My love affair with makeup ultimately began in 8thgrade. Unfortunately at that time, there were no internet beauty blogs or you tube tutorials so I had to rely on makeup tips from Seventeen magazine or my local Clinique counter. As a redhead, they really didn't know what to do with me. It was a mix of too dark eyeshadows (because EVERYONE can rock a dark smoky eye, they told me) or just not enough color at all so that I looked like I was part albino. Not pleasant.My epiphany came in college when I moved to Saint Louis and discovered the Mac cosmetics counter. They showed me that redheads can wear darker eye, it just has to be the right color. My new spa showed me that a good brow wax and lash tint made all the difference in the world. And it just got better from there. Now I don't claim to be an expert. In fact, I'm ridiculously far from it. For me, it's got to be easy and fast. I'm the kind of girl that spends time on eye makeup only to realize they don't match and has to start over. I also have to be up around 5am every morning to go to work and putting makeup on that early, when my eyes are still blurry, is iffy at best. Nothing good happens that early. Recently I've had two redhead patients comment on my makeup and one even asked if I "did it myself". That sent me into fits of laughter (I may have snorted) mostly because any day that I don't look like a hooker or corpse (both of which have happened on occasion) is a good day.But it made me think that maybe some other redheads are looking for new products that complement our pinky-freckled-sensitive skin. So I've compiled a list of my favorite and easy to use (read: Jen-really-can't-mess-it-up) makeup products.Starter:I received this Supergoop CC cream in my Birchbox and fell in love. Some reviews said it was too orange on their skin but I didn't have that problem. It covers enough of my splotchy pink skin to even it out without completely covering my freckles. It also has SPF which is a must for any product I use. Before that I was using the Dr Jart Water Fuse BB cream. While I liked it, it is very sheer like any other BB cream. Now I mostly use that one on the weekends. Bronzer:The first time someone suggested I use a bronzer, I laughed. I was already pink enough. I had no desire to now be orange. The oompa loompa look wasn't really my thing. But then I started to read about highlight and contouring and how adaptable it is. So I figured I'd give it a shot but would probably end up returning any product I bought. The trick is to find the right shade of bronzer. For me, I love the Benefit Hoola. It's light brown and matte. The last thing I wanted to do is look like some cougar on vacation with tons of sparkly shimmery bronzer on. You can find tons of tutorials on how to apply it but all I do is use a big fluffy brush to apply in a 3 shape around each side of my face. I start under my cheekbones, go up around the temples and then down under my jaw. Then it's all about blending. Blend blend blend. Then blend some more. Blush:Blush is such a relative thing and I don't think it's hard to find one for redheads. Currently I use the Balm Hot Mama (also a Birchbox sample). It's awesome goldy-pink with a bit of shimmer. I am also a recent convert to gel blush. I love the Tarte cheek stain in True Love. Eye Shadow:You guys, I cannot gush enough about the Urban Decay Naked 2palette. It's pricey, yes but I wear every single color in that thing and it is almost like it was made for girls with fair skin. I really don't do a dark smoky eye but more of a dark bronze/brown smoky eye so this is perfect. Love love love and a must have. Mascara:First thing, I tint my lashes. Well, actually, a really awesome girl named Liz does. I get them done about every eight weeks or so and it makes such a huge difference. If you have strawberry blonde lashes like myself, I highly recommend it. My every day mascara is ModelCo Fibre Lashxtend LengtheningMascara. Another Birchbox sample and I bought it as soon as that one ran out. This stuff does a great job of getting every single lash and giving me long non-clumpy lashes. It's not super heavy or obvious, which is perfect for work.My going out mascara is Benefit's They're Real mascara. This one requires a bit of combing but wow! Total va-va-voom lashes! Brows:Trying to find a brow pencil for strawberry blonde brows is a tough challenge. I went to Ulta and found this Napoleon Perdis eyebrow pencilin Pale Rider and it's perfect. It's got a touch of auburn in it so it's not just a pale brown. I don't need a lot of filling in but just some definition and this worked like a charm. Well that's about it. All of the above products are in my daily makeup bag and get used unless I'm up at 4:30am because let's be honest, nothing good happens at 4:30am. Those days it's just about bare necessities. I love reading beauty blogs, especially ones with tutorials and videos. Here are my favorites:Maskcara Cara is my all time favorite beauty blogger. She's got great videos and tips and has also just released her own brand of makeup! I just got it in the mail so I'm excited to start trying it out. She's also what I call the Queen of highlight and contouring so make sure you check those posts out.The Small Things Blog Kate is another one of my favorites. Her makeup tips are awesome but I love her hair videos. Temptalia This is my go to place for reviews and swatches. She always posts comparisons and similar products that are better as well. Well there are my ginger approved makeup picks. Like I said they're all easy and mostly foolproof. Because let's face it, there are 13 year olds who are better at makeup than I am so this has got to be easy if I can do it. Hope you guys have a great weekend!
