I fell in love with beauty right at the end of college/start of my career! I guess technically I’ve always had a love for makeup since I got my first set of “nice” Clinique makeup around 13, but it became an even deeper love as I got older. I don’t know if it’s because I suddenly had more time on my hands, YouTube was becoming more prevalent (showing my age here Haha) or I had a few extra bucks to buy things once I started working. Honestly, it could have been all of those things together. I seriously became so interested in makeup that I wound up doing my own and my bridesmaids’ makeup for our wedding in April 2016.
I went down a rabbit-hole of watching YouTube videos to learn more and spending lots of time at Sephora & MAC talking with the artists there. I also love to learn (about lots of things!), and this was a new challenge for me at the time. I had a deep desire to create amazing makeup looks without having to hire a professional ($$$) each time! I’ve never been good with hair, so makeup is my go-to because if I do my hair, it’s probably going to look the same each time! haha
For me, makeup is something that I truly enjoy doing and a special time to get away from the kids now (well, occasionally, at least). There’s nothing like getting to take a trip to a big Sephora store and just walking around trying things out … while some people’s “happy place” might be Target, mine would definitely be Sephora 🙂 I don’t even pretend to be a makeup professional or anything like that – it’s just something for me, that I enjoy and is a more creative outlet than the numbers I deal with on a daily basis! There’s something about just sitting down and pulling out all of your eye shadows and seeing what you can come up with or trying out different lip combos to see what pairs well together.
My goal with makeup has always been to enhance! I feel like I was taught that at a very early age, so you’ll notice that many of the products I use are not super extreme or edgy. I prefer a more “everyday look” that works in many different situations. Also, as I have less and less time to spend on myself, my product count becomes less and less. I will say, though, that if you’re a mom, or taking care of others on a consistent basis, don’t forget to fill your own cup … and if having a little pinch of makeup on is drastically going to improve your day, don’t skip that step. Definitely don’t knock the effects of feeling “put together” and how it can make your outlook towards the day enormously better!!
So today I’m rounding up my staples that I have loved for a while now! Whatever your goals or reasons are for using makeup or any beauty product, I hope you find one or a few things in here that you’ll really love, too 🙂
Foundation
Let’s start with foundation – I used powder foundation when I was younger…think Clinique when I was 13 moving on to Bare Minerals around 16. In college, I discovered my need for “more” and started my foray into liquid foundations. I’m going to be honest that I love this MAC foundation, and I do still keep some in my cabinet. I used it for my wedding and all of it’s festivities because it’s really great for pictures and it’s super full coverage. It messes with my skin and acne, though; so I know I’m going to pay the price afterwards. My skin can be finicky, and it’s a trade-off for me when I use it…but picture-ready skin for special events is worth a week of recovery time IMO. Now, my bff has amazing skin, can use this product, not wash her face and still have amazing skin (queue eye roll) … some of us are just luckier than others 😉 BUT I have been lovinggggg the IT CC+ cream for a few years now! The coverage is ample for my uneven skin but doesn’t feel heavy. Since my overall makeup look is “less is more,” this product is perfect since it has a very natural look and feel. It’s definitely one of the higher coverage CC creams I’ve tried. I use a flathead kabuki brush, and it goes on very smoothly. Most importantly, it’s one of the best liquid foundations if you still struggle with acne flare-ups here and there. I want SPF in my lotions and foundations, but I have to be very careful as that can also cause me to have more acne. This has an SPF of 40! It’s also reasonably priced and lasts awhile. They even recently came out with a mini version at Sephora, so perfect if you travel (or ahem, maybe need to do it in the car … just sayin’).
Mascara
This is my favorite mascara!! I’ve tried a bunch along the way, tried some others since using this one, and still come back to it. I don’t have dark, long or full eyelashes, so I need ALL of the help I can get. I’m also a stickler for easy removal. Since I don’t have many lashes, I don’t want to rub off the ones I do have. Easy removal is a MUST for me in mascara and one of the first requirements. I also love this mascara because it is a true rich black, and you can tell the formula just glides on and I rarely have any issues with clumping which is so annoying. I’ve been told by makeup artists that most mascara liquid formulas are the same or very similar, and the biggest difference is the type of brush. This may be very true, but I still feel like this is one of the best liquid formulas out there. It helps majorly with volume and helps to darken the lashes. It also has a “separate” brush for more definition. I think it’s also worth mentioning that this mascara is very reasonably priced. It’s obviously not drugstore price, but I have yet to find a drugstore mascara that works this well AND comes off very easily. This product is also available in waterproof – hello, summertime, rain and kids 🙂
Eyelash Curler
A great eyelash curler is key – I love this one! Because … see #2 above … short, light eyelashes with no volume or length! Curling your eyelashes makes such a huge difference. On days where I’m really not seeing anyone or I’m super in a hurry with the kids, I’ll skip this step and I always regret it later on. And extra points if you heat it up with the blow dryer and then let it cool while curling your lashes. I only do this on some weekends honestly. I definitely don’t have time for that step during the week 😉 This Tarte one has a strong yet gentle squeeze, and the cushiony part feels soft on my lashes. I also love this one for quick travels
Eye Shadow
I got my first Urban Decay Naked palette back in college as a Christmas present from Chance, and it didn’t take long before I needed to have the Naked 2 palette. The colors are fantastic, blend so well together, and the pigments are rich and vibrant when applied. The palette itself is a great deal! I’m super sad that Urban Decay has discontinued those palettes as they come out with new ones! Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand them coming out with new palettes, but I wish they would have kept the old ones, too. It’s so easy to be able to just grab one palette, especially for traveling. I even have the Naked basics palette which is bare bones, and what I grab if I’m really trying not to pack a ton. So while I can’t recommend the exact palettes that I have to you, I really do like the Urban Decay pigments and think the palette concept is great. The newest palettes colors just aren’t for me personally, but they are gorgeous nonetheless. More brands have started creating palettes in recent years, so I think a lot of it comes down to finding the right colors for you that you feel you will get a great deal out of the purchase. The goal is to have a few colors in one place that makes it super quick to throw some eyeshadow on and you know blend well together without putting much thought into it!
Blush
I know everyone loves the Nars blushes (especially “orgasm”), but I just couldn’t get on board unfortunately. The Tarte blushes have a wide range of colors, and I have used a few of them. My current rotation includes “seduce, blushing bride & paaarty.” I think blush is such an easy item to mix up the look and feel of your makeup that day. I also adjust based on the season 🙂 The pigment in this blush goes on smoothly and doesn’t wear off. For some reason, I struggle with my blush wearing off the most out of all my makeup products, but ever since I’ve started using the Tarte a few years back, I find it lasts much longer throughout the day.
Makeup Brushes
I honestly never realized the importance of using good brushes – and then cleaning them regularly! It makes such a difference in the application and longevity of your daily makeup IMO. And the regular cleaning (no matter which brushes you choose) is SO important for the health of your skin!! My first “professional” set of brushes was from Sigma circa 2013, and I’m still using them today in 2020!! I did have to replace my kabuki brush a year or so ago, but it’s my most used brush and actually wasn’t a part of the set. I’d say 7 years is a pretty good investment 😉 I’m pretty sure this was the brand Jaclyn Hill used outside of MAC back then which is how I learned about them. Not sure if she still does, but I’m pretty sure she had a collection with Sigma at some point along the way. They are soft, pick up the pigments well, have a smooth application and are easy to clean – and obviously they last for a LONG time. I have used all of the brushes in this collection, not necessarily everyday; but if I’m doing a full face and playing up my eyes, I do. I have the “premium brush kit.” Don’t let the number of brushes overwhelm you! They each serve a purpose and are easy to use once you learn how to use them. Like I said, I don’t use all of the eye brushes on a daily basis, but I do when I’m going for a smokey eye look or something more dramatic on the weekends. It’s a large amount of brushes at one time, but buying them as a set saves money and the brushes themselves are totally worth it!!
Face Cleansing
Another product duo that I don’t know how I lived without is this cleansing balm and makeup remover cloth! Ever feel like your face just isn’t makeup free even after doing a double wash? That was me! And I feel like it wasn’t helping my skin. The cleansing balm in-and-of-itself is a gamer changer, but then I discovered the makeup removing cloth on amazon, and it was just an incredible face washing experience! Haha I mean, do you get excited about washing your face? I do now! And there’s just something about washing the day away; especially if it was a busy, stressful one. Elemis does usually send you a wash rag if you purchase the cleansing balm online, and while it’s not terrible, this other cloth is just phenomenal! I think it’s softer, and it definitely removes makeup better … So cheap too, and who doesn’t love amazon prime delivery?
Exfoliator
Bear with me on this next one … I use the Rodan + Fields microdermabrasion paste. I know what you’re thinking … it’s an MLM, I don’t want to have to subscribe, etc. I hear all of your objections, BUT I seriously have yet to find another product that comes close to how this one makes my skin feel!! My skin is SO smooth after using it – like, just went to the dermatologist smooth. I am a member of a local monthly “skincare club” at a dermatologist. I rotate the type of treatment I do each month. Along with that, I have an esthetician that I consult with who gives me advice for other skin-related needs. I learned that I wasn’t exfoliating frequently enough at home – who knew? It’s suggested to use an exfoliator 3 times per week for maximum results (unless of course, you’ve had a peel or something else done; also, I am not a medical professional in ANY capacity and you should always check with your medical professional!). I would say that I have noticed less flaky, dry skin since increasing the number of times per week that I exfoliate. Just make sure to put a great serum and moisturizer on after! I usually do this in the morning, since you want to apply to dry skin (as I usually have to remove makeup in the evenings). I think it also gives my skin such a silky feel before applying my makeup. My makeup seriously just glides on! I’ll add that I try to plan at least one of my uses for a weekend especially if I want to look extra nice for an event 🙂
Teeth
Have you ever done white strips? Me, too! I loved them at the time and think they still work pretty well. But, I’ve been on a roller coaster of pregnancies, breast feeding etc over the last 4 years which have prevented me from using them. I’ve used a whitening mouthwash since high school, and thankfully that has no warnings during pregnancy (can I get an AMEN?!?). I used to use a name brand back in high school (because my parents were paying for it HA), but when I went away to college and started paying my own bills, I switched to the generic brand from Walmart. Honestly, I’ve never switched back to the name brand because I think the generic is just as good for a fraction of the cost. Side note: when I am pregnant, I am extra careful to spit all of the mouthwash out just in case … don’t want to take any chances swallowing some 🙂 Make sure to consult with your own OB in regards to anything pregnancy-related, too! I have to use something to ensure my teeth stay white – I have really big teeth and a big mouth, so they are just super noticeable. I’m very self-conscious if they don’t look nice. I also love deeper-toned lipsticks for this reason – they give you that nice little boost of whiter-looking teeth!
Lotion
Another item that I remember becoming popular back when I was in high school is this tanning lotion. I use “medium/tan.” I tried it back then because you could easily grab it from Target, Walmart or the grocery store. And let’s be honest, I was a teenager in the early 2000s – flat hair and dark tans were the “in” thing. I never kept up with it super well, though. I tan pretty easily and live in the south, so many months out of the year I at least have a light base tan. Then I stood in an early spring wedding where the bridesmaids dresses were nude colored – we were coming off of winter, I have blonde hair – the dress washed me out! I went and tried out a spray tan prior to the wedding and loved it. I used those for family pictures, big events etc for a while. But yet again, while pregnant, nursing, etc, it’s not advisable. Additionally, when you’re pregnant, your skin is super sensitive to the sun, so I tend to burn more than I normally would and you also have to ensure you’re not getting overheated (easy to do down here in Nola). To top it off, it’s not like I get much time to just lay out and enjoy some sun and tanning HAHA So back to my jergens lotion I went. It’s easy to apply, doesn’t look fake or orange and just gives you a hint of an even, natural glow. It’s very forgiving if you don’t use it every night or apply it properly. I mean, some nights I’m lucky I wash my makeup off my face. It’s a firming lotion as well, so I don’t mind a little extra help in that department (cellulite is real man!). I honestly don’t know if I can say that I’ve seen notable improvement in this area, but it can’t hurt, right?!?
If you’ve tried these or have any other suggestions let me know in the comments below … I’d love to hear what your favorites are!
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