My Makeup Must-Haves

To know me is to know that I absolutely LOVE makeup! I wear it every day, although at different levels depending on what I am doing. My gym makeup is understandably very light and understated compared to my date night makeup. Regardless, it is incredibly rare that I leave the house without it. Even if I never leave the house, I still like to wear a little so that I feel more put together, because I am more productive that way. I have tried lots and lots of makeup over the years. If you scroll down to my first post on this page you will see a stitch in time of my makeup collection. I have since used up some of those products and have tested newer ones. There are  many items that have come and go in my vanity, but there are a few that I love and have repurchased several times.
​Makeup is very personal to each of us in terms of what works best on our skin type. So, what works for me may not be best suited for you. In this post I am sharing products that I swear by, listed in categories. I will continue to expand on this in the coming weeks.  Click on the pictures for a direct link to purchase any of these items and give them a try!

Pressed Powders

This powder is perfect. It is so finely milled and goes on so smoothly that it leaves the skin looking airbrushed without being cakey. The only negative is that it only comes in four shades. I use the darkest for contour and the other two as setting powders depending on how fair or tan I am. I have repurchased this several times now because sadly I go through it so quickly! 

On a recent trip to Florida I needed a darker setting powder than I had brought with me because I had gotten a little sun. So during our Target run I decided to try this and I am so glad I did. I ended up buying it in a couple more shades for contour and highlight! This blends so beautifully that I would consider it an affordable dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury. It also comes in a lot more shades so it will work for more skin tones.

This is the only translucent powder I have found to be truly translucent without leaving a white cast. It is perfect for when you want to set your makeup without adding any color. It works on my skin regardless of how fait or tan I am. It is also great for blotting if you are oily. I like using this on my "no makeup makeup" days to set my concealer or to tone downs any "dewy" looking areas after using a setting spray.

​False Lashes​

I wear false lashes almost every day. I love them because of how beautifully they enhance the eye. I am often asked why I don’t get extensions. I tried them for about six months and realized that they are not for me. The amount of time and the cost of the upkeep is not worth it to me when I can easily pop on a pair of false lashes that look fresh every time. I am someone that needs to take off all my makeup and jewelry before going to bed. I found that in being a side sleeper the lash extensions would start to look a little funky after a few days and also start to fall out more on one eye than the other. False lashes I can wear when I want, and if they get to be annoying at the end of the day, I can just take them off. It takes practice to get good at applying them. Check out my Instagram for videos on how to it easily. The two key tips are to make sure the lashes are not too long for your lid (so you may need to trim them from the outer corner) and to make sure the glue is tacky before applying them so the lash band does not slide around. After getting good at applying them, make sure that they are comfortable to wear and the glue is not irritating to the eyes. The following products are the ones I have found to be the most comfortable, flattering, and user friendly.

This lash glue is one I found at Sephora in Paris. I had forgotten mine on that trip so I went to a Sephora near my hotel and asked for their recommendation. I am so psyched the sales woman suggested this one because it is by far my favorite now. It does not irritate my eyes and is immediately tacky so I do not have to wait for it to dry before applying my false lashes. When I started getting low on this, I went to my local Sephora to buy more, but they only carried this which I assumed was the same thing in different packaging. I do not recommend it. After researching, I learned that this particular adhesive is not available in the USA. I am lucky that my one of my girlfriends in France was so sweet to send me some!

After trying a couple of other popular lash adhesive brands, I was pleased to stumble across this one because it is really good! I like that application is a brush, so it is less likely to over apply by accident. It is also tacky and a really dark black. I prefer black lash glue over clear. Since I usually wear black liquid eyeliner, black glue blends in better. This is pretty cost friendly since so little is needed in each application. It comes off easily with a drop of water but tends to stick to my natural lashes a little more than the Huda one.

I always have these lashes in stock in my vanity. They are the most comfortable and flattering ones I have found. They do not need to be trimmed to fit my eye and they do not look too heavy. The crisscross pattern and gradient length give them a more “natural” look that is just enough to enhance any makeup look without being over the top. I like these because they are available in almost any drugstore and they are extremely affordable since they can be reused multiple times if careful about removing the glue. Another great option that is a little harder to find are these.

Eyeshadow Palettes

How many different eyeshadows do any of us use in a given day? How often are we really wearing greens, blues, or fuchsias on our eyes? I have about 10 different eyeshadow palettes and only reach for 2 of them regularly. Of those two palettes, there are only a couple shades I use in each. I tend to stick to light browns, mauves and creams in mattes or shimmer. What I recommend is creating your own palette with single pan shadows that you know you will use. This way, you only have to replenish the colors you use up versus buying a whole new palette. That being said, if I were to only keep 3 of the palettes I own, it would be these.

When it comes to makeup, sometimes less is more. I specifically believe that when it comes to eyeshadow. These small palettes from Sephora are wonderful. I keep the light cool one in my travel makeup bag, but I would recommend the light warm one too. I like that these pallets are palm sized, but offer a lot of options. It provides a large pan of an all over base lid color with just a couple of matte crease shades and highlight/lid shimmers. I’m far more likely to use these light neutral colors day to day than dark browns and blacks offered in most palettes.

Unfortunately the main palette I have been using regularly for years is no longer in production. So, I set out to find something that is similar and currently available. I have been testing this one out for over a month now and I am in love! This is a little larger than the Milani one I planned to feature, but all the colors are very wearable, and it offers a perfect mix of mattes and shimmers. The shades are so soft, and blend out beautifully. None of the colors are too dark, so they are all quite useful for everyday wear. The best part is that it costs less than $20. Dare I say this palette is...perfect?

Photos of this eyeshadow palette do not do it justice. It is one you must see in person, as it is simply stunning. I use this more when I am doing my makeup for special occasions versus everyday. It has the best glitters, shimmers and a unique sequin formula that I could stare at all day. These shadows blend like a dream. This is one I will repurchase, but as always, I wish I could replenish the individual colors that I use more than others.

Brows

​Filling in my brows is a crucial part of my makeup routine, regardless of whether I am doing minimal makeup or full glam. However, brow pencils do not matter that much to me in terms of the brand name. I blow through them so quickly that I see no point in spending a lot of money on them. I usually grab a bunch at the grocery store and don't think I ever pay over $8 because frankly, I don't see enough of a difference between those and the $20+ ones at Sephora. I have tried the "best sellers" from Smashbox, ABH, and Benefit, but I am not impressed. As long as a brow pencil has a fine tip, a spoolie, and is mechanical (so I don't have to use a sharper) it's good enough for me. Color is pretty unimportant to me as well. I will buy any color from dark blonde or taupe to light brown. I don't have a favorite per se, but these are some honorable mentions that I often buy.

Liquid Eyeliner

It is a common joke that you should never question a girl with winged eyeliner why she is late. That is because it can take FOREVER to get both eyes even. It seems like one eye always turns out lovely while the other wing goes in a different direction. Before you know it, you're going back and forth to try and even it out, and in the end, look like Amy Winehouse (RIP). I have been wearing liquid eyeliner probably since I was in middle school, and I have become VERY particular about it. I prefer liquid to pencil or kohl liners because I feel like I have more control, the pigment is more intense, and it is less likely to smudge. These are the ones I can confidently recommend.

This liner has been my staple for years and is my favorite! I love how pigmented and long-wearing it is. What makes it unique is that it has a fine-tipped brush that is quite dense, so it holds the product for a more even application. Most liquid eyeliners have a felt tip, which I have found dry out sooner, and start to fray at the end after a few uses. Both of these issues make it harder to create a nice wing and ruin your line. I feel like I have a lot of control over this because the brush is precise, which makes creating a wing easy.

I heard so many great things about this eyeliner that I had to give it a shot. This liner is a close second for me. I think the application is equally as precise as KVD with its super-fine tip and gel-like formula. However, it took some getting used to holding this liner since it is a larger, triangular shape. It also costs a dollar more than the KVD for the same amount of product. Even though this one has a felt tip, I have not experienced any fraying yet, but I am still working with the first one I bought.

I have been using the KVD liner for so long that thought I should try to find a more budget friendly liquid eyeliner to recommend. I have been testing a bunch of them and found this one! It is great for those looking for a practice liquid eyeliner to perfect drawing wings, or those who just don't care to spend more than $10 on one. Although it is not as pigmented as the KVD, I would consider this a dupe. It has a similar fine tip brush, but although the color is "Pitch Black" it applies like more of a dark grey.

Concealers

Sorry ShapeTape, but you are not my favorite concealer! Although great for spot concealing I do not like it for under my eyes to brighten or conceal. I know it is highly rated and very popular, but I have others I love more. This is not to say I won't continue to use the ones I still have in my vanity, I am just not planning to repurchase ShapeTape once I run out. Here are the ones that I have found to work best for me as I see the effects of age creeping in around my eye area.

After using a sample of this, I was hooked! I cannot believe how little of this is necessary nor the coverage it provides. Unfortunately, this concealer is harder to find these days, but if you can get your hands on your shade, buy it!! When my local Ulta discontinued carrying this brand, I bought everything they had left in stock. Without having an applicator I apply it with my fingers. It can be a little messy, and it does not have the most beautiful smell, but it works, and it is Amazing! 

If you feel like you should love ShapeTape, but don't, try this. It is the best substitute I have found so far. While it claims to be "cakeless" and creaseless, I would not say it is incapable of creasing. It is less drying and heavy looking than ShapeTape. The packaging is super cute, but there is not as much product per container so it will not last as long. I used up my first concealer pretty quickly. I also wish the applicator was a little longer to reach the product still at the bottom.

This concealer is a splurge and comes in only four shades, but my gosh it is wonderful! As a stick, it is easy to apply, and it blends out beautifully. The coverage is medium so, it still looks fairly natural when worn alone. If I had only 5 minutes to put on some makeup before leaving the house, I would apply a little eyebrow pencil, some mascara, and this concealer. As my skin is maturing, I appreciate the "youth-boosting" antioxidants.

Primers

Makeup primer is really just an extension of skincare. As I have said before, not even the best makeup products or application will look good if the skin is not properly cared for first. Therefore I look for ones that have skincare properties in them. 

I recently decided to try this primer after loving the Aglow setting spray so much. My skin is on the drier side but this makes my skin look and feel moisturized and dewy. No more than one pump of this primer is necessary because a little goes a long way. Since is it a priming oil, it needs a couple of minutes to soak into the skin before applying foundation.

I love Tatcha products. Their  cleansing oil and rice powder have been staples on my bathroom vanity for years. Initially, they released the silk canvas only as a solid. It received positive reviews online, but I did not care for it at all. This liquid version, however, is wonderful. As a pump bottle, it is more hygienic and easier to gauge how much to use without going overboard.

I debated including this primer, but I need to since I love it! After hearing YouTubers rave reviews, I wanted to try it out, though I could not justify the cost. It was not until seeing it in an airport Duty-Free shop for half the price that I bought it. Although I love how my makeup applies after using it, this is not my everyday primer, only because it is such a splurge. I reserve using it for special occasions and repurchase it when I can at a discount. ​

Lips

While I enjoy wearing the occasional bold red lip, I mostly stick to more natural colors. Each of these products is fantastic on it's own, but combining them makes for the most beautiful pout that is the perfect finish to any makeup look!

A #1 seller for a reason- it is simply perfect for a natural, everyday makeup look! You can buy the lipstick and lip pencil separately, but I would recommend buying this mini duo initially to try out both products since they enhance each other. This is now my go-to color. I have the full sizes in my vanity and keep the minis in my travel makeup bag.

I initially received this lip & cheek stain as a sample and loved it so much that I bought the full size. Now keep the sample as part of my "car makeup" collection (more on that in a future post). I love its dual purpose and that it contains skincare properties. It is a lovely, moisturizing product that gives just a hint of long-lasting color. Forever Pink is my favorite!

This is my new favorite lip plumper! I discovered this when I won it in a silent auction gift set, and now I'm obsessed. This vegan lip batter is a gloss, balm, and plumper all in one. Without being too sticky has a beautiful shine. It tingles slightly which enhances lips by temporarily plumping them, but not irritating them. I have it in the color Mimi and love it!

Highlighters

For a while, it was very on-trend to have a cheekbone highlight that could blind people. While that can be pretty with certain makeup looks, it is not practical every day. Here are three highlighters with various degrees of shine and price points that I will continue to keep in stock in my vanity.

This is the best drugstore highlighter I have found. The rose gold color is quite pigmented and simply gorgeous. It applies so beautifully to the skin that without seeing the packaging, you would think it is a high-end luxury brand! If you are looking for a gleaming highlight on a budget, this is a hands-down winner. 

I love many products from this brand, but especially the highlighters. I have two different colors that I use regularly depending on how tan or fair I am. Champagne Pop is great for me most of the time and  Moonstone is what I use in the winter months when I am more pale. It is very pigmented so a light application is all you need.

This highlighter is very subtle and therefore perfect for date night or bridal makeup. I like to use it to tone down harsh lines that may come from using an overly pigmented blush or bronzer. The soft finish permits it also to be used as a setting powder for a delicate all over glow. If you do not like a beaming highlight, this is for you.

Finishing Sprays

I believe finishing sprays are crucial to bringing a makeup look together and assuring everything stays in place throughout the day. Of all the ones I have tried over the years, these are the only three I have loved enough to repurchase and recommend to friends.

Not only does this setting spray smell AMAZING, but it leaves my skin looking dewy and (more) natural with a full face of makeup. It applies as a super light mist. Something about it melds my powders and foundation together for a seamless, airbrushed look - especially when I dry it directly after application with my fan. I love using this when I do my makeup for a night out or a special occasion. 

This Morphe setting spray is such a great value in that you get almost 3oz for $16. It lasts a long time and I use it almost every day!  I love that it sprays a continuous light mist so the application is always even and I never end up with weird droplet marks that I have to correct afterward. I will use this in conjunction with other setting sprays, but apply this one first.

This is a newer product for me that I was impressed by immediately. I bought it due to the claim that it keeps makeup from rubbing off on the inside of your face mask. Upon first use, I can attest that there was a significant reduction in the amount makeup transfer onto  my mask after wearing it to run errands. I was surprised that for providing such hold, that it does not feel heavy or sticky at all.