Fossil Fuel Diet

Conserve gas not because there's more of it but because it's a fossil fuel and the method in which it is extracted (fracking) is very bad for the environment.

Here are my observations on some ways to conserve on fossil fuels:

1. Walk more.
2. Opt to take public transit a few times a week - I feel like there should be better incentives for this and in many big cities where people already have cars taking the public transit is just another expense and this very very sad.
3. Park and walk more. I understand that there are places where people aren't near grocery stores as such hey are forced to drive but limiting the time spent in the car is always great.
4. Stay home more.
5. Eat more salads and cold soups because they don't require cooking.
6. Limit the number of lights that you keep on.
7. Wash cold; hang to dry
8. Shave your legs less often because that would mean you'll spend less time in the shower. And, wash your hair less often too.
9. Buy less, toss less.
10. Reuse, recycle, hand it down.
11. Pick up litter around you. It's okay no one will frown upon your neat behavior. Litter less.
12. Exercise to warm up.


Please add if you know of any good ways.

Basics: Setting Powder

Setting powders allow your foundation to stay put and not run off.
In the day time I set my foundation with Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Translucent powder with SPF 30. 

You don't get a combined SPF 15 plus 30; you just get 30 if you wear the Translucent powder on top of the foundation but you can reapply translucent powder, easily dusting it on your skin with a powder brush. This step tends to build up powder on your face and thus making the skin look cake which is a phrase that's referred to too much apparent product on the skin but to me I would rather my skin stay protected throughout the day. With SPF you do get a white cast so it will make your skin look whiter than usual so please note that if you are under certain lighting or taking pictures. If you don't want to use this powder and maybe get a bit more color out of your setting powder you may research and find a foundation type powder (that can be used as a setting powder) with an SFP that  can be use throughout the day.

In the evenings I like to use a setting powder that doesn't normally have an SPF. For that the best drugstore setting powder that I've enjoyed are the Sonia Kashuk setting powders (both the loose and illuminating one are great and very comparable to high end ones).

Basics: Foundation

After applying a primer I have chosen one foundation which I think is a good value and is pretty close to my skin tone (albeit a bit dark, but since most foundations oxidize on me I've learned to live with it). The foundation that I like that is light to medium coverage is the Elf Flawless Finish Foundation and my tone is Sand:

Makeup: Primer

I've always had hormonal acne. It flairs up around that time of the womanly month for me and it will clear up with time and sometimes it gets bad and sometimes it's more forgiving. I haven't always worn makeup. Before my 30s I would use just a light layer of concealer for spots and then some blush and that would be it.

Lately, I've been using more makeup. I went on a long and exhausting search for a foundation and had to consider a list of things. Is my skin oily, dry, combination? Do I need medium coverage or full? Do I want matte or dewy? Oh and the list went on.  I will say that one foundation doesn't fit all. And, my skin changed from month to month. My skin produced more or less oils from month to month. It became a roller coaster so I had to be patient.

Like I've written before. Your skin will age and the sun damage that you exposed it to in your young years will begin to show up on your skin. What will happen is that your skin will have spots, discoloration, patchy areas of light and dark, scars. You should use sunscreen on your face and remember to reapply every two hours. You should use sunscreen even indoors because indoor artificial lighting will expose your skin to ultraviolet rays.

That being said I do like the idea of now having a foundation that has UV protection and a setting powder with UV protection.  

If you have oily skin you probably have larger pores than usual.  Applying a primer first will help to fill them in and make your foundation last longer. 

Matte primers that I like are the Rimmel Lasting finish primer:

I've heard that the Hard Candy Sheer envy primer is a great product:

Some days I like an illuminating primer.

My favorite are the L'oreal Magic Lumi primer:

And, I really enjoy the NYC Smooth Skin primer: