My Go-To Make Up Must Haves

Hello there, my lovey’s!  Today I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite finds when it comes to my make up routine.  The picture above is everything I use on my face to feel put together (minus my skin care techniques which I’ll get into in another post).

These have become my “go to” items for just a day at the office or a night on the town.

I’ll start from the top!

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STEP ONE: As a primer for my foundation, I use Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.  You really don’t need to use a lot of this.  I put a pea sized amount on each finger and then massage it into my face before I put my foundation on.  I let it sit for a few minutes before I start applying the foundation.  Let me say that this primer is very light so you’ll barely feel it on your face.

STEP TWO: For concealer under my eyes I use Born This Way in the shade Fairest since I’m so fair skinned.  I dab about three tiny dots under each eye and pat it in gently.  This is a delicate part of the eye so no need to rub it in…just dab on lightly.

STEP THREE: I am very picky about my foundation and being a ginger, this honestly has been the only one I’ve found that can match my skin tone and doesn’t feel heavy on my face.  Great news is that it’s 24 hour wear.  I use LANCOME’s Teint Idole Ultra Wear and trust me they are the only company that has the lightest ivory shade that works for me.  Every other foundation I’ve tried in my life has left me looking orange.  Finding the right foundation shade for a ginger can be tough but I’ve been using this for years and it hasn’t failed me yet.

STEP FOUR: To set my foundation, I use Revlon’s Photoready finisher and yes the shade I use is Translucent.  You can laugh.  That’s ok.  I feel like somewhere down the line I must have a vampire for a relative given the porcelain color of my skin.  Anyhoo…again, I feel like this is perfect for me and my complexion and it doesn’t look orange or not blended when I brush it on lightly over my foundation.  It sets it perfectly and it’s rare that I need to reapply during the day.

STEP FIVE: My latest find and one that I’m excited to brag about is my new eyeshadow pallet.  It’s by Two Faced and it’s called Natural Eyes.  It has the prettiest shades of nudes and bronze colors to choose from and for us redheads those are great colors for our complexions.

A very good friend of mine bought me the prettiest eyeshadow brushes for Christmas which I use everyday with this eyeshadow pallet.  There are various sizes and shapes so you an blend appropriately and you don’t need that much to make a dramatic effect.  I’m telling you, ladies…this is where it’s at.  I love this pallet!

STEP SIX: I’m a liquid eyeliner girl and I don’t really use anything pricey.  I’ve found that Loreal’s 12 hour Super Slim Infallible liquid eyeliner does the trick.  I use black but they come in various colors.

STEP SEVEN: I’m one of those girls that likes to use an eye lash curler.  Mine is a bit dated so I’m not sure I could even tell you a brand.  Possibly Revlon but I know it has pretty pink gems on it.  Hey!  It does the job and I tend to like sparkly things.  TIP:  I’ve read somewhere that if you use a blow dryer on hi heat on the eye lash curler before use it will curl your eye lashes even better and stay longer.  I’ve done this before and can attest that it does work but I don’t always have time every morning to go through that ritual but I figured I’d share.

STEP EIGHT: Now my mother got me addicted to this little gem and it’s the Voluminous Primer by Loreal.  After I curl my eyelashes, I put this on and let it set before I use my mascara.  The mascara that I’m into right now is by Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black.

STEP NINE: Finally for the finishing touches, grab your favorite lipstick and lip liner.  I tend to use anything in the brown/caramel colors with a nude liner and I’m good to go.  I’ve always migrated towards those colors because they work best with my skin tone.

Have you ever used any of these brands that I’ve mentioned above or do you have any of your own favorites you’d like to share?  Please comment below and let us in on your fabulous secrets.