These are becoming some of my favorite posts to write - a new month means switching up the products I keep in my everyday makeup bag. Although I do tend to go through and switch a few things up throughout the month, I have a feeling these will be my most-used this month.
I'm slowly getting back onboard with the idea of primers. At this point, I'm just using them to add extra moisture, but they do make my makeup go on more smoothly. Right now I'm using the Glossier Priming Moisturizer - it's a little to light to use as my moisturizer right now, but it makes for a beautiful primer on top of my everyday day cream. I've sung its praises far too many times now, so you know the drill - it's plumping, it calms down my redness, and it's perfect.
As for foundation, I'm trying out a new one right now that seems super promising - I mentioned that I got the Cover FX Natural Finish Foundation in a recent post, and so far I'm loving it. I'm currently trying out mixing it with a few other products I have, like the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint, which is my favorite mixer (because I just can't resist mixing up my own concoctions), so once I've tested out a few combos a bit more I'll be writing a full review. Right off the bat though this is definitely one to try if you're after something super perfecting and glowy. Concealer is still my holy grail Milk Makeup Flex Concealer - I just can't stray from it. Lately I've been blending it over larger areas of redness with a damp sponge (although I don't need to do this much when using the Cover FX foundation), and then I pinpoint conceal with it, blending it out with a Real Techniques Expert Concealer Brush.
Brows are the same as always - Glossier Boy Brow in Brown and a bit of the Milk Makeup Gel Brow in Pilsner if I'm feeling a fluffier look. I'm actually using eyeshadow again, and I've been going for more plum tones. The MAC Eyeshadow in Sable is always a favorite - it's a beautiful plummy bronze that warms up the face, and I always go back to it. I've also been really swooning over the Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow in 757 Dream. It's a beautiful collection of matte shades with a soft plum vibe. The formula is lovely - super soft and blendable, and easy to build up to desired intensity. Mascara is still the Lancome Monsieur Big - what can I say, I'm truly hooked on this.
Cheeks is where I'm going to be putting in a little more effort and have been adding in a few more steps. Because the foundation is slightly higher coverage than I'm used to, I've been going in with the Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skin Stick in Amber to chisel out some cheekbones a little bit. It's super blendable and the perfect shade for me, and the result is a really natural contour. I've really been layering up my blushes, first mixing the Glossier Cloud Paints in Haze and Puff (forever my favorites, and I can't go a day without them) and applying them on my cheekbones and feathering it out to my temples. Next I've been tapping a little bit of the Lilah b. Divine Duo Lip & Cheek in b. true, a really pretty neutral pink, right on the apples of my cheeks. I haven't worn blush this close to the center of my face in awhile, but I'm loving the look. And I'm obsessed with these Lilah b. duos - they're quite creamy and look natural on the skin. I'm still loving Lilah b's Bronzer, too. Highlight is, again, a mixture of two products. I first layer a bit of the new Milk Makeup Holographic Stick in Stardust slightly lower on my cheekbones, a bit like a blush topper. It's SO pretty, and it really adds to the flushed pink vibe I'm going for. For a more natural sheen, I top off the tops of my cheekbones with the Kjaer Weis Highlighter in Ravishing, which is a beautiful pale gold shade that adds a wet-looking shine to the skin.
For lips I've been flip-flopping, too (can you tell I've started using a bigger makeup bag?). On more minimal days I've been reaching for the Dior Addict Lip Glow in 007 Raspberry for a bit of a flush on the lips that makes everything look a little brighter and fresher. I mentioned this in my recent Five to Try, and I'm still smitten. For something more mauve-y, I've been using the Kjaer Weis Lip Pencil in Mauve, which is a close match to my natural lip color and a lovely formula, and topping it with the Glossier Lip Gloss. For my last option, I think I've found my most perfect nude. I start with a layer of the Pat McGrath Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in Bare Rose. It's a beautiful nude pink shade that will last all day long. I then top it with the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Oil-In-Stick Lipstick in 44 Nude Lavalliere. It's such a comfortable formula and pretty color, so I'm hooked.
What products are you reaching for in January?
Some products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.