We all tend to get into a beauty rut every now and then. Maybe your hair style hasn’t changed for a few years, or your eye shadow has been the same shade for a while? This post is not about that. I swear.
As a beauty blogger, I get some new stuff in the mail sometimes. And sometimes I also buy new things. (Ok, maybe I buy new things a lot. But it’s research!) Despite having these new things to try, I’ve been finding that there are some products that just live on my vanity. And more often than not, I reach for these ones over and over. They’re the basics to my look. Sometimes I swap out my shadow or eye liner shade, or try a new bold lip color. But chances are that a lot of my look is still based around these products.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
This is my basic, every day powder. I don’t use it all over my face, instead I gently pat it over my undereye concealer and down my t-zone with a BeautyBlender. Something about the slightly damp BeautyBlender makes it just melt into my skin and you can’t even see it! I love that it now comes in 2 shades, translucent or medium deep.
Note that there is also Secret Brightening Powder, which you’ll see in my picture above. This is basically the same powder, but I think a slightly lighter shade and there’s a bit more light reflection. If I’m feeling sassy (aka- I remember because it is sitting on my countertop), then I’ll use this powder under my eyes instead of the original Setting Powder. It makes a slight difference on days that I really need the help!
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
I own 3 or 4 of this concealer. I have one in my office at work, one in my makeup bag for my purse, one sitting on my countertop all the time… you get the picture. It is full coverage, doesn’t cake, blends easily and lasts pretty much all day. I’ve tried other concealers, Bobbi Brown Instant Full Cover Concealer is very similar, Tarte Shape Tape is a tad thicker and fuller coverage.
Chanel La Palette Sourcils de Chanel Brow Powder Duo in 50 Brun
I go back and forth between using powder or pencil to fill and shape my brows. I’ve been in the powder mood for the last few months. Last year I bought this splurge from Chanel, and I’ve found that the color is just right for me. It’s a touch ashy, I use the lighter shade in the center of my brow and the darker color closer to the arch. It isn’t powdery at all, and I do think that it need a stiffer brow brush for better application.
I bought the Chanel brush (yes, I know), but it was too flimsy to get the product out of the pan. I had been mostly using the tiny brush that came in the compact, but then I discovered that the It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Brow Power Universal Brow-Transformer Brush #21 is perfect! It has just the right stiffness to apply the right amount of powder to my brows. And the other end is a spoolie, which I run through my brows afterwards to soften and blend the powder just a tad.
Note, I use this powder a lot and I’ve had it for a while, but you can barely tell that I’ve used it. I think this is going to last me about 20 years.
NARS Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzer in Laguna and NARS Blush in Orgasm
I love that this bronzer is matte and more of a wash of color than the traditional NARS bronzer. I put a light sweep under my cheekbones and around my hair line, and then I follow it up with a bit of the Orgasm blush right on my cheeks. The two work very well together for my coloring.
NYX Eyeshadow Base
There are a lot of eye shadow primers out there, but this one works just as well for me as the much more expensive products. I love that the Nude shade is a decent match for my skin tone. It gives pretty good coverage of my skin, covering up all of those blood vessels that make me look tired. I tap my finger onto the cream and then tap that onto my skin. If you use too much the base will make your shadow look muddy. It definitely makes my shadow last all day and look much better!
Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara and Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara
I’m picky about my mascara, and I have used a lot of them. After I curl my lashes (with the Surratt Beauty Relevée Lash Curler, I’m super picky about that too, here’s a review of the lash curler) I apply Smokey Lash Mascara. I really work the brush down into the base of my lashes and concentrate on getting every single lash. I also like to close my eyes and get the very tips of my lashes while they’re closed, it makes a big difference. It works great for my lashes!
If I’m going out or want extra impact on my lashes, I add a layer of Eye Opening Mascara as well. The brush on this mascara is much fatter than the Smokey Lash, and I can not get it down close to the base of my lashes without poking my eyeball out. So, I can’t use this mascara alone, I instead use it from about mid-lash to the tip. It makes a big impact!
Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint
Finally, I tend to apply my lipstick right as I’m going out. Often in the parking lot at work or the store, etc. I often apply this lightly tinted pink balm (review here) right after I’m done applying my makeup, it adds nice moisture and a light pink color that is just pretty.
What are your go-to makeup products? I’m always look for new ones!
I’m a doctor, a mommy and a bit of a beauty addict. If you let me, I can take 2 hours to get ready in the morning. Really. I'm on a quest for faster beauty that works!