We’re going to start off with my current skin care. Skincare is something that changes quite a bit for me. Right now I’m testing the new stuff from NARS.
I don’t use a ton of skin care, and there is probably more I could and should incorporate into my daily routine. For right now, every day, I’m using NARSskin Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturizer ($58) and Total Replenishing Eye Cream ($55) as well as DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Medicated Acne Control Serum ($45) on my chin and jaw areas. I also use Murad Clarifying Cleanser ($26), the Clarisonic Mia2 ($149), Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil ($42) and MAC Gently Off Eye and Lip Makeup Remover ($20). This brings my skincare total to $395.00.
As for face makeup I currently start off (and finish) with Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finish ($19). Next I apply concealer where I need it. For this I use Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer in Medium ($95). For foundation 9 times out of 10 I reach for 3LAB Perfect BB Cream in shade #02 ($95) because it has excellent coverage. As for my powder I have a tried and true HG that I’ve used since I was a teenager! Lancome Dual Finish Powder ($36.50 ) shade varies based on the time of year. For my cheeks I love to use Le Metier de Beaute Blush Kaleidoscope ($95) and Chanel Lucky Stripes ($95) to highlight. This brings my face total to $435.50.
Moving on to eye makeup I have been starting off with Make Up For Ever Eye Prime ($22). For eye makeup, on this particular look (because obviously it varies every day), I started off using Giorgio Armani 20 Obsidian Black Seaweed Eyes to Kill Eye Shadow ($32) in conjunction with the Le Metier de Beaute Penelope Eye Kaleidoscope ($95) and the LMdB True Colour Eye Shadow in Naked to highlight ($30). For a liner, the one I always use with Penelope is Chanel Black Jade Le Crayon Kohl ($28). The mascara I’ve been reaching for non-stop lately is the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill ($30). For the eyebrows I start off with the Dior DiorShow Brow Styler ($36) and then go over that with the Anastasia Beauty Express for Brows and Eyes in Brunette ($39.50) and top it off with Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel ($21). This brings my eye total to $333.50.
For the lips I like to line with MAC Subculture Lip Pencil ($15). For lipstick, for this look, I will use Tom Ford Sable Smoke ($48) and for lip gloss Le Metier de Beaute Two Lips Lip Creme ($36). This brings my lip total to $99.00.
For tools, I use Tweezerman Tweezers ($22), Le Metier de Beaute Eye Lash Curler ($18), and for brushes the MAC 168 ($35), MAC 239 ($25), MAC 219 ($25), MAC 226 ($24.50), and MAC 272 ($21.50). The tools total is $171.00.
This brings my grand total to $1434.00 (with tax it’s $1534.38), and here is the end result:
It’s important that I note that a lot of these items were received as press samples (all are marked as such on their individual links). And, obviously, you come to learn over time what works for you and what doesn’t. The 3LAB BB Cream, for example, IS expensive and was a press sample, but I will be buying it when I run out because it’s AMAZE. Nothing works as well as that stuff does (for me).
Was mine the highest? NO. But you’ll have to scroll through the other submissions to see which one was 
Okay. Take a deep breath. To stave off panic attacks quickly go here and see my $20 face. It’ll help.
Check out the links below to see the beautiful bloggers that participated in this installment of Makeup Wars! What will we think of next?!
