25th November 2013

Nerds are Pretty Too

I’ve always really really loved makeup. In 7th grade, I started saving up my allowance to raid the Jane cosmetics section at Target. In 8th grade, I bought my first non-drugstore makeup in a Korean mall in Los Angeles. Today, Sephora and LUSH are my favorite brick-and-mortar stores (really, one of the few reasons I ever drag myself to a shopping center any more).

So, the theme of today is “Pretty Nerds are Nerds Too.” I’m friends with tons of lady nerds. Some of them never wear makeup. Some of them look like they fell off the cover of a magazine. They’ve all been judged for it, no matter what side they’re on, which is sucky.

But, I say, embrace your beauty. Wear makeup if it makes you feel pretty. Don’t if it doesn’t (so I’ve included some skin/spa-type products for those who don’t wear makeup).

And without further ado, here is the first-annual Nerds Are Pretty Too, Best of Beauty list (just in time for the holidays):

Things We Discovered and Fell in Love with in 2013:

Benefit Stay Don’t Stray

This is probably the most amazing primer I’ve ever used (and it doubles as a concealer) — and I’ve pretty much used them all over the years. If you aren’t using a primer under your eye shadow, you’re pretty much throwing your makeup away by having to re-apply throughout the day. This is thick enough for blemishes and really helps even out your eye tone — and of course holds your eye makeup forever and ever.

Lush Karma Kream

Is this what heaven smells like? I certainly hope so. Pretty much everything at the Lush store smells amazing. This moisturizer is so thick and creamy and it smells absolutely amazing. After spending most of my life avoiding skin-irritating scented products, Lush holds an extra appeal to me, because their ingredients are all natural. Karma is one of their signature scents and this stuff is absolutely worth every penny.

Aveda Blue Oil

Living down the street from an Aveda Institute has it’s benefits, one of which being easy access to discount-priced facials. Blue Oil is the last step in their services, and the mix of peppermint and camomile is incredible: both refreshing and calming at once. I keep this in my bag at work and bust it out when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Minis at Sephora

Nice makeup is expensive, I’ll give you that. But the worst is shelling out for a product that either 1) you aren’t crazy about or 2) comes in a size that you will never use up before it’s expiration date. Sephora has tons and tons of miniature products and kits, which I think is a great way to try new things and add colors and options without breaking the bank. Two sets I picked up this year are Too Faced’s Tan Without The Twinkle (perfect matte bronzer), and Benefit’s Gettin’ Cheeky (minis of three of their cheek stains).

Lush Tea Tree Water

Another pick with some aromatherapy attributes. This is great when I want to kind of balance my skin out (I have a lot of oil and dry spots, often caused by the prescriptions I used to manage my acne). It adds a little moisture back to my skin without slathering on a cream and it smells amazing. I usually use it at night, so the scent kind of helps me to fall asleep. It’s also great to help you cool down or to use at 10,000 feet to combat the deadened airplane air and perk your skin up.

Clarisonic Mia

This is a bit of a splurge, but it makes a really nice gift (I tell you this truthfully, having received it as a gift last Christmas). It’s like giving someone the ability to have a facial any time he or she wants. There are also interchangeable brush heads for different skin concerns (deep pore, acne-prone, aging, etc). I’ve found they are often much cheaper to purchase replacement heads on Amazon.

Urban Decay Naked2 Palette

Lots of the eye palettes I buy are limited edition, one-off products (which is how I came to own a gorgeous set of Tarte shadows that were packaged to match a “True Blood” theme). But Naked and Naked2 (and, rumor has it, soon to be Naked3) are signature products from Urban Decay. This is the kind of palette that looks gorgeous on anyone and you can build out simple day looks, elegantly professional eyes for work and a fancier, more dramatic look for going out. Naked2 also has a simple, slim case, which makes it awesome to travel with.

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Curviest Caramel

This is the perfect nude lip color! This line (Intense) is, as you would imagine, slightly more pigmented than the original Chubby Stucks, which went on more like a colored balm. This is a gloss/lip color cross, but goes on smoothly and actually is quite moisturizing. I’m in love with this color and would have one of these in every purse, jacket pocket and desk if I could.

Honorable mentions: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream, NARS The Multiple in Orgasm, Smashbox Master Class Palette, and Lush’s Cupcake Fresh Face Mask.

Tell us about your best beauty discoveries of 2013 AND let’s talk more where you believe beauty products and nerdiness intersect.

Recipe by Emma Carew Grovum. She is a data journalist working at the Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. She previously worked as the Digital Editor for The Cooking Club of America and blogs at kitchendreamer.blogspot.com Emma loves Star Wars, pandas and all things Joss Whedon. Find her on twitter at @emmacarew.

Being Geek Chic

25th November 2013

Nerds are Pretty Too

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Being Geek Chic

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25th November 2013

Nerds are Pretty Too

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