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The Products I Actually Use: Skincare & Makeup Favorites
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items The skincare and makeup products that have earned a spot in my actual routine. No filler, no products I tried once and forgot about—just the stuff I genuinely use and love. If it’s here, it’s getting used.
Sections
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Skincare
Makeup
Skincare
These are the skincare products that are actually in my routine. Nothing extra, nothing hyped, just reliable favorites.
My favorite first step for taking off makeup. It removes a ton without feeling oily and doesn’t irritate my skin or eyes. I also love it in the morning when my skin just needs a quick refresh before I start my routine.
Garnier Micellar Water Hyaluronic Acid 13.5oz 2ct
One of my favorite additions to my skincare routine. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly and layers beautifully under moisturizer and SPF. Definitely a keeper.
TruSkin Brightening Vitamin C Serum 1 fl oz
A friend recommended this moisturizer to me and I haven’t looked back. It’s super moisturizing without feeling heavy or greasy, and I especially love the SPF 30 version because moisturizer + sunscreen in one step is always a win.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer
Another longtime favorite that gives me plenty of moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. The higher SPF makes this the one I’m more likely to reach for when I know I’ll be spending more time outdoors.
Olay Complete+ Moisturizer SPF 40, Sensitive
The cooling roller applicator alone makes this worth it in the morning. It feels great on tired eyes, and the serum is hydrating without being heavy or greasy.
L'Oreal Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum
I’ve tried several hyaluronic acid serums, and this is still my favorite. It’s lightweight, never feels sticky and I can genuinely see a difference in how hydrated and plump my skin looks when I use it.
Good Molecules 1% Hyaluronic Acid Serum
An office-day essential. I don’t know what they put in the air in office buildings, but my skin hates it. These are perfect for a midday refresh when my face starts feeling oily and grimy, without disturbing my makeup.
Natural Oil Blotting Sheets with Bamboo Charcoal - 3pk/300
I’ve tried so many eye makeup removers that were either greasy enough to irritate my eyes or completely useless against waterproof mascara. This is the perfect balance: it doesn’t feel like I’m rubbing baby oil all over my eyes, but it melts off stub...
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover 8oz
I love this cleanser. The airy foam feels great, it gets my skin clean without drying it out, and it’s been a great fit for my combination skin.
CeraVe Air Foam Hydrating Face Wash
Gentle, hydrating and easy on my skin. It leaves my face feeling fresh without that tight, stripped feeling some toners give me.
BYOMA Milky Toner
A gentle, no-drama retinol that my skin actually likes. I use it a few nights a week without irritation.
CeraVe Retinol Serum with Niacinamide & HA
The perfect last step in my nighttime routine. It’s rich and moisturizing without feeling greasy, and my skin still feels soft and hydrated when I wake up.
CeraVe Night Cream with Peptides & Niacinamide
My skin dries out terribly in the winter, so I decided to take it back to the ancient texts and take a page out of my grandmother’s book. 😂 I don’t use it every night, but I get a kick out of slathering this on and letting it sit while I read or cro...
POND’S Cold Cream Cleanser, Hydrating Makeup Remover & Deep Cleansing Face Cream, 6.1 oz
Makeup
Everyday makeup favorites from a 40-something who likes a little more than the “no-makeup makeup” look but isn’t trying to go full glam for a regular Tuesday. Easy to use, comfortable to wear and proven to survive an actual day.
Lightweight with great coverage, which is exactly what this 40-something face is looking for. It evens everything out without feeling heavy or settling into my skin and looking cakey.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation Light Beige
It’s a classic for a reason. It’s lightweight, doesn’t settle into every little crease and get weird as the day goes on, and one container lasts FOREVER.
Airspun Coty Loose Face Powder Translucent
I’ve been using this bronzer for literal years. It’s incredibly smooth, blends so easily and gives me the perfect light, sun-kissed color without looking like I’m wearing a ton of bronzer. And bonus: it smells SO good.
Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer Light
After essence discontinued my old favorite blush, the hunt for a replacement was ON—and this was the winner. The color is gorgeous, it blends beautifully and a little goes a long way. New favorite officially found.
essence Soft Touch Bouncy Blush 10 Antique Bloom
I love these Shadow Stix because they glide on easily, set quickly and stay put without smudging or collecting in my eyelid crease. This shade is my go-to lightly shimmery base color and works beautifully on its own when I want a softer, super-neutra...
ColourPop Shadow Stix Cream Eyeshadow Stick Honey BB
The perfect everyday shimmery pink. It’s just a smidge more than subtle, but still completely appropriate for an ordinary day at the office. Like all of my favorite Shadow Stix, it sets quickly and stays exactly where I put it.
ColourPop Shadow Stix Cream Eyeshadow Stick
For the days when I want something just a little spicier than my usual pink without going full LOOK AT MY EYES. 😂 It gives me a little more color while still being totally wearable for a regular day, and the formula stays put beautifully.
ColourPop Shadow Stix Cream Eyeshadow Stick
This eyeliner has been a staple in my routine for 15+ years, which is probably the strongest endorsement I can give it. I’ve never found another one I like as well. It glides on smoothly, lasts ALL day, and gives me the definition I want without havi...
Revlon ColorStay Waterproof Eyeliner 202
My pick for softer makeup days when I want defined lashes without adding a ton of bulk. It doesn’t get goopy, gives me just enough color and definition, and—most importantly—doesn’t flake all over my face as the day goes on.
essence Lash Princess Waterproof Mascara
This is the one I reach for when I want a little more oomph. It adds noticeable length and volume without getting goopy, doesn’t flake and lasts all day. Drama, but reasonable drama. 😂
Maybelline Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara
There are a LOT of false lashes out there, but I’m a natural-lash girl. I don’t need or want full glam for everyday wear or the office—these just give my natural lashes a little extra boost without looking overdone. I get so many compliments when I w...
Ardell False Eyelashes Natural Lashes 110
For the days when my makeup needs backup. This gives me a stronger hold without feeling sticky and helps keep my face from sliding off the minute I step into DC-area summer humidity. 😂
Ruby Kisses 24hr Long Lasting Setting Spray
My everyday setting spray. It keeps everything in place and takes down shine without leaving my face feeling sticky, stiff or coated in something gross. Basically, it does its job and I forget it’s there.
NYX Matte Setting Spray - Long-Lasting, Vegan
My go-to lash glue. The brush makes it super easy to apply without getting goopy, it keeps my lashes exactly where I put them all day, and it’s still easy to remove at night. Basically everything I need a lash glue to do without making me angry. 😂
DUO Clear Brush-on Strip Lash Adhesive 0.18oz
My go-to when I want a little color and shine but don’t feel like committing to a lipstick all day. It gives my lips a subtle tint, feels hydrating and has just enough shimmer to make things interesting.
NYX Lip IV Hydrating Glossy Stain Hydra Honey
This is literally the only lipstick formula I use anymore. They are NOT kidding when they call it SuperStay. I once put this on around noon before a football game, then survived hours of tailgating (basically a sport of its own at my alma mater), sta...
Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick, Seductress
Possibly the greatest red lip color to ever exist. It’s rich, gorgeous and stays PUT—no constant touch-ups and no discovering red lipstick all over your teeth. If I want a true statement red, this is the one.
Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick, Pioneer
I love this formula so much that one shade simply isn’t enough. There are tons of great colors, and once this stuff sets, it STAYS. If you find a shade you love, prepare to want several more.
Maybelline Superstay