Style Essentials: Makeup

At the beginning of the year, Estelle did a guest post about her new makeup routine made up of all drugstore products. I knew I wanted to do my own soon after because mine is basically the opposite. "Soon" turned out to be six months but better late than never, right? It ended up working out though because after I randomly got a makeover at BlueMercury back in April, I also redid my routine (although I did a keep a couple staples I've used for years!).

Face

It's always been hard for me to find the right foundation, either because of the color or the consistency not meshing well with my combination/oily skin (which is really my #1 issue). So I've tried a lot of different foundations and BB creams, a lot of which I stuck with it a good amount of time. But no matter what there's one foundation that I've gone back to for years and years so maybe I should just accept that it's the one for me!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer • No other primer has made my skin so silky smooth (or waterproof!).
bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum foundation - The color just matches and I love how even though it's a very light coverage, it gives my skin the overall pick me up it needs. (Now if I could only get it to not look oily 4 hours later.)
MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer • another one of my go-to's for years!
NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder • I use this to set my makeup and the color is very sheer and subtle.

Runner-ups:
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation • More coverage but a little goes a long way on my face. I may go back to this when I'm winter pale again!
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer • Same as above.

Cheek

I tend to be overly light-handed with my blush and used to be totally against bronzer but I've become better about both! (I think.)

NARS blush (in Deep Throat) or Glossier Cloud Paint (in Puff) • I'm more likely to use the former because I find powder to be faster, but on the weekends I'll use liquid if I want a rosier glow.
NARS Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzer • the one and only bronzer that's ever looked natural on me and I feel comfortable wearing.

Eyes

I will admit to one little cheat here: I have eyelash extensions! I love not having to curl my eyelashes in the morning (especially since it doesn't work) or using mascara so I keep things super simple. Most of the time it's just brows, very light eyeshadow and I'm good to go.

NARS Duo Eyeshadow (in Alhambra) or MAC Cosmetics Eyeshadow (in Jest) • My go-to's for eyeshadow when I feel like wearing it.
Stila Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner • I've been using this eyeliner for YEARS. It's the best.
Glossier Boy Brow • So natural looking and easy to use.

Lips

I'm such a sucker for lipgloss and lipstick. There was a time when I was going way overboard (like when I discovered ColourPop!) but I've gotten much better lately. Plus no matter how many I buy, there are three I always go back to.

NARS Satin Lip Pencil (in Rikugien)
MAC Cosmetics Lipstick (in Brave)
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine (in Reveuse)

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Now you know how much of a NARS fangirl I am and 

what products I have in my makeup drawer! 

What are your staples?