No matter how many new products I buy, there are some that seem make their way into my routine on an almost daily basis. I'm going to share my top ten makeup products that I consider must haves. These babies never let me down and I would definitely recommend them all. I've also included some drugstore dupes for those of you on a budget:
Dior Creme de Rose / Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray / NYX beauty product / Rosebud Perfume Co Rosebud Salve/ Curling mascara / Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush / Benefit balm makeup / Urban Decay Naked Basics / Anastasia Brow Wiz / Tarte Inner Rim Liner / MAC Painterly Paint Pot / NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer / Maybelline "Master Shape" / NYX Wonder Pencil / Eyeshadow / Maybelline Baby Skin/ NYX Natural Palette / Maybelline Color Tattoo
1. Benefit POREfessional Primer
This is a go-to primer for me on a daily basis. It's a soft, flesh-toned balm that creates a smooth canvas and helps your makeup last throughout the day. I live in a hot and humid climate in Texas, with oily/combination skin, and this stuff works well for me.
I've seen some claims that the Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser is a drugstore alternative to this, but I haven't tried it out myself. Let me know what you think if you've used it!
I've seen some claims that the Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser is a drugstore alternative to this, but I haven't tried it out myself. Let me know what you think if you've used it!
2. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
This concealer is so great and versatile. Normally I tend to use a different concealer for my undereye area and any blemishes, but this concealer works wonderfully for both. I have it in two colors, Custard which is brighter and more highlighting, and Ginger which is a little darker to give an almost exact match to my skin tone. I put this stuff all over my face and blend it out with a beauty blender (or my fingers, which work just fine as well). I'm a concealer junkie.. and I'm telling you, this stuff is good. The Maybelline Fit Me Concealer is definitely what I would call a "drugstore dupe" for this NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. Check it out if NARS isn't in your budget.
3. MAC Painterly paint pot
This is my go-to everyday all over the eyelid primer/cream shadow. It cancels out any discoloration or veins that may show through on and around your eyelids. It is a light pink color which creates a nice base for any other colored shadows you want to put on top.
The only drugstore products I have that are similar to this paint pot are my Maybelline Color Tattoos (not sure which color would be closest to Painterly, just a light pink, but the consistency of the color tattoos is similar to the MAC paint pots), and the other product that's similar is the NYX Eyeshadow Base which is a creamy shadow that cancels out redness/discoloration/veins on your lids and prolongs the wear of your shadows.
The only drugstore products I have that are similar to this paint pot are my Maybelline Color Tattoos (not sure which color would be closest to Painterly, just a light pink, but the consistency of the color tattoos is similar to the MAC paint pots), and the other product that's similar is the NYX Eyeshadow Base which is a creamy shadow that cancels out redness/discoloration/veins on your lids and prolongs the wear of your shadows.
4. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
This is such a great, simple palette which works for everyday and can also be used to create an evening look. Most of the colors are matte, although there is one light shimmery color (Venus) which works wonderfully as a highlight. There's a great highlight color, crease color, deeper definier for the outer V, and an almost black that can be used as eyeliner. "Faint", the darker brown, can also double as a brow palette. This is so versatile and a must have when I'm travelling because it's the perfect size to throw in any makeup bag!
As for the dupe, I don't personally own the NYX "Natural" Palette, but I do own some NYX shadows and the quality of them is nice and not at all chalky. The colors in this palette look pretty similar to those in the UD Naked Basics. If any of you do own this, let me know how it is and if it's worth buying!
This is such a great, simple palette which works for everyday and can also be used to create an evening look. Most of the colors are matte, although there is one light shimmery color (Venus) which works wonderfully as a highlight. There's a great highlight color, crease color, deeper definier for the outer V, and an almost black that can be used as eyeliner. "Faint", the darker brown, can also double as a brow palette. This is so versatile and a must have when I'm travelling because it's the perfect size to throw in any makeup bag!
As for the dupe, I don't personally own the NYX "Natural" Palette, but I do own some NYX shadows and the quality of them is nice and not at all chalky. The colors in this palette look pretty similar to those in the UD Naked Basics. If any of you do own this, let me know how it is and if it's worth buying!
5. Anastasia Brow Wiz
I do my brows on a daily basis. No matter what. Even if I'm going to the gym. Seriously. This is a double-ended product with a spooly brush on one end and a very fine mechanical brow pencil on the other. I usually use Soft Brown or Brunette. Simply put, this is the best brow pencil I've ever used. And the fact that it has a brush on the end makes it great for travel and on-the-go touch ups. If you're looking for a drugstore alternative, Maybelline "Master Shape" brow pencil has a spooly brush on the end as well!
6. Tarte Inner Rim Liner
This light peach pencil is like a creamy mechanical liner that I put on the inner rim of my lower lashes (waterline) to brighten the look of my eyes. I tend to stay up too late and have to wake up early, so this brightens me up and fakes a more awake look!
I also have the NYX Wonder Pencil, which is pretty similar. The color is more nude, less pink, compared to the Tarte liner. This is a pencil that you can sharpen, while the Tarte liner is a mechanical pencil. The NYX pencil also says that it can be used as a reverse lip liner, or concealer for quick touch ups. To be honest, I haven't used it yet... but it does look very similar when swatched!
This light peach pencil is like a creamy mechanical liner that I put on the inner rim of my lower lashes (waterline) to brighten the look of my eyes. I tend to stay up too late and have to wake up early, so this brightens me up and fakes a more awake look!
I also have the NYX Wonder Pencil, which is pretty similar. The color is more nude, less pink, compared to the Tarte liner. This is a pencil that you can sharpen, while the Tarte liner is a mechanical pencil. The NYX pencil also says that it can be used as a reverse lip liner, or concealer for quick touch ups. To be honest, I haven't used it yet... but it does look very similar when swatched!
7. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
This setting spray locks in my makeup and makes it last throughout the day. It also removes the cake look that comes from applying too much powder on your face!
A good drugstore alternative for a setting spray is the NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray.
8. Benefit They're Real! Mascara
This mascara is so great at getting every lash and is a good choice if you don't like the clumpy look. It can be built up for added volume, but I just find that the unique brush with the rounded tip is great for getting the inner and outer corners of your lash line.
Drugstore alternative for this is the Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara, just because it goes on in a similar way without any clumsiness, lots of good separation. I like to buy this mascara in the waterproof formula and use it as a first coat right after I curl my lashes, before I apply a regular mascara.
9. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush (in Dim Infusion)
I have four of these Hourglass blushes now, and I just find myself going through phases where I like to use different shades. This month I'm loving dim infusion, which is a light peach color that has just the right amount of sheen to create a glow, without looking too glittery or shimmery. The Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso is a similar color to the dim infusion blush, but the quality is nowhere near the same. A lot of people love this blush, it's a "cult favorite" for sure, and I have to agree I do love it, but it has more obvious glitter/shimmer than the Hourglass blush and it just doesn't apply quite as smooth. BUT, it is a fraction of the price, so for that it is great quality and I shouldn't be complaining!
10. Dior Creme de Rose & Rosebud Salve
I talked about both of these products in my Top 5 Favorite Lip Balms post in January, and they are still on my must have list for a reason. Both are rose scented balms that appear light pink the pan but really just go on like a clear balm (almost like Vaseline? but much nicer).
Watch my YouTube video about this post here:
I talked about both of these products in my Top 5 Favorite Lip Balms post in January, and they are still on my must have list for a reason. Both are rose scented balms that appear light pink the pan but really just go on like a clear balm (almost like Vaseline? but much nicer).
Watch my YouTube video about this post here:
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