Current Makeup Favorites and Routine

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It has been awhile since I posted about my current makeup routine and what products I use. Now I talk about product repurchases occasionally (mostly when they are on sale), but I haven't done a post that shows my favorites in over two years.

So here is my updated makeup routine and favorites:

Overall Face (what I use to clean my face)

Maelove The Refresher

Yep, I still use this daily cleanser. I love it so much. It has a mint scent and a minty tingle when you massage it into your skin. I use this every single morning in the shower. And yes, I know that it isn't that great of a place to wash your face because the water can be too hot. But I still do it that way. I also use it at night when I clean my face.

 Garnier Micellar Water

I use this at different times. Sometimes in the morning before I head to the gym to give my face a refresh or in the evening when I am being lazy and don't want to wash my face with the cleanser. But this stuff works very well and doesn't irritate the face. Especially when you are taking off mascara. This stuff is amazing and cheap!

Eyes - now I know this is a personal preference, but do you put your eye makeup on before your face (foundation, blush, bronzer) or after? I put mine on before my face makeup.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

I put this on my eyes before I put on my eyeshadow. It helps to make the eyeshadow last and not crease. I have used this for years and have no reason to change it.

Tarte In Bloom Palette

This is my all time favorite eyeshadow palette. For my normal day look, I use a mix of Charmer and Flower Child all over the lid, then I put Rebel on my lower lid (the part that is closest to your eyelashes) and then I finish with Firecracker on my crease area. For my weekend or evening out look, I use Funny Girl all over the lid and then the other two the same way.

I use the other colors too, but usually when my favorite run out or I have a certain look I am trying to go for.

L'oreal Voluminous Lash Primer

I put this on my lashes to prime them and make them stand out more. I let it set for 30 seconds and then I add my mascara.

Lights, Camera, Lashes

I love this mascara. It took many tries to find the best and right one, but I love this stuff. I have purchased it a bunch over the last few years.

Face/Makeup Prep

No Poreblem Primer

We all know how much I love this face primer. It makes my makeup go on smoothly, doesn't cost a fortune and does the job. Now I only wish it was bigger, so I didn't have to buy it as often.

Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer

So I still have about half of a container left of the Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer. This stuff is my favorite, but Becca Cosmetics has closed and discontinued their products. So I have been searching for a dupe and this was one recommended. Not sure how good it is, but if you have used it, let me know your thoughts. I know a lot of influencers rep Tula, but if it works and it is good, then I have no problem buying it.

You can still get it on Amazon, but it costs way more than before.

Face

Nars Creamy Concealer

I get this one in Madeline. Another blogger/influencer recommended this to me and I really like it. It doesn't give me as much coverage as the one below, but if I don't have any zits to cover up, this is my go to.

Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer

So this is more of a recent purchase. I use it in 29N (Light-Medium). I like this one way more than the original. This one doesn't crease and lasts all day long. I feel like this one is meant for people in their 30s and older. I used to get away with the original, but not anymore. That one creases so much.

Dior Forever Foundation

I use the color 2.5N. This is a full coverage foundation. It covers up any flaws, gives me an airbrush look and lasts all day.

Stila Convertible Color (in Peony)

This is a creamy blush/lip color. I use it as a blush. I use my finger and then swipe it on my cheekbones. The peony color is really beautiful and stands out.

Too Faced Sun Bunny Bronzer

This is my go to bronzer, but if it is sold out, then I use the Tarte Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess. The Sun Bunny Bronzer is so pretty when you put it on. I put it near my creamy blush, on my forehead and on the bridge of my nose.

Anastasia Eyebrow Pencil

I have been using this for about the last year. It has been over two years since I had my brows microbladed. They are lightening up a bunch, so I use this to make them darker. But I do have a palette for where to put this on now. And I am getting my brows redone in November. I use the color Taupe.

Laura Mercier Translucent Finishing Powder

I use the color Translucent. This is the best finishing powder. I use it to set my concealer and then to set my whole face. I bought it with the puff, but have only replaced it once when my girls used it to put on lipstick meant to be worn with masks. Usually I just clean it every so often.

And that is it for my current makeup routine. What are your favorites?

My Current Make-up Favorites

It has been awhile since I have done a make-up post and what I am currently using. I wrote one back in May of last year and I have changed up some of my products. So what am I currently using and loving?

FOUNDATION:

Dior Forever Foundation (in 020 Light Beige)

I use this as my foundation each morning. I used It Cosmetics for awhile, but then I went to Sephora and told them that I needed more coverage, something that lasted longer and gave me the airbrush look. They recommended Dior and I love it. I use the Light Beige color.

PRE-MAKE UP PRIMER:

No Poreblem Primer

I think it was Biana who recommended No Poreblem to me, but I can't remember. I squirt a pump or two into my hand and rub it on my face before putting on my foundation and it helps hide my pores.

EYE SHADOW PRIMER:

Primer

I started using Urban Decay's eye shadow primer many years ago and I still use it. I have tried a few others when they came as samples in Birchboxes or using points at Sephora, but none of them compare to Urban Decay. My eye shadow never creases.

EYE SHADOW PALETTE:

Tarte In Bloom Palette

As with most make up, I have tried most brands of eye shadow, but once I found the Tarte In Bloom Palette, I was in love. I haven't bought another eye shadow palette since I discovered this one. I LOVE the funny girl color and would buy that in bulk if they sold that color alone. I love it so much.

BROWS:

Eyebrow Pencil

Anastasia makes the BEST eye brow pencils. I never used to worry about my brows until I started seeing an esthetician and he recommended that I color my brows since they were pretty light. Then I got my make up done for my engagement photos and they used an eyebrow pencil and again for my wedding photos. So I knew it was time to invest in a good eyebrow pencil. 

I tried the ones from my professional photos, plus a few others and the best is Anastasia. By far.

BRONZER:

Too Faced Sun Bunny Bronzer

I used to wear this bronzer for a long time and then I kind of got away from it and started using just blush. But I went back about 4 months ago and I love it again. Especially since I put darker colors in my hair. I needed to brighten my face up a bit and not look so pale. This is a tried and true favorite.

BLUSH:

Stila Convertible Color (in Peony)

This was another blogger recommendation. It is a lip and cheek color though I have never used it on my lips. After I get my foundation and concealer on, I use my finger and swipe this across my cheek bones. I rub it in in circles and blend it in a bit. The color (peony) is subtle, but adds to the bronzer to give a finished look.

CONCEALER:

Tarte Double Duty Shape Tape

This stuff is the holy grail. I held off on all of the hype, but finally gave in and I am on my second tube of this stuff. This time I got the little purple sponge which allows me to put it on more smoothly. This concealer covers up dark circles, blemishes and doesn't make me look like I have 4 year old twins who are crazy, fun toddlers. I get light neutral.

MASCARA:

I don't have a favorite right now. I am mostly just trying new ones out ever since I got my lash extensions off. Right now, I use Maybelline Luscious Lash Sensational, but I am looking for new recommendations and I just recently bought a primer for my mascara, so that might help out.

FINISHING POWDER: 

Laura Mercier Translucent Finishing Powder

I used to use It Cosmetics and while I loved it, I love this stuff even more. I use that little purple sponge that I got with my shape tape to put some over my concealer and then I use a puff and the setting powder over the rest of my face. My face doesn't get oily, dried out and my make-up stays all day. 

Guest Post - Top 5 Beauty Items at the Drugstore

Hello Everyone! I'm Claudia and I blog over at Justalittleblush.com. It is such a pleasure to be blogging here today! As soon as Danielle posted that she was looking for some guest posts, I jumped at the chance. Her weekly confessions link up is always the best part of my Thursday. Be warned, when I link up, most of my confessions involve something I ate or something I brought.

I am a self-declared beauty junkie and spend an embarrassingly large amount of my spare time researching & buying makeup. I consider it research and development costs for my blog ;)

So, to get something out of all those hours, I want to share with you all my top five beauty items at the drugstore.

This was tough to narrow down! I started with 18 items and slowly, but surely, narrowed it down to just 5. Although I have a TON of drugstore favorites, I really cut down to those favorites that I prefer over any of my high end products. I asked myself: if the drugstore were to disappear, what five products would I want to keep? These are all products I use regularly and many of them I've repurchased over and over.

One

Bottom to top: Mac Cosmo, Wet N Wild Bare it All, Too Faced Chihuahu & Charlotte Tilbury Nude Kate

Wet N Wild Megalast Lip Color in Bare It All - $2.29

The megalast lipsticks are actually the first lipsticks I bought when I was just starting to get into lipsticks. I didn't want to spend a lot of money when I was first experimenting with colors and I can find these for $1.99 at some drugstores. Who knew I started with the best. These lipsticks are pigmented, creamy and stay on forever. Although the actual lipstick itself may seem a little stiff, I don't have any issues gliding them over my lips. Plus, they are all matte but are not drying at all!

I recently purchased a $32 lipstick and honestly it doesn't even compare to the Wet N Wild ones.

Although I have over 10 shades of this formula, my absolute favorite is Bare it All. It's a nude shade with just a hint of peach & brown so it doesn't make me look like I'm sick (which can happen with nude lips). Think Jennifer Lopez at award shows. You can see a swatch above compared to some higher end products.

A coupe of other favorite shares are Just Peachy and Cherry Picking.

Two

Jordana Best Lash Mascara - $3.99

I recently raved about this mascara on my blog (readhere). the formula isn't too liquid or too dry. It lengthens, defines and volumizes with one coat. It doesn't flake or run and basically looks amazing. This mascara is better than any drugstore or high end mascara I have ever tried. It's the most comparable to the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara that everyone loves, but for a fraction of the price. 

If you look at the brush, it doesn't seem like anything special, but somehow it always seems to pick up the perfect amount of product to prevent any clumping.

I will never be without it.

Three

Image Via

L'Oreal Lumi Foundation - $10.99

This is hands down one of the best foundations I have ever tried. The formula is pigmented, blendable and dries to a very natural looking luminous finish. Even though the coverage is medium, you can build it up to full coverage without looking cakey. It has a little SPF and there is a huge range of shades. As a plus, this comes in a plastic bottle with a pump.

I have combination to oily skin so usually I stay far, far away from anything labeled dewy or luminous. But by some miracle, this foundation works great and I do not end up looking like I rubbed baby oil on my face by the end of the day. I just set my T zone with a tiny bit of powder. The most comparable product to this is my Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation. And that is a $64 foundation!

Four

Milani Eyeshadow Primer - $5.99

Talk about underrated products at the drugstore. This little tube of goodness is just as good as the hyped up Urban Decay Primer Potion or Too Faced Insurance Primer for 1/4 of the cost. The formula is creamy/silicone-y consistence just like the UD Primer Potion. A tiny amount is enough as it spreads really easily.

If you don't use eye shadow primer you need to go out and get this asap. It makes such a difference in how eye shadow applies, looks and lasts. I'm talking about extending your eye shadow for hours! Trust me, take an extra 10 seconds of your life and apply this primer.

Five

Wet N Wild Color Icon Blush in Mellow Wine - $2.99

As soon as I started thinking about this post I knew this blush would make the list. I don't even understand how they can price this at $2.99 when it's just as good as my $38 blushes. The formula is ultra-pigmented and long lasting. This color in particular is my absolute favorite. It is like a wine/deep watermelon color that is prefect for the Fall.

There is quite a lot of fall out with this blush so make sure to very gently tap your brush into the pan and then tap out the excess. The tiniest amount goes a LONG WAY with this so be careful to avoid clown face.

Honorable Mention

Image Via

I know I said just five, but I felt so guilty for leaving this out that I wanted to give it an honorable mention. My second favorite drugstore lipsticks are the Milani Color Statement Lipsticks. unlike the Wet N Wild lipsticks, the creamy shades of these have a satin finish so they are a little more moisturizing. They also smell delicious. My favorite shade is Cabernet Blend, a deep burgundy color that I tend to wear on repeat in the fall and winter. 

Alight friends, there you have it! I hope you'll enjoy these products as much as I do. And let us all hope there is never a true life situation that would require I only pick five products from the drugstore ;) If you want more beauty favorites, reviews and general life posts, come say hi to me at Just a Little Blush.

Thanks to Danielle for letting me post on here today!

Have a great day!

Thank you for guest posting Claudia. I learned so much from your post. I am in desperate need of UD Primer and now I am going to opt and try the Milani Eye Shadow Primer. Especially if I can save so much money. And as soon as I need mascara, I am definitely buying the Jordana one. I feel like I can pick up most of this stuff and it would cost the same as one makeup item I purchase. I love a good drugstore find and you nailed it with this post. So thank you so much.

Be sure to pop over to Claudia's blog and follow her.