My "Must Have" Makeup Products

My Make Up Must Haves!! I'm someone who doesn't spend much time on makeup overall. I really only wear makeup Friday night - IF there's a reason to go out - and Saturday. That's it. And I almost rarely ever wear eye makeup more than a little mascara. The only time I do a full face of make up with eye liner, eye shadow, falsies, etc... is if I'm headed out to a big event - which is a couple times a year. As you can see above, most of my items are in the same color family - natural! I like to look natural on a daily basis. On occasion, I do enjoy a pop of color on the lips but that's NOT every day.  These products that I'm going to list here are my "must-have-on-hand-at-all-times" makeup items. When they run low - I run out and buy more.... immediately.

SHISEIDO FACIAL COTTON

So I was introduced to these by Jaclyn Hill. She was raving about them in one of her videos so I decided to try them when I went into Nordstrom. The girl did NOT steer me wrong! They are amazing!! I will NEVER go back to regular cotton balls or rounds that I normally buy at Walmart or Target.  Nope. Never. These Shiseido Facial Cotton rounds are so strong and you can use the front - and back! Crazy, right?! A pack of them costs $12 and lasts me a few months - but again.... I do not wear heavy makeup on the daily. I do wash and cleanse my face using these daily but I typically use maybe 2 per night and 1 in the morning. And these were a total game changer for me. And I may, or may not, buy these for my girlfriends and female family members for Christmas and Birthdays.  I want everyone addicted to these!

Buy Shiseido Facial Cotton

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BIODERMA

This is another goodie introduced to me by Ms. Hill. And once again, the girl was right! And I have actually used  the blue and the pink versions of this - trying to decide which I thought was better. But honestly, can't decide - I like them both! You can also get these in travel sizes - which I love to have on hand. You can get a jumbo size or a regular size and you can even get them with an easy pump top - which works great with the Shiseido cotton rounds. I searched high & low for a makeup remover that would not leave my face feeling greasy/oily. So many products claim they won't leave your skin feeling that way but every single one did. So when Jaclyn recommended this, I of course tried it. And she wasn't wrong. This product NEVER leaves my skin feeling gross after. I don't feel the need to splash it with water to get any residue off like I always found myself doing with other makeup cleanser products. So, I'm a tried and true fan now. I will ALWAYS use Bioderma! And the price is right at $14.90 for 500ml. And I always buy mine through Beautylish because their custmer service is the best.

Buy BIODERMA

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BECCA Backlight Priming Filter

When I do my makeup, the first step for me is using this primer. I just LOVE the way it feels on my skin and the way my skin looks - even with JUST this on. Sometimes I will just wear this and no other makeup. It's very glowy looking on my skin and I like the smell of it.  So sometimes I'll apply just this and some lipgloss and I'm good.

Buy BECCA Backlight Primer

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L'Oreal Infallable Foundation - Pro Glow or Pro Matte

Every one - and I mean EVERY ONE - was raving about these so one day I tried the pro-glow and liked it. So I then tried the pro-matte and actually liked that one too! So I keep both of these on hand as my every day foundation. I use my more highend foundation for events and special occasions. You just can't beat the price for these and they don't cake my dry skin or anything. And as much as I enjoy cake.... I don't enjoy cake face... and these do NOT cake anywhere on my skin. They are definitely worth a try if you're looking for an afforable option.

Buy L'Oreal Infallable

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BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter

I had the Champagne Pop highlighter and really enjoyed it but had been dying to try some of the other colors. And finally one day I bought Pearl. And I'm so happy I did. I love to mix it in with my foundation. It just gives such a nice highlighted glow all over the skin. It's beautiful.  But honestly, I enjoy all of the Becca products I have been able to try. Thank goodness because they're not the cheapest. But when ULTA has a coupon or BECCA has a sale.... I buy it!

Buy BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector

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Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

I have used NYX, Urban Decay and a few others over the years and I keep repurchasing THIS one. It hasn't done me wrong so far. It is a little exspensive but again.... you can find a deal on it or use a coupon.

Buy Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

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RCMA NO COLOR POWDER

So I know there are many new setting powders or "no color" powders out but if it ain't broke..... well you know the saying.
RCMA powder just works for me. It doesn't crease my skin or cake anywhere. It just does what I want it to do. I use it to bake my face and it works perfectly. And the price is right for the amount you get! 

Buy rcma powder

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Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

I have bought this time and time again! It is hands down my go to bronzer - and I have a lot of bronzers in my drawer! But this one I have gone through about 3 times already. The smell is so delicious and tropical you feel like you're on vacation every time you open it. Love. Love. Love.

Buy Physicians FORMULA buTTER BRONER

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Clinique High Impact Mascara

OK, so I have been using this particular mascara for YEARS! I just love the way it feels - it's kind of glossy and creamy and just luxurious. And I like the way it goes on to my lashes. They don't clump and they stay coated all day. I have used many of Cliniques other mascaras as well as other brands of course- but this will forever be my favorite. And I just love the small/tiny wand. I just cannot stand a big, thick, chunky, or fat wand. Or the curved wand. Nope, they're not for me. I like a simple straight lined wand that is fairly small. And this fits the bill.

Buy Clinique High Impact Mascara

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Revlon ColorStay Lipliner

You know that moment when you find your perfect nude color?? This was it for me. I found my perfect nude lipliner. And I have like 10 of these in my drawer because I'm afraid one day they'll stop making this color - because that ALWAYS happens to me! I have this in the color Natural. And it is the perfect natural lip color on me.

Buy Revlon ColorStay Lipliner

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NYX, MORPHE, & MILANI Lipsticks

My go to lipsticks are of course all in the same shade range - natural. They look pretty similar but they're not when you apply them.  But they are ALL VERY AFFORDABLE. (Side note - The Milani lipsticks have a very noticable scent to them. To me it smells like watermellon and I really like it. But if you're not into scents, this may not be for you.) Here are my go to nude/natural colors:
NYX Turnt Up lipstick in shade Flutter Kiss
MORPHE lipstick in shade FOREVS
NYX Plush Gel Lipstick in shade Nude Beach (It seems NYX no longer have this available. Thank goodness I have 3 in my drawer!)
MILANI lipstick in shade 27 DULCE CARAMELO

Below is a swatch on my arm of each of these lipsticks. I tried different lighting so you can get an idea of each color from different angles etc...
From left to right: NYX Turnt Up in Flutter Kiss, Morphe in FOREVS, NYX Plush Gel in Nude Beach and Milani in Dolce Caramelo 

Buy NYX Turnt Up Lipstick in Flutter Kiss

Buy MORPHE LIPSTICK IN FOREVS

Buy milani lipstick in 27 DOLCE CARAMELO

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NARS, BOBBI BROWN & MILANI BLUSH

I don't know a single person who has used NARS Orgasm blush and not fallen in love with it. Nope. Not one single person. It's just one of those colors that looks so beautiful on any skin tone. It's just stunning. I have two in my drawer right now because I was starting to run low. Orgasm is the one blush I reach for more often than not. And a great dup for it is Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso. It is a gorgeous peachy color and the price is right.
My second favorite blush is BOBBI BROWN in the color Blushed 10. It's a slightly deeper more purple color on me than the NARS Orgasm. NARS is more of a natural peachy pink color on me. I kind of grab the BOBBI BROWN one more in winter and fall months.

BUY nars orgasm blush

Buy MILANI Baked Blush in Luminoso

Buy BOBBI BROWN BLUSHED 10 BLUSH

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MORPHE Continuous Setting Mist

There is a very good reason why all the beauty gurus on YouTube rave about this setting spray. First off, it smells really good - at least to me and many others. Secondly, it's a great price. And I love the way it finely mists out all over my face. I've used other brands but none of them have this fabulous continual fine spray. It's just perfection. And how can you pass up perfection??? Well, I cannot. So I have three cans in my vanity room. 

Buy Morphe Setting Spray

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That concludes my list of "must-have-on-hand-at-all-times" makeup items. If you had been on the fence about trying some of these, I hope this helped give you more information about each one. And maybe there was something on here you hadn't seen before that you now want to give a try. These are all wonderful neutral shade products that I feel you can't go wrong with.