I'm starting off with the COVERGIRL + Olay Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation Primer which has a lovely creamy texture and applying it to a clean, bare face. This primer not only helps foundation to last longer and look better, but it also includes anti-aging ingredients that help condition skin over time which is always a blessing for my sleep-deprived self!


Next, I'm applying Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Foundation in Medium Beige all over my skin using clean fingertips. Seriously, I am in so love with the texture of this! It has almost a fluffy, soft feeling which blurs into the skin so smoothly, no brushes needed. The medium-to-full coverage gave me an even, flawless complexion with a very natural satin finish that also felt very hydrating.


To finish the look I applied a contoured rose-gold eye and matching rosy cheeks with a deep red lip to bring out the sophisticated glam feeling I was going for.

You all know I would never leave you hanging so if you want to check out my whole process for getting ready including makeup application and outfit, you can see it all step-by-step in video form below!

For the record, these pretty pretty photos are courtesy of the pretty BFF to my right, photographer extraordinaire Kassia. Girl, you are just too talented.

I know you only get snippets in the video, but the ladies and I had the best time sipping lattes, cracking up over silly selfies that will never see the light of day, and protecting ourselves from the local finches who were getting a little too brave about trying our food! All in all, a worthy event to get glammed out for, making memories with my best friends.

You may or may not know that my background isn't strictly in the beauty realm but I actually have a degree in industrial design. One thing I learned from my shop days is how important it is to have the right drill bit, a sharp saw, and a good pair of safety goggles (I know, really sexy) to maximize efficiency and technique. Really, makeup application is no different. Simply getting the most expensive tools isn't necessary but having the proper tools can have a big impact on the finished result.

I've gone through so many years trying out all shapes and sizes of makeup brushes, from the biggest kabuki to the tiniest precise liner, that I've found a really nice rhythm of which brushes work best. That's why I thought it would be helpful to share a list of the standout must-haves from each category and what I use them for.





If you want to see how I use these brushes in action (plus a few extra brushes like what I use for mineral foundation) check out the video below:



I realized that my bronzer brush mentioned in the video isn't available for purchase anymore so anyone with bronzer brush recommendations will be my hero. If there are any other brushes that you can't live without let me know in the comments so I can check it out!

If there was ever a lipstick that I want to tell everyone "You've GOT to try this" it's this one. Trust me, there are plenty of lipstick formulas that come across my desk but very few I am as excited about sharing as Burberry's Full Kisses line which was sent to me as part of my partnership with Burberry. (SALE ALERT: Sephora's annual VIB sale runs this weekend from Nov 11-14 for 20% off, which these lipsticks are a part of, using code 20VIB.)

From opacity to ease of application to hydrating feel, it ticks off plenty of boxes as a favorite go-to lippy.

You know how you wake up some days, look in the mirror and just think, "Hey I look pretty okay today!" Maybe you got a couple extra hours of sleep or maybe the window is letting in that perfect natural light that makes your skin glow. I was pondering about that in relation to makeup and wanted to come up with something that was a step beyond the no makeup makeup look.

It was perfect timing that Burberry's latest S/S Womenswear show included the loveliest pared-down face which inspired this tutorial created in partnership with Burberry and Sephora. No excessive eyeshadow, false lashes, or vampy lips. Just my face but better. :)