Ever since my last Makeup Lately post, I've really been trying to put more effort into my day to day makeup. I think I've done a bit of a 180, going from the laziest looks to a little more put-together. And somehow, it still takes me almost the same amount of time. I thought today would be a good day to share this because it's also going to be the look I wear to Thanksgiving dinner later today.
I've been starting my makeup with my brows because those are really what's most important to me. I've fallen head over heels for Glossier's Boy Brow (I've got the shade Brown). I'm not usually one for tinted brow gels, as all the ones I've tried have seemed to make my brows look more sparse. But this perfectly fluffs up the hairs and adds enough definition to keep me happy on a minimal makeup day. I always add this to my brows first and then fill in the remaining gaps with the Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown. This way, my brows look more natural and I'm using less of the Brow Wiz each time - a win-win.
For eyes I can't get enough of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette. I've got a full review of it here. It has some really pretty neutrals as well as a few more fun shades, so I feel like it's got every base covered. There aren't many mattes, but I find a few of the shades are still fine to use in the crease. My go-to look has been using a wash of Treasure over the lid, followed by a bit of Hot & Cold on the outer corner and blended into the crease. Blush and Witchy make a good pair as well. Despite having tons of other eyeshadows to use, I can't stop using this one because they truly will not crease on me throughout the whole day - something none of my other shadows can do. I've then been smudging a little of whatever eyeliner I've got lying around into my tightline and onto the outer corners of my eyes and finishing off with two coats of the Maybelline Full 'N Soft Waterproof Mascara. I used to only use one coat, but it's really been quite life-changing going for two.
Once brows and eyes are done, I then move onto my face. My favorite base to use has still been the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water (review here). It blends in so easily and gives such a good amount of coverage while feeling totally weightless on the skin. I've actually taken care to cover up my dark circles with a bit of the Clarins Instant Concealer lately - I had forgotten how much I loved this stuff. And if I've got any blemishes, I'll cover them up with the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer. It's definitely the most heavy-duty concealer I've tried, but it's just perfect. I set the center of my face using the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light - I can't believe it took me so long to get this baby. It's definitely the perfect powder for someone with dry and dull skin like me, as it sets everything into place without looking powdery and instead gives the skin a lovely luminosity. I think the pale yellow shade of this helps to neutralize the redness I have down the center of my face, too. To finish my face I'll either use the Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion dusted along the perimeters of my face or the Too Faced Love Flush Long-Lasting 16 Hour Blush in Baby Love blended onto my cheeks. The final and most important step is the highlighter - I've been obsessed with the Anastasia Illuminator in Starlight lately as it leaves the most beautiful, dewy glow on the skin.
Lastly for lips, I've been going for some neutrals per usual. Recent favorites have been the MAC Lipstick in Brave, the Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Glace, and the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Marvelous Mauve (13).
What have been your go-to products lately?