Basic Make-up for a Mom-on-the-go & Mall Haul!

My friend S is a busy mom with a toddler & a kindergartener – she doesn’t have much time for make-up. However, I recently did her make-up for her birthday dinner – and she loved the compliments she received that night. She asked me to create a basic make-up kit for her – so that she could look her best with minimal time and effort. We spent this morning at the mall – and here’s what we purchased for her:

Gorgeous & Glowing in 3 easy steps:

Step 1 – The base. Use a moisturizing eye cream (Kiehls Avocado Eye Treatment), then pat MAC Studio Finish concealer under the eyes and on any dark areas. Buff NARS Sheer Glow foundation all over using Sephora Pro Airbrush. This NARS foundation provides such a luminous yet natural looking finish to your skin.

Step 2 – The eyes. Apply MAC Brule all over your lids. Press some matte liquid liner over your lash line (I love MAC gel eyeliner – but Wet n Wild liner is easier to use).  Curl lashes with a Shu Uemura curler and apply Falsies mascara.

Step 3 – Cheeks & Lips. Apply MAC Gingerly Blush with a MAC 129 brush. Finish your look with a layer of Revlon Coral Reef on your lips.

She loves having a basic kit and a simple make-up formula to follow…it makes her life so much easier!

I tend to stick to formulas too – especially when it comes to outfits – most of my recent outfits seem to consist of H&M tops, Garage jeans & Old Navy boots! Oh well, it seems to work!

H&M tops, Garage jeans & Old Navy boots!

I get a lot of questions about my Old Navy boots – I bought them last year in cognac & black (see this year’s version here) – I waited for a promo and ended up getting them both for around $30 each! They have waded through rain and snow – and are still going strong.  I was excited to see the sleek cognac boot they came out with this year – and didn’t hesitate to order them with a 25% off code (ONMAPLE25 in Canada – code expires today). Hope I get as much wear out of them as I have with my current 2 pairs.

Old Navy Faux Leather Wedge Boots

 After our make-up shopping was finished, my friend and I went to H&M.  I was able to find some GREAT accessories  – these flower pins have both clips and pins, so they can be worn in the hair or pinned on clothes. I picked up a large selection – some are for me and the rest are for my daughter. I also found an adorable faux-fur collar and a hair sponge to use for sock-buns!

H&M flower pins/clips, fur collar & bun sponge

Do you have a clothing or make-up formula that you stick to?

p.s. Don’t forget to enter here to win $50 of Perfectly Posh products!

21 Comments

  1. Beautygirl24
    November 7, 2012 / 10:36 pm

    I love the basic kit you created for her! These are all beautiful staples that anyone could use and benefit from! I've read so many great things about sheer glow. I'm tempted to either try that one, or mufe hd foundation. What do you recommend? My outfit formula is the same as yours Ella! Except I wear flats instead of boots because its much hotter here. I post most of my outfits from the weekend, when I can play a little more 😉

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 8, 2012 / 2:14 am

      Funny that you asked about the NARS sheer glow and the MUFE! I was supposed to take another mom-friend out make-up shopping but had a hard time coordinating schedules. She ended up with the MUFE foundation – it matched her skin tone perfectly but it looked a little dry and powdery…while the Sheer Glow just looks indescribably luminous. I would definitely try samples of both – but from what I've seen, Sheer Glow is just so flattering – I'm thinking of trying it too once my acne scars fade.

  2. Schnelle
    November 7, 2012 / 11:14 pm

    It'a all about having a routine that works, that's for sure. I love your outfits and that Coach bag is gorgeous. You found some great accessories today too:)

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 8, 2012 / 2:15 am

      Thanks – I was super excited with all my H&M accessories – especially the flower pins, I've been looking for those for ages!

  3. Lindy May
    November 8, 2012 / 12:53 am

    You are such a good friend! I love the kit you created. 🙂

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 8, 2012 / 2:16 am

      Thanks sweetie – I don't know who had more fun LOL – my friend loved being guided towards the right products – and I loved having a clean slate to start from 🙂

  4. Four Seasons Style
    November 8, 2012 / 4:31 am

    Love the kit you created. Great idea and how sweet of you to do for your friend! I have been thinking of trying the NARS foundation and recently heard about the Sheer Glow. Currently my make-up consists of Benefit, Urban Decay and MAC so I just wasn't sure about NARS. After reading your blog I think I will go ahead and give it a shot. I am a super busy mom, too, so if it works for your friend it should work for me ;)Thanks!XOJessy (fourseasonsstyle.blogspot.com)

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 9, 2012 / 12:43 am

      Glad you liked the post – let me know how the NARS works out for you…I'm so tempted to get a bottle for myself too 🙂

  5. alison*elle
    November 8, 2012 / 5:35 pm

    Those Old Navy boots look a lot like the Loeffler Randall ones I've been coveting except much much cheaper. You'll have to let us know what the quality is like! xo, alison*elle

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 9, 2012 / 12:45 am

      Will definitely let you know what it's like – I'll have to google the Loeffler Randall ones – you always pick the best bags and shoes!

  6. MaysaAndSunshine
    November 9, 2012 / 4:59 pm

    Wish i lived next door to you because i also need a simple makeup routine. I am also a mom to a young child and barely have time in the mornings. Getting to work on time is a top priority, so sad. No time for makeup except slapping on some sunscreen/baby powder/eyebrow.Thise accessories are lovely finds. Your outfits are cute too. Happiness | Love | Possibilities | Sunshine

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 10, 2012 / 6:15 am

      What a sweet comment 🙂 Simplicity is definitely key when we're short on time! If you want product suggestions – I would recommend a BB cream (moisturizer/sunscreen/foundation in one!) and a cream blush (either Maybelline bouncy blush or Covergirl ageless blush in lush berry) – the BB cream would be as easy to apply as a moisturizer, while you could pat on a bit of the cream blush on the apples of your cheek for a pretty glow.

  7. Elaine A (TOBeautyReviews)
    November 9, 2012 / 6:42 pm

    Oh that kit is so great! I really should pair down my routine LOL! Can't help it though, I'm a product junkie! Those boots look great!

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 10, 2012 / 6:16 am

      It is fun to create a simple make-up kit from scratch – but I've always loved having many options – especially for blush & lip products!

  8. Anonymous
    November 10, 2012 / 12:54 pm

    What a great friend you are Ella 🙂 I love MAC's 129 brush, prefect for blush as well as powder so 2-in-1! I need to try the Kiehls eye cream, esp since it contains avocado!

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 10, 2012 / 10:33 pm

      I love the Kiehls eye cream – it really keeps your eye area moist for a long time – so important for preventing lines I think 🙂

  9. Jennifer from Spiced Beauty
    November 10, 2012 / 11:43 pm

    I love your style!

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 12, 2012 / 3:38 am

      Thanks Jenn 🙂

  10. Hannah L
    November 15, 2012 / 4:30 am

    I love love this post and the makeup kit you've put together for her. It looks like an amazing natural look. That pair of old navy boots are such a good buy as well. Hoping they still have them in stock!http://somedayhannah.blogspot.com

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      November 15, 2012 / 3:12 pm

      Thanks Hannah – I received the Old Navy boots and will be reviewing them on here soon 🙂

  11. Mehreen
    November 21, 2012 / 1:53 pm

    you always look so polished. i hope to look so put together when taking my kiddies to school. I usually look like a hot mess when taking DD to daycare lol!

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