I wanted to give you guys a list of "Tried and True" beauty products here and a full description on why I love each product and find myself returning to them. I pride myself on being decent at makeup as I've spent a lot of time and research in it!! My love for makeup grew in my third year of college which was spent in Mobile, AL at University of South Alabama. I had my own apartment, with no roommate and no cable/satellite!! I also didn't have internet, but that didn't stop me from borrowing my neighbor's wifi, lol!! I mean they had it set to public so....
As you can imagine, when I wasn't studying I was quite bored. I didn't have any friends there (though I'd later reconnect with my cousin which is now one of my very best friends) and found myself with a good bit of free time on my hands. Cue Youtube.
I started watching all these videos of beauty bloggers because I was absolutely AMAZED at their before and after photos they'd post as their Video cover. It automatically drew me in and I began practicing. The rest is history. I went on to cosmetology school, got my license, and became my friends' favorite makeup artist.
- Foundation: Makeup Forever HD or Too Faced, Born This Way
I love that both of these have zero SPF in them. That means no white cast in photos and it's great for events where a lot of photos will be involved. These last all day and are medium coverage yet buildable. Each leaves a nice finish that is velvety. Not too matte, and definitely not shiny. They last all day and wear super well without ever feeling caky or heavy.
- Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape
To me, when it comes to high-end, there is only one concealer and that's Tarte Shape Tape. A little goes a LONG way. It blends in perfectly and never creases!! the finish is perfect and looks like you simply have flawless skin. I don't even know what to say to tell you just how perfect it is. It is my must-have, can't-live-without concealer! (You can also prime your lids with this to help even out tone and hold your shadow all day!!)
- Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion
If you aren't using something on your lids before applying eyeshadow, you definitely should! This is my very favorite thing to use! It keeps your shadow on all day long and helps it stick as you apply it. It brings up the intensity of your shadow and helps it show up better. Definitely a must, especially if you don't apply concealer on your lids.
Side Note: I don't like primers for foundation because it seems to only make the foundation smear and shift.
- Blush: Nars, colors: Luster & Orgasm
These blushes in these two shades looks good on everyone!! Nars blush has a slight shimmer in them giving a glowy, subtly highlighted effect. They wear well and blend nicely never looking harsh. What I also love is that you'll have this for a long time-- it doesn't take much in application and you really get your money's worth out of it.
- Highlighter: Becca
To be honest, I haven't tried a lot of highlighters and it's because this one is the first one I'd ever bought and it just really hit the mark for me. It's light and beautiful and every color is gorgeous. The texture is almost creamy but not, and the consistency is simply glowy and not glittery.
- Bronzer: Nars in Laguna or Too Faced Chocolate Soleil
When it comes to bronzer I'm very picky as I also use it to contour. I do not like an orange base at all and I can't stand for it to look muddy! It should only create a subtle shadow effect and a shadow should look like a slightly darker version of your skin. Most people don't have an orange undertone, but so many bronzers and contour powders do. Neither of these are muddy and both last all day giving a nice subtle sculpting to your face. PLUS it doubles as an awesome crease shade for your eyeshadow.
- Setting Powder: Makeup Forever Ultra HD Microfinishing Powder or Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
I suppose you could use any setting powder pretty successfully, but these two get great reviews every time and really give your foundation/concealer an airbrushed finish. The Laura Mercier one gets especially great reviews.
- Eyebrows: Anastasia Dipbrow & Brow Wiz Pencil or Benefit Gimme Brow Gel
Lately I've been preferring the Brow Wiz Pencil as it gives me more precision an I can fill in my brows in hair-like strokes, but if you don't already have thick brows you might also like to try the Dipbrow or Benefit Brow Gel as you can get a softer effect with these two. These products last all day with no smudging, even in sweaty or rainy conditions!
- Eyeshadow: Tarte Tartelette Pallets or Anastasia Beverly Hils Shadows
These eyeshadows never disappoint-- not in color, consistency, or intensity. They are so richly pigmented and smooth. Blendability is amazing and again with these, a little goes a LONG way. I've tried a LOT of shadows but these are my only two must haves. I don't know what else I can say other than try them and you won't wanna buy anything else!
- Mascara: Benefit They're Real or Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara
I am a sucker for mascara. I have tried almost everything under the sun, except for It cosmetics' Super Hero and I hear it's good! My two favorite high end so far have been the two I listed above. Both wear all day but the Bobbi Brown one might last even longer than "They're Real" by Benefit. Butttt, benefit might be my winner personally. Why? Because of the brush!! You're one of two people-- either you love a "prickly" mascara spooly or you hate it and want the fluffy one.
Benefit They're Real has a slim "prickly" rubber bristle spooly and Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara has a huge fluffy spooly. So the choice is up to you!!
- Eyeliner: Marc Jacobs Highliner or Urban Decay 24/7
If I am going to bother with buying or wearing eyeliner, you can bet one thing, it's going to last all day and be hard to remove!! And these two fit the bill. But both smudge well for a softer, subtle look if you use a smudging brush with it. They also glide on really nicely and never feel dry with application, so that means no "skipping" involved.
My favorite color by Urban Decay is Perversion for a true black and Smoke (my very favorite) for a nice deep gray that everyone can wear.
I've only tried and own Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blaquer but would love to try Iron(y) which is a nice smokey gray.
- Lipstick: Mac & Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick
The only two lipsticks I trust. I can feel confident when wearing Mac lipstick-- anything else and I'm constantly checking it to make sure it hasn't either smeared or gotten on my teeth so it's not worth it. You can tell when putting Mac lipstick on that its hugging your lips. It's always a nice and thick texture and it always, always works! It never fails me and nothing has compared. I all consistencies in Mac: Matte, Cremesheen, Satins, and Lustres. But my very favorite lately is their new Liptensity--possibly my favorite things for lips ever!!! As for liquid lipstick, nothing, not even Stila, has lasted nearly as well as Kat Von D. I love it too because it makes my lips look much fuller. I always get compliments when I wear it. And for that simple fact, Ive been applying it first lately, and layering a Mac lipstick overtop for a hydrated and full lip! it's ever better than using a lip pencil.
-Mac colors:
Lustres- Fresh Brew, Touch, Jubilee
Cremesheen: Modesty
Satin: Viva Glam V (5), Viva Glam I (1), Twig, Del Rio,
Matte: Ruby Woo
Liptensity: Doe
(I will be updating these Mac colors as I collect more and I'll be sure to notify via Instagram)
-Kat Von D colors:
Ophelia
Lolita
Lolita II
Bow and Arrow
I hope this has helped you and I hope you enjoyed reading it and exploring these products!! If you have any questions, comment them below!! Thanks for reading!!
Shop my Must Have Beauty Favorites HERE.