Not a beauty guru — just a woman who needs to look put together in 10 minutes. These are the products I keep coming back to.
(some links are affiliated but no extra cost to you)
Sections
5
The Base
Awake with Color
Final Touch
Make It Work
The Bag It All Lives In
The Base
First thing on my skin every single morning — before moisturizer, before everything. It tightens, it smells good, and now I just can't skip it.
Advanced Clinicals Brightening Vitamin C Serum
Light enough that I don't feel like I'm wearing makeup, but enough coverage that it looks like I tried. My go-to for soccer Saturdays and everything in between.
Paula's Choice RESIST Super-Light Wrinkle Defense
Does two jobs before anything else touches my face — evens everything out, leaves my skin silky and smooth, and I'm not adding a separate SPF step. Non-negotiable.
KYDA 3 In 1 Face Primer Before Makeup
I mix it with other shades to match my skin, but what keeps me coming back is that it brightens, moisturizes, and never cakes, creases, or balls up. That last part alone is worth it.
Thrive Buildable Blur™ HD Creaseless Concealer
A little goes a long way, so this lasts forever. I blend with other colors to match my skin and avoid caked look but it's almost a color corrector for my massive dark circles so I love it.
e.l.f. 16-Hour Camo Full Coverage Concealer
I'm pretty sure this stuff is for men but my husband had extra, I used it once and got hooked. It's the perfect color and natural, light powder that is perfect for all the time anytime kind of setting powder. I use it under my eyes and all over my fa...
Anti-Shine Tool (Powder)
This one has a slightly warmer tone and I use it to even out the under eye. Again, a little goes a long way, and if you put it on the back of your hand first, it makes it less cakey.
After 40-something years I finally figured out I have cool undertones — and everything changed. This palette is the first blush and highlighter combo that makes my skin look like itself, just better. I don't always use the highlighter because it's br...
3-in-1 Blush & Highlighter Palette for Fair Skin
This adds a little color under my eye without dragging it down. Blonde eyelashes need something but it's perfect for during the day and I smudge it under my eye to keep the shadow look clean.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Jumbo Eye Pencil
I line my waterline and add a little flick at the outer edge — that's my whole eye look. It's lasted years and I've never found a reason to switch.
Matte Mauve Taupe Eyeshadow Palette for Cool Undertones
Final Touch
Adds a warm golden glow that isn't too intense — I use it on my eyes and just a touch on my face. The kind of highlight that looks like you, just lit from within.
Thrive Brilliant Face™ Highlighter
Enough color to look intentional, light enough that it doesn't feel like anything is there. My kind of lip product.
Thrive Sheer Strength® Hydrating Lip Tint
Without this, my makeup disappears by midday. One spritz and it stays put — the step I skipped for years and now can't leave out.Anyone else's makeup disa
I truly don't even know what every single brush is for lol — but I have one for everything and that's kind of the point. Best set I've found for the price.
Affordable Makeup Brushes Kit
I use this to blend everything and the price makes it a perfect find.
Total Face Brush | e.l.f. Cosmetics
Yes it's for men… but I just don't care! I love the shape and it's the perfect texture for blending.
Stryx Pro Blending Wedge
The Bag It All Lives In
Big enough to hold everything, small enough to travel with, and just organized enough that I can stuff it all in and still find what I need. I've tried a lot of bags. This is the one I keep reaching for.
