Youthful Makeup. How to Look Like You Have a Dorian Gray Painting at Home (Thank You Benefit!)

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I'm going to be 40 in February. 
40!!!!!
I'm a little stressed out about it, but not too bad.  I seem to be holding up fairly well as far as my skin and appearance goes.  I may feel like an old bag, but I don't look it!
I'm going to share my makeup secrets here today.  Some of them, anyways!
A girl needs some secrets!
I decided to pull my hair back for the pic's so we aren't overwhelmed by the giant shock of fire-red hair!
Skin prep is the best thing for looking healthy.  A good primer, as I always say, will make all the difference in the world.  I had a friend give me a bunch of goodies from Benefit, and "The Porefessional" primer was among them.  This is a killer primer!  Great smoothness and texture!
Next, find a foundation that leaves the skin looking plump and healthy.  Doesn't have to be full coverage, as long as you have a nice canvas.
Concealer is your BFF!  The formula of the concealer is really important.  A nice creamy consistency for the eye area, and some redness is perfect.  I also use a creamy one for acne too.  Spot treatments can be drying, so a little extra emollient is ok!  Benefit's "Fake Up" is fantastic!  It covers like a dream, and wears comfortably.
I'm a big believer in setting powder.  Makeup wears so much better with a light dusting, light being the key word here!  The right powder will diffuse fine lines and dark spots.  Make sure it's a translucent, or brightening powder.  Mineral powders can have a nice luminosity to them too.  I'm in love with Benefit's Box O' Powder in Dandelion these days!  Its a gorge pink that gives a subtle glow!  You'll love it!

A full, well maintained eyebrow is also mandatory for a youthful look.  Make sure its shaped well, while keeping a natural appearance, and not too dark.  As we age, brows lose fullness, so we want to make the best of what we have.  Benefit's Brow-Zing is the perfect brow definer!  A wax and a powder give great colour and hold.
Did I mention mascara? Because lots and lots is good!  Non-smudging of course!
I can not emphasize the importance of blush and hilighter enough.  A good hilighter will light up the eyes and diffuse darkness when placed on top of the cheekbones.  A bright blush placed high on the cheeks suggests young, healthy skin.  a softly sculpted cheek is the best trick in the world!  I like a hot pink like Tarte Amazonian Clay in Amused.  It doesn't go on dry like most powders.

As for lip colours, go for something rosey, or berry tinted.  Don't forget the SPF!  I'm wearing Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose, which is the perfect amount of colour to liven things up on the face!
All that being said, the real secret to looking youthful is prevention!  SPF and eyecream from the age of 18 is the best thing any of us can do for our skin.  Remember it's never too late!  And Sephora sells Benefit!
What tricks do you use to look healthy everyday?

Donna Xoxo

Summer Suncare Secrets! (Shoot me now, I sound like Courtney Stodden)

Happy Weekend! I don't know about your neck of the woods, but where I am is scorching! We had temperatures of 40ish when humidity is factored in,for two days running, and the rest of the time has been 25-30, which is like mercy compared to the alternative. Don't get me wrong, I'm not really complaining. I'll take this any day and twice on Sunday over rain or the "s" word! (and I don't mean sex or snuggles!)
Here's something you don't know about me. I'm a pale baby! I start summer a shade of light blue! I have stumbled onto a few secret weapons that I swear by, and when I brought them out with me today I thought I should share with the class!
The best facial sunscreen I have ever used is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water-Light in SPF 60. This little bottle of wonderful is so comfortable to wear! It has a really fluid texture which goes on like a dream, and feels great even under makeup. I loathe the feeling of a thick sunscreen on my face on its own, let alone layered. I'd rather jab my eye out than wear an extra layer on my face in this heat, but, we have to do what we have to do and this makes life so much easier!
My new lip savior is the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF15 in "Rose". This spectacular balm has the creamiest, smoothest texture. (Can you tell I have a texture fetish?). It leaves the prettiest pink shade on the lips, while the SPF is perfect for summer days. It may not be enough for hanging by the beach, or the pool, but, for a drink on a patio it's perfect!
As for the other summer staple pictured, I have been sucked into Game of Thrones hook, line, and sinker! Show, books, it makes no difference!
Ahhh! I do love me some chill time!
I'd love to hear any summer must-haves you keep hidden!

Donna xoxo