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When I posted this photo on Instagram a few weeks ago, my friend Gabby demanded to know my skincare and makeup routine. If you know Gabby, you know that she knows beauty. In what we affectionately refer to as “non-rona world”, she keeps us looking good. One time she did my makeup and someone told me they hardly recognized me, which was rude, but also accurate because girlfriend can do transformative things with makeup.
Since I’m making a list for Gabby, I thought I’d share it with you too! Full disclosure – I don’t wear this much makeup most days. But when I’m taking photos or on the rare occasion I actually go somewhere, this is the full face makeup routine. Also, I typically buy my makeup at Ulta, so I’m going to link everything that’s available at multiple retailers at Ulta for ease.
Last disclaimers: I’m obviously not a professional makeup artist, so I’m probably using the wrong brushes, etc. It works for me, do what works for you! Also, some of the products are marked (c/o) which means it’s a gifted product. (I don’t want to tell y’all how long ago I was given that concealer; I may need to replace it this weekend. Oops!)
Eyeshadow: Therapy Systems Shadows in Try Again & Ryman
I could have purchased a full palette for what I paid for these, which makes me a little nauseous. When it comes to eyeshadow, I don’t do anything fancy. I use this brush (c/o) to spread Ryman across my eye lid, followed by using this brush (c/o) to apply Try Again. Then I blend it using the brush and lighter shade from before.
Eyeliner: NYX Epic Ink Liner
This is the best liquid pen eyeliner I have ever used. It’s precise, it doesn’t dry out quickly, and it’s actually pretty easy to use. I don’t do anything fancy, just a quick, thin line that gets a tad bit thicker toward the outer corners of my eyes.
Foundation: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ (Fair)
I use this brush to apply my foundation. Heavy and/or matte products tend to make my fine lines more visible, which is why I love the soft, dewy coverage of this product. It does a great job of camouflaging redness without hiding my freckles, and I give it bonus points for SPF 50+.
Concealer: KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Concealer Crème (Light 3) (c/o)
I apply a tiny bit of this under my eyes and blend with this brush(c/o). I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with concealer, but this is a great product.
Liquid Highlighter: VDL Lumilayer Primer
This product is the secret weapon in my makeup arsenal. I use my finger to apply it to my cheekbones, then use whatever is left on my fingers to blend it into the bridge of my nose and on to my brow bone. It is a gamechanger, and I wear it even on days when I don’t wear anything but sunscreen and mascara.
Powder: Clinique Blended Face Powder (Transparency Neutral)
Now that I’m finished applying all of my cream products, I apply powder with this big fluffy brush (c/o). I don’t use a lot of product, and tap my brush against the container a few times to avoid loading my brush and subsequently my face down with powder.
Bronzer: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer Mini
I use this brush to apply the bronzer first to the hollows under my cheekbones, the hairline area on my forehead, and below my chin. My face is small, soft, and round-ish, and countouring is the step that helps me look over the age of twelve.
Blush: Smashbox Blush Rush (Chiffon) — discontinued, try Nars Orgasm for a dupe
It almost feels like the “creams” part of my routine is about removing color from my face, and the “powders” part of my routine is all about adding the right colors back in! I use this brush to apply blush to the apples of my cheeks, blending out toward my ears.
Powder highligher: Floss Highlighter (Sunlit)
This product really adds some oomph when layered above the liquid highlighter. I apply it in the same places I applied it’s liquid counterpart earlier – cheekbones, bridge of nose, and brow bones. My favorite highlighter brush is this one.
Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (Dark Brown) & Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara (Ashy Brown)
Brows are a two step process. I try to keep them waxed and hennaed, and I use this pencil to go back in and make any needed touchups. (By the way, if you have difficult, unruly brows, henna is a lifesaver.) Following the fill-in, I set them with this super cheap brow gel.
I also like to take a tiny dab of concealer and clean up the area above my brows when I’m done. It gives it a clean line.
False Lashes: Natural Pre-glued // Wispy Light Pre-glued // Ardell Wispies // Eylure glue
You may remember reading about my newfound love for lashes in this post. If you would have told me two years ago I would wear false lashes pretty regularly, I would have either laughed in your face and/or assumed that I won the lottery and had someone doing my makeup every day. The truth is, with a little bit of practice, they’re incredibly easy.
The lashes I choose depend on my day. For something super simple and barely there, I prefer these. This set is my favorite for when I need just a touch of flair. And if I’m going all in glam? These cult classics! I use this glue.
Mascara: Wander Beauty Unlashed Volume & Curl Mascara
I recently gave up on my favorite mascara. I received this in my Allure Beauty Box, and I’ve been using it for the time being. The shape of the brush is really unique, which I like a lot. If I’m not wearing lashes, I load this up. And if I am, I use a couple of coats of this to blend my natural lashes with the falsies.
Lip Gloss: Floss Beauty My New Favorite Lip Gloss (LHR) //
This gloss is my go-to at the moment. It’s super moisturizing, and if I can’t find my lip balm, I often apply this in it’s place.
However, I’ve recently become obsessed with NYX Butter Glosses! I like Creme Brulee by itself and Vanilla Cream Pie topped with Fortune Cookie. (PS – At $5 a pop, these make really good stocking stuffers!)
An obscene number of products later, and it looks like we are finished! 🎉 If you have any questions about my full face makeup routine or any product recommendations, please send them my way! I love trying new things as much as I love to help.
