I've been seeing a few posts like this around lately, and I thought it would be fun to go through my collection and see what I would pick if I could only choose one product from each category to wear day in and day out. It was a lot easier than I was expecting, so maybe that should inspire me to go through my collection and downsize.
PRIMER: BECCA Backlight Priming Filter | This is only one of two primers I own, and it's definitely the one I reach for more. It gives the skin such a nice glow that works under any foundation. I even like wearing this on its own on no-makeup days if I feel like my skin's looking a little dull - this perks it up right away. I feel like it helps my makeup stay on longer as well, which some glow-inducing primers don't really do.
BASE: bareMinerals Complexion Rescue | This was probably my hardest choice, as I do love a good skin-like base. The Complexion Rescue is such a perfect product - it's lightweight and non-greasy, but it gives a good amount of coverage and a whole lot of glow. It feels so creamy and hydrating on the skin too - some tinted moisturizers I've tried have felt chalky on my skin, but this one's just so smooth. I love that it has the extra SPF in there, too.
CONCEALER: Glossier Stretch Concealer | I've recently heard this described as a "solid tinted moisturizer" and that really is right. It's one of the first concealers I've tried with a dewy finish, so it really goes well with all the dewy foundations I like to use. It gives a more sheer coverage, but it layers easily without ever getting cakey. I like that I can apply this to the drier areas on the sides of my nose that get red without it catching on every little dry patch - this is definitely one to try if you can.
BROWS: Glossier Boy Brow | I've said before that if I only use one product before rushing out the door, it's always something for my brows. The Boy Brow is my favorite because it's unlike any tinted brow gel I've tried - it's more of a cream, so it sets the brows naturally without looking or feeling crunchy. The tint gives the perfect amount of pigmentation, too, so it does a lot of the work of filling in my brows for me. I usually follow this up with some kind of brow pencil, but if I could only choose one brow product, it would always be this.
EYESHADOW: Burberry Wet & Dry Silk Shadow, 'Rosewood' | This is just my favorite eyeshadow. It's got the most beautiful formula, and it's a gorgeous plummy-bronze color. It works equally well dusted on for an all-over wash or packed on for a little more drama. This is also one of those magical eyeshadows that turns a slightly different shade when blended out, so it looks like you're wearing more than one eyeshadow and have put in a lot more effort than you really did.
EYELINER: Colourpop Creme Gel Liner, 'Brew-Haha' | I forgot to include this in the picture, but this is probably the best pencil liner I've ever tried, and it's only $5. It never smudges on me throughout the day, even in the waterline, and the Brew-Haha shade is the perfect deep brown for every day.
MASCARA: Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Escalator Mascara | This is a new addition, but I'm already obsessed. It gives me a good whack of both length and volume without getting too clumpy, and because it's a tubing mascara, it never smudges or flakes on me. This is no easy feat, because every single mascara seems to smudge under my eyes. And as a bonus, it washes off with only warm water.
BRONZER: NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer | This gives me the most natural-looking bronze glow out of any bronzer I've tried. The liquid blends seamlessly into the skin without disturbing any makeup underneath, and the soft golden shimmers in it add a natural glow that's never glittery. I'm in love.
BLUSH: Stila Convertible Color, 'Lilium' | I don't wear blush every day, but when I do I love this fresh, creamy formula. It's super easy to dab on the cheeks and blend out with fingers, so it's a good product to toss in your bag for on-the-go touchups. The color Lilium is the perfect neutral pink that goes with anything and adds the softest flush to the cheeks.
HIGHLIGHTER: Glossier Haloscope, 'Quartz' | I know, another Glossier product. I'm a bit highlighter-obsessed, but I have no doubt in my mind that this one is my favorite. It gives off quite an intense radiant glow, but it still manages to look totally natural. It uses real crystal powders and a blend of nourishing oils as its source of sheen, so no wonder it makes you look so healthy.
POWDER: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, 'Diffused Light' | I don't wear powder much these days, but this is always the one I go for if I do. (Actually I'm pretty sure this is the only powder I own). It sets makeup without making it look powdery or cakey and keeps the glow intact - can you tell I have a type? The Diffused Light shade is slightly yellow, so it also works great at softly canceling out redness.
LIPS: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick, 'Sheer Liar' | This was the hardest decision for me, but in the end I went for this fabulous new formula in a versatile nude shade. The Sheer Liar color can be patted on for a barely-there, "my lips but better" look or applied more liberally for a decently-pigmented hit of pinky-browny-peachy nude on the lips. It really is the perfect nude because it's got a bit of every tone mixed in.
I definitely recommend going through your collection to pick your one product of each - it was actually really fun! Let me know what you'd choose!