithful user of the brow liner you recommended awhile ago. I tried the Trish McEvoy mascara and love it. I tried two other mascaras that bled giving me darker circles under my eyes than are there already. I am so glad you like to try products and share how they work for you. Thanks for all you do. 

  10. Great post.  I love makeup and skin care products. The post is a good reminder to stay current and fresh all seasons. I often get into a habit of doing my eyes the same…use the same blush every day while I have so many options. Thanks for the reminder 

  11. It was fun reading about your makeup shopping at Nordstrom.  Since my skin remains pretty white during the summer, I can use the same foundation year round.  I guess that’s another advantage of not tanning.  Good luck today!

  12. Hey, I just wanted to thank you for linking to the e-bay coats on your Disney post from March. I have been OBSESSED with your Burberry coat since I saw your post and was so happy when I saw your links to ebay. Well I snagged one that you linked to and it came today. It is so beautiful! It’s still cool here, so I’ll even get to wear it for awhile. And its such a classic that I know I will have it for years!

  13. It is good to check the colors of your make up once I a year or so. Because of the seasons and because we get older. I normally go see a visagist and let him advice me. I swear by Mac make up.

  14. We like a lot of the same things. I’ve used Trish McEvoy for 25+ years and love the mascara, shadows, and their whole planner system. If you appreciate her brushes, please take a look at Sonia G brushes. Made in Japan, so incredibly soft, and similar price point. They are sold on Beautylish. They’ve changed my makeup application so much! I also recommend taking some of your heavier foundations and mixing them with moisturizer for a sheerer look (just to get use out of them). As we age (I’m 55), makeup just starts to look caky no matter what and believe it or not, less makeup looks better on me now. Plus your skin care is great so your features can be highlighted. I find somedays my Colorscience or Elta MD tinted Sunscreen is all I need, and it’s always on, even if I do wear makeup.

  15. I love your daily posts. Today’s was great. My only issue is that I’m sort of intimidated with Nordstrom, or any of the makeup counters. I’m sure you get the Royal treatment because of what you do. Those of who are the common folk, I don’t know if they would do all that for us. I do not want to be a negative Nelly but just saying. And, as one of the previous commenters said, Mary Kay is a good line and their consultants will do a one on one for you. Again, I love your posts, Jo-Lynn, and you look gorgeous in your new haircut and makeup today.

    1. Hey Penny Jo. I can understand why you might think that, but I actually have never told anyone at Nordstrom what I do. When I go to their makeup counters, or any makeup counter, I am a regular customer, and I am confident you would receive the exact same service I do. But Mary Kay is a good product too! 🙂

  16. I always try and freshen my makeup look for the spring and after attending a wedding this weekend I knew it was time to freshen my look my makeup looked way to heavy. Thanks for the tips I will be checking them out.

  17. I love that concealer with the built-in applicator – how convenient!

    The biggest change in my makeup routine has been the use of makeup remover wipes. My granddaughter introduced me to them. I use the Neutrogena brand due to my sensitive skin. She buys inexpensive ones at TJ Maxx, and those work well, too.
    These wipes dissolve makeup – even mascara – easily while being gentle on the skin and not stinging the eyes. I thought I would mention them because they have been so helpful.

  18. Love your new makeup!  Great tips as always 
    What are your pants in photo. They are super cute.  Thanks! 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *