My Go-To Makeup Favorites
10 items you need to have for a naturally sexy look
My makeup philosophy is to look naturally beautiful, and sexy. I want to highlight and define my cheekbones, make my eyes POP, and skin look smooth and young all year long.
From expensive beauty counter buys to drugstore secrets, I've tried and tested allllll the brands.
Through trial and error, and spending 1/4 of my life in Sephora, SpaceNK, Nordstrom, and Walgreens...I’ve finally found the holy grail of makeup products that I can't live without.
See below for my simple 10 item makeup bag in order…
“These have been recommended by my celebrity makeup artist friends, and they know their sh*t. I always make sure to buy items that also last a long time so they are worth the investment. ”
unedited photo of my glowy makeup
Taken February 2020 from an uber :)
1. SOAP BROW
soap brow: $8
I’ve ditched my number one favorite beauty tool from beauty blender to soap brow! Groomed brows can make or break your face and this is better than any other brow gel I’ve used. I learned about it from my favorite beauty blogger @nikkimakeup. She uses it on every major model and influencer.
It’s also so simple. You dip the brush in water and dip it in the case, and then groom your brows upwards. It makes them stay all day and have the appearance of a thicker groomed look.
“All I can say is...wow, it’s worth the hype”
2. light coverage day - Garnier BB Cream miracle skin perfector
Garnier BB Cream: $10-13
True to it's name, this BB Cream IS a skin perfector and covers for that barely there look. It's also made with mineral pigments (think pretty reflector particles) and has SPF 20.
“if you don’t believe me, even vogue says so too.”
As I've said before, my best friend is a celebrity makeup artist. She's tested every single high-to-low-end makeup product for the past 15 years including Nars, Chanel, MAC, Smashbox, Dior, Bobbi Brown...and Garnier is the hand-down-winner! If you don't believe me, even Vogue says so too.
I squeeze a dime-size amount on top of my hand and dab it into my skin (focusing on the t-zone).
It's available in person at any drugstore or Amazon. I use the light/medium color most of the year.
2. Regular/No-Pore Coverage - Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation
This is the most flawless, no-pore, velvety light foundation I’ve ever come across.
“I have medium sized pores and I’ve received comments that my skin looks very smooth and even.”
I also have a red-ish t-zone and this is heavy enough to cover it up, but light enough where it doesn’t feel like I’m really wearing makeup. I use color #3.
magic foundation: $44
Nars Portobello duo: $35
3. best natural eye shadow palette (from day to night)
This is the best natural eyeshadow color I've ever come across, and if you have green/blue/hazel eyes you'll love it. It's a buttery matte that blends SO well, and the more you put on, it darkens.
“This stuff is bizarre because it makes your eye color pop, even though it looks super light.”
During the days, I literally do one little swab of the left color, add mascara, and I'm set! If you want a smokier look, take any dark shadow and this will blend really well with it. It's hard to find, but if you order from nars.com they have free shipping or get it from Nordstrom. It'll also last you 2+ years.
4. Bye Bye Under-eye conceALer
Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer: $24
This is the best concealer I’ve ever had. It goes on lightweight but has major coverage. it doesn’t dry out and lasts all day.
“it has amazing anti-aging components like hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, ”
I’m definitely sold on this because it has such great coverage (literally doesn’t come off without washing your face) and still feels super light. I even switched to Charlotte Tilbury a few months back and it didn’t come close to how amazing Bye-Bye is!
I use a pin size amount because it’s fairly thick and goes a long way. I’ve had mine for over a year and it’s the product that keeps giving, who knows when it’ll run out! I used the plain medium color.
5. BaremineralS Powder Foundation
BareMinerals foundation: $29.50
I've used this stuff since I was 18 and probably will never change. It's super light weight but smoothes out your skin. It mattifies but also has mineral pigments (hence the name).
“Feels like a cream and buffs on like silk, giving skin a natural luminosity... as if you are not wearing any makeup.”
I've always worn the color medium which is not too light and can be worn in winter AND summer. In warmer months or on vacation I use a lighter amount and put more bronzer on. P.S. there’s a reason why queen-bee supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley just became their spokesperson. I use medium beige or soft medium.
Hoola Bronzer: $30
6. best bronzer and blush combo - Becca
This is my favorite new bronzer that I’ve used for years. I place it on the outer bridge of my nose, cheekbones, temples, and forehead (see my IGTV video).
7. Eyeliner
Trish McEvoy Gel Eyeliner: $30
Trish McEvoy is a new but favorite brand for makeup. I put this on the inside of my upper eye lid (see my IGTV video to see how). It sounds weird but it lines where your mascara goes and creates a * pop * effect.
“my eyes have never looked greener and i never ever see a smudge.”
It makes my lashes appear thicker without having to do a heavy line of eyeliner on my lid. Super natural looking and just brings out the color of my eyes.
Loreal Volumnious Mascara: $5.50
8. Mascara
From Chanel to 20+ different drugstore brands, this is the VERY BEST MASCARA IN THE WORLD and what a lot of pro’s use.
“It makes your lashes really thick (I have long thin ones) without being clumpy in the slightest. ”
It also stays on all day and DOES NOT smear on your bottom lashes either...so perfect for all-day or a night out. I don’t care if I was given a $100 Chanel mascara, I’d still use this. You can buy it at any drugstore or:
9. Eyebrows
Anastasia Brow Wiz: $23
Anastasia Dip Brow:$18
“I’m a slave to Anastasia because nothing beats it. ”
It's probably the most famous eyebrow brand for a reason. I'm a slave to Anastasia. The Brow Wiz sadly goes by fast (every 2-3 months), but it lasts all day and creates the perfect shape and fills in the brows. I shape with the defined pencil and brush up the hairs to create a thicker look. I only use "Soft Brown" as it's less red and more of a brown color than the others.
I also use their eyebrow pomade (called Dipbrow) that is a sort of putty that fills in some gaps and makes them appear thicker (this last years). It's also waterproof so everything stays on for 12+ hrs or one sweaty dance night.
Golden Hour luminizing powder: $20
10. Highlighter
The best makeup secret I've ever ever learned is to use highlighter in 3 PLACES.
In the inner corners of your eyes (just a dab), the bridge of your nose, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT...the “V” part of your lip.
“there isn’t a single model or famous makeup-artist that doesn’t do this trick.”
It creates a super dewy and natural look. The color is a mix between a peach and gold and it’s my favorite highlighter I’ve ever used. I also dap it on my cheeks as a final makeup touch!
Extras!
A few other makeup extras that I use for a fun date night or mix up my routine are:
Best rose colored lipstick
Charlotte Tilbury in Pin Up Pink. A super natural rose/coral color for day or night.
Charlotte Tilbury: $22
Gold eyeliner:
Trish McEvoy Eyeshadow Liner in Topaz. (I place this on the lower inside lashes and the gold makes my green eyes shimmer.
Trish Mcevoy Eyeshadow Liner: $34
