But, wait!
You glance in the mirror before you head out the door and you notice deep under eye circles from your early morning wake up call, a zit starting to peek through, and you just know that by lunch your forehead will be as shiny as a new silver dollar.
Don't worry though, because being a girl that is shamelessly obsessed with all things beauty, I am here to offer my humble advice on how to look your best at 5am, and keep your look lasting until your sprinting to your car after post-conference. And in true nursing school fashion, everything mentioned is drug store because you can't buy $40 foundation when you need to purchase a $300 text book!
I absolutely love talking about makeup, so please excuse me if I totally geek out over discussing products
Primer:
I have grown to have the opinion that primer is very important to makeup application. Not only does it make your other makeup apply more evenly, and have your look last longer - it can help you add another layer of moisture if you have dry skin like me.The product I am trying right now:
Wet N Wild Primer
I have found that this product can be moisturizing, and a little goes a long way. It is a very affordable option, and cruelty free - so it is the best of both worlds if it works for your skin type. Personally, I have clear skin that is not super sensitive to new products, so this works well for me. This product is white and has a lotion consistency, and feels very cooling when applied to the skin. It melts into my skin seamlessly, and I believe that it helps my foundation apply more smooth.
I would recommend this product, and will certainly consider repurchasing once I run out of my current tube.
What I used before and loved:
Elf Hydrating Primer Rimmel Primer
Both of these primers were super hydrating and felt good to apply. The ELF primer is only $4, but the papackaging is very misleading - you do not get a lot of product in this tube at all. I still recommend the product, but buyer beware! I had no issues with the Rimmel Primer, and it lasted me a very long time.
What I used before and hated:
Maybelline Primer
I bought this primer because I thought it would be hydrating and brightening. However, this primer is full of glitter flecks - and that is a look that I just cannot stand. I do not want to look like a disco ball because of my primer.
Foundation
I think that picking a foundation for your clinical day is very important. Having your skin look even and fresh, while maintaining adequate staying power throughout your stressful day is important. I have certainly had my moments where foundation has tested me, while other foundations seem as though they have been sent from the Heavens!
What I'm trying out now:
Wet N Wild Foundation
This foundation is okay. It has a cheap price tag, which is sort of what drew me to it in the first place. A lot of complaints online are that it smells like paint, and it honestly does. It also clings to my dry patches, but after about a half hour of wear that problem is no longer an issue. Overall, it does provide good coverage and I think it would be a nice option for a nursing student who has long clinical days so the foundation has a moment to set in properly. For a few dollars, I would suggest taking the chance and trying it for yourself.
Maybelline Foundation
I have mixed feelings about this foundation as well. I was interested in this product since it came out and every beauty guru on Youtube began discussing it. I held out until I found it on clearance at a local grocery store, and have only tried it twice. Both times it clung to dry patches like the Wet N Wild foundation, and I do believe that it did not wear well. I would either pass on this product, or wait to find it on clearance if you really wanted to try it. I know that other girls have enjoyed using this product, so if you wanted to take a chance I know that it is still on the shelves and online. I usually love Maybelline products, and think they come up with the cutest products and packaging, but this one isn't doing it for me so far.
Covergirl Foundation
This foundation is something that I am super excited about because I found my shade (Natural Beige) with a clearance sticker attached at a different grocery store so I snagged it for $2 and some change. I think they are phasing this product out for the new Covergirl Healthy Skin Elixir Foundation -- but I've wanted to try this foundation since it came out. I think it will fit my dry skin perfectly and can't wait to try it!
What I've tried before and liked:
Covergirl Foundation
Covergirl Foundation
L'Oreal Foundation
Physician's Formula Foundation
All of these products that I have tried before have handled my dry skin well, and have had good lasting power. The two Covergirl foundations are amazing in my opinion, and I really need to repurchase those items soon. The Physician's Formula BB Cream is so light while providing good coverage - it would be perfect for a "no makeup makeup look" for a long clinical day. The Dream Lumi L'Oreal foundation is a very good product as well. I do not have anything really negative to say about any of these products.
Concealer:
As someone who has extremely deep and dark under eye bags I completely realize, appreciate, and respect the importance of finding a very good concealer. That can be hard to find at the drugstore, and I cannot say that I have tried any high-end products that are considered "holy grail".What I'm trying out now:
Maybelline Concealer Wet N Wild Concealer
Both of these concealers do the job in an amazing way. My under eye circles have gotten really serious lately, so I am always on the look out for heavy duty concealers that cover up my purple reminders that I don't get nearly enough sleep!
What I'm Interested In:
NYX concealer L.A Girl Concealer
Both of these concealers are supposed to be the real deal when it comes to coverage, and that's what I need. When dealing with long nights studying and early alarms for clinical - a girl needs all the help she can get with those under eye bags. You may say they're designer, but when you have 2 - 3 piled on top of each other like I do - assistance is needed!
Powder:
Powder is a product that I'm a fan of, despite my dry skin. Yes, I can completely get heavy handed and look like a dry, cakey mess - BUT there's something ingrained in me about "setting my foundation for staying power". I genuinely don't know if it actually works - but hey, I still try anyway.
If you have oily skin, I would say that powder is pretty important in your life and you've probably figured out a set system on which ones work for you and which ones don't. What I'm trying out now:
Wet N Wild PowderThis Wet N Wild powder certainly does the trick for setting foundation. It is an inexpensive product that certainly gets the job done. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to set their foundation.
Blush:
Before I complete dove into the world of beauty and makeup, I was terrified of blush. I have naturally rosy cheeks the majority of the time - especially when I'm nervous or flustered [aka: during some clinical moments]. But, now that I've mastered the foundation-concealer application to create an even canvas, I do not have second thoughts about sweeping a light layer of pink on my cheeks to bring life to my face again.What I'm trying now:
Maybelline Blush
I have really enjoyed using this blush because it is very affordable and adds a very natural color to the cheek. I have honestly only have 3 other blushes in my makeup stash, and none of them are from the drug store (1 Sephora brand, 1 Laura Geller mini sample, and 1 MAC blush). This Maybelline Fit Me blushes are very pigmented - especially after their new formula release. I am so interested in trying out the full line of them. Eyeshadow:
Eyeshadow has certainly been my favorite makeup product for the longest time. I am all about that "crease shade, shimmery lid and matte brow-bone highlight" life, and wouldn't change it for the world. Eyeshadow is also the makeup item that I have the most of in my makeup stash. [Trust me, I have a lot of palettes stored away waiting to be played with]I think for a day of clinical keeping an eye shadow look simple, and perhaps even undetectable, is key. Some matte, skin colored eye shadow all over the eyelid can help cover up any discoloration of the area - making you appear more awake and pulled together [the whole goal of taking the time to put on makeup at 5 am anyway]
What I'm trying now:
ELF palette
I am honestly in love with this palette. It is only $10, and the quality of these eye shadows are amazing. I have made so many looks with this palette. ELF has several versions of this style palette {a fully matte eyeshadow palette, along with other mixed finished ones with different color schemes}, and although I have not tried other versions I would confidently recommend any one that catches your eye and personal make-up taste. I know that this palette can create a very clinical appropriate look, and for $10 and drugstore availability, you cannot beat this product.
Highlight/Contour:
I wouldn't say that highlighting and contouring for a 8 - 12 hour clinical day is necessary by any means - but sometimes more is more [as Tati would say]. If you were going to highlight and contour at 5 in the morning my suggestion would be to go subtle and matte. If your face is full of glitter, your patient might notice while your leaning over them listening to heart sounds during your assessments.What I'm trying now:
Wet N Wild Contour Palette
I remember how everyone crazed over this product because it is:
1. SO AFFORDABLE, especially compared to all of the other drugstore contour kits out there -- they are not drugstore prices.
2. It is matte and that is hard to find at the drug store.
A little goes a long way with this powder, and I have not hit pan on my set yet. I absolutely love this product. If you wanna go all out for your patients on a clinical day, I'd recommend this product for your highlight and contour product!
Eyebrows:
I started filling in my eyebrows for about a year and a half and I can honestly say: I'll never go back! For a while, not wanting to commit to an eyebrow pencil I just used matte brown eyeshadow and an eyebrow brush. Now, I drop a few dollars and pick up the ELF eyebrow pencil.What I'm trying now:
Elf Eyebrow Pencil
The ease and convenience of this product make it the perfect fit to swipe through your brow at 5am and throw in your bag for a touch up later. Running the spooley end through my brows after filling them in makes them appear more full and pieced together.
Mascara:
I am personally obsessed with all Maybelline Mascaras. I have tried many other brands, but nothing fans out my lashes quite like a Maybelline mascara does. Another perk is that these mascara's do not flake or transfer on me throughout the day [Things only get sketchy if I take a multi-hour nap.....which I may be known to do on occasion haha]
What I'm trying now:
Maybelline Mascara
This mascara is just like all of the other Maybelline mascaras that I have tried and loved. As mentioned above, all of the Maybelline mascaras that I have tried have been wonderful. They apply very easily, do not transfer off my lower lashes, dries quickly after application and does not create unsightly clumps. I would recommend in a heart beat.
And yes, the first ever mascara I tried when I dabbled in make up for the first time in high school was the iconic "pink tube" mascara.
What I've used before and not liked:
Rimmel MascaraThis mascara was not fun to work with by any means. It was extremely wet and seemed to never want to dry out, even after being opened. It made my lashes clump like no other, and the transfer would be ridiculous. I would extend my lashes and there would be mascara all over the lid. Cleaning it off only made it worse. There were several days in which it totally ruined my makeup day. I would not personally recommend based off of my experiences.
What I'm interested in:
L'Oreal Mascara
I have heard amazing things about this mascara. The most interesting claim being that it is even better than the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara that everyone fell in love with. I even overheard a store employee rave about this product while I was roaming aisles recently. She claimed that she slept in this mascara on purpose to test out the staying power - and when she woke up there was absolutely no transfer. I think that this product would work great up against a 12 hour nursing shift, and cannot wait to pick one up for myself!
Fun Facts About My Beauty LifeStyle:
1. I have dry skin, and it is SO HARD to find a foundation that doesn't accentuate my dry patches.
2. My under eye bags are honestly awful - I need all the concealer this girl can find!
3. I have only bought a few high end makeup items during my beauty journey so far because my budget rules my life in nursing school
4. It is my goal to go completely cruelty free with makeup purchases after using all of the current products that I own
5. My favorite drug store brands are Maybelline, NYX, and ELF [NYX and ELF are cruelty free and very affordable!]
6. I love watching beauty guru's on Youtube so I can find inspiration and try to master my skills! My favorite Youtuber is Casey Holmes!
7. I think that skin care is just as important - if not more - as makeup to keep your skin looking nice and you looking fresh during a clinical day
Thank you so much for reading this incredibly long post, but I hope I was able to give you good advice on drugstore makeup products to try during clinical!
- Michelle
#BSNbabe
I am an Amazon Associate.
No comments:
Post a Comment