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If you are anything like me, and you find yourself constantly buying new makeup products in search of the perfect one, you know what it’s like to finally come across a true gem.
There are a ton of products on the market, and it’s always hard to know which one will work for you. Throughout my search to curate the perfect makeup bag, I have found a great list of products that I swear by and will always repurchase, for anyone who is looking for a new staple in their routine.
If there is one product on this list I would bring to a desert island with me, it would be the Glossier Stretch Concealer. This concealer is buildable, so whether you are looking for a more sheer your-skin-but-better look, or a full coverage concealer for blemishes, this concealer has got you covered. It is also a pretty affordable option at $22, and because it is a cream-potted concealer, it lasts a very long time.
If you are looking for a foundation that will complement a more natural makeup routine, I would definitely recommend the Merit Minimalist Foundation Stick. As the name says, this foundation and concealer stick-hybrid matches perfectly with the Glossier Stretch concealer for a sheer, no-makeup-makeup look that covers any blemishes and evens out the skin tone.
If you are looking for a serious bang for your buck, this cream makeup palette comes with four contour or highlight shades, as well as four cream blush shades. They are super blendable and creamy, and can be worn naturally or also for a full glam look. This is my favorite thing to throw in my makeup bag whenever I’m traveling, because it can give you so many different looks with just one palette!
If you want a waterline eyeliner that will stay on all day, this is it. It also works great for winged eyeliner looks and will give you the perfect smoky eye. My personal favorite shade is the brown shade, Tootsie, but the pencil also comes in multiple other shades that would look great with every eye color (even a sparkly beige shade to brighten up the inner corners of your eyes). I have given one of these to almost everyone I know, and I find it’s one of my favorite makeup products to give as a gift because of how versatile it is– perfect for the holiday season!
- L’Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara $11.99
This mascara always keeps my lashes up and looking great all day. The wand is one of my favorite mascara wands of all time, and it lifts your lashes and gives them a nice color, but it doesn’t look clumpy. It comes in a bunch of different shades for every eye color, but my secret is using the burgundy shade, which makes lighter colored eyes pop.
This is the best fake freckle product I have tried so far— they stay on all day and look super realistic. This is my secret weapon in the summer for the beach or on a hot day. These freckles will stay on no matter what you are doing, giving you a natural, sun-kissed look.
The Black Honey color from Clinique has been super popular for decades, and this blush is one that I find myself reaching for almost every day. It’s a perfect natural flush shade, and it looks amazing on both paler and darker skin tones. The powder blush formula is light yet very buildable for whatever pigment level you are looking for.
If you want to seriously glow, then this highlighter is perfect for you. This is one of the most gorgeous and glowy pressed powder highlighters that I have tried, and this one also comes in a bunch of great shades for a range of skin tones. The formula is super creamy even though it is a powder, and the sparkle is unmatched.
Even though I might not be the best at contouring, this contour stick from Milk Makeup is almost foolproof. It comes in a perfect size to glide right on the skin, and blends out super well. It’s a cream formula, but sets down to a matte finish and stays on all day. It’s also the perfect stocking-stuffer size, and great for anyone looking for a last-minute gift for the makeup lovers in their life!
By now, you have probably heard about the Rare Beauty blush, but the hype is not misplaced. This blush formula is truly unrivaled when it comes to pigment and durability, and because the pigment is so strong, you only need to use a small amount, meaning this one product can last you a seriously long time.
This is another product that has been popular for decades for a reason. I have multiple shades of this lipstick because the formula is so smooth and looks gorgeous on the lips, but Bare Affair is my perfect “your lips but better” shade. There are so many shades that look great on a range of skin tones, meaning these can work as a great holiday gift for a ton of different people.
Another holy grail product is Glossier’s Balm Dotcom. It is a tried-and-true cult classic lip balm that comes in a variety of colors and flavors. It is my favorite everyday lip balm to throw in my bag on my way out of the house, and it’s another great stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. This is still one of the best and most affordable lip balms on the market!
The Nyx Slim Lip Liner is the only lip liner I will ever buy. It’s super affordable at only $6, and this liner in the shade Nude Beige is the lip liner I wear just about every day. It’s super creamy, and its wide shade range allows it to pair with just about any lip product, from clear lip balm to a more bold lipstick color.
These are my tried and true products that I trust to get me through whatever event I’m going to– whether it’s a day full of classes, a night out, or a day of shopping. I also wear a wide range of makeup looks from natural to full glam, and almost all of these products work great for both. It’s also the perfect time to shop for your friends, and a ton of these products, like the Glossier lip balm or the Milk Makeup contour stick, are perfect as stocking stuffers or any winter-time gifts!