Hello my fellow beauty babes! I am no make up artist by any means, but I do love makeup and try to buy the best and most affordable products I can for myself. I know everyone wants a different look, has different skin types, or may just want a simple/minimal effort for their daily routine. All of these products I have used, loved, and recommend to anyone looking for a new make up brand or product to try. Its taken me a while to find brands I like, that are long lasting throughout the day and that work with my skin type as well. I am happy to share these beauty finds with you! I am only sharing a few of my top favorites, if any of my fellow makeup enthusiasts have questions about my beauty trials or other products I didn't mention below, please comment or reach out to me, I'd love to share more makeup/product secrets! All of these products can be found at multiple ULTA or Sephora locations and online. (So many sales going on for multiple products right now, support them with online sales and check them out!!)
I have always used Smashbox as my makeup primer for the past few years. The original photo finish primer is one I have tried, its more of gel and it made my skin look oily. I also didn't like the texture of this formula. I now use the Smashbox super light and smooth primer. The super light formula works well with my skin and gives me the base I need to keep my makeup lasting all day. This primer is light weight, oil free, vegan, and cruelty free!
I like using liquid foundation and with BareMinerals I found it to be light weight while still having complete coverage that lasts all day. I use two different shades throughout seasons but I am always able to find a shade that works perfect for my skin tone. This formula has SPF 20, is oil free, and is dermatologist tested. If you have any skin issues or allergies and haven't tried BareMinerals, I would completely recommend giving this product a try!
SANDSTONE 16 (medium warm skin with yellow undertones)
TOFFEE 19 (medium to tan warm skin with golden undertones)
I typically do not use just powder foundation but when I have a spray tan, sometimes I prefer to use a powder instead of a liquid. I like having the option of powder or liquid to use for my daily makeup routine. This powder doesn't dry out my skin or irritate my skin while wearing it all day. BareMinerals has multiple shades and is a 12-hour long wear foundation. This powder gives full and smooth coverage, in addition to also being hypoallergenic/Dermatologist tested.
SANDSTONE 16 (medium warm skin with yellow undertones)
TOFFEE 19 (medium to tan warm skin with golden undertones)
Daily I use three shades of this Tarte shape tape concealer. I use one color under my eye lids and two for contouring. I am not the best at contouring, but tarte shape tape contour concealer gives me multiple shades where I can use them for under eye coverage or full contouring. Ive tried using powder and cream contouring kits, but non have given me the look I wanted 100%. I use 35N medium shade, 44H tan, and 47S tan deep sand. This concealer gives full coverage, has a matte finish and its super easy to blend! All Tarte products are vegan, dermatologist tested and cruelty free as well.
35N Medium Shade
44H Tan
47S Tan deep sand
BECCA skin perfecter highlighter is one of my absolute favorite highlighters. I have two of the color options from BECCA & I am obsessed with them both. Champagne POP and Rose gold are the two I currently go back and forth with. They are a creamy formula and blend super well with my skin. The formula is not chalky at all and it gives you a luminous natural look without being too glittery.
Champange POP (Top) Rose Gold (Bottom)
Champange POP (Top) Rose Gold (Bottom)
Ulta velvet blush has multiple rich colors and is my go-to blush. I own a deep purple and another peach shade. They last throughout the day and have some sparkle to most shades or you can choose a matte finish. Ulta now has their blush collection called flushed blush or mineral blush. This majestic purple shade is currently out of stock and I believe is discontinued completely which is truly a bummer! I hope to find another Ulta blush shade I LOVE when the two shades I currently have run out!
I never obsess over my brows or have used liners for them. I don't draw them in and have never dyed them either, I just get mine waxed to give them shape and to clean them up. I have thicker dark brown brows (almost jet black) so for me shading them in or giving them any extra attention didn't seem necessary. Even though my brows are thicker, most recently I have noticed smaller spots I wish were darker or looked more evenly full throughout my whole brow. The Makeup Forever brow gel is light weight, has minimal shades (easy to find your right color), and the brush gives you perfect control to spread the formula evenly. This brow gel strengthens your brow hairs and is a more natural look compared to other brow fillers. I use the intense brown shade for my brows.
I alternate between Lancome and Too-Faced mascaras in my makeup routine when I use false lashes. Both mascaras have big brushes and have creamy formulas. Lancome's Monseiur mascara gives lashes thickness, length, and theres absolutely no smudging! I apply two strokes per eye and I get the full volume look I love. This formula also lasts me through a full day of work and I never have to re-apply before a night out.
I prefer lash extensions in comparison to fake lashes, but especially during this pandemic I sometimes will use fake lashes for the time being to get me through. When it comes to fake lashes, I do not like anything heavy, too thick or unnatural looking. ARDELL lashes are in-expensive, have a wide range of styles, and offer discounts often which makes them even more affordable. I do prefer strip lashes over single lashes, from experience strip lashes are easier for me to apply. I normally get the twin packs of Adrell Demi 120 lashes or ARDELL Studio Effect Demi wispies.
I just recently bought this Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray and I am in love! This spray lasts up to 16 hours for a fade proof and smooth look. This also helps prevent smudging or melting of your makeup with the proprietary temperature control technology.
Xo Nik
Add your comment