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In middle school, I discovered the YouTube beauty community and quickly discovered my love for makeup and beauty products in general. While some considerable time has passed since those days and my love for beauty products remains with a few caveats. Summer weather makes wearing any extra layers, even if they’re just makeup layers, unbearable. Now that we’re approaching the middle of fall and I can consistently tolerate the feel of makeup again, I’d like to share my current makeup routine with you. I’m always looking for new products – what one product is your favorite in your whole routine?
Face
Like I’ve said in previous posts, my skin texture is combination normal-dry and leans more towards dry in the cooler months. Because of that and personal preference, I prefer applying liquid foundation and concealer rather than powder foundation. I have been loving the Maybelline Fit Me foundation in shade 120 classic ivory. The bottle I have says for normal to dry skin, but I believe there are formulas of this foundation for other skin types as well. When I’m at Ulta next, I’m going to repurchase a blending sponge to give my skin some added moisture, but for now I’ve been using the Real Techniques foundation brush. I give the bottle a good shake and use the product that is collected in the cap – it’s the perfect amount for my whole face. I apply my foundation in sections starting with my cheeks. I dip my brush into the cap and brush it all over my face. I make sure to apply some foundation down my neck and blend around my ears and hair line.
A few weeks ago, I went to the mall because I needed a new battery for my phone (the least fun $80 I’ve spent in quite a while) and while I was waiting for the batteries to be swapped out, I wandered over to the MAC store. I have been to MAC counters plenty of times, but this was my first in-store experience – it was magical. I came away with the pro longwear concealer in the shade NC20. Once my foundation is on, I do about half a pump on the back of my hand and use a pointed brush to dab some concealer under my eyes. I also apply some concealer to any spots and areas of redness. I use the same brush (I’ve been using a brush I got in a set from Costco years ago) to pat in the product.
(More on the blog: How to Cover Dark Circles)
I raved about my favorite Rimmel London powder, but in case you missed my drugstore favorites post here it is: the Rimmel London Stay Matte powder in the shade 004 Sandstorm. I swirl my ELF complexion brush in the compact and dust it over my face. Then I warm up my face with the Benefit Hoola bronzer. I swirl the Real Techniques blush brush in the pan and dust it over my cheeks and temples. I also dust the bronzer over my nose, ears, on my jawline and down my neck to make everything look even.
Eyes
First, I prime my eyelids with my Smashbox 24 hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer. I use my fingers to blend in about a pea-sized amount over both eyelids and up the brow. I then take a fluffy, domed shape brush (I’m using another Costco brush) and dip it into my MAC eyeshadow in the shade Wedge. I start at the outer edge of my eyelid and take the brush up into my crease using windshield wiper motions. I repeat this step on both of my eyes and then move on to the more exciting (read as sparkly) lid color. I’ve been using the Urban Decay eyeshadow in Midnight Cowboy since last November when I got it as my birthday gift from Ulta. Depending on what I’ve got going on that day, I’ll either apply a concentrated amount of sparkle using the Bare Escentuals full tapered shadow brush (similar here) or a light dusting of sparkle using the Real Techniques domed shadow brush. Then I apply the lightest shade in the Covergirl eye enhancers quad (I think the shade I use is called 4KT or 280?) with the domed shadow brush to my inner corner and under the brow bone.
(More on the blog: Simple Foundation Routine for Flawless Skin)
I usually only line my upper lash line to beef up my eyelashes. I received a sample of the Urban Decay 24/7 liner pencil in the shade Corrupt in a birthday present last year and I freaking love it. It’s a slightly sparkly dark brown that adds a little bit of extra drama to my lashes. As for my actual lashes, I just purchased my second tube of L’Oreal Lash Paradise. I apply two coats to my upper lashes and sometimes a coat to my bottom lashes.
Lips
I’ve been using this lip balm from an Etsy store called Bee by GBeauty. She makes lip balms using beeswax from her family’s hive. I have two lip balms: one in vanilla and the other in peppermint. She is not selling anything at the moment, but if she adds more things to her shop, I’ll be sure to let you know. My one colored lip product that I own and love is the satin lip pencil by NARS in the shade Rikugien.
Like I said, I’m always on the look out for new products to try. Let me know what your favorite makeup products are in the comments below!
What is your favorite part of your makeup routine?
