I don’t really have one since I usually am testing something, but if I did, I feel like it would be Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation with either Chanel Jersey/Marc Jacobs Flesh & Fantasy blush, Laura Geller Ballerina Gelato, Estee Lauder Naked Truth/Too Faced Honey Bear lipstick, and then Tom Ford Nude Dip or Chanel Empreinte du Desert on the lids.
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Because I’m constantly changing up my makeup looks and trying out different color combinations, the only constant is most of my placement and technique aspect that remains fairly predictable. As in; applying winged liner and lots of mascara in just about all my eye makeup looks, sculpting out a crease, lightly contouring my face, and doing my best to have the appearance of great skin and brows. Plus, always something on my lips!
Yikes! I sure butchered that sentence up above…?
Let me correct this so as to not confuse other readers: “the only constant is that my placement and application techniques remain fairly predictable.”
Me too Nancy. My placement and technique is predictable, it’s the colors that change. ?
Natural base, coral cheeks, soft brown smokey eye with liner and a variety of bold and bright lip colors, preferably orangey red and fuchsia.
Most of my products stay the same from day to day, but I’m always switching up eyeshadow and lipstick. Though a recent oft reached for item is Chanel Tisse Rivoli – I find I can get a seemingly polished eye look on a very tight schedule with those shadows – I should really try some other quads in the range!
Lip product wise I’ve been all about Mac Velvet Teddy, Urban Decay Epigram and KVD Mother lately.
My go-to makeup look step by step:
benefit porefessional primer –> mac studio fix fluid foundation –> nyx dark circle concealer and mac pro longwear concealer –> maybelline fit me foundation stick to cream contour my nose, forehead, cheeks –> nyx hd powder for under my eyes and baking –> ben nye banana powder for the rest of my face –> anastasia powder contour kit –> guerlain terracotta bronzer –> smashbox blushes from a palette –> mac oh darling or becca opal highlighter –> essence brow pencil and sleek brow kit –> UD all nighter setting spray –> too faced vegas nay palette for the eyes –> mac extended play mascara –> eylure false lashes –> mac stripdown lip liner and one of my fav nude mac lipstick (myth, creme’d nude, peachstock, arrowhead, royal ball or creme cup) I always wear a nude lip.
My eye makeup is minimal now (still waiting to get rid of all the effects of that allergic reaction I’ve been having – the itch, dryness and redness are gone but my one eye still looks dry and parched) – just liner and tightliner most days, though today I’m living dangerously by wearing the top left shadow in the Chanel E du D quad! Skipping foundation and just wearing concealer, Bobbi Brown Maui or MAC Sweet Sentiment, Clarins Raspberry gloss or MAC Craving on my lips and that’s about it (sometimes, a bit of powder on my nose – usually Essence Matte stuff).
Bye Bye Undereye and Maybelline Dream Matte Powder as base, a peach or pink blush and my highlight of choice, some combination of shimmery neutral shadows and dark brown eyeliner on my upper/outer eye. Plus plenty of black mascara!
If I have time to do my full set of makeup, it would be: Bourjois healthy mix foundation in 52 vanilla, Givenchy prisme libre powder in 01, No 7 brow pencil, Zoeva nude spectrum palette, Chanel agape eyeliner, Majorica Majorca mascara topped off with the shock from YSL, Hourglass ambient lighting blush in incandescent electra, Sephora tranquil for contour, Sephora Los Cabos for bronzing, Cle de Peau highlighter in pastel, and Colourpop lip gloss in casino.
…But…
I only have time in the morning to do 4 things so foundation, powder, brows and lip gloss.
I have two basic daytime go-to looks, depending on which lipstick I’m in the mood to wear. Today I’m wearing the basic neutral go-to look that I wear with colorful lipstick:
Clinique Brow Shaper and ABH Brow Wiz; MAC Malt, Omega, and Satin Taupe eyeshadows; Rimmel ScandalEyes Retro Glam mascara; Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation and concealer; KvD Shade + Light Face Contour Palette; NARS Orgasm blush; Laura Mercier Translucent Powder; and Colourpop Ultra Satin Lipstick in Molly (I’m wearing it for the first time…such a pretty lavender!)
My second daytime go-to look has a bit more colorful eyeshadow using one of my palettes, such as ABH Modern Renaissance or Too Faced Sweet Peach, with a neutral lip, such as MAC Twig or Velvet Teddy.
(Am I the only person in the world who pictures an antique stuffed animal when I think of the name “Velvet Teddy”?)
LOVE ColourPop’s Molly. Such a beautiful color. My lips dry out with the formula after a while so I had to pick up a dupe, but just love the intensity of that color.
Wear a balm like MAC Prep + Prime first than the Ultra Satin. I never have a problem with my lips being dry!
I start with one of UD primers. Monistat chafing cream. Laura Geller brighten foundation in medium. I apply it wet. While it’s drying I apply different shades of Mally’s eye shadow sticks, I have about 10. Eyebrows is a Dior thin line stick, Dior Blackout (not waterproof) mascara. UD eyeliners in two different shades in same hue, Anastasia lip primer, Laura Geller blush and brighten blushes. I have two-my winter shade and my summer shade. It goes on dry. Becca poured highlighter in Opal, then a spritz more of primer. Top off with a magnitude of name brands of lip colors and a spritz of facial water if I’m heading out in heat of day.
Right now it’s usually:
Anastasia Brow Gel, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer or Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Black Ink, NYX Peach Blush (old packaging) or Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Unstoppable, WetnWild Color Icon Shadow in Brulee for the browbone, and either Urban Decay Rapture (old version) or Essence Lip Liner in Soft Berry or MAC Toxic Tale.
That’s a lot of or’s haha. But, these are all my current go-tos as of this summer.
Typically I use Giorgio Armani’s luminous silk foundation, and then I go in and hide imperfections with Nars RCC. I’ll then use a little bit of ABH’s contour powder to define my cheekbones and Benefit’s Galifornia blush (new favorite blush, it’s just so perfect, I’ve used it non stop for months). Highlight with Champagne Pop or something similar, and then do my eyes with either the Morphe 35O or Urban Decay’s Naked Heat, followed by at least 30oz of mascara because I don’t do false lashes on the daily. Lipsticks are always something nude and satin. I have been so into satin finishes lately, they look so polished.
That’s kind of my day-to-day routine, the only thing that changes really is eyeshadow and lipstick but the shades are always similar (warm lids, nude lips).
Either the Neutrogena Hydro-Boost or It Cosmetics CC Cream (depending on how much I’m going to be outside), Benefit Fake-Up concealer under the eyes, bareMinerals Bareskin serum concealer on redness/blemishes, MAC MSF Natural in Light Plus, Maybelline Master Hi-Light in Coral on the cheeks, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow, and NYX Microbrow in Taupe. If I do eyeshadow, I’ll use the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Copper or Sand Glow, and Marc Jacobs Highliner in RoCocoa. If not, I just set it with the Kate Somerville SPF 50 spray and apply some UD Perversion mascara.
I forgot lips! On a normal day I love the Fresh Sugar lip balm in Honey, but if I want a little color I’ll wear my Lancome Juice Shaker in Walk the Lime.
Formula 10.1 matte moisturizer, Glossier SPF, L’oreal Powder Foundation, Colourpop Bronzer in Golden Hour, Benefit brow pencil, Shishedo Eyelash curler + Maybelline Falsies Mascara, Milani Eye Primer, a mix of ABH Modern Renaissance Palette/Urban Decay Heat eyeshadows, UD Lipstick in Broken. Sometimes blush and highlighter, rotating between Milani in Luminoso, MAC Simpsons Blush in Sideshow You or NARS Exhibit A. For highlighter either Wet n Wild Gold Deposit (I think that’s the name) or Essence Nude Highlighter (Think that’s the name)
CoverGirl Clean Matte BB Cream
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer
Wet n Wild PhotoFocus powder
Physicians Formula Bronze Booster bronzer
TheBalm Hot Mama or Essence Satin Love blush
Wet n Wild Precious Petals highlighter
Tom Ford Golden Peach eye duo on lids
Urban Decay Whiskey eyeliner on lower lash line
Tarte Lights Cameras Splashes mascara
Revlon eyebrow pencil
MAC Viva Glam V or Revlon Pink Truffle on lips
Complexion: Fair (NW 10-13ish), Very Dark Brunette, Green/Hazel Eyes
Color Correctors: UD pink and Sephora green
Foundation: Dr Jart BB + Body Shop Lightening Drops + Burberry Fresh Glow (#1)
Concealer: Depends (I have lots of them for different uses/needs. Also use Benefit’s Eye Bright.)
Under-eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder
Face Setting Powder: Physicians Formula Mineral Face Powder (Translucent Light)
Blush: Nars Adoration (or Chanel Chamade, disc., or Burberry Lip & Cheek Bloom, Hydrangea)
Highlight: Nars Adoration (or Dior Glowing Gardens or Burberry Nude Radiance No 1, disc.)
Contour: Sephora Tranquil (or OC John Doe)
Eyeshadow: Studio Gear (Shell), MUFE S836 (Pink Ash), Paula Dorf (Luna), Chantecaille (Celestite)
Tightlining: Chanel Cassis and YSL #5 (disc.?)
Mascara: Chanel Inimitable Black Waterproof (or CG Super Sizer Black Waterproof) and Clinique Bottom Lash
Brows: Chanel Perfect Brows (disc) and ABH Brow Wiz (Granite, Ebony) and Maybelline Brow Mascara
Lower Water Line: NYX Wonder Pencil (Light)
Setting Powder: Diorskin Nude Shimmer (disc.) or Guerlain Meteorites
Lipstick: Givenchy #301, ‘Magnolia Organza’ (or Nars New Lover layered over a base of Rimmel ‘Pure’ Lip Pencil)
I wear these so often — but oftentimes skip steps — regardless of the season, that they’re almost my makeup uniform, even if it’s fairly eclectic. Favs are favs, wherever I find them.
Oh, fun question!
Right now for summer it’s:
Face:
Chanel Le Teint Ultra Tenue Foundation
Becca Perfect Skin Mineral Foundation — lightly over to set (Only do this in summer. Other seasons I use Sisley Phyto Poudre Libre)
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer with a bit of Nudestix concealer mixed in
Hula Bronzer — seems I’ve settled on this happily at the moment.
Chanel Golden Sun blush often topped with a bit of Hourglass in Diffused Heat
Sometimes LM Matte Radiance highlighter in 01, but not often these days
Swirled together with Guerlain Meteorites in Medium for summer
Eyes:
When I went to Paris for two weeks, I only brought Tom Ford Nude Dip and Chanel Empreinte du Desert. Still not sick of them. I use them many days still, rotating with these quads:
Chanel Jardin Eclatant
Chanel Tisse Dimensions
Liner is MJ Gel in black on top water line.
Bottom water line is usually Chanel Noir Petrol (that’s almost out and it was LE, darn) or nothing at all.
Lips:
I never have one color on ever. Having fun with some bright pink samples I got, but my go-to workhorse is Givenchy Brun Createur. I wear that many days either alone or layered with this and that.
My current go to make-up look consists of bare skin or maybe Lancome Tient Idole if i want more coverage but I always cover my dark circles with a light touch of Nars creamy concealer. I have been enjoying my darker than usual summer tan with RMS buriti bronzer and a touch of Bobbi Brown glow stick in Desert Sun with a strategically placed Golden highlighter Kevyn Aucoin Sunlight of MAC Shaft of Gold. For blush I have been changing in between Becca Watermelon/Moonstone, Becca Lantana and MAC casual color in weekend getaway.
Eyeshadow will be a quick swipe of Viseart eyeshadow topped off with bobbi brown glow stick.
I try to achieve a minimal worn in summer look, the layering makes it last all day!
While I also prefer to experiment on a daily basis, my old standby combination is starting with UD Eyeshadow base in the Anti-Aging formula and using either the KVD Shade + Light Eye Palette or the UD Gwen Stefani eyeshadow palette. Next I use Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer and Wet N Wild’s Photofocus Concealer (love that stuff for the price!). Blush has lately been Glossier’s Cloud Paint in Puff, highlighter is Wet N Wild’s The Sweetest Bling. I fill in my eyebrows with Anastasia’s Brow Wiz and coat my lashes with Tarte’s Gifted Mascara and then douse my face with MAC Fix+. Once dried, I finish off with either one of the Glossier Generation G matte lipsticks or Blotted Lips from ColourPop. I’m loving that lipstick look!
I switch up my color products so much that I don’t really have any consistency in those departments. And since I went cruelty free I have been trying so many different foundation, primer and concealer combos that I don’t have that consistency either. I guess if I allowed myself to just use what felt comfortable and natural I would use Natasha Denona sunset palette, Marc Jacobs Tantastic, Lorac Cinematic and ABH Hard Candy (out of the Gleam Glow Kit) all summer long.
Light base, bronzer, highlighter, a beige/brown/taupe cream shadow all over the lid, tighltlining and mascara, and sheer coral lips! Products vary, but that’s usually what I go for.
I have been using the MR palette by ABH a lot, specifically using Venetian red in the corners, mixed with a little of the golden/brown shade and the golden shimmer in the center of the eyelid, it’s easy to change how dramatic it looks and also add in pops of gold or pinks depending on how I feel that morning. 🙂
Nyx Angel Veil primer; BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream in Opal 01; Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer in 01 Barvarian Cream (on any spots); e.l.f. HD Powder in Translucent; light contouring with Notoriously Morbid Contour in Necromancy or Sephora Tranquil; a coral or peach blush; highlighter on tops of cheekbones; colorful eye look with shimmery lids; e.l.f. Mist & Set in Original; UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil on upper waterline; Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara; coordinating lip color.
If I’ve having a bad acne day, I’ll switch the Complexion Rescue for Lancome Teint Idole, and not bother with concealer.
Forgot eye primer! Right now, it’s UD Primer Potion in Enigma.
Currently, using a combination of NARS Spring and Summer collections, UDN3, and TF Mitchell on the lips if I’m using UD on the eyes. Blush is a melange of Tarte and NARS. My current go to bases are Hourglass Tint, NARS everything (lol), MUFE Water Blend, and Tarte ROTS.
My go-to lately is to do a sheer, glowy base with a wash of Colourpop Sailor and brown Maybelline Great Lash mascara for my eyes. Then I’ll usually use Glossier cloud paint in Beam and Becca Rose Quartz to add color back into my cheeks, and NARS Rikugien as a MLBB shade.
I’ve actually been thinking a lot lately about my go-to look. I just got hired for a job at a law office and I think my current look is a little too sparkly for that kind of setting! The green glitter especially in ‘Sailor’ will probably be a no go. I don’t have very many eyeshadows and I want to get something nice since I’m such a creature of habit, so I’ve been eyeing a couple of the NARS duos lately- I just need to find the one that I will want and love to use everyday!
Some of the Nars duos are of poor quality – I would suggest some of the bareMinerals quads in neutrals – they are so good and are pretty inexpensive at the moment.
The Truth The Bronze Age and The Soundtrack are good, neutral shades for a workplace environment.
Simple and natural more than ever with this heat. Skipping foundation all together or wear whatever remains on my sponge than I help it spread with Cera Vé moisturizer under. So barely foundation unless is evening time and going out. WetnWild or Physicians Formula bronzers both with spf. Natural color eyeshadow or bronze and peachy colors, pink or peach blush, soft colored lipsticks, balms or liquid lipsticks from WetnWild I’m loving the peachy of soft pinky ones also their balm sticks. Mascara. Eyeliner only for an outing.
Green/hazel eyes, dark wavy brown hair and cool toned. But my hair is about to change to a light coppery red very soon.
Face: Very sheer application of Ben Nye Starluxe in Haute Chic over a prep of lightly applied Nuxe Oil and set with light dusting of Ben Nye Luxury Powder in Buff. No blush, contour or highlight-ever.
Eyes: Very sheer neutral eye shadow in Tea by Estee Lauder, Ben Nye cake eyeliner in brown and taupe, L’Oreal black-brown waterproof mascara, Tarte brow mousse in grey.
Lips: Chapstick
Hi, dark brown hairand dark green eyes, BB sand for reference
Burberry sheer concealer under eyes,Burberry porcelain cashmere concealer around nose and on red spots
Tom Ford bronzer,BB Maui illuminating bronzer as blush also love Girlactik Florence blush, really love bronzer and blush. Brunette eyebrow pencil, mascara, lorac bone, BB taupe, Mac Honeylust, shale , really have no idea when it comes to shadow, rarely wear eyeliner, Burberry kisses sheer English rose absolute favorite lip, translucent powder in t zone. Hardly use foundation but like cushion ones.
I start off with UD original primer potion that I set with Laura Mercier loose powder, then I fill in my brows using Colourpop brow pencil in Dope Taupe. I apply my eyeshadows (they change daily) then I apply IT Bye Bye Pores primer using my beauty blender. Next is IT Cosmetics CC cream applied with beauty blender. I contour my nose and bottom lip using Clinique Chubby Contour Stick. Then I use RCMA powder to bake under my cheeckbones (don’t bake under my eyes at my age) and down my nose. Next is highlighter (it changes with my look) then I bronze using IT ombré bronzer or Hourglass. I apply blush (changes depending on look) then follow up with Hourglass Dim light all over my face. I apply my eyeliner and mascara (currently using IT tightline mascara, not sure why no one talks about how amazing it is). Then I set my face with Mario Badescu rose water setting spray. Last is my lips, again changing based upon my look.
Lots of my current go to look is the same everyday: primer, foundation (porcelain, with pink undertones), setting powder (Rimmel Stay Matte in porcelain), blush (Natio Sunkissed – mosaic of peachy shades and highlighter), eye brow pencil (Innika – light taupe) and mascara (currently Physicians Formula Argon Oil).
What differs is my eye shadow and lipstick and that depends on what I am wearing to complement the outfit.
If I am wearing browns or autumnal hues – then it is either Naked 1, Dior 3 Couleurs Khaki or bareMinerals Soft and Smoky with Milani’s Cinnamon spice or Candied Toffee lipstick or a berry shade.
Wearing black and white or grey – Taupe eye shadows from my Sephora It palette in neutrals and red lipstick
Wearing teals/blues or greens: Dior’s Jardin; bareMinerals the Elements with Ginger or peach lipstick.
I switch up my blush, eyeshadow and lipstick daily and since I’m on a no buy for concealer, foundation and powder, I cannot say I have a constant there since I’m more about finishing over finding go to’s. I guess the only consistent thing is I prefer a blackest black mascara and a bronzey brown (usually kohl pencil) eyeliner applied to top lashes/lashline . I prefer a matte base too
Flawless complexion (à la the Japanese & S Korean fashion) courtesy of Cle de Peau or It Cosmetics.
Winged liner with brows lightly penciled (must draw the tails on brows to get that wing to pop)
Beige-y barely there blush- Hourglass Mood Exposure or Essence Silky Touch in Adorable
Nude &frosty/shimmery/metallic lip- TF Venus rising, EL Pink Parfait or Chanel Glossimer lipgloss in Blizzard 19
BECCA and Smashbox Primers
ABH Foundation sticks in Cool Golden (highlighter), Espresso and Ebony (contour if needed)
BBrown Golden/Orange loose powder to set highlighted areas
NYX Mocha (cool) or NARS Taos (warm) blush
BECCA Champagne Pop Highlighter
L’Oreal Miss Manga or a Clinique Mascara
ABH Lip gloss
I too am always testing new things – not for work, just because I love to buy makeup and I have a gazillion beauty subscriptions. But I do keep a bag stocked with ride-or-die items that I can grab, and I know they work well with most of the other things I want to try out.
In that bag: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer; Cover Girl Clean Makeup for Senstitive Skin in Honey (currently, I change foundations as soon as one runs out); Tarte Shape Tape; Wet n Wild MegaGlow Contour Palette in Caramel Toffee; Maybelline Better Skin Face Powder; So Susan Eyebrow Powder; So Susan Shadow Base (I don’t remember what it’s called and I’m not home to check); Cargo Around the World Eyeshadow Palette (they are all neutrals that play ok with other colors or on their own); Jordana 12 Hour Eyeliner Pencil in Black; L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Primer and Lash Paradise mascara; Nars Laguna Bronzer; Benefit Galifornia blush; Ofra Rodeo Drive Highlighter; Cargo Reverse LipLiner; and L’Oreal Matte Lip Paint in Off White (got it from the UK).
I sub out any products with new ones I want to test, and use it with these items. I often replace these basics with others if I love, break,or run out of something.
That last love should have said lose…if I LOSE, break, or run out of something.
My current go to look has been light because it’s been so hot here in NY, I start with Origens Vita zing, then use Maybelline fit me concealer only where I need it, YSL cream bronzer, MAC MSF Natural in Medium Tan, Either a coral blush or a peachy orange blush, becca champagne pop poured highlight, MAC Arena, Texture eyeshadow and Maybelline colossal big shot mascara.
My go-to look consists of the following:
Primer: Monistat Anti-chafing Powder Gel
Foundation: MUFE Face & Body (original formula)
Brows: Sephora Retractable Brow Pencil in Soft Charcoal
Eyeliner: Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer
Blush: La Femme Blush on Rouge in Cinnabar
Lip color: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in Toffee