Tag: Concealer

My Current Makeup Must-Haves

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In the past few months I’ve been finding myself on Youtube, watching makeup tutorial after makeup tutorial, and all of a sudden four hours have gone by. Is this a problem for anyone else?

I’ve become so enamored with finding the best makeup for my skin, where to splurge, where to save, and everything in between! I’ve learned a great deal from all these Youtube channels (some of my favorites include: Kandee Johnson, Stephanie Lange,  and Tati). I feel I’m starting to get a solid collection of favorites that I thought I’d share!

Foundation:

Foundation Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer  in 1 Linen

Kandee Johnson has been ravings about this “perfecting” foundation and concealer so I had to check it out. It is one of the more affordable higher-end foundations at $27 (or £25.00). I’m really liking this currently. It gives a medium-full coverage. I don’t really like it as a concealer, and stick to using a separate product for that. It’s definitely not matte, and so I must use a setting powder with it. I apply it using my damp Beauty Blender and its gives a great, natural looking coverage that isn’t too cakey or too sheer. It’s the Goldilocks of foundations!

Setting Powder:

Powder

Clinique Blended Face Powder in Invisible Blend

I was previously using Makeup For Ever HD High Definition Powder, but ran out and could not find it over here in the UK. I figured since I had such great success with the Clinique foundation, I should try out the powder! So far, I love it. The Invisible blend doesn’t change the color of my foundation at all and does a great job of locking everything in and reducing creasing. I may switch back and forth between this and the Makeup For Ever later, but for now this gets the job done.

Contour:

Contour.jpg

The Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit  in Light/Medium (also available in Medium/Dark)

I was a bit late to the contour trend, and used to use my bronzer as a dark contour. I watched a video (on Youtube, surprise!) about how bronzer should 100% never be used for contour! Bronzers are orange-y and a true contour shade should be more grey-like because a contour is creating the illusion of a shadow/enhancing the natural contour of your face. This kit was rated one of the highest among all the contour kits (I spent about a week researching!) and so I decided to give it a try. I love it! I do not use the brush that is included, but it is handy for a beginner who doesn’t yet have many bushes. I mainly use the contour shade (on the left) and the highlight (on the right) and only use the bronzer shade sparingly to add a bit of warmth to my face. Overall, great product that is easy and straightforward for anyone to use! Only three colors reduces possibility of errors, and a nice chart on the mirror allows for easy replication.

Eye Shadow:

Eye Shadow

Urban Decay Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette 

An oldie but a goodie! I asked for this for Christmas 2014 and it’s still going strong. I use this almost every day. I have a hard time buying multiple eyeshadow palettes as I feel they’re all so similar…someone feel free to correct me and change my mind but I usually just stick to this. The Naked palettes truly do live up the the hype – the pigment is great, and they last all day/night long. I spent a long time figuring out which one I wanted, and decided on the Naked 2. I am definitely interested in the new Naked Smoky palette though! I may have to add that to my collection. My most used colors include: Chopper, Bootycall, YDK, and Busted. This palette can complete and everyday makeup look, or create a dramatic smoky eye!

Highlighter:

Becca Highlight

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Moonstone

I was hesitant to try out highlighters at first. I didn’t want an enormous amount of sparkle on my face and end up looking like a discoball. I heard great things about this Becca highlighter and decided to give it a go. I previously had tried the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight 01 but I found it was too light and barely noticeable. I returned it instead for this Becca one in Moonstone. I do really like it – it’s fun to have a little bit of extra shimmer! I was originally interested in the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering SKin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop which everyone and their mother was raving about on blogs and Youtube. The Sephora salesgirl talked me out of it, saying it was too dark for my skin. However, online reviewers say it works for all skin tones so I may have to go back and try it out. Overall, this is a really fun product that gives my everyday look an extra pop!

What are YOUR favorite makeup must-haves? Share them below!

**Items pictured in the main image not mentioned: