Hello my fellow beauty babes! I am no make up artist by any means, but I do love makeup and try to buy the best and most affordable products I can for myself. I know everyone wants a different look, has different skin types, or just wants a simple/minimal effort for their daily routine. All of these products I have used, loved, and recommend to anyone looking for a new make up brand or product if you haven't found one that you LOVE for yourself! Its taken me a while to find brands I like, that are long lasting throughout the day and that work with my skin type as well. I am happy to share these beauty finds with you! I am only sharing a few of my top favorites, if any of my fellow makeup enthusiasts have questions about my beauty trials or other products I didn't mention below, please comment or reach out to me, I'd love to share more makeup/product secrets!
$36.00
I have always used Smashbox as my makeup primer for the past few years. The original photo finish primer is the one I have started using most recently. Before this I was using the Smashbox super light and smooth primer. (white bottle/cream) The super light formula I felt didn't work with my skin, didn't give me the base I needed to keep my makeup lasting all day, and it was a bit oily for my skin. The original photo finish primer I now use is a thicker gel formula and gives me a better base before my daily makeup routine. This primer is still light weight, oil free, vegan, and cruelty free!
$34.00
I always have used liquid foundation but with bare minerals I found it to be light weight, the coverage never fails me, and it lasts all day. I use two different shades throughout the seasons but I am always able to find a shade that works perfect for my skin tone. BareMinerals barepro gives me complete coverage but doesn't make me feel like my makeup is caked onto my face. This formula has SPF 20, is oil free, and Dermatologist tested. If you have any skin issues or allergies and haven't tried bare minerals, I would completely recommend giving this product a try!
$31.00
I typically do not use just powder foundation but when I have a spray tan, sometimes I prefer to use a powder instead of liquid. I like having the option of powder or liquid and often use both daily. This powder doesn't dry out my skin or irritate my skin while wearing it all day. BareMinerals barepro powder foundation has multiple shades and is a 12-hour long wear foundation. This powder gives full and smooth coverage, in addition to also being hypoallergenic/Dermatologist tested.
$27.00
Daily I use three shades of this Tarte shape tape contour concealer. I use one color under my eye lids and two for contouring. I am not the best at contouring, but tarte shape tape contour concealer gives me multiple shades where I can use them for under eye coverage or full contouring. Ive tried using powder and cream contouring kits, and non have worked 100% for me. I never liked how they looked or blended with my skin type/shades. I use 35N medium shade, 44H tan, and 47S tan deep sand. This concealer gives full coverage, has a matte finish and super easy to blend! Not to mention all Tarte products are vegan, dermatologist tested and cruelty free, who doesn't love that?!
$40.00
Anastasia Beverly Hills collection is one of my favorite makeup brands. This is my second highlighting glow kit I have used and I am in LOVE! These kits last me FOREVER and have stunning shine. The Sun Dipped Glow Kit has four ultra fine formulas and they all have plenty of sparkle. My current favorite of the four options is Summer and its flawless!
$10.00
Ulta velvet blush has multiple rich colors and is my favorite blush I use. I own this deep purple and another peachy pink shade. They last throughout the day and have some sparkle to most shades. Ulta now has their blush collection called flushed blush or mineral blush. This majestic shade is currently out of stock and I believe is getting discontinued completely which is truly a bummer! I hope to find another Ulta blush shade I LOVE when the two shades I currently have run out!
$20.00
I never obsess over my brows or have used liners for them. I never really have drawn them in, dyed them or done anything besides wax them until this past year or so. I have thicker dark brown brows so for me shading them in or giving them any extra attention didn't seem necessary. Even though my brows are thicker, most recently I have noticed smaller spots I wish were darker or looked more evenly full throughout my whole brow. The makeup forever brow gel is light weight, has minimal shades (easy to find your right color), and the brush gives you the perfect control to spread the formula evenly. This brow gel strengthens your brow hairs and is a more natural look compared to other brow fillers. I use the intense brown shade for my brows.
$24.00
First off I loved the name of the mascara so I said what the hell, lets try it! I also liked the texture and hourglass shape of the brush. I am super picky on mascara brushes and want to ensure the brush can evenly separate my lashes when applying. I normally wear false lashes but when I don't, I apply two coats of this formula on. I love the length and volume it gives me, on top of that Too-Faced is cruelty and vegan free! If you'd like to give this a try, Ulta right now is offering a free gift with purchase! (Travel size of the Better than Sex mascara is currently $12.00 if you'd like to just test it before committing to a new mascara!)
$25.00
I alternate between Lancome and Too-Faced mascaras in my daily makeup routine. Both mascaras have big brushes and have creamy formulas. Lancome's Monsieur mascara gives my lashes thickness, length, and theres absolutely no smudging! I apply two strokes per eye and I get the full volume look I love. This formula also lasts me through a full day of work and I never have to re-apply before a night out.
$6.99
When it comes to fake lashes, I do not like anything heavy, too thick or unnatural looking. ARDELL lashes are in-expensive, have a wide range of styles, and offer discounts often which makes them even more affordable. I do prefer strip lashes over single lashes, from experience strip lashes are easier for me to apply. I normally get the twin packs of ARDELL Demi 120 lashes or ARDELL Studio Effect Demi wispies. Demi 120 lashes are a more natural everyday look. These lashes do add light volume, but I do add mascara when I wear these. Studio effect Demi wispies are still a natural look but they are fuller and give more length. (no mascara needed)
$6.49
I use and prefer the duo blue package lash glue, but have tried the green package as well. I personally do not like the brush given for applying in the green package of DUO lash glue. Both glues have the same texture and dry time, but the blue package lash glue has longer lasting wear for me.
$21.00
If you aren't a lip color type of gal, I'm thinking you may want to re-consider and try too-faced melted collections. I have tried there glosses, matte lip colors, and most recently there matte-tallic liquified lip color, I AM OBSESSED! Too-faced lip colors are priced a bit higher than other brands I have tried but all the shades I have are long lasting (through drinking/eating), smell great, and are cruelty free! This particular collection has 14 colors to choose from and I purchased two of the metallic shades! My current favorite I am using is FAKING IT. Ulta is also offering a gift with purchase if customers make the purchase online!
$16.00
Ulta now has Kyle cosmetics and this is so convenient for any makeup lover that hasn't tried her products yet or is obsessed with the lip kits! I never really had any interest in Kylie cosmetics, but a friend of mine bought this lip color for me and I ended up liking it! I love the wear of this liquid lipstick and it lasted longer than I thought it would, the color also goes on smooth and stays vibrant. I ended up buying another color from her collection shortly after I tried this basic lip matte color.
$32.00
I just recently bought this setting spray and I am in love! My makeup lasted all day and the spray is so light weight on my skin! This spray helps prevent smudging or melting of your makeup with the proprietary temperature control technology! Did I mention the all nighter setting spray is vegan and is selling on urban decays website in a duo pack for only $39 right now?!
Xo Nik
