Over the years, my everyday makeup has evolved as I discover and fall in love with new products. I'm a tester at heart, and just like with my home, I love hunting for the perfect addition to my makeup collection. I like to keep my makeup routine simple and don't switch it up much daily, but I love that it takes me less than 10 minutes to get my makeup to look polished yet effortlessly. So I thought I would share the whole process which follows my morning skincare routine.
I first apply this perfecting complexion stick under my baggy-prone (thanks, dad) under-eyes. I'm a recent fan of Merit's clean makeup products, and this product goes on so smoothly. The beauty of it is that it's "build-able," so it's not going to get cakey or flakey when you apply other products on top. I use the shade ochre–a light-medium shade with warm undertones. After applying it, I blend it with my favorite blending brush.
This foundation is a somewhat recent addition to my makeup look. I loved the BareMinerals I was using, but it didn't work as well as I wanted it to with contouring and blending. This luminous silk foundation gives the perfect, smooth coverage without being too cakey. I squirt a pea-sized amount onto my wrist and dab it onto my face with my blending brush!
Rihanna somehow blew me away with this contour stick. It's smooth like butter, and a tiny bit goes a long way. I like to contour my cheekbones, jawline, hairline, and nose. I use the color "Suedish." Don't forget, blend, blend, blend.
Next, I use this Merit bronzing balm for some overall warmth, applying and blending it everywhere the sun would naturally touch. Love the shade, Seine. Again with the blending.
As I said, I'm a big fan of Merit beauty products, especially this Cheeky blush! It's the perfect cool pink tone for that subtle blush look. Are you tired of me saying blend?
Whenever I want a little more oomph in my makeup look, I go a bit heavier on the blush with this forever favorite Sangria color. It's especially nice during the warmer summer months.
I love to keep my eyeshadows neutral, and this shadow palette has been my staple look for a few years now. I obviously use Maple the most, but I like to switch it up here and there.
This brow pencil is everything I want in a brow pencil. It applies smoothly, creates the finest strokes, and lasts all day long. I recently switched from the Universal Taupe shade to Brunette, and I really love it.
I always follow up my brows with this clear brow gel to hold them in place. I was worried that using a brow gel would make my brows look clumpy and sticky, but this is completely invisible and lightweight.
Once I've let my other makeup settle a bit, I take a moment to add some highlighter to the tip of my nose and up above my cheekbones. Highlighter is one of those products that you wouldn't expect to make all the difference, but it's truly the cherry on top. Don't forget to blend ;).
You wouldn't expect this mascara to be the best, being that Red Aspen specializes in press-on nails, but it's truly the best. It's perfectly black, makes my eyelashes look longer and stronger than ever, and lasts all day long.
To top it all off, I brush this translucent setting powder over my whole face. It's lightweight and keeps the makeup in place throughout the entire day.
I don't know who I would be without my pomegranate lip balm. It's become a part of who I am, and sometimes I have nightmares that it's discontinued.
And there you have it! Of course, makeup can go a long way, but I spend even more time laying the groundwork with my thorough skincare routine. Check it out!
Wonderful article! BTW, what shade of the Giorgio Armani foundation do you use?
Thank you for all of the inspiration! Which Merit highlighter balm shade do you use?
bounce!
I used to love that lip balm too but I started noticing that any time I used a lip balm that had castor oil in it, my lips would get so dry! So I have switched to some others and I don’t have that problem any more. Might be worth trying!
Don’t even joke about Burt’s bees pomegranate lip balm being discontinued! I have about 25 tubes of the stuff in every jacket pocket, purse, and drawer. I love the way it looks and feels!