No time for your morning cup of coffee? No biggie! No time for makeup? Sound the alarm! For some, the expression “but first, coffee” is a life motto. For me (and most of you beauty-obsessed collegiettes) the mantra to live by is actually, “but first, makeup.” To learn more about which makeup products I can’t start my day without, keep reading!
Face
Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra 24H Liquid Foundation ($46) suits my combination skin perfectly. Its superior coverage never ceases to amaze me—so good, you can skip concealer. And I kid you not, the stuff won’t budge (through sun or snow). On days I want to keep things light, I mix equal parts of MAC’s Pro Longwear Concealer ($19) and Lancôme’s Imanance Tinted Day Creme SPF 15 ($55).
The remainder of my face makeup routine goes like this:
- I apply MAC’s Powder Blush in Well Dressed ($21) onto the apples of my cheek and sweep it up along my cheek bones.
- Then, I reach for Lancôme’s Star Bronzer Natural Glow Long Lasting Bronzing Powder in Solaire ($35) and apply it onto the hollows of my cheeks.
- Using MAC’s 224 Tapered Blending Brush ($32), I apply the same bronzer to contour my nose.
- To top my face off, I dab bareMinerals’ Glimmer in Queen Phyllis ($14) above my cheekbones using my index finger. This multi-purpose shimmery pigment (pictured below) also intensifies a brown and gold smoky eye.
Eyes
My everyday glam consists of mascara and a few dabs of lipstick. I adore daddy-long leg spider lashes and achieving them requires my full focus, which means if anyone interrupts me mid-mascara application, things get ugly. I coat my lashes with Lancôme DÉFINICILS High Definition Mascara ($28) then go over it with L’Oréal’s Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara ($11). The key to a long, faux-like fringe is to start at the root of your lashes and always, always coat both the front and back.
My eyebrows are naturally thick so I usually skip filling them in. When I do, I use MAC’s Eye Brow Pencil in Lingering ($16). I have a full blown obsession with e.l.f.’s Essential Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara ($1) and set my eyebrows with it everyday (whether I’m wearing makeup or not). This wallet-friendly goodie is gold—only $1 and it makes your eyebrows appear as though they’re filled in! Products like this are proof that the best makeup isn’t always the most expensive.
In the event I’m in the mood for a quick smoky eye, I keep these eye products (pictured above) on hand:
- Inglot’s Matte Collection AMC Eyeliner Gel 77 ($12)
- MAC’s Eye Shadows in Carbon and Soft Brown ($15)
- STILA’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($20)
- A few pairs of faux eyelashes (pictured below: MAC, Amor Us and Miss Adoro)
- DUO Clear Eyelash Adhesive ($9)
Lips
Hempz’s Ultra Moisturizing Herbal Lip Balm SPF 15 ($9) is my go-to lip balm. For a pop of color, I keep the following lipsticks and lip liners in my bag, from left to right:
- Inglot Lipstick 194 ($15)
- MAC’s Cremesheen Coral Bliss ($16)
- Lancôme’s Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolor in Fashion Forward ($23)
- MAC’s Cremesheen Pink Pearl Pop ($16)
- NYX’s Lip Liner Pencils in Bloom and Deep Purple ($4)
Have you tried any of the products I mentioned above? If so, tell me what you think of them! Then give me the scoop on your makeup bag essentials!