Hitting thirty has been a real eye - opener for me in terms of skincare and how I want to look and feel. If the twenties are about experimentation, then the thirties are for buckling down and getting a little more serious. I find myself craving simplicity. Gina mentions it in this post and I absolutely agree with her. Even if I find the time to take extra steps in my routine, I don't really bother. I'd rather spend those extra minutes playing with my dog or watching the news. Simple is just better, easier. I'm trying to downsize on everything, including my makeup and my wardrobe. I spent most of yesterday trying on clothes, organizing my closet, donating those pieces that just don't fit anymore, and tossing out old makeup. It was hard, because I can feel the weight I've gained over the last year but it also served as a reality check, and was cathartic as well. Small changes can make the biggest impact.
One change is that I no longer crave a matte face. My skin has matured, unfortunately. From oily to dry. I now want a dewy youthful complexion, the one I so desperately tried to hide just a few short years ago. Luckily it's pretty easy to achieve with the products shown below. I first spray fix + on my makeup sponge to get it really damp, then I pat a pump of the foundation over my face and use the dampened sponge to create a nice even glow. Once I apply the rest of my makeup (mainly blush and concealer), I spray the all-nighter for even more moisture. I no longer use a setting powder, unless I go to a special event like the weddings I attended this Spring.
I rarely talk about products I regret buying, but this has to be said. These makeup remover wipes are terrible. I really dislike them. Sorry MAC, love you. Love the scent of them, but these are a big disappointment. I don't know if I just got a bad batch but they are as dry as my skin is lately, and it takes multiple wipes and some work on my part to remove my liner, shadow, and mascara (and I don't exactly pile that on either). I'll stick to my Aveeno wipes. If they are good enough for Jennifer Aniston, they are good enough for me.
I'm also sticking to wearing clothes that I love, and I'm going to take Gina's lead and not apologize for re-wearing certain items over and over...and over again. My Barcelona camisoles from Express, my Loft jeans, my white Topshop skirt - I want to be comfortable in my own skin, and part of that means wearing things that I love, even if there's nothing remotely new about them. It's easy to get caught up and compare yourself to others, but that doesn't get anyone anywhere. As a reader, I personally enjoy seeing how people re-work their clothes. If you wear something often, that must mean you love it, right?
One of my favorite looks. A few days ago, I wore it exactly in the same way as I did a couple of years ago. I didn't have Nate take photos though, because I was afraid of repeating and now I realize how silly that is.
