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Makeup I Swear By

Purple Star emoji 44 items
By
KJ
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

My friends and coworkers associate me with a bold lip color. But I do neutrals too!

 
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Great for when you want red lips but not a matte red. Goes on kind of like a tinted clear gloss.
MAC Cosmetics Lustreglass - Venetian - Reviews
 
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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
 
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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.
MAC Pink Poodle (By Request) Lipglass Review & Swatches
 
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Bold but also sheen.
MAC Unlimited Style Lipglass Review & Swatches - Temptalia
 
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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
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Not a gloss person? MAC's Satin lipsticks are my go-to.
Pink Lipstick Shades | MAC Cosmetics – Official Site
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Big fan of Aveda's NOURISH-MINT glosses. I use the berry bud when I want to be bold but not dramatic.
Aveda Lip Glaze / Gloss 926 BERRY BUD ~ Discontinued - eBay
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A bold pink stain that really does last for HOURS
SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Lip Stain 07 Cherry
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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
 
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Great for keeping your lips hydrated with a tint of color. Again, tons of color options. I use pink kiss.
e.l.f. Tinted Lip Oil, Long Lasting & Sheer
 
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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
 
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Not a MAC fan but need a lip liner? I got you.
feed my lips™ pure nourish-mint™ lip liner - Aveda

Eye & Face Makeup

From dramatic smokey eye to day-to-day makeup

 
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No more panda eyes!
Clear Brow & Lash Mascara - e.l.f. Cosmetics
 
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Possibly my favorite 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
 
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Goes on smoothly and doesn't smudge!
Liquid Eyeliner
 
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This is the eyeliner you want when you need precision.
Eyeliner | SHISEIDO
 
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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
 
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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
 
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Goes on evenly and STAYS all day.
NARS Blush - Blush, Contour, Highlighting - NARS Cosmetics
 
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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
 
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So easy to blend. I don't really do contouring but this is a staple of mine.
Bronzer & Bronzing Powder - Tarte™ Cosmetics
 
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I use this to highlight my top eyelid near the tear duct and under my eyebrow. But you can get creative with it.
Modern Twist Kajal Liner Polar Ice
 
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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
 
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Oh it's so pretty! I use Luna as a highlighter for my eyes and face.
Cream Colour Base | MAC Cosmetics - Official Site
 
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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
 
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I'm known as the woman with the great smokey eye (for real). This is my secret.
MAC Beautymarked Eyeshadow Review & Swatches
 
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I use this to create a smokey eye and use the more neutral colors for everyday use. One of the only eyeshadow palettes that I use all of the shadows.
MAC Cosmetics Smoke and Mirrors palette - Reviews - MakeupAlley
 
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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
 
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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
 
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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
 
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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
 
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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
 
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Bonus: This is what I use to clean my brushes.
SEPHORA COLLECTION Facial Cleansing Pad
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Primers & Setting Powders

My super dry skin appreciates these. And they will keep your makeup ON. 

 
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A primer that helps, rather than accentuates, my dry skin.
Hydrating Face Primer - Travel Size | e.l.f. Cosmetics
 
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Affordable and the quality is comparable to more expensive brands.
Perfect Finish HD Setting Powder
 
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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
 
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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
 
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I've been using this exclusively for the past few months 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.

 
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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
 
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Excellent coverage! You don't need to use a lot so this can last you a while.
Under Eye Concealer Makeup - NARS Cosmetics
 
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Covers up nearly everything! This comes in clutch when I am having a breakout.
Studio Fix Tech Cream-To-Powder Foundation - MAC Cosmetics
 
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Lasts all day AND has SPF 30
Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer - NARS Cosmetics
 
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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
 
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Another affordable option. I use this to cover up the redness on my face.
HD Photogenic Liquid Concealer | NYX Professional Makeup