So I have a makeup obsession. To put it lightly. Haha. I love trying new things, but this post is a list of the makeup I use most often. This is my bare-minimum, my must-haves, what I take when I travel and what I watch for sales on to stock up. Because running out of your favorite eyeliner and having to pay full price is a tragedy!
I use a combination of drugstore and high-end products. I love finding a dupe that works as well as the high-end product. However, if the cheaper item doesn’t work just as well or better, I don’t waste my time on it. Ain’t nobody got time for your eyebrow smudging halfway up your forehead by 2 pm!
I watch sales and stock up with a 6 month supply of the items I use that are more expensive. I’m always on the lookout for new & more affordable products. Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Sale typically runs twice per year — March and September.
Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional. Everything I have learned came from practice, practice, practice (often looking ridiculous), scouring Ulta and Amazon reviews, watching YouTube, and my girl Kayti @TheBeyoutyBureau. But that’s what I love about makeup, you don’t have to be a professional and there are no “rules.” Be creative & do whatever makes you feel like a dang boss!!
In the order of how I do my makeup:
EYE PRIMER:
What I Use: Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I try to get this 50% off at Ulta’s semi annual sale. 1 tube lasts me close to an entire year and I use it every day.
Alternatives: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Lorac, NYX. I haven’t tried the Ulta brand primer, but it has great reviews.
Notes: If you do your eye makeup DO NOT SKIP THIS! You will be amazed at what a difference this makes. When you use it, your eye makeup will look the same at 10 pm as it did at 7 am! Don’t waste your time doing eye makeup without primer! (Even if you don’t do eye shadow, it helps with oily lids!) Sorry for the yelling, I’m passionate about primer, lolz.
POWDER:
What I Use: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder – Shade: Fair Ivory
Notes: After primer, I put this all over my eyelids using the brush listed next. I’m sure it’s not the most legit thing to do, but it’s easy for me. It has another use in my routine (read on) and requires me to carry fewer products around.
POWDER BRUSH:
What I Use: NYX Pro Contour Brush
Alternatives: This brush seems hard to find now (*tears*). For covering the eyelids with this powder, any fluffy brush will do the trick.
EYESHADOW:
*If I Had to Choose just ONE*
What I Use: Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow – Shade: Grace
Notes: I have an undying love for Stila liquid eyeshadows. They are SO worth the $$$. Other companies have tried to replicate them and (so far) have failed. They are SO simple to use, apply like a dream, would stay for days if you didn’t touch your eyes, and come in a ton of gorgeous shades. They make the BEST glittery shades, too! I am absolutely in love and own most of the shades produced. While I have lots of eyeshadow palettes, this is my ride or die. I recommend the shade “Grace” because it’s a stunningly shimmery rose gold that isn’t obnoxious, can be worn in professional settings, and compliments all skin tones. Cons: ya gotta move quick – the stuff dries fast.
PRO TIP: TJMaxx often carries these! Most of my collection comes from there, Nordstrom Rack online, Stila.com 50% off sales, and (rarely) Ulta sales.
EYESHADOW BRUSH:
What I Use: Morphe M433 Pro Firm Blending Fluff Brush
Notes: Apply the above liquid shadow to the lid and QUICKLY, QUICKLY make windshield wiper motions to blend it out. Remember, it dries fast!
Additional eyeshadow brushes I own:
Morphe M441 Pro Firm Blending Crease Brush
Morphe M506 Tapered Mini Blender Brush
Morphe M432 Flat Liner Definer Brush
EYESHADOW ACCENT:
What I Use: Tarteist PRO To Go Amazonian Clay Palette – Shade: Boss
Alternative: Any shimmery dark brown that you like, any darker color, or just leave it plain. I use the Tarte palette because the color is gorgeous and it is portable, but it’s not at all necessary.
Notes: I put this color in the upper outer corner of my lid to give it dimension and then blend carefully with the same brush above.
EYELINER:
What I Use: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner – Shade: Dark Brown
Notes: I have tried countless liquid eyeliners, and this stuff is simply the best in the biz. I love the felt tip, smooth application, shades, and the fact that it literally stays all day. It’s expensive, though, so I’ve been trying to find a dupe I like as much.
Alternative: NYX Epic Ink Liner. This can have an end result that looks the same as Stila. However: it isn’t felt tip and the fibers can split, it smudges easier, and when I took it on an airplane recently it exploded and constantly dripped ink after that. If you’re experienced with liquid eyeliner, this is a good option. I do not think this is a good option for beginners. If you start with something difficult, you probably won’t continue using liquid eyeliner at all! All that said, it has a great price tag and is the best drugstore liquid eyeliner there is.
*I prefer liquid liner because it is easier for me to apply. I prefer to apply eyeliner with my eyes open. Liquid is more easily applied with one hand than a pencil is. I find to get precise lines with a pencil, I have to pull my eyelid tight = wrinkles! I’m not here for that! So, liquid it is.
*Next: I clean up my undereyes with a wet washcloth.
FACE PRIMER:
What I Use:
1) Aritaum Pore Master Sebum Control Primer (It’s a perfect dupe for Benefit POREfessional Face Primer) for oil control and a matte look
OR
2) Becca Backlight Priming Filter for that dewey glow! (If I can find it 50% off! I also like Becca First Light Priming Filter)
Notes: You know what I’m going to say — do not skip primer! If you don’t use one of these, make sure to choose one with good reviews.
FOUNDATION:
What I Use: IT Cosmetics CC Cream with SPF 50+ – Shade: Fair Light
Notes: While this can provide coverage, it is not my preference for covering lots of acne. It is better for acne scarring, discoloration and evening the skin tone. It works well for where my skin is at right now.
Disclaimer: I have tried countless foundations and have not 100% loved any of them. In general, drug store brands cause me to break out. Even with high-end brands, though, common complaints from me are a foundation being cakey, patchy, not wearing well, sitting on top of my skin and looking unnatural, making my pores look bigger, etc. *Sigh* If I find one I love, you will be the first to know!
FOUNDATION APPLICATION:
What I Use: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Notes: These are frequently sold at TJMaxx. This brand works identically to Beauty Blender brand. Snag these for cheap and save your dolla for something else!
Another note: I don’t use brushes to apply foundation (unless it’s powder). Maybe it’s just my skin texture, but I can’t make any foundation brush apply product well to save my life.
CONCEALER:
What I Use:
1) NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer – Shade: Vanilla
OR
2) NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer – Shade: Vanilla
Notes: For the Radiant Creamy Concealer: I apply a dot on each under-eye and let it dry a little bit while I do my eyebrows. For the Soft Matte Concealer: I just apply right away. Technique: I pat in with my ring finger in a triangle from the corner of my nostril to the outer edge of my eye.
EYEBROWS:
What I Use: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – Shade: Dark Brown
Notes: This stuff is hands down the best. My eyebrows are large and in charge and I just like to make the shape symmetrical and fill in holes while looking as natural as possible. I have tried drugstore brand dupes that look great, but smudge easily. I buy these 50% off twice per year at Ulta (if available).
Alternatives: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Pencil (I really like this one, too). Drugstore best: NYX Micro Brow Pencil
POWDER:
What I Use: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder – Shade: Fair Ivory
Notes: Just like with the eyelids, set all over. Be sure to blend down your neck. Some people don’t like powder because it can settle into fine lines. I like it because it helps my makeup to stay longer. Its nickname in the beauty world is “photoshop in a tin.”
POWDER BRUSH:
What I Use: NYX Pro Contour Brush
Alternatives: As above – This brush seems hard to find now (*tears*). For covering the eyelids with this powder, any fluffy brush will do the trick.
CONTOUR:
What I Use: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer Murumuru Butter Bronzer – Shade: Bronzer
Notes: Okay, so *technically* this is bronzer, not contour. But I like to use it as contour so that’s how I’m gonna do it! I use it to contour my cheeks, nose, below my lip, and the edges of my forehead/temples by my hairline.
CONTOUR BRUSH:
What I Use: IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe You Sculpted! Contour & Highlight Brush #18
Notes: This brush is hard to find now. Just try to find a similar one that can chisel! Alternative: e.l.f. Cosmetics Contouring Brush (I haven’t used it, but the shape looks good.)
BLUSH:
What I Use: Milani Baked Blush – Shade: Luminoso
Notes: This stuff is dreamy, affordable, flatters all skin tones, and could have a post dedicated all to itself. Enough said.
BLUSH BRUSH:
What I Use: e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush
Notes: Of all the brushes I have listed, this is the only one I am telling you is a MUST buy. At less than $5, it lets you build color flawlessly with pat-pat-pat motions and prevents you from overdoing it.
HIGHLIGHTER:
What I Use: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder – Shade: Golden Flower Crown
Notes: This highlighter will turn you into a glowy fairy goddess. Cue the praise hand emojis.
HIGHLIGHTER BRUSH:
What I Use: Morphe M438 Pointed Contour Brush
Notes: Essential for anyone hoping to look like the aforementioned glowy fairy goddess
SETTING SPRAY:
What I Use: Milani Make It Last Matte Charcoal Setting Spray
Notes: I think it works slightly better than the Milani Make It Last Setting Spray. In my opinion, they both work as well as the fan fav Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. Why? Probably because when you’re not spraying liquid dollar bills onto your face, you feel like you can use more and it therefore works better. Just my thoughts. Hahaha.
EYELASH CURLER:
What I Use: an old brandless one I inherited from my grandma.
If I needed one I would buy: Tweezerman Classic Lash Curler or Shiseido Eyelash Curler
MASCARA:
What I Use: Tarte Lights Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
Notes: This mascara is what dreams are made of. It goes on beautifully and quickly with minimal clumps, maximum length and the option to build if you want to without ending up looking like the wicked witch of the west. Best part? NO FLAKING or fall-out! I think I hear angels singing.
HOWEVER: For the past few years, I have tried tons of mascaras trying to find a less expensive alternative. I liked the look of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, but I disliked the fallout and how it would melt in the Arizona heat. Recently, I tried Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara and was SHOOK to find it is very similar to my holy grail Tarte fav. I’m totally hooked on it and the rest of the Essence mascaras. Do I like the Tarte mascara better? A little! Do I like it $18 better? Nope — that’s a nope from me. I got the Essence mascara for $3. Shook doesn’t even begin to describe it. If you read this entire mascara rant, a high-five to you!
PRO TIPS: I use a floss pick or tweezers to separate any rogue clumpy lashes. If you get any mascara where it shouldn’t be, let it dry and then gently remove it with a cotton swab.
LIPS:
It’s unfair to choose just one product, but if I had to:
What I Use: Shine Cosmetics Lip Gloss – Shade: Admired
Notes: This gloss is a beautiful shimmery formula, pigmented, not sticky and longer lasting than most lip glosses. It’s also neutral enough that you don’t need a mirror to apply it. I call that a win. All of their shades are amazing!
Use code ALOHAHEATHER10 for 10% off the entire site!
FIN.
You deserve a gold star for making it to the end of this post. Just remember the #1 rule of makeup – there are no rules. Listen to your heart chicarita! Let me know what questions you have and what you think I’m missing in the comments!
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