I have what you would call a difficult skin tone.  I’m fair, pink and extremely freckled… like extremely.  I learned to love my freckles at an early age (and apparently people are getting fakes ones these days so maybe I’m naturally en vogue and don’t even know it).  But, the redness in my skin has always bothered me.  Even before I wore makeup.  My dad said when I was younger I would always ask him “Daddy, whyyyyyy are we so paaaaaank?” My mom and brother don’t seem to have this issue but my dad and I are basically leprechauns.

Before I get hassled by body image acceptance enthusiasts or whatever you call it, let me say this.  I’m cool, guys. I’m good with the way that I look… Heck, I even think I’m pretty most of the time.  But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with me improving things that I do not particularly like about myself if I can.

So, makeup has never been easy for me. Anything that “covered up” my redness was either too heavy or didn’t blend well with my freckles.  My face would look super fair and my neck and chest would just look PINKER (not a word but whatevs. <— also not a word). I just started using Rodan + Fields Reverse Skincare Regimen and I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing some results from that. (I was not asked or paid to endorse Rodan + Fields…. because I’m not a real blogger)

According to R+F, the Reverse system is supposed to be great for dull or uneven skin tones. It uses cosmetic and OTC ingredients to brighten/bleach uneven pigment and skin tone.  I’ve only been using the products for a few days but I’ll be sure to check back in with a result pic in 5-6 weeks… so I guess we shall see.

Now onto makeup.  With a wild and crazy 11 month old, my new getting ready routine has GOT TO TIGHTEN UP.  I’ve started creating some habits that definitely help – shower at night, lash extensions to eliminate time spent applying mascara, laying out clothes the night befre (hello again, 2nd grade!) – but I’d really like to minimize my makeup routine as well. (If you haven’t noticed I’m all about minimizing these days… you can read that post here).  And I feel like getting my skin in tip top shape if the first step in that.

I’m generally happy with my makeup routine now but I’d be happier if I wore less makeup for a couple of reasons. First, it would take less time and effort.  Secondly, I just prefer a more natural look which has always been hard for me because no makeup = weird uneven freckle skin tone.

Here’s what I do now, if anyone is interested:

• Primer spray (I like this much more than cream or oil-based primers). I absolutely HATE touching my face.
• Color corrector and concealer under eyes and in the areas where I tend to stay red (chin, cheaks, tip and corners of nose)
• Blend (kind of but not really according to that lovely photo of me above… thanks Iphone7)
• Loose mineral powder. I typically use Bare Minerals but keep some of the cheap Maybelline pressed powder in a darker shade for the 2 weeks out of the year that I actually have a tan.
  • I struggle here because most of the powder tones that help with my redness/pink skin tone wind up making my face look super pale compared to the rest of my body.  And the only thing worse than that is using a color that is too dark… so – help! What’s a girl to do here?
• Tiny bit of contour under my cheek bones and around my hairline.
• Blush – pretty self-explanatory…. unless there’s some application strategy here I should know about it…enlighten me.
• Eyeshadow – super neutral (gold/rose gold/browns) unless I’m specifically dressing things up .
• No MASCARA! I recently got lash extensions which I guess is a little over the top for someone who isn’t Beyonce or a drag queen but it’s actually been so helpful! My lashes (while pretty long on their own) are super blonde and I was spending 1/2 of my makeup time just loading them up with mascara.  I have small and almost hooded eyes so mascara was super important to me.  Now, I don’t even give it a second thought.

So that’s it.  Written out, it kind of looks like a lot but I don’t look like a crazy made-up person so I guess it isn’t.  The question is… how can I minimize it further?  Is there a useless product I need to just cut out? Or is there a product that I need to add that would cut down on the need for something else?  Will Rodan + Fields solve all my problems and turn me into the no-make up, golden beach goddess I am in my dreams?  Either way, I’ll letcha know.

PS – I recently organized my makeup drawer and it made me feel like a new person. Let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in reading more about!