Some overall makeup tips and tricks first:
1. Even if you think you don't have enough time for makeup, you do. Many women (as I have been known to do) choose sleep in the mornings over leaving themselves enough time to get ready in the morning before work. As I said, I have done this often, but I still make sure I do the 5 key steps to makeup, either in the parking lot before going into work or at every stop light. These steps are REALLY easy and you don't need vast amounts of makeup knowledge to pull them off.
I know there will be some women who argue and say they don't need to wear makeup to work, that's not the image they want to convey, they weren't hired for their looks, etc. The fact of the matter is: makeup (even just a touch) = someone who is put together. When you look put together, you look more professional and what that shows your work place is that, even though you probably weren't hired for your looks, you care about your job enough to put effort into your appearance and you care about the image you project; you are a representation of your workplace and your higher ups like to see that you can act and look professional.
So what are the five keys things you need to do?
- Concealer - crucial step. Even if you have perfect skin, just a touch under your eyes (more if you heavy dark circles) and on any redness will brighten up your entire face. **Note: If you have skin that is on the not-so-perfect side (like me), you will have to add a 6th step of foundation (look below for recommendations).
- Blush - blush is so so so important. Just a light swipe of the right shade and your face instantly brightens and makes you appear healthier, younger, and more vibrant.
- Mascara - another really really important component. Just a quick swipe and your eyes are more open and you look like you're wearing more makeup than you actually are.
- Eyebrows - never under estimate the power of a well-groomed eyebrow. If your brows are on the heavy side, just brush and set with a clear brow gel. If your brows are sparse, fill in and then set with gel.
- Powder - set everything with a translucent powder, especially if you have oily skin. If you have dry skin, just set the spots you used concealer on with powder.
These steps should take no more than 10 mins (at most!) and with these essentials, you will look polished and put together.
2. Eyeliner can be your best friend or your worst enemy, so practice practice practice. Eyeliner is a great tool and a great way to complete your gorgeous eye looks. However, it takes a bit of practice, whether you're using pencil, liquid or gel. My suggestion? Grab a free standing mirror (those magnifying makeup mirrors are wonderful), rest the elbow of the hand you are drawing with on the counter to help keep it steady, and make small strokes first, working from the inside, out. If your line is uneven or splotchy, take a q-tip and run it over the line. It will smooth it out and soften it enough to hide imperfections or provide a guiding line for your second attempt. When in doubt, just line the top lashline and just the outer portion of the lower lashline. If you're new to makeup, I wouldn't recommend lining both the top and bottom lashlines fully right off the bat - it will be too much. Transition slowly.
3. You don't always need to powder your whole face, especially, if you have dry skin. Just apply a translucent powder to set concealer. If you have oily skin, unfortunately you will have to powder your whole face to keep the makeup set all day.
Alright, I'm sure there's more, but if you have any further questions, please feel free to comment!
Part II: Makeup
1. Primer
(Normal to Dry Skin): Benefit's The POREFessional
I actually never started wearing primer until I switched to powder foundation and holy cow, I don't know how I did makeup without it! I swear by this stuff. It's the only primer that hasn't dried out my skin or broken me out and actually keeps my makeup smooth. Don't be intimidated by the color, it actually goes on translucent and a very little goes a LONG way.
I get mine at Sephora, but you can actually find it on Amazon as well, for about $30 (okay I know, a bit pricey but this one tube has lasted me well over six months. I use it everyday and I still have half a tube left).
(Oily Skin): Monistat Soothing Relief Anti-Chaffing Gel
Don't laugh at this one. This stuff actually works, without irritating the skin! The only reason I switched is because this stuff actually dried me out a bit. It is, however, fantastic for oily skin and the price is unbeatable for the amount and the results! Again, a little goes a long way with this product.
You can find this at any drugstore or grocery store, as well as Amazon for about $8.
2. Foundation
(Oily, Normal, Dry Skin): Everyday Minerals - Matte, Semi-Matte, Jojoba Formulas
This is by far the best powder foundation I've ever used. It covers like a dream, does not cake up like some other mineral powders *coughBareMineralscough*, natural finish and coverage, lightweight, has a great price tag, and more colors than you can imagine. They have 4 different formulas and though they discontinued Original Glo formula - for dry skin and the one I currently bought in bulk - the jojoba formula or semi-matte are good alternatives. The matte formula is great for oily skin. It leaves a nice, non-cakey matte finish. They also have an It formula for oily skin, but I haven't personally tried it. The semi-matte is great for combo, normal and dry skin and leaves a semi-matte, semi-satin finish. The jojoba formula is one of their newest and it leaves a good satin finish. This is recommended mostly for normal to dry skin. The great thing about Everyday Minerals is you can get a 7 piece "try me" sample kits for the cost of shipping (about $3-$4). You can try any of their other colors as well, such as blush and eyeshadow. I recommend this if you're not sure of your color or undertones. The bases come in a container like the one pictured above, though what it doesn't show, is that there is a slider that closes off the holes for the powder when you're not using it, thus not creating a gigantic mess. It also does not require setting powder.
I love their products and could go on for days about them (I also have about 6 of their brushes), but I won't in the interest of space and time. It's worth a try!
You can purchase Everyday Minerals on their website for about $12 for a full sized container.
**I have liquid foundations that I love, but I keep going back to Everyday Minerals, because the coverage and ease of application. It truly is great for all skin types, but if you are completely against powder foundation, feel free to leave a comment and I will give you some good liquid alternatives.
3. Blush
(Normal to Dry Skin): MAC Cremeblend Blush
Cream blush is a fantastic alternative to powder blushes, in that it creates a more natural finish. If you have normal to dry skin, cream blushes are great at creating a nice, dewey finish. Just a little touch on your ring finger, dab it on your cheeks from the apple to your hairline and blend; next thing you know, you have a natural, dewey flush. This particular blush, though terrible with color selection, is one of the best formulas I've used. It doesn't break you out and the consistency makes it very easy to work with, particularly to blend. I love it for those hot summer nights, when just a wash of color on my cheeks will do!
You can purchase at a MAC store or MAC's online store for about $20 (again, I know, pricey, but it lasts forever).
(Oily Skin): Bobbi Brown Blush
I know, another sort of pricey blush, but it is worth every penny. One of the best powder blush formulas I've used. I currently switch between the MAC cremeblush and this powder. It's not too heavy, but has just enough pigment to great a nice cheek. I would recommend only powder blushes to those of you with oily skin, the creams tend to run, but normal and dry skins can use powder too. As I said, I switch back and forth.
This blush can be purchased at most major department stores, online at Sephora or Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, for about $25.
4. Bronzer
(All Skin Types): Sephora Collection Bronzer
Bronzer can be very intimidating and slightly difficult to work with. That's why it's so important to find the right formula and shade. Sephora Collection Bronzer has a great consistency, is MATTE (which is very rare for a bronzer), has buildable color - doesn't apply to heavily even if you have a heavy hand, and you get a lot for the price. The color selection is slightly limited, but like I said, a great product that's almost goof-proof.
You can find it at any Sephora for about $15.
5. Concealer
(Under Eye): Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer
I know, another pricey one. But let me explain: if you are going to splurge on anything makeup wise, make sure it's your concealer and foundation. You'd be amazed at the difference and the fact that you are actually getting more for your money, with a great return, is worth it. Plus, the benefits to your skin will save you money in the end. Bobbi Brown has one of the best under eye concealers I've ever used. I have heavy circles under my eyes (those bad genes again) and this is the only concealer that's actually covered them and kept my under eye skin from drying out or creasing. When looking for under eye concealer, it's really important to find a creamy formula, anything else will tug at that skin and dry it out within minutes.
You can find this at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics for about $23 (Sephora has the Creamy Concealer Kit, with attached setting powder for about $33).
(Blemish/Redness Concealer): Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer
This concealer is the only reason I made it through high school and college without being self-conscious about my acne. They aren't kidding when they call it "Amazing Concealer." A wonder product, this concealer covers imperfections like a dream, without sliding off, caking up, or disappearing halfway through the day. It also didn't break me out further or accentuate dry spots. It may look like a small tube, but again, a little goes a very long way. I recommend applying it with a concealer brush if you have very hard to conceal spots, to get the most coverage. Again, the price is pretty high, but one tube lasted me about 7 months (using it everyday, almost all over my face) and I couldn't put a price on how well it covered.
You can find it at Sephora, Ulta, or Amazon for about $42 (they also have "To Go" sizes if you'd like to try it first for about $28).
6. Mascara
CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion or MAC False Lashes
I was torn with this one. I absolutely ADORE LashBlast Fusion from CoverGirl and I think it's one of the best mascaras on the market today. The price is great, the promise actually delivers, and you can't beat the price. I've used this for years and haven't had one issue, unlike with some other popular mascaras, such as DiorShow, Maybelline, and BadGal Lash. Then, a friend gave me her sample of MAC's False Lashes and I decided to try it on a whim. I fell in love. The length this mascara gives my lashes is unbeatable, even by CG's mascara, and it doesn't clump, applies easily, and looks great. The price, however, is a bit on the high side and it's not as easily accessible as CG. So I put both up here and will let you decide!
CoverGirl's LashBlast Fusion can be found at most drugstores, grocery stores, and on Amazon for about $8; MAC's False Lashes can be found in any MAC store or online for about $20.
7. Eye Shadow Primer
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer
This should come as no surprise - I think this primer has been on the top of everyone's lists forever and rightfully so. The best example I can give of how well this works is: I once had to wear makeup for over 22 hours, and through a nap and sweat and weather, my eyeshadow still looked like I had just applied it. True story. I will happily continue buying this. My only complaint is they switched to this stupid tube, from the applicator stick.
You can find it at Sephora for about $20.
8. Eyeliner
(Pencil): MAC's PowerPoint Eye Pencil
Tried and true eyeliner pencil - it has great pigmentation, lasts, easy to apply, goof-proof, and not too bad of a price tag. I use this pencil almost everyday and I don't know what I'd do without it.
You can find it at any MAC store or online for about $15.
(Liquid): LORAC Front of the Line PRO
I've been using LORAC's liquid eyeliner for YEARS now. It's got a great formula, ridiculously easy to maneuver and use, and it stays put. Granted, there are only two colors, but still, if you're searching for a great black liquid liner, this is it. Anything with a pen tip is ideal when dealing with liquid liner.
You can find it at Amazon or Sephora for about $23.
(Gel): MAC Fluidline
I know, another MAC product. What can I say? They make good products. Fluidline is a really nice gel liner, that lasts and is really great to work with. It doesn't irritate the eyes and has really high pigmentation. One of the best I've used.
You can find it at any MAC store or online for about $15.
9. Brows
I've thought long and hard about what I feel are the best brow products, and while there are some great products out there, nothing quite compares to an eyeshadow that matches your brow color, an angled brush, and any clear brow gel you can find. Most products you're paying way too much for and to do something that you can do with things you already have. Any clear brow gel will do, Sally Hansen makes a good one, a brow brush (I recommend just clean mascara wands), like I said, an eyeshadow that matches, and an angled brush (EveryDay Minerals has a good one).
10. Eyeshadow
This is another one that's tough to pin down, because there are so many great shadows out there! I can't pick just a few. When shopping for eyeshadows, make sure you check the pigmentation. Drugstore brands can be low in pigmentation, so you end up using a lot more product and re-purchasing more often. There are some exceptions - such as the new products coming out specified as highly pigmented, but for the most part, you're not going to get the same results. Sephora brand has good eyeshadows that are well pigmented, so they are a cheap alternative. Just play around with some and see what you like and what works for you!
Okay there you have it. A very condensed version of my makeup recommendations. If you have any questions, complaints, concerns, etc., don't hesitate to comment! I will answer any and all questions you have!
Enjoy!
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