Updated Nighttime Skincare Routine

As I get older (the big 2-9 is fast approaching), I’ve made an effort to up my skincare game. I posted a night time skin care routine last year, but have since made quite a few changes.

My skin is somewhat oily and breakout prone but I’m also working to prevent signs of aging. My current routine is the perfect amount of acne fighting and fine line prevention and I’ve really been loving my skin lately.

Below is my full night time skin care routine. It might seem a bit excessive but it works. I’ll admit I don’t do all these steps every night, but when I do, I can definitely tell a difference in my skin.

1. Cleansing Balm: When I feel like I’ve really caked on my makeup, I count on Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm to remove every ounce of makeup. It takes off everything from foundation to mascara and I couldn’t be happier with it.
2. Cleanser: I’m a big fan of Neutrogena’s cleansers and am currently using their Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser. It smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh.
3. Toner: This Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner is yet another Neutrogena product I love. I use it day and night to get my skin squeaky clean and prevent future breakouts. I really think it’s made a difference in the amount of breakouts I’ve had and I highly recommend it.
4. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil: I know. This retinol face oil is crazy expensive. However, purchase this set for a bit of a price break and give it a try. I’ve used this sleeping oil for a few months and have noticed such an improvement in my skin. Trust me, it’s worth the investment.
5. Moisturizer: After letting the Sunday Riley oil sink in for a few minutes, I apply a bit of the Olay Regenerist Sculpting Face Cream to my face and neck. It’s affordable and moisturizes the skin without causing breakouts.
6. Eye Cream: I recently came across the Glow by Dr. Brandt Revitalizing Retinol Eye Cream and I’m obsessed with it. It contains retinol and mosturizes the eye area while preventing and reducing fine lines.
7. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate: Finally, after all the above mentioned products have had time to sink in, I pat this oil on my face to seal everything in. It can also be used on your hands, feet, or in a warm bath.

What are your favorite skin care products?

 

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October Favorites

The first week of November is officially in the books (can you believe it?!) and I’m finally sitting down to think about my favorite products from the last month. I’ll admit that 2016 has been a bit of a blur for me so it’s been difficult to take time to focus on things like beauty products. With that in mind, here are a few of the things I’ve been loving over the last month.

Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup – I received this foundation as a sample and loved it so much I purchased the full-sized product. This makeup is lightweight and offers light to medium coverage. I love that it still looks like skin and it doesn’t even feel like wearing makeup.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil – I’ve used this retinoid oil for a couple months and am really starting to see some great results. My skin’s texture is smoother, my pores seem smaller and I haven’t been breaking out like I used to. This product is definitely an investment but if you purchase this set you can try the Luna Sleeping Night oil and another Sunday Riley product for a little bit cheaper.

Rimmel London ScandalEyes Retro Glam Mascara – I picked this mascara up because I heard it was a good dupe for my beloved Too Faced mascara. While I’m not sure it’s quite as amazing as that mascara it does a good job of volumizing lashes and doesn’t flake throughout the day.

Illuminate by Ashley Tisdale 12 Color Eye & Cheek Collection in Beach Goddess – I did a full review on this palette recently and am happy to report that I still love it just as much as I did when I wrote that review. It’s got all the colors I need for any eye look and also includes a beautiful highlighter and bronzer.

Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer in Smoky Topaz  – I’ve had this Revlon gloss for a while but just recently became obsessed with it. It’s a beautiful pink nude that complements any look and is extremely wearable. I’m a big fan of Revlon’s lip glosses and this one definitely delivers.

What products have you been loving lately? Tell me in the Comments section so I can try them out!

 

 

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My Five Favorite Drugstore Foundations

Like any true makeup junkie, I love trying different products on the market. One product I’m always on the hunt for is the perfect foundation. My skin can get pretty oily so it’s important for me to find a foundation that feels lightweight and doesn’t make my skin look shiny throughout the day.

As much as I love high end, luxurious foundations, sometimes it’s nice to find affordable options. Below are five of my current favorite drugstore foundations. Tell me yours in the Comments section!

1. Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation: As the name implies, this foundation keeps my skin looking matte and pretty dang poreless throughout the day. There is also a wide range of colors in this line so you’re sure to find the perfect shade for you.

2. Boots No7 Airbrush Away Foundation: I picked up this foundation at Target recently and I can’t get enough of it. It looks and feels so light but offers great coverage. If you’re looking for a foundation with light to medium coverage foundation that wears well you need to check this one out.

3. Revlon ColorStay Makeup: If you saw this blog post, you know I didn’t always love this foundation. However it’s quickly become a favorite of mine and always makes my skin look flawless. It also has amazing lasting power and never looks cakey.

4. Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Foundation: This is a new addition to my foundation collection and I’m loving it so far. The shade range isn’t great but the liquid formula dries to a powder finish making it ideal for oily girls like me.

5. Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream: This BB cream is a summer staple for me and I continue to re-purchase it. While this BB cream is very lightweight it stilll manages to even out my skin tone on days when I don’t feel like putting on a full face of makeup.

 

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April Favorites

Well it seems that April has flown by and here we are at the beginning of another month (yikes!). April was very busy for me and I’m so glad to finally have some time to write a new blog post. Read on to see what beauty products I was loving throughout April.

Tell me what you’ve been obsessed with lately in the Comments section!

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Micro-Powder – I’m always on the hunt for a nice setting powder. This one from It Cosmetics is translucent and makes my skin feel silky smooth as the name implies. It keeps me matte for quite a while and also works well for baking.

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer – I used to use this primer all the time and I recently went back to it. It smooths everything out and reduces the look of pores on my face. Plus it’s available in a cute travel friendly mini size…perfect for my busy lifestyle!

AcneFree Terminator 10 – While the packaging of this acne product may be a little cheesy, I think it works really well. Applied to blemishes at night or in the morning, this benzoyl peroxide knocks out breakouts quickly.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop – I picked this beautiful highlighter up during my recent trip to LA and I’ve worn it nonstop. It’s a lovely golden hued highlighter that looks beautiful with any makeup look. Mine has unfortunately broken but you know I’m not going to let that stop me from using it!

What’s in My Travel Makeup Bag

If you follow That Tall Girl on Facebook, you know I’m about to head out on a fun vacation to California. While I haven’t started packing yet (ahh!) I do know what beauty products I’ll be taking with me. Read on to find out what my travel must-haves are.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation: When I’m traveling I want a foundation that’s going to cover any imperfections, look natural and last all day and into the night. This Tarte foundation does it all! Plus the packaging is super convenient and won’t end up breaking during a long trip.

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer: Like my foundation, I want my concealer to last while I’m out and about seeing the sights. MAC’s Pro Longwear Concealer does just that while covering everything from dark circles to blemishes.

Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation: This powder is a staple in my makeup bag (as see can see in the photo above!) so I can’t leave home without it. It does double duty as a powder foundation and mattifying powder and the packaging is great for on-the-go.

Ulta Contour Kit: If you’ve read my blog in the last couple months you know how obsessed I’ve been with this contour kit from Ulta. I’ll be using the contour shades for contouring (duh), bronzer and eye shadow. The lighter, slightly shimmery shades are also great for eye shadows or highlighting.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner: Another staple, this eye liner works for any look and can be easily smoked out for a little more drama. Since I don’t want to deal with traveling with liquid liner this guy is coming with me!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mini Mascara: I picked this up at Ulta and am so glad to have a travel friendly version of my favorite mascara. It volumizes lashes and adds the perfect amount of lash drama.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso: I’ve raved about the Milani baked blushes before and this shade is so versatile. It makes my skin look bright and fresh and works well with any look.

What are you must-have travel products? Tell me in the Comments section!

 

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February Favorites

Wooooo. I feel like I’ve had this post ready to go for quite some time but haven’t had a second to sit down and upload it. However, I managed to find a few moments in this already busy month of March to share my favorite products from February.

Read on to see what I was loving and don’t forget to share your favorite products with me in the Comments section!

1. L’Oreal Brow Stylist Designer: I’ll be honest, I’ve got naturally full brows so I never thought I needed to do much with them. However, this product is a game changer for me. It’s perfect for filling in and giving shape to your brows and it’s so much more affordable than similar brow products on the market. It took me a while to find it in stock so if you happen to see it while you’re out—BUY IT.

2. ULTA Contour Kit: I’ve talked about this contour kit from Ulta quite a bit on this blog (see a full review here) and I’m still loving it. Lately I’ve been doing a barely there eye makeup look using the matte brown shades from this palette.

3. Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer in Smoky Topaz: When I bought this lip gloss it was quite what I wanted. However, it’s really grown on me. It’s a lovely pinky nude color that works well with many looks. I love Revlon glosses and have been using this one constantly!

4. Aerie Racerback Boho Bralette: When it comes to fashion, comfort is key. This bralette from Aerie is as comfortable as it gets! They come in lots of colors and are so lacy and beautiful. They’re a feminine, sexy option when you want to be comfy but still feel like you’ve got your you-know-what together.

January Favorites

Whew.

Is anyone else thrilled that January is over? Between work stresses and life in general, January was a killer.

That being said, January did have a few bright spots including a couple makeup products I fell in love with! Read on to see what I was loving during the month of January.

Revlon ColorStay Makeup: I tried this foundation a while back and hated it. I decided to give it another try and absolutely loved it! The coverage is great but it doesn’t look like you have a ton of makeup caked on.

LORAC PRO Palette: I’ve had this palette for a while but I used it a ton during January. I love using the White shade on my brow bone and inner corner of my eye. The matte shadows in this palette are also great as transition shades. Basically you need this palette in your life.

L’Oreal Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Amber Rush: This is yet another product I’ve had for a while but used the heck out of it in January. It’s such a beautiful color and it lasts all day on me without creasing. If you don’t have this color in your makeup collection, go get it right now.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal: I picked this highlight up at Ulta as part of a gift set. I love liquid highlighters and this one is so beautiful. The application makes it so easy to put product exactly where you want it and it lasts all day.

MyFitnessPal App: January was my month to get back on track in the fitness department. Any time I want to lose weight and feel a little healthier, I go right to this app. It’s a fitness and exercise tracker and it really helps me be mindful of what I’m putting into my body on a daily basis. If you’re looking for a little motivation to help you stay on track, I highly recommend trying this app!

What did you love during January? Tell in the Comments section!

 

 

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Product Review: Ulta Contour Kit

While I’ve heard rumors that contouring is sooooo out for 2016, I still find the technique intriguing and totally appropriate for the right situation so I recently picked up Ulta’s Contour Kit. 

The kit includes two shimmery highlighters, four matte contour shades and a pull-out contouring guide to help you achieve the look you want. My favorite thing about this palette is that it has everything you need in one slim package.

The two highlighters included in this palette are very nice for an everyday look. Radiance Highlighter (1) has a pink undertone while Lustre Highlighter (2) is a golden highlighter. Worn alone or in tandem they’re lovely as a cheek, brow bone, nose, or Cupid’s bow highlight.

Warmth Bronzer (3) is the lightest contour shade. It’s great as a lighter allover bronzer and has a bit of an ashy tone so it could be used to contour on lighter skin tones.

Golden Bronzer (4) is my favorite shade of the bunch to contour with. Using a light hand, it’s perfect to carve out your cheeks and enhance any look. It’s fairly dark so start out slowly.

Another favorite shade of mine in this palette is Bombshell Bronzer (5). It’s the most versatile shade in the kit as it can be used as an allover bronzer or placed strategically as a contour.

The shade Goddess Bronzer (6) is the darkest shade included in this palette. I probably won’t use it much because it is so dark but it would make a great transition shade for a sultry smoky eye.

All in all, I think this contour kit is worth checking out. The shades are suitable for many skin tones and can be used in a variety of ways.

If you’re new to the world of contouring and want an affordable contour kit, I definitely recommend giving this one a try!

2015 Beauty Favorites

At the beginning of every year, it’s always nice to take a moment and reflect on the past year. If you happen to be a beauty blogger like me, that usually includes thinking about what makeup products made an impression.

Below are a few of the products that stood out to me in 2015. What were you loving during the last year?

FACE

1. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation: I’ve had a longstanding love affair with this foundation so this pick is nothing new. This foundation applies like a dream, lasts all day, and gives your skin a flawless look. What more do you need?
2. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder: I tried quite a few powders in 2015 (including this high end one) but I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that this budget friendly one from Rimmel is the best of the best. As the name implies, it keeps your skin looking matte and doesn’t make your face look cakey or powdery at all.
3. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Concealer: Like the Tarte foundation I mentioned above, this concealer has been a love of mine for quite a while. It covers dark circles and brightens up my under eye area and it’s a breeze to apply. I can’t go a day without it!
4. Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream Skin Clearing Perfector: For days when I don’t feel like applying tons of makeup, I reach for this BB Cream from Maybelline. It offers light coverage but still does a great job at evening out my skin tone. This BB cream also contains salicylic acid to clear skin while it covers!

EYES

1. Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara: I feel like I’m always on the hunt for the perfect mascara. I tried out a few different high end and drugstore mascaras over the past year but always came back to this one from Too Faced. It gives tons of volume and length without clumping. Plus the packaging is too cute to pass up!
2. Charlotte Tilbury Palette La Dolce Vita Eyeshadow Palette: If you read this post, you know I had a tough time making up my mind about this palette. It’s become one of my go-to palettes because it has everything you need (lid color, crease color, highlight, and sparkle) in one handy package.

MULTI-TASKING PRODUCT

mark. Glowdacious Illuminating Powder: This is a product I rediscovered in 2015 and I am so glad I did! I love applying this to my cheeks when I want a bit of a bronzey glow but each color is great on its own as an eye shadow or even a highlighter.

TOOLS

1. Tarte Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush: I’ve used this brush from Tarte to apply my foundation for a long time and I still love it. The brush quickly blends out foundation and is definitely worth the investment.
2. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: After applying foundation with the Tarte brush mentioned above, I love using this Real Techniques Sponge to press concealer into my skin. It fits perfectly around my under eye area and it’s a much cheaper alternative to some sponges on the market.
3. Real Techniques Pointed Crease Brush: Part of the Real Techinques Bold Metals Collection, this little brush has come in so handy over the past year. It works well to apply eye shadow to your crease, outer V, and lower lash line.

 

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New Year’s Eve Polish Picks

Am I the only one who can’t believe 2015 is almost over? As much as I love staying up late and enjoying a cold glass of champagne, I’m not sure how i feel about 2016’s rapid approach.

However, as with most things in life, all I can do is power through and apply a fresh coat of nail polish.

Below are a few of my picks for a sparkly New Year’s Eve mani. What will you be rocking to ring in the New Year?

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