Facing the Christmas Card with CoverGirl’s Simply Ageless

The Christmas Card… I know I’m not the only mom who kind of dreads taking the pictures for this every year. I have 2 little girls, and they are adorable, but me? Not so much always. Sure, I have a beauty blog, but that kind of increases the expectations, doesn’t it? Instead, I’m a normal woman with undereye bags and circles, and sometimes my complexion is less than glowy. That’s especially true if I’ve been on call recently for work or my girls have been waking me up in the middle of the night. So, I’m understandably a bit nervous about taking pictures that I’ll send out to everyone I know! I thought this was a great look to tackle a collaboration with COVERGIRL + Olay featuring their Simply Ageless line.

This year, I’ve decided to go for a classic makeup look, it is one that would work for my Christmas Cards, going out for dinner or any formal occasion that you need to look great! For this, I want a neutral, glowy look but not shimmery skin – neutral eyeshadow that put the focus on my eyes and not my makeup, and, most importantly, pretty lips..

To get this look I used:
• COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation Primer
• COVERGIRL Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation
• COVERGIRL + Olay The De-Puffer
• COVERGIRL Tru Blend Bronzer
• COVERGIRL Tru Blend Blush in 100 Light Rose
• COVERGIRL Eye Shadow in 700 Go for the Golds
• COVERGIRL Tru Naked Waterproof Eyeliner Duo in Cashmere/Espresso
• COVERGIRL Lashblast Volume Mascara
• COVERGIRL Outlast Longwear + Moisture in 900 Phantom Pink

For this look, I started out with a freshly washed face. I apply the Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation Primer all over my face, very similar to a lotion. It’s white, but looks transparent on my skin. It sinks into my skin completely, and I can’t even tell that it’s there! The formula contains a lot of anti-aging ingredients such as anti-oxidants that will help my skin in the long term. But my favorite part of the formula is that it is very hydrating, which creates a canvas for an ageless finish and helps my foundation look much smoother when I apply it.

Next I used the Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation. This foundation looks swirled in the bottle, but is a solid foundation color when you pump it out. It also has a very hydrating feel, and is a medium to full coverage. I typically apply it with my fingertips all over my face and then use a kabuki style foundation brush to buff it out. It is more moisturizing that other foundations that I’ve used, so it is perfect if you have drier skin!

Next I use the concealer under my eyes to help cover up the little bit of residual under eye circles that you can still see. I love that this concealer has depuffing ingredients to help make my eyes (bonus: the unique cooling tip feels so refreshing) look immediately more awake as well! I apply it in a triangle under my eyes and then use my kabuki brush again to blend it out. This triangle shape blends into my skin better than a half moon, so I always apply my concealer this way.

Next it’s time to apply my eye shadows! I start with the lightest color in the Go for the Golds quad, which I apply all over my lid up and onto the brow bone. I then take the 2nd color, a pretty bronze-gold shade, and this goes over the light color, up to my crease over my entire mobile lid. I finish shadows with the 3rd color, I apply this with a slightly looser brush just to my crease and a little to my outer corner.

Once the shadow is on, I apply liner to my upper lash line. Because I was up a lot the night before this makeup tutorial, I had some pretty dark circles. I always avoid lining my lower lash line on those days, instead opting to add some emphasis with just mascara alone. When applying liner, I draw it at the very base of my lashes, and then I will go over the liner with a smudge brush.

I used LashBlast Volume Mascara on both my upper and lower lash lines, being sure to really apply to every single lash! I love how it makes my lashes look very full.

Once my eyes are done, it’s time to add some glow to my face! I start with the bronzer, which is a pretty light color (perfect for my pale skin) with a bit of shimmer. I apply it underneath my cheekbone, and then along the sides of my face.

For blush, I apply first to the apple of my cheek, and then I lightly sweep back toward my hair line.

I finish up with lipstick! I am opting to use a more subtle pink, though a dark red would also be beautiful for holiday pictures. I’ve found that since my lips are thin, I prefer to call attention to my eyes for such formal photographs.

I love my completed look! It is approachable and pretty, but more polished than an every day “normal” look for me. Despite getting a lot of phone calls the night before, I look awake and my skin looks great!

COVERGIRL + Olay Simply Ageless
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This post has been sponsored by COVERGIRL. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.