This is probably my favorite Beauty Ritual post to write yet. I
love makeup. I can't pass by a makeup counter anywhere without first taking a peek, and I can't leave the house without wearing at least a smidgen of makeup, even if I'm running late. (And if worse comes to worse, I'll even apply it in the car!) I'm forever trying new products and mixing and matching my tried and true favorites, and I've been doing it as long as I can remember.
Here are some of my very favorite makeup items. Any one of these products by itself is excellent, but when they are all combined, you get the perfect recipe for a camera-ready face.
After washing and moisturizing my face, I always like to apply this primer prior to putting on my makeup. It allows my makeup to glide on perfectly and stay on for hours. This is a must for special occasions.
I recently discovered this product thanks to Birchbox's blog, and now I don't go a day without it. I apply it around my eyes right before adding concealer. It brightens up my entire eye area and beautifully camouflages under eye circles. This is the best set of concealers I've found out there. It contains four types of concealer: one for under your eye, one for your eyelid and brow bone, and two more for your face (for zits and such), plus two brighteners: one for your eyes and one for your face. It also contains two useful little dual-sided brushes for easy, portable use. Best of all, its price tag won't break the bank -- at under $40, it's a steal.
I use this "play stick" mostly on especially stubborn zits that refused to be properly concealed. I love this product so much, I keep one in my makeup bag and one in my purse.
When my erstwhile clear face started breaking out a few years ago, I took to wearing liquid foundation on a daily basis. I was so desperate to cover up the acne that I didn't stop to think about the fact that this was only exacerbating the problem. Then I discovered bareMinerals. This powder foundation has been my saving grace. It provides even coverage that lasts, plus it doesn't clog my pores. I wear the matte foundation to keep my face shine-free, plus it just seems to last longer on my face than the original version.
Yep, it's yet another Benefit product. (Can you tell I love this brand?) This is my go-to blush. I apply it on the apples of my cheeks right after applying my powder foundation. It gives me that healthy just-got-back-from-a-run glow, even if I just rolled out of bed.
I was lucky enough to pick this palette up last summer right before it became a cult classic and started selling out everywhere. And I'm still happy with it today, almost one year later. I use the lighter shades for day use, and the darker, smokier ones for nighttime. The shadows glide on like a dream, and the primer that comes with the palette helps them stay on all night. It also brings a dual-sided eyeliner in brown and black.
I am very, very picky with mascara. Most of them wind up running after just a few hours, making me look like a raccoon. Even the so-called "waterproof" versions don't work for me. This mascara is the best one I've found to date. It goes on smoothly and doesn't clump, and best of all, it lasts for ages. It won't come off until you want it to, plus it is a snap to remove -- if you run out of makeup remover, don't fret, because this mascara comes off with water alone. (A close runner-up for my favorite mascara is L'Oreal's Telescopic Explosion Waterproof Mascara. It's like a cheaper version of Fiberwig, only without the awesome staying power.)
I am a self-confessed lip gloss addict. I love them in all their shades and varieties, but this one has been my recent staple. The formula is long-lasting without being too sticky, like most other lip glosses (don't you hate when your hair gets stuck on your lip gloss? I know I do!). The "Eden" shade practically goes with every look, though all of their shades are gorgeous.
What are your favorite makeup products? Let me know in the comments!
P.S.) I'm thisclose to having 100 "likes" on my blog's Facebook page. When I reach 100, I just might host a giveaway. So make this gal's day -- go and "like" me! :D
