Everyday Makeup: The Everyday Makeup Products I Own at All Times

Having tested just about every single makeup brand under the sun, I can confidently say that these are the tried-and-true items I find myself going back to again and again.

Below, you’ll find a list of my favorite everyday makeup products for each category: primer, foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer, brows, blush, eyelash curler, mascara, eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, lip color, setting spray, and brushes.

Wow, am I high maintenance or what? (Also, it might be worth noting that this is exact order I apply my makeup in—I know a lot of you ask about that.)

THE BEST EVERYDAY MAKEUP PRODUCTS

PRIMER/LUMINIZER

Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm

I like the shade “Golden Glow,” but you should choose based on what works for your skin tone. This stuff is like a primer, luminizer, highlighter, and moisturizer all wrapped into one. I heard a nasty rumor that it was sold out recently. I’d like to think it’s because I started posting about it. It’s now available at Sephora

FOUNDATION

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk

My shade is 5.75. This is the OG of high-end foundations. Every makeup artist’s FAVE. I’ve been using it religiously for at least 8 years. [If you want to see before/afters of what it does to my skin, check out my Armani Luminous Silk review!]

Worth every single penny. I have 9 million foundations that get sent to me for free, but I pay for this one with my own hard-earned money.

That’s how you know it’s GOOOOD. Also: Armani Beauty, if you’re reading this…hook a sister up!

Benefit Hello Happy

My shade is 3. This baby is a newfound favorite.

The consistency is very liquid-y—but before you write it off like I did initially, take my word for it: it gives your face an airbrushed blurring effect.

And perhaps the best part? It’s CHEAP. I alternate with my Armani so I feel less broke.

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MORE: The Dead Giveaway That Your Makeup is Probably Expired

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CONCEALER

• Tarte Shape Tape (My shade is light neutral because I like a bright under-eye. ) 
  or
• IT Cosmetics Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer (My shade is Medium; this is my favorite stay-all-day concealer if you’re going to be sweating or running around.) Speaking of which—if you’re in search of ‘stay-all-day’ products, check out my summer makeup routine.
  or
• NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (My shade is Custard; I mean, don’t listen to me. Just look at the reviews on Sephora.)
• Cle de Peau is also unbelievable (albeit pricey) and a great choice for my mature ladies. Read my full review of it here.
• Check out my full list of the best concealers here.

POWDER

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Powder 

My shade is Banana Bread; if you’re trying to hard core bake your face a la Kim Kardashian, this is how you do it: Dampen a beauty blender, dip it into the powder, and pat pat pat under your eyes.

Let it sit while you do the rest of your makeup. Then dust off the excess.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a holy grail for anyone looking to: minimize pores, prevent makeup from settling into fine lines, and reduce unwanted shine.

I always recommend buying the travel-sized version because the regular size is HUGE and you really only need a little bit to get the job done. 

BRONZER

I use two bronzers: a matte one to contour, and one with a little shimmer for all-over color.

Matte Bronzer for Contouring: Benefit HOOLA 

There’s a reason why HOOLA is consistently ranked among the best bronzers on the market. It’s super simple and nothing fancy, but it WORKS, and the shade is great on multiple different skin tones.
and

Dimensional Bronzer for All-Over Color: Kevyn Aucoin the Neo Bronzer in Capri 

I was debating whether to choose this or the Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Days—another favorite—but I went with my Neo Bronzer because I love that you get a blush, bronzer, and highlighter in one.

BROWS

I recently got my eyebrows microbladed so I haven’t really needed to fill them in, but when I used to, these were my holy grails.

Anastasia Brow Whiz 

My shade is Medium Brown; if you don’t know about Anastasia Soare—the woman behind the namesake brand—you should.

She’s been dubbed Hollywood’s “eyebrow Queen” and now has a beauty line that’s worth over a billion dollars.

It all started with brows, so that pretty much tells you everything you need to know about this product.
or

Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel 

My shade is #3 neutral light brown; this is a fool-proof brow product for anyone who doesn’t have much time in the morning, or has a tendency to be clumsy with makeup. It’s VERY hard to screw up.

BLUSH

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic in Love Glow 

I’m not really sure what to say about this other than the name describes it perfectly.

The blush gives you a rosy, flushed glow. Charlotte designed it to be applied in a “swish and pop” method, which she explains on the packaging.

There’s an outer color and an inner color that mix on the apple of your cheek. It’s pretty brilliant.

EYELASH CURLER

Shu Uemeura (almost impossible to find anywhere aside from their own site; usually sold out since it’s so popular)

MASCARA

NARS Climax 

My favorite “fancy” brand mascara – you guys loved it so much, it was statistically one of the most purchased beauty items out of all my recommendations from 2018.

or

Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof in Very Black 

My recommendation for gals like me who have a hard time with mascara running. This stuff stays put. It gives you a long, whispy lash. See mini-bristled brush below.

or

L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise 

The drugstore counterpart to Nars Climax, in my opinion. It gives you a thick, full lash, and is one of the best-selling drugstore mascaras of all time.

EYELINER

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Perversion (I love this blacker-than-black liner for the waterline

HIGHLIGHTER

• Becca Skin Shimmering Perfector in Champagne Pop
  (I have to force myself to try other highlighters because I just want to use this one everyday. It’s so good and it’s Becca’s best-selling shade)
  or
  
• MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle (This one is more cool-toned than Becca. Another best-seller and personal favorite.)

LIP LINER

MAC Lip Liner in Spice

I got hooked on this one after Kylie Jenner announced it was one of her favorites. It’s become nearly impossible to find since – always selling out. Call it the Kardashian effect…
or

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat 

Blends with your natural lip color to give your lips a more full appearance. Some people say it’s “cheating,” I say it’s genius.)

LIP COLOR

Decorte The Rouge Velvet Lipstick in Mauve

Truly the most perfect rosy shade and the most perfect texture of lipstick. So velvety. Great if you have dry lips (or skin!) because it doesn’t settle into the cracks. LINDSAY25 gives you a 25% discount on the entire site FYI.

or

Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint

I love every shade of this stuff. It’s a great option for those times when you want a little wash of color + hydration, but you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard. Like… on a date, or at a work meeting.

SETTING SPRAY

Urban Decay All Nighter 

My friends and I used to use this before we went out for the night in college.

We’d come home at 4am, look in the mirror and realize our makeup was still perfectly in place.

Now I use it on long days filled with meetings and events, rather than nights out, because I’m old.

BRUSHES/SPONGES

• Beauty Blender (My favorite way to apply/blend foundation)
• Artis Oval 3 Brush (I love this brush for concealer)

Curious about my skincare routine? Check out my Master List of Hero Products here.

As always, feel free to drop your product questions in the comments below!

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