My Go To Makeup Essentials: Products I Must Have Stocked At All Times
We all know there are just some makeup items that we consistently purchase at the beauty store whether it be Ulta, Sephora, Mac, a department store or even drug store. There are items that I constantly reach for or that I use every day that I'd be upset if I didn't always have in stock in my cabinets. It's great to try new things once and a while, but we all have those staple products that are always a part of our beauty routine.
Here is my list of makeup products that are my essentials and go-to items that I always need to have in my makeup collection. You can find them on Amazon, Ulta, Sephora and your neighborhood drug store (Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, etc.)
Mascara
Let's start with the eyes. There are so many different kinds of mascaras between the application brushes/wands and the mascara formulas themselves. And let's talk about waterproof vs. regular. Find some of my absolute favorites and must have mascaras for volume and big lashes.
Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara
When I first started using mascara as an early teen, I loved Clinique mascaras because they were simple and easy to apply and they lasted a long time with it being easy to wash off. As I started to become more interested in using makeup and trying new products, I found the Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash and immediately fell in love. This has become one of my favorite mascaras that even comes in the travel size for convenience to have in your purse or when you go on trips and have to pack your makeup travel bag and have room for all your favorite everyday makeup items. I don't use this one by itself as much as the other two but it's still a great mascara to help layer underneath if you want thick and full eye lashes.
Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara
First, I just want to give a huge shoutout to Courtney Shields Albright at byobeauty.com for introducing this product to me. I started following her on Instagram and I love her feed and her blog.
Courtney was raving about this mascara one day on her Instagram Story and I was just happening to go to Sephora that day to pick up a few items that I needed when I had my Sephora VIP rewards to use and one of the rewards I could redeem was for a travel-sized Monsieur Big Mascara Mini. I recognized the product at the counter and knew I HAD to try it.
After that I was hooked and it's become another staple mascara that I always have and use.
L'Oreal Paris Makeup Lash Paradise Mascara
This product I wasn't expecting to like. When I first started using makeup I used L'Oreal products but I wasn't a fan. My best friend recommended I try this mascara for a cheap alternative to Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and I LOVE IT! The brush and wand is very similar to better than sex and gives you such a voluminous look.
Too Faced Better Than Love (Better Than Sex) Waterproof Mascara
This mascara is the best waterproof mascara I've used. I wouldn't swim with it or wear it to the beach but it upholds watery eyes and tears great.
Concealer
MAYBELLINE AGE REWIND CONCEALER
This concealer is the best drug store concealer out there! So if you're sick of spending a ton of money for a concealer try this one. It goes on light but has a lot of coverage and the applicator is great!
IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Breakout™ Full-Coverage
This concealer is the ultimate concealer and I will always keep this product stocked in my toiletries. Since it's a small bottle it's great to travel with and take with you on the airplane. Despite it being small, a little goes a long way and depending on how often you use it and how much you use, it could last you months.
Under Eyes
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer
This under eye concealer completely takes away my dark under-eye spots and is amazing. I use the light shade and use a tiny bit and dab it with my fingers. This small tube lasts FOREVER!
BECCA Under Eye Brightening Corrector
This is the product of all products for under the eyes. If you don't try any of the other products I'm recommending, TRY THIS ONE! I won't go anywhere without this product. It's super lightweight and corrects the dark circles and bags under my eyes and makes them bright and gives it a little bit of a highlight! The becca under eye product comes in two shades and I use the light to medium shade.
Foundation
Foundation is tricky for me because I have so many products that I love and can't go without. I tend to use the different foundation I love in cycles but these are the two foundations (one is a CC cream) that I always have and the ones I love and wear the most because of the coverage, weight and finish when you apply.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Illumination with SPF 50+
This foundation is amazing for everyday wear and has pretty great coverage. I like that I don't have to use a primer underneath because of the illuminator and it being a CC cream, so it's great for when I'm on the go or want a lighter foundation day. It's also great because it has 50+ SPF in it to protect your skin from the sun's rays.
NARS VELVET MATTE SKIN TINT BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 30
I get this in the color "Finland" and it has grown to be my favorite foundation that gives complete full coverage and it feels like you're not wearing much at all and it's super light. It's best applied with a wet makeup sponge.
Highlighter
Tarteist™ PRO Glow to Go Highlight & Contour Palette
I love this highlight and contour palette so much that when Sephora was doing a sale and they sold for $10 each, I stocked up and bought 4 because I know they'd sell out fast and $10 was a really good deal compared to the usual retail cost of $19. This product is absolutely incredible and the colors are great for any skin tone. Even the bronzer that comes in this palette is amazing so this is a staple product you'll always find with me in my purse and when I'm traveling. And when you don't have a whole lot of room in your travel makeup bag it's great because this product is a 2-in-one with bronzer and highlighter, so it's all you need.
I also love to use this bronzer with a feathery light eyeshadow brush to apply to the crease of my eyelid for a more neutral and natural look for everyday wear.
This palette also comes in a bigger option with 3 more shades.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Sun Dipped Glow Kit
I never would've tried this product. My absolute go-to highlighter is the Tarte palette I mentioned above this product because it is my absolute favorite and I can not go without it, but one day I had to. Before I ordered my 4 Tarteist Pro Glow To Go palettes to restock I went to my local Sephora to see if I could pick them up in store instead of having to order them online and wait and they were completely out of stock at every Sephora near me within reasonable driving distance so I had to go with something else in the meantime.
I was looking around the Sephora store and happened to see this palette that had some really awesome colors, I had never tried any Anastasia Beverly Hills makeup products before but I knew so many people who love and swear by her makeup so I swatched it on my skin and fell in love. Now, without intention initially, this is my second go to highlighter palette that I always have in my makeup collection too!
Bronzer
Blush
Nars Blush in Shade Orgasm
This is the best shade of blush for all skin tones. Especially lighter toned skin. It's a classic shade that is very popular among lots of makeup fanatics as well. I like it because it's not too bright and bold and it compliments any cheek bone perfectly.
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush - PAAARTY - Full Size
I first got this blush in the mini size and fell in love. It's definitely more of a pink blush but gives me the pink rosy cheeks I want. I loved this blush so much I got the full sized blush and it's lasted me such a long time!
Eyeliner
I don't use eyeliner a whole lot but when I do it's always this one.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Liner, Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, Black
Eye Shadow
Lipstick
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick - Lolita
This long-lasting lipstick creates a smooth look and doesn't come off. It truly lasts a long time. The only thing I would recommend is if you typically have dry lips, you should apply chapstick underneath before you apply this liquid lip. I wish they came out with more neutral everyday colors because I would definitely buy it.
L'Oréal Paris Makeup Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Lip Stain
For the price, this mat lip stain lipstick is the bomb. Seriously, it's my favorite. I got a few of these colors in an influenster vox box in exchange for my honest review of the product and I couldn't get enough of them. I went to my local CVS and bought a ton of other colors. The applicator makes it easy to apply without messing up or smudging and it's super light weight and really does last a long time. I put multiple coats on and when I drink, eat, kiss or do anything with my lips, it does not come off. They also have a big variety of shades and colors both bright and neutral for everyday wear. You have to try these. On Amazon, they are even on sale right now for $8.75. I believe you can buy them from Ulta, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and other drug stores too.
Makeup Brushes/Beauty Blenders
Beauty blenders are the #1 reason why I don't use brushes anymore to apply my foundation or concealer. Sometimes I even use my beauty blenders to apply blush, bronzer, and highlighter too. It just depends on what kind of look I want for the day, matte, dewy, smooth or satin.
When I got my first beauty blender, I got the original beauty blender and I wasn't sure how to use it correctly. I then came to figure out that I was using the beautyblender completely wrong after watching a few YouTube videos on how to apply makeup using a beautyblender.
If you have a beauty blender you might be making these mistakes too:
- Never use the beautyblender dry, make sure to get it damp.
- Do not rub the beauty blender across your face. Dab it instead.
- Don't be gentle or afraid to apply a little pressue.
To correctly use the beautyblender and to let it work it's magic you MUST get your blender wet. And by wet, I mean damp, not soaking wet where there's water dripping down your face. Also, you're not supposed to rub or sweep the foundation on your face when using your blender. You should use dabbing or using pressing motions and don't be afraid to be a little aggressive, you don't need to pat your face like you would when applying spot treatment. If you press gently you won't give the foundation a chance to seep into your skin and give your face the look of a fresh beauty blended face.
THE ORIGINAL BEAUTYBLENDER®
BEAUTYBLENDER® PRO
BEAUTYBLENDER® MICRO.MINI
Best Beauty Blender Dupe
If you don't want to spend a lot of money on an original beauty blender, there are a lot of alternatives or beautyblender dupes out there. I've tried a bunch from T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and other stores but I've had the best luck finding ones I like on Amazon. Now don't get me wrong, these dupes are not true beautyblenders so they apply differently and have different results, but they are the closest thing and the ones I've liked the most.
BEAKEY 5 Pcs Makeup Sponge Set Blender Beauty Foundation Blending Sponge
Setting Powder/Spray
The Body Shop Mint Mattifying Face Mist, 2 Fl Oz (Vegan)
My grandmother works at the Body Shop and recommended this product to me to use to set my makeup after application and I fell in love. It's so inexpensive I always buy 2 bottles to stock up. I keep one at home and take one with me when I travel and when I'm out and about in case I have to give my makeup a little refresh. It smells very good and doesn't leave your skin feel sticky or dewy. It gives a smooth look and helps your makeup last.
Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder, 9g-Full Size
This has been a product I've used for 10 years. When I was first allowed to wear makeup, my mom took me and my sister to the bare minerals store and got us the starter kit with powder foundation and all of the products to start when just getting into wearing makeup. This product has been one of my favorites for a long time. It sets and finishes my makeup like no other powder I've used... And I've tried a lot. My face feels so smooth and soft and I love that this product is natural and good for the skin.
