The Musings of a Working Mom

Happy New Year!  And what a year it has been?  It's been a year since I started my blog and one of my first posts was a list of my 2011 favorites...and here we have come round full circle to my favorites list of 2012.   But first off I want to thank all of you for your continued support and for coming back to read my blog posts, commenting, and subscribing to my blog.  This blog has been my side project and my baby (outside of my real babies).  I have had so much fun writing for this blog and doing my "research" (i.e. having a great excuse to buy makeup and beauty products).  I have done quite of bit of "research" this year and have found a lot of great low-end and high-end products that have become my favorites for this past year.  This blog has also allowed me to try beauty products outside of my beloved MAC brand and I have found some amazing products at all price points.  It has taken me quite some time to compile my list but here are my fav...

The days are getting shorter and the air is getting cooler and it's about time, I never thought that this heat wave would end.  I love the fall- the crisp, cool breezes, the leaves changing colors and I especially love wearing boots, sweaters and scarves.  September is over and here are my favorites for the month: 1.   Blushes - Nars Oasis and Tarte Blushing Bride :  these blushes have a warmth about them.  Fall usually makes me want to wear more plums and berry shades and these blushes really scream "fall" to me!  I love wearing these blushes with a soft, neutral eye.  And although both of these blushes appear to have a lot of shimmer in them, they don't translate onto your skin that way.  These two blushes give such a nice glow and flush of color - perfect for a fall day! 2.   Rimmel Stay Matte Powder with Real Techniques Powder Brush - this powder has really lived up to its name and is my new favorite setting powder.  It really...

Here are my favorite makeup brushes for FACE: FYI - I am not sponsored by Sigma brushes but I do have an affiliate link on my pages, which means if you click and purchase any brushes via my link, I will receive a commission from your purchase.  But I would not mention any products that I do not love to use and would not mislead you in order to make any money.  Having said that, I do love their brushes!  I have purchased both their Premium Professional kit as well as their Essential Kit, and a couple of their Sigmax precision face brushes (F82/F84).  These brushes, in my opinion, are comparable to MAC brushes but are a fraction of the prices of the MAC brushes. For face, I love using a couple of brushes and one "tool".  For liquid foundation, I love using my  Sigma Sigmax F84 Angled Kabuki Brush  and my Real Techniques Stippling Brush.  For powder and mineral foundations, I love using the Real Techniques Buffing brush, MAC 182 Kabuki brus...

Well it's that time of the month again - NO sillies...it's time for my favorites for this month!!  It's been a hot month and I've been trying to keep my makeup routine short and sweet, as well as light on my face.  I've also included non-makeup items too...I hope that you enjoy my favorites for the month of June! 1.  Sleek Rose Gold Blush - I love using this blush...it gives my cheeks that perfect rosey-glowy look.  It's not too over the top and yet not too light...it's been my perfect go-to summer blush color. 2.  Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and Mineral Foundation - I have been using this duo this month as my everyday foundation routine.  LM tinted moisturizer is by far the best tinted moisturizer that I have tried - this TM has more coverage than others and I like to apply it with a foundation brush like my Sigma F60 .  I then buff on my LM mineral foundation over the TM with either my MAC 182 Buffer Brush or Real ...

I've said this before, as a busy mom, time is our enemy.  We barely have enough time to take a shower in the morning (or at some point in the day) let alone put on a face of makeup but let me tell you that taking an extra 5 minutes in the morning to put on your face will make all the difference in the world in how you make it through the day. There is nothing like looking in the mirror during the day and seeing your tired, blotchy, red face to remind you that you look a hot mess!!  But it doesn't have to be that way - Give me 5 minutes and I'll give you a more awake, fresh and brighter looking face - one that you'll like to see in the mirror over and over again. The first thing you need to do starts the night before - thoroughly cleanse your face (to get rid of all the daily accumulation) and then moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!!  I really like the Olay Regenerist line but use whatever facial moisturizer you...