With the endless “get ready with me” TikTok videos, we decided we’d hop on the trend and give some insight into our favorite makeup products for each step in the routine.
In this blog post, we will discuss our favorite makeup products that are suitable for different skin tones, types, and budgets.
The Perfect Primer
The first step in any makeup routine is prepping the skin with a primer. A primer makes your skin smooth for makeup, makes foundation last longer, and enhances the appearance of your foundation.
If you have oily skin, choose a mattifying primer that controls excess shine and keeps your makeup in place all day long. Look for primers with oil-free formulas or those specifically formulated for oily skin.
Our top pick: Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Primer.
For dry skin, a hydrating primer is key to achieving a smooth and radiant base. Look for primers with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin which help to lock in moisture.
Our top pick: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer.
As we age, our skin tends to lose its natural radiance and may have visible fine lines and wrinkles. A brightening or blurring primer can help to even out the skin tone and blur imperfections.
Our top pick: L’Oreal Paris Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer.
If you struggle with acne, it’s important to choose a primer that won’t clog your pores or irritate your skin further. Look for non-comedogenic and oil-free primers, or those with soothing ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera.
Our top pick: Smashbox Photo Finish Control Mattifying Primer with Salicylic Acid.
Foundation & Concealer: finding the right shade and formula for your skin
After prepping your skin with a primer, the next step in any makeup routine is to apply foundation and concealer. These products serve as the base for all of your other makeup, providing coverage and enhancing your natural complexion.
A crucial factor in choosing foundation and concealer shades is understanding your undertone. Undertones can be warm (yellow or golden), cool (pink or blue) or neutral (a mix of both). Knowing this will help you find shades that match seamlessly with your natural complexion.
Another question to ask when choosing the perfect products for your base is do you prefer sheer, medium or full coverage? It’s up to you and what you want to achieve with your appearance. Consider your skin’s needs and any areas you want to hide or cover more.
Our top choice for foundation is the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation. This foundation has a special formula with fermented arnica that reduces redness, evens skin tone, and protects from environmental stress.
Our all-time favorite concealer is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. An award-winning, cult favorite, this concealer applies smoothly while brightening, perfecting, and correcting the skin.
Contouring & Highlighting: The perfect sculpt
Contouring and highlighting are essential steps in achieving a flawless makeup look. These techniques can help define your features, add dimension to your face, and create the illusion of a perfectly sculpted face shape.
The key to successful contouring and highlighting is choosing the right shade for your skin tone.
When selecting a contour product, opt for a shade that is one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. For fair skin tones, choose cool-toned shades with gray undertones as they mimic natural shadows on the face. For medium to dark skin tones, go for warmer-toned shades with red or orange undertones.
The Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick is our favorite for contouring. This long-wear contour comes in various shades with a buildable cream-to-powder formula. The stick shape makes it easy to apply.
For highlighting, choose a shade that is one or two shades lighter than your skin tone. Fair skin tones should go for pink or champagne-toned highlighters while medium to dark skin tones should opt for golden or bronze-toned ones.
Our choice for highlighting is the MERIT Day Glow Highlighting Balm. This highlighter is vitamin-rich and glides on easily creating a dewy finish. This product is also in stick format, making it easy to apply.
Eye Makeup: from bold glamor to a “no makeup” makeup look
As the saying goes, “The eyes are the windows to the soul,” and what better way to make a statement than with a flawless eye look. From subtle everyday looks to bold and dramatic ones, your eye makeup can elevate your entire face.
Our top pick for eyeshadow is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette. With its warm-toned shades and highly pigmented formula, this palette allows you to create endless stunning looks. We like this palette because it has shiny and non-shiny colors in various shades, from light to dark. It can be used for any occasion.
For a more everyday look, our favorite palette is the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette. Inspired by skin tones, this palette can create a bold or natural look.
Eyeliner is an essential tool in every makeup bag as it helps define and enhance the shape of your eyes. For beginners, we recommend starting with a pencil eyeliner like the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner. Its creamy formula glides on smoothly and will stay put all day long.
For those who prefer liquid liners, try the KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner. This popular liner has a thin tip for accurate application and is waterproof, ideal for achieving a winged eyeliner style.
Mascara is the ultimate finishing touch to any eye makeup look. It adds volume, length, and drama to your lashes, making your eyes pop. Our top pick is the Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara. Its unique brush design allows you to coat every lash for maximum impact.
A close second and drugstore option is the Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara. The formula is clump-free, and the curved applicator brush helps achieve this perfect look.
Well-groomed eyebrows can make a huge difference in your overall appearance. For natural-looking brows, try the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz. The ultra-fine tip mimics hair-like strokes in sparse areas of the eyebrow, while the brush end blends for a natural-looking finish.
The Final Touch: Powder and Setting Spray
Powder helps to set your foundation and create a smooth base for the rest of your makeup. Setting spray ensures that your makeup stays in place. These products both work together to keep your makeup stay put all day long.
The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a popular lightweight and finely milled, giving a natural finish for all skin types.
Our second favorite powder is the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Powder. Affordable yet effective, this pressed powder blurs imperfections while controlling shine without looking cakey on the skin.
Lastly, the final touch that pulls it all together is setting spray. Our all-time favorite is the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray. This award-winning, alcohol-free setting spray locks in makeup for hours while leaving skin with a dewy finish.
Conclusion
We hope our recommendations have made it easier for you to find the perfect products for each step in your routine. Remember, everyone’s skin is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Experiment with different products to find what works best for you.