makeup must haves
Even though the Christmas decorations are already strewn around town, we haven’t even hit Thanksgiving yet and that means we still have Black Friday shopping to look forward to. This year, we’re going to have to rely heavily on releasing our pandemic rage on our credit cards so in order to do so properly I’ve put together a list of my go-to makeup products. And although I will not be getting all jazzed up in a shiny cocktail dress on NYE, I will most certainly be sporting a full face of makeup. Check out my recs below so you can too.
The cardinal rule to giving good face is a stellar skincare routine so check back with my earlier posts HERE for all of those suggestions. Also, using a primer is so key to ensuring that makeup applies evenly and stays put. This one from Smashbox is the gold standard. Nothing fancy… it just works the best.
I’m frequently asked questions regarding foundation and even more so during these pandemic times. Stress is wrecking havoc on our skin and we’re trying desperately to disguise it’s carnage. Foundation is truly personal preference so I’m going to name a few based upon varying desires. If you like a full coverage and flawless look but with some breathability and one that will hold up for hours, the best of the best of the very best is NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation… they have so many shades so you won’t have any problem matching your exact skin tone. If you’re looking for medium coverage that’s oil-free, oil controlling and has a super silky finish, Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation is your answer. I usually pour a quarter size amount onto the tips of my fingers, blend and warm fingers together, slather liquid right onto my face and spread. It doesn’t get easier than this when you’re running out of the door. If you are a minimalist and feel that most foundation is suffocating, try Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue which is actually a tinted moisturizer that delivers SPF protection, coverage and hydration. My sister has been a loyal fan for years of this one because it provides all of your skincare needs in one step!
If I were asked what I would bring with me on a deserted island, I would, in earnest, say CONCEALER! In my makeup routine, the most important step is concealing.Whether it’s applied under your eyes to disguise zero hours of sleep, around the nose and lips to even skin tone or to cover a big ass stress zit, concealer is our best weapon. I’m taking the guesswork out of this one and recommending only one. It really is THAT good: Tarte’s Shape Tape. It comes in a bevy of colors, it’s not drying (which makes it so different from it’s competitors) and it provides unmatched coverage. Pro tip: go a shade lighter to offset dark under eyes.
If you’re going out for an event (rolling my eyes), I’ve started to “bake” my eyes with this setting powder from Anastasia. Baking the eyes is a term used for setting your under-eye concealer with a loose or pressed powder to a achieve a flawless and long lasting look. A make up artist showed me this tip and the most consequential difference I noticed was a brighter, completely creaseless under eye that kept concealer in place all night. This is step I wouldn’t skirt when I’m trying to impress. Note: you can “set” with either your Beauty Blender or this contour brush from Sephora and you can also “set” places that tend to get oily like: around the nose, between brows etc.
Huda Contour: Believe the hype about this brand especially if you are a makeup fanatic like me. I’m obsessed especially with their Tantour Contour and Bronzer Cream. This stuff is an ultra pigmented cream that can be used to contour or to bronze and it’s super buildable. I use this dual sided brush from Huda to apply. The smaller, angled brush has densely-packed bristles for precise product application. The larger end buffs and blends any harsh lines on the face. I strobe cream below my cheek bones, on my jaw line, down the sides of my nose and my temples (see picture), and then I use the fluffy side of the brush to blend like crazy. Contouring used to feel so daunting, but after I practiced a couple of times and got the hang of it, I can do it my sleep. Give it a try, you’ll love the results.
To bring my look all together, I use the giant version of Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer and with a big bronzing brush like this one, I sweep anywhere the sun would naturally hit my face (cheeks, nose, forehead etc.) Hoola is a close to universal shade as I use it when I’m fairer-skinned in the winter and spray-tanned and glowy in the summer.
Cheek to Chic: If you are late to the game on Charlotte Tilbury’s cheek to chic blush, it’s time to get with the times. It’s flattering on all skin tones. It is a powder but almost feels creamy when applied because of it’s smooth texture. It is perfectly pigmented and gives skin just the cheery pop it needs without looking overly done. LOVE!
Shadow: Buying single palette shadows should be a thing of yesteryear… ain’t nobody got space or patience for all of those loosey goosey, breakable plastic palettes rolling around their drawers (or cosmetic bags)… instead check out this one from Urban Decay. UD offers a variety of shimmer and matte and dramatic and natural colors in each palette. And it comes with a stellar, double-sided eye shadow brush. The formula is so desirable and it’s a one stop shop for our lids.
As mentioned above, Urban Decay does shadow well, so it’s no surprise they make my favorite eye liner as well. The 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil comes in multiple shades and colors that are ultra-creamy, intense and won’t slide off your face halfway through your second martini (anyone?). I use this fine tipped brush to smooth over the liner and then “wing out” for a flattering cat eye look.
Mascara is up next and I don’t think it’s any secret how much I love Benefit’s Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara. This mascara was inspired by hair rollers because the wand ensures maximum upturn of lashes and gives that wide-eyed sexy look… no lash curler needed. Seriously, this stuff is the best. It’s thickening without being clumpy and easy to layer without looking like a tarantula was placed on your eyelid. I have a 6 month supply of Roller Lash because… what if the apocalypse?
I finish my look with this lip liner from Charlotte Tilbury because once again, she is killing the market in all things beauty. I hate to sound redundant but I also use her pillow talk lipstick as well. If you find a better formula, let me know. And for gloss (that I blend over top), I LOVE LOVE LOVE Fenty’s gloss bomb in shades Fussy and Glow. These bombs have cushy applicators that swipe onto lips effortlessly and with an addictive peachy smell. It’s never sticky which is a huge plus for me. Check out Fenty’s Gloss Gift Set HERE for all the ladies in your life.
If you want to make sure your makeup stays in place all night long, pump this Setting Spray in an X and then a T formation about 8 inches away from your face. It’s technology is pretty cutting edge. It uses Temperature Control Technology to lower the temperature of your makeup—from foundation and concealer to eyeshadow and blush—to lock your look in place. You can also use this on makeup free days to keep shine at bay.
