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Makeup I Swear By
62
items It's hard to keep my sensitive skin happy. But I LOVE makeup. This is my tried and true list of favorites.
Sections
4
Lip Color & Liners
Eye & Face Makeup
Primers & Setting Powders
Foundations & Cover Up
Lip Color & Liners
My friends and coworkers associate me with a bold lip color. But I do neutrals too!
One of the reasons people describe me as the woman with a bold lip. This is your classic red.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick - Doll
Pink Poodle is a MAC classic and beloved by many for decades. I've been wearing it since I was 16 and I can still wear it in my late 30s. Leave it to MAC to create a staple that's bright pink. This is the gloss but the is a lipstick too. And yet, the...
MAC Pink Poodle (By Request) Lipglass Review & Swatches
Sheen and pretty. This comes in a bunch of colors.
MAC Unlimited Style Lipglass Review & Swatches - Temptalia
Want the classic and ageless red lipstick look? Here it is. This is the lipstick that earned me the title of woman with a bold lip.
Red Lipstick | MAC Red Lips | MAC Cosmetics – Official Site
Not a gloss person? MAC's Satin lipsticks are my go-to.
Pink Lipstick Shades | MAC Cosmetics – Official Site
Big fan of Aveda's glosses. I use the berry bud when I want to be bold but not dramatic. Sadly, it's discontinued. BUT there are ways to still buy it.
Aveda Lip Glaze / Gloss 926 BERRY BUD ~ Discontinued - eBay
A bold color stain that really does last for HOURS. I like both their bright reds and rose tinted stains.
SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Lip Stains
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When they say all day, they mean all day. I use the patina shimmer when I am wearing neutrals or warm colors. It has almost a hint of a gold sheen.
Stay All Day® Liquid Lipstick - Stila Cosmetics
Great for keeping your lips hydrated with a tint of color. Again, tons of color options.
e.l.f. Tinted Lip Oil, Long Lasting & Sheer
I rarely use lip liners these days but when I do, these are what I use.
MAC Lip Pencil | Whirl, Nightmoth, Cork, Chestnut & Spice Lip Liners
Not a MAC fan but need a lip liner? I got you.
feed my lips™ pure nourish-mint™ lip liner - Aveda
Super affordable and it looks great. They come in so many fun colors too.
NYX Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss - Rocky Road
Beautiful, high quality, and Sorette Approved for Motherhood.
Lush Lip Tinted Oil
I love the tingle I really like the Gopure brand because of how much thought they put into their products and all the research behind it.
GOPURE Plumping Lip Gloss, Hyaluronic + Peptides, 0.19 fl oz - TikTok Shop
Eye & Face Makeup
From dramatic smokey eye to day-to-day makeup
No more panda eyes!
Clear Brow & Lash Mascara - e.l.f. Cosmetics
My favorite affordable mascara. I don't need my eyelash curler anymore. This does a great job of coating and curling my lashes without getting smudges everywhere.
e.l.f. Lash 'N Roll Curling Mascara, Black
Goes on smoothly and doesn't smudge!
Liquid Eyeliner
This is the eyeliner you want when you need precision.
Eyeliner | SHISEIDO
I use E.L.F's liquid eyeliner for the top and use this for my water line. If you aren't a liquid eyeliner person, this one is for you.
No Budge Retractable Waterline Eyeliner
Works just as well as some expensive brands I've used in the past. If you're on a budget and prefer liquid liner, this is the one.
e.l.f. H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen, Jet Black
Goes on evenly and STAYS all day.
NARS Blush - Blush, Contour, Highlighting - NARS Cosmetics
Great for traveling, gifting, and stocking stuffers. If you're like me and end up only using like 3 shades on a 9 shade eyeshadow palette – this is for you.
Bite Size Mini Eyeshadow Palette - Travel Size | e.l.f. Cosmetics
So easy to blend. I don't really do contouring but this is a staple of mine.
Bronzer & Bronzing Powder - Tarte™ Cosmetics
I use this to highlight my top eyelid near the tear duct and under my eyebrow. But you can get creative with it. Sadly, this is the only place I can find it now. I've included MAC's new version in my list.
Modern Twist Kajal Liner Polar Ice
Feeling adventurous? I COMMITMENT ISSUES (I am under attack!) on the days I'm being myself at an 11.
M·A·C Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner - MAC Cosmetics
Oh it's so pretty! I use Luna as a highlighter for my eyes and face.
Cream Colour Base | MAC Cosmetics - Official Site
Pink Freeze was the very fist eyeshadow I was allowed to use when I turned 14. I still use it today. This is truly special to me. It's gorgeous.
MAC Pink Freeze Eyeshadow Review & Swatches - Temptalia
I'm known as the woman with the great smokey eye (for real). This is my secret.
MAC Beautymarked Eyeshadow Review & Swatches
My go-to when I am wearing warm tones. I use the gold color nearly every day. It's so gorgeous.
Eye Shadow x 9: Burgundy Times Nine - MAC Cosmetics
I've been using this for decades. Great for a smokey eye or days you're wearing cool tones.
Mac Eye Shadow Shale : Beauty & Personal Care
I'm a huge fan of pink. This is sophisticated and allows you to be bold or neutral. It's hard to find a palette that does both!
9V Vintage Rose Artistry Palette - Morphe
Another go-to palette of mine when I'm wearing warm tones or want a neutral look that still reflects my personality. It also smells DELICIOUS. It's rare that my skin can handle a makeup that contains sent. It speaks to the quality of the brand.
Tartelette™ Tease Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette
You can use this to be super bold or use lightly over cool neutral shadows to be colorful but still sophisticated.
MAC Parfait Amour Eyeshadow Review & Swatches - Temptalia
Bonus: This is what I use to clean my brushes.
SEPHORA COLLECTION Facial Cleansing Pad
EWG verified and amazing quality. I don't have clumping issues or get that creepy tarantula look.
Expressionist Curling Mascara
EWG verified and goes on like butter. Once it dries, it stays on all day.
Fresh Lines Liquid Eyeliner
A trick to getting high-quality makeup without spending a lot of money is to get travel sizes. This stuff goes a long way. It's EWG verified and goes on beautifully.
Expressionist Curling Mascara Mini
I got this for my cousin because she has two little boys and no time to put on makeup. It looked so good on her I got myself some. Perfect for the no makeup look.
Supernatural Face Trio Custom Set
You can still find their Polar Ice smokey eye shade in this kit. I can still find the pencil sometimes and included the link in my list for those of you who still use it.
Smoke + Ice Special-Edition Eye Shadow Duo Set| MAC Cosmetics
This is THE eyeshadow for those of us who like to make bold statements with our makeup.
Metallic Eye Shadow
M.A.C. is SO good but also SO expensive. If you're on a budget, get the minis instead.
M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick / Mini MAC
Great for a gift AND a trick we use to save money. The mini sets can go a long way without hurting your bank account.
Mini M·A·C Nudes Lip Combo
This is my everyday blush. I love the berry color. It blends really well and stays on for a long while.
Primer-Infused Matte Blush
These only come in pink for some reason. But they are pretty much the most affordable blush I've found that is good.
e.l.f. Blush
This is my go-to bronzer. I love e.l.f. products. They are great AND affordable.
Contour Palette
When your skin is extra dry, try cream instead of powder. I love e.l.f.'s cream foundations, bronzers, and their countour palattes. All my favorites are included in my list.
Cream Contour Palette
An affordable and nice sunscreen that gives you a hint of color. I have super sensitive skin that is acne prone, and this never irritates me. And its super affordable.
Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30
Primers & Setting Powders
My super dry skin appreciates these. And they will keep your makeup ON.
A primer that helps, rather than accentuates, my dry skin.
Hydrating Face Primer - Travel Size | e.l.f. Cosmetics
Affordable and the quality is comparable to more expensive brands.
Perfect Finish HD Setting Powder
Now that I'm getting older, my eyeshadow is showing my new eye wrinkles. This helps smooth things out.
Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer | e.l.f. Cosmetics
If you can spend a little more, I love Milk's setting powder. Keeps my makeup on all day and smoothes things out.
Pore Eclipse Matte Translucent Setting Powder | Milk Makeup
I've been using this exclusively for the past two years and really enjoy how easy it is to apply.
Kimchi Chic Stage Proof Matte Setting Spray
Foundations & Cover Up
Between my dry skin that's overly sensitive and adult onset acne, these products help me conceal without looking like I caked on a bucket of makeup.
Dry skin? Same. This is my solution! And when someone asks you if you put sunscreen on today. The answer is yes.
Camo Hydrating CC Cream SPF 30 | e.l.f. Cosmetics
Excellent coverage! You don't need to use a lot so this can last you a while.
Under Eye Concealer Makeup - NARS Cosmetics
Covers up nearly everything! This comes in clutch when I am having a breakout.
Studio Fix Tech Cream-To-Powder Foundation - MAC Cosmetics
Lasts all day AND has SPF 30
Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer - NARS Cosmetics
I've been dealing with adult onset acne. This is what I use to cover up the bright red spots.
Camo Color Corrector Concealer | e.l.f. Cosmetics
Another affordable option. I use this to cover up the redness on my face.
HD Photogenic Liquid Concealer | NYX Professional Makeup
This is now my go-to coverup for days when I don't want to put makeup on but want to cover up some spots. It's not cakey and does a great job of evening my skin out.
Soft Glam Satin Concealer
I lived in this foundation all summer long. It's truly a blessing. I rubbed it into my face like it was sunblock and then went out the door. You will have to wash your hands off well if that's your approach. It stayed on all day but I didn't feel it ...
Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50
By far the best affordable concealer out there for long days or nights. It definitely lasts.
16HR Camo Concealer
I have dry skin. And sometimes it can get SUPER dry. I always have e.l.f.'s hydrating concealer for that reason. But it goes on well and looks natural so I often use it even when my skin isn't flaring up.
Hydrating Camo Concealer