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Dipping my toe into the beauty space is something I’ve been looking to do since I first launched my blog. Although I’m not a professional by any means, I do have a wealth of information fit for the everyday girl/guy that wants to look put together. Within this post, I’ve highlight my holy grail products I use on a regular basis, how I use, and why I love them. I have a good mix of drugstore and luxury items, all of which I highly recommend.
This is dedicated to anyone who has ever asked me or wondered what foundation, blush, mascara, [fill in the blank] I use. I truly hope you enjoy!!
Products linked in the carousel below – click the arrow to see the full gallery. Scroll down to find real life pictures, full product names, shades I use, products details, and how I apply.
Prep: Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer, Smashbox Primer Water, No Poreblem Primer
To prep the skin for makeup, I first spritz my entire face and neck with the SmashBox Primer Water. It smells heavenly and really hydrates my skin. Then I apply the Laura Mercier to my cheeks – where I get dry during the winter. Finally, I apply No Poreblem Primer to my t-zone to create a smooth canvas for foundation. Yes, I have three primers. And yes, I am extra.
Foundation: Maybelline Better Skin Foundation (Classic Ivory), Sonia Kashuk Soft Focus Satin Matte Foundation (Buff)
I mix these two foundation depending on how dark my self-tan is that day. I like the mixture because the Maybelline foundation makes my skin look healthy and natural(ish), while the Sonia Kashuk foundation keeps me matte and smooth ALL DAY. I mix them together and apply with a beauty sponge. Winning combo, highly recommend! Plus they’re both from the drugstore!!
Conceal: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (Light-Medium), Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (Light)
I use Tarte Shape Tape to conceal truly tragic under eye circles. Be careful, you only need a tiny bit! My Fit Me concealer is to brighten and conceal less noticeable imperfections. This prevents me from looking a cake-y mess. I’m obsessed with both and need to use them both almost everyday. Again, I use my beauty sponge to blend concealer.
Set: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder (Light), Maybelline Better Skin Powder (30-Classic Nude)
I use this loose powder to set my entire face and it’s incredible, plus affordable. In love! Then I even out my skin with a very light layer of pressed powder to finish the base. Now onto the fun stuff, bronzer 🙂
Bronze: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer (shade Bronzer lol), Wet n Wild Contour Sticks (Call Me Maple, Where’s Walnut?)
I’m mildly obsessed with being tan. It’s my strong opinion that I am way cuter when I’m BRONZE. Stay tuned for a self-tan routine soon 😉 Anyways these two products are my favorite bronzing products. When I’m in the mood for a more intense bronze, I’ll use the contour stick with my beauty sponge after I conceal, under my loose powder. These Wet n Wild ones are so creamy and blendable; perfect for beginners. As for powder bronzing, the GOAT at the drugstore is the Phsycians Formula Butter Bronzer. It smells like a tropical vacation and builds up to look like a natural tan glow. I apply my bronzer with a fluffy natural hair brush.
Highlight: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder ( Luminous Light), Essence Pure Nude Highlighter
Once I’m done with my base, I feel like I lose the natural glow to my skin. That’s where highlight comes in. My Hourglass powder is designed to reflect light in a natural way. Although it’s hella expensive, I’ve had mine for a year and barely made a dent. Highly recommend! This Luminous Light shade is flattering on fair to medium skin tones. This Essence highlight is a recent purchase and I’m obsessed. It makes my cheeks look glassy more so than sparkly, which I love. Both highlighters require a smaller natural haired brush to keep the product concentrated.
Blush: Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio (Peachy Love), Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush (Mellow Wine)
I’ve never been that into blush, especially shades of pink blush. For the longest time, I just didn’t think any blush suited me. After awhile, I convinced myself to branch out and try it again and I instantly found these beauties. Both of these products lean towards the peachy/warm tones, which are so yummy! When using the ABH one I dunk a synthetic haired brush in all three and then pop on the cheeks. It’s great because you have three blushes in one and can tailor the color depending on your lip or eye look. On to the next, this Wet n Wild blush is such a warm and rich shade. The formula is a winner too, especially considering it’s under $5.
Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (Medium Brown), Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo (Dark Brown), Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel
I rarely leave my house without my brows filled in at all. It’s one of the things that makes the biggest difference to me. It frames my face and makes my eyes pop. I love this ABH pencil. It’s an ashy brown to match my hair (I can’t do red tones no no no) and is small enough to make strokes that look like actual brow hairs. It comes with a spooly on one end to help blend the product. After I’ve applied the pencil I take the matching ashy brow powder to fill in the gaps and set the cream. ABH knows brows. I also use her clear brow gel after the powder to keep those babies in place.
Eyes: Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette
These eyeshadows are freaking unbelievable. They blend like a dream, have incredible pigment, and amazing shade range. The warm tones make my heart happy. I love that it have transitions, pops of color, deep shadows, and shimmers. You can create so many different looks with this one! Bonus that I got it on sale at Ulta which is like unheard of. Lastly, can we talk about the packaging – it’s lavender velvet and I’m here for it.
Liner/Lashes: Ciate London Liquid Liner, L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara, Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara
Let’s start with the liner. I really love felt tip liquid liners because of how easy they are to apply. This Ciate London one is matte and doesn’t fade. Onto mascara. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with great eyelashes so I depend on mascaras to help me out! I like the combination of L’Oreal and Trish McEvoy because one provides volume and the other length. Lash Paradise plumps my lashes and holds a curl, while the Trish mascara lengthens via tubing technology. I love both together!
Lips: Sephora Collection Gel Lip Liner (Creme de la Creme), Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Lipstick (Give Me Mocha), Jouer Long-Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick (Buff)
I’m a HUGE fan of a nude lip. To be honest, it’s all I wear anymore. I cringe at pink lipstick, like I can’t do it guys. This lip pencil is the perfect peachy nude that amps up my natural lip color and matches most lipsticks I own. From there, my favorite lipstick combo at the moment is the Wet n Wild with Jouer. They both have moisturizing formulas that don’t dry my lips out, plus they have staying power. Not to mention the colors are my warm tone dream.
I hope you enjoyed a guide to my go-to makeup looks with all of my holy grail products! More beauty posts to come soon, stay tuned!!
Signing off – ETC
