For me, it’s definitely putting on foundation. I just really like how even my skin looks post-foundation that it always makes me feel a little “me but better” in a way.
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I guess concealer/tm. If I forego those, esp the concealer, someone always asks me if i’m sick or tired.
All of it, but I feel like that’s cheating. Foundation definitely has the biggest impact though. I have very oily, uneven, and acne-prone skin, so I find foundation makes the most dramatic change and definitely boosts my confidence the most. However my foundation is only as good as my powder, so I suppose I should include that as well.
My eyebrows! I have very light and sparse brows that I am very self conscious of, so once my brows are done I feel so much more complete and have a lot more confidence in myself.
Me as well. I used to do NOTHING with my eyebrows. I was looking at a not-so-old picture of myself with au naturel brows and I look so unfinished to me. Even a bit of brown shadow (when the designated Brow product is not available) makes a difference.
My eyes. I am still learning how to pick out coordinating colors (that’s why I love quads), but if I know what colors to use with each other, I can figure out where they go and how to apply them. It’s my favorite part of my routine. I get compliments on my eye makeup often.
That’s why I love quads too. I don’t have enough of an artistic eye to pick out my own coordinating colors. I am comfortable with picking out gradient tones within the same color family though, so I can comfortably use palettes unless the colors are all over the place random (aka I have to be able to “visualize” how I would use it/”see” the combos or I won’t buy the palette).
Definitely foundation! I struggle with hyper-pigmentation from acne so I enjoy creating a clean, smooth surface to work with. I also feel confident after I’ve removed all my makeup and done my night time skin care regimen. I just feel clean and refreshed.
Tough call between concealer for the deep troughs under my eyes and brows. I think brows takes the win.
Definitely lipstick, especially a bold red or bright pink.
Foundation and blush.
Foundation and blush make me feel better.
Definitely blush and mascara. Since I’m so fair, blush makes my face come alive and awake, and I have super short lashes, so it makes me look even more awake.
My first thought is “all of it”, it’s all to help me with confidence. And it can be situational — if my lips are super dry and cracking, I’ll feel most confident attending to that.
That said, all else being equal, I’d say doing my eyes. They’re my best feature and when I do a good job, I feel it’s the part of my appearance that makes the strongest impression.
Definitely concealer!
Hot pink lipstick! Because of my coloring, it makes all the difference no matter what other makeup I wear (or sans makeup).
I love hot pink lipstick! Which are your favorites?
I have to mix 2 different colors, one pink and one red. My pinks are currently no longer available except Givenchy Organza Magnolia. Reds are Nars Luxembourg and Lady Dragon. I’m always on the hunt for a somewhat frosty mid to dark pink because they mix so well with the Nars. I haven’t found a good red-based pink (my kind of hot pink) in years!
Over the years, my brows have become so patchy and there are barely any tails left, so if I don’t do anything with them, I look like an alien. But I also need foundation because my skin is so uneven in color. So brows and foundation are equally important for me.
Foundation for sure. I am most self-conscious about my skin. I have hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, crinkles and uneven skin tone. Once I have done as much as I can do to mitigate those problems then I feel much better. My daughter is always telling me that she doesn’t see anything but we all know she is bending the truth because she is my daughter!! I do get a lot of compliments on my skin once I have foundation on, LOL. Nothing is going to make my skin look like it did back when I was younger, even in my 40’s would be nice but you just do the best you can.
Mascara. My makeup never looks finished without it, and since I often do colorful or dramatic eye looks I feel like I look silly without it. Just when I start doubting my makeup skills I put on mascara and BOOM!
Doing a good bold lip 🙂
My eyes. I feel like my eyes disappear into my face when I don’t have them done (I have small Asian eyes). If my eyes are done, I can wear anything and feel confident and pretty, even if I’m dressed like a peasant scrub or even if am sans base/foundation.
Foundation and my glasses with the teal blue frames. Depending on how washed out I look, I might need something on my lips as well.
I love concealer, brow product, and lipstick. If I really have no time and can only throw on one thing, it will be concealer. My skin is generally pretty good, but I think most of us here know what a big difference a (for most of us) unnaturally clear, even complexion makes in terms of the public thinking that you look fresh and put together.
My absolute favorite cosmetic will always be lipstick though. I’ve always loved the pop of color and how it brings balance to my features.
Bold lips for sure! My preferences lately have been either lighter purples or berry pinks, but nothing beats a classic red.
Face and eye primers, foundation, setting powder, and setting spray. I have oily skin, so knowing I have the primers to keep my makeup in place and prevent oxidizing is a huge relief. Foundation, because I frequently have cystic acne spots and some redness in my cheeks and nose. Powder, because it helps keep the oiliness at bay. Setting spray helps with the longevity, which is a real issue with oily skin. So I need that whole base face in order or it will be pointless to put on colored cosmetics.
So hard to pick between foundation/BB cream or brows or a potent, intense red/reddish lip!
Well, my complexion definitely needs help, so I would never imagine leaving the house without my “face” on. Hyperpigmention in spots, redness in others, usually some blemishes in various stages of inflammation/healing, general unevenness.
However, my brows are rather sparse. They never grew in the same after my 2nd round of over-tweezing in the 90’s early ’00’s.
Hmm…but whenever I throw on something like MAC Yoni Crush, Maria Moretti, PMG Strange or UD Catfight, I feel like Superwoman. Lol!
Lipstick, definitely. If I wear sunglasses, I can fake it without the rest!
Definitely my eye makeup! Without it my eyes look like two round golf balls – very dull and nondescript – and yet just a touch of shadow, eyeliner & mascara really makes all the difference.
For me, putting mascara, a thin eyeliner on the upper lash line and a lipstick (coral, pinkish-coral) makes me feel good about me, to quote Jack Nicholson from “As good as it gets”. These are the three items that I need when I get out. I would not say though that they make me confident in the true sense of the word, as personally I’ve never associated makeup with confidence, whether it’s about me or about others.
Definitely foundation. My acne has gotten so much worse last year and I just couldn’t live without foundations anymore. Also an oil controlling primer, although they usually make my acne worse?
If skincare counts, then chemical exfoliation. Swiping away the flakes, oil, and sebaceous filaments makes me feel way better in my skin!
If it doesn’t, then brow gel. Knowing my unruly brow hairs are exactly where I want them to be is great.
I have blonde eyebrows and eyelashes so definitely my eyes.
I feel far more confident when I put on my favorite lipstick, MAC’s Pink Nouveau. The color is just perfect for my NW25 complexion.
Foundation. I love applying foundation, it’s almost therapeutic for me. I often go with just a little bit of light coverage foundation and nothing else.
Foundation – because it evens out my skintones and makes my skin look great
Lipstick – because it adds colour to my face
Eyeshadow – because it makes my hooded eyes look much better and I love using different shades to complement what I am wearing.
Probably foundation and/or lipstick.
Blush! Followed by mascara and some hint of color on lips. Blush and the slight swipe of bronzer are great help to me bring me to D’ life. Lol!
I have a chronic illness that leaves me looking like death warmed over most of the time. Foundation, corrector, and blush are probably my most important steps to looking as healthy as I can. Lipstick or tinted lip balm (spending on where I’m going) also help a lot, too, so I’ll add those in, too. Basically, I need foundation and corrector to cover the “sick look,” and blush and lipstick to add color and life to my face. I hope I didn’t cheat, but I really need all of those steps to feel confident. I start feeling a ton better once the foundation is on, though. Each step makes me feel better and better. Thank God for makeup!!! Lol
Oops, I forgot eyebrows! Filling in the gaps in my eyebrows also helps me feel more confident about my appearance. This was such a great question!
It used to be mascara. It still is, my face just opens up when I have mascara on. But since I started wearing foundation a couple of years ago, that certainly makes me feel better, but I still need that mascara!
Foundation, definitely. I’m aiming for IPL treatments so I don’t have to rely on it (as much, or at all), but for now, it’s the “foundation” (ha! get it? get it? ahem … sorry) of that portion of my self-esteem which hinges on how people respond to my appearance.
I’m not sure why this is a dream to me, but I love the idea of completely natural skin (maybe a little translucent powder for mattification) with a really bold lip or eye. Just skin … and navy blue lips. Just skin … and a bold red eye. I so want this.