Make up is such a fun form of art to me! Today I cannot wait to share my makeup favorites with you. Since we have a lot of ground to cover, I will be splitting this makeup post into several blog posts so we can chat about everything from foundation and blush to eye makeup, brows and lips.
I am pretty low maintenance when it comes to make up, and far from professional! I almost exclusively purchase items I can get at the drug store so they’re affordable. Today I want to share some of my very favorites with you.
If I do use name brand items that are more expensive, I will only share the ones I’ve found to be totally worth it. These are my tried and true favorites, and products I have been using for many years!
Foundation, contour, blush and highlight:
Foundation
Lets start with foundation. Preference on foundation will be so different for everyone based on their needs! I love a full coverage look that I can layer without it looking too heavy. My very favorite foundation that I have literally been using for 15 years is Revlon Colorstay. The coverage is amazing and it really has all day stay power! I add it to my eyelids for primer for eye shadow also.
TIP: This foundation comes in 2 varieties: For oily skin and for dry skin. While my skin is more on the dry side, I purposely purchase the variety for oily skin because it gives better coverage. The variety for dry skin is more of a thin, oily coverage. I use the color Buff. Many people love to use makeup sponges like these to apply foundation. I prefer just using clean hands!
Concealer
Just this year I started to use a concealer for under my eyes. This Tarte creaseless under eye concealer is amazing and really brightens my eyes! A little goes a long way, so I just dab a bit of it in the triangles under my eyes. TIP: Don’t apply this directly under your eyelids as it will add a crease. I add it just below that if my eyes feel a bit dark.
Bronzer
This bronzer is my absolute favorite and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to anything else! I use this directly under my cheekbones to contour, around the top of my forehead and down the bridge of my nose. I also use it to lightly brush onto my chin and neck so that my foundation and neck blend well. A little goes a long way, and this can go on dark if you use too much. Brush lightly!
Blush
I used to purchase this blush from the drugstore. It works great! However, this year I decided to invest in something a bit different and I am so glad I did. This Nars blush is peachy pink with a golden glow. It lasts forever and I love how it brings my cheek bones to life! I use the color orgasm. TIP: When you apply blush, smile first and brush the blush onto your cheeks right where you would pinch to add some color.
Highlighter
I have tried a few highlighters and surprisingly LOVE this one! It’s inexpensive and perfect to use on the tops of your cheekbones and on the very tip of your nose to give that perfect touch of sun-kissed skin.
SHOP THESE FAVORITE PRODUCTS
I use this brush to apply my bronzer, blush and highlighter!
My tips and tricks for applying my makeup favorites:
- Wash your face before bed and apply moisturizer so you don’t have to do so before you apply your makeup. I find this helps the foundation to set and STAY much better!
- If you do apply extra moisturizer, or sunscreen before makeup, be sure to give your face minimum 20 minutes before applying foundation. If your skin feels oily or moist from the lotion or cream, your foundation won’t give full coverage.
- Once you apply your foundation, quickly apply concealer and then allow the two to dry for a few minutes before applying the blush, bronzer and highlight. I like to finish these steps in 5-7 minutes as I feel everything blends and finishes so much nicer if you don’t wait a long period of time in between each step.
- Never forget that make up is for fun! It’s meant to enhance your natural beauty. Don’t ever feel like you need makeup to be beautiful. YOU ARE!
Next up:
Stay tuned for post 2 where we will be discussing eye makeup, my favorite!