Makeup makes me feel confident and happy. It is also an outlet to express my creativity, and makeup is such a powerful tool that anyone can use. I love that makeup is inclusive of any age, shape, size, and budget. In the past 10 years, I have tested, tried, and gone through multiple products, but there are some that I keep coming back to. Here are 10 of my favorite beauty products that I always use and have in my makeup bag!
Note: I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases via my links in this blog!
1. Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 by Paula’s Choice
The most important thing to put on above anything else is sunscreen! Sunscreen is important because it protects our skin from damaging UV rays and prevents wrinkles, skin cancer, and discoloration.
Wearing sunscreen is important preventative care that should be incorporated into our daily routine, and the product I use the most is the Super-Light Wrinkle Defence SPF 30 by Paula’s Choice. If you have oily skin like me, this is a great sunscreen that is lightweight (although it is great for any type of skin!). It is also free of fragrances, parabens, and dyes. I love how this sunblock gives me a silky matte finish while moisturizing at the same time. This sunscreen can actually be a great primer and base before applying your foundation.
(Disclosure: links are on this page affiliate links, which means we receive compensation if you make a purchase using either of these links- but we wouldn’t advertise them if we didn’t use them ourselves!!)
2. POREfessional Face Primer by Benefit Cosmetics
If you have small or big pores you’d like to minimize the appearances of, the POREfessional Pro Face Primer is the best product for you! I use this mainly on my nose area, but you can put this wherever you have oil-prone areas like your T-zone. I typically apply it under my makeup before my Benefit foundation, but you can also put it over your makeup and blend gently.
What I love about this product is that it is lightweight, oil-free, translucent for all skin tones, and contains antioxidant vitamins. Bonus points for this product because it also lasts a long time! A small amount goes a long way, and I have used the same bottle for over a year.
3. Double Wear Foundation by Estee Lauder
As a person with oily skin, this Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation has been the best in helping my skin stay flawless, matte, and oil-free. This foundation lasts a long time for me even when I was traveling during the hot and humid summer months!
This is my go-to foundation, and I use the Desert Beige color. If you’d like to get the foundation matched to your skin tone, you can get testing samples to find the perfect color for you.
4. Sundipped Glow Kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills
No makeup look is complete without contouring and highlighting, and this Sundipped Glow Kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills has it all in one palette! I love how there are 2 different shades for the bronzer, 1 shade for blush, and 1 shade for the highlighter. The colors blend well together, and they are perfect for every day and going out makeup looks. This palette can be great on any skin tone, but you can test them out before purchasing!
5. Brow Definer Triangular Brow Pencil by Anastasia Beverly Hills
This Brow Definer Triangular Brow Pencil by Anastasia Beverly Hills is perfect to fill in the brows! My eyebrows are microbladed, but I like to make them a little darker, especially when I want a fuller makeup look. I like that I can use the edge of the pencil tip to create hair-like strokes and the flat side to outline and shape my brows. It also comes with a spoolie to brush my eyebrow hair back in place and blend the brows at the same time. I use the dark brown color, but it also comes in a total of 12 shades!
6. Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette by Urban Decay
If you love pink or rose-hued eyeshadow colors, this Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette by Urban Decay is a great palette! I have used this for years and keep using it because it complements my skin well. I love how there are 12 eyeshadow colors ranging from light to dark colors. This is perfect for any type of wear whether you are looking for a natural, everyday makeup look or a dramatic, smokey eye, nighttime makeup look. The color also lasts a long time on my eyes and is very blendable. I also love how it is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
7. Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain by Yves Saint Laurent
My absolute favorite lip product is the Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain by Yves Saint Laurent. I use the color 16 Nude Emblem in Terra Cotta Pink, and it is a nice pink color that complements my makeup. This product is a lip stain, meaning that the color is absorbed by the skin rather than being a layer on top of the lips like what a normal lipstick does. Its formula makes it last a really long time no matter what I eat or drink, and I have even gotten compliments on how well the color lasts on me after I ate oily food! This lip stain also dries quickly and feels very light and comfortable on my lips.
8. All Nighter Setting Spray by Urban Decay
Once you’ve finished putting on your makeup, applying a makeup spray is a must. I use the All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray by Urban Decay to complete my makeup look and help my makeup stay on longer. This makeup spray has even won awards! I love how this spray is lightweight, oil-free, vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and has a waterproof formula. It is great for all types of skin and can help keep your makeup looking fresh for up to 16 hours!
9. Double Up 203 False Eyelashes by Ardell
If you know me, eyelashes are a must! Eyelashes complete the makeup look, and I used to have a phase where I would get eyelash extensions every month for 2 years straight. However, the costs started to add up, and I have since gone back to using strip lashes. Strip lashes are so much more affordable and can sometimes give a more dramatic look than eyelash extensions!
Currently, my favorite lashes are these Double Up 203 False Eyelashes by Ardell. These lashes are 2-layered lashes that give a fuller, more dramatic look. They are also reusable and help to save money since you can get multiple uses out of them too! What I love about Ardell lashes is that the strip is thinner than other brands and doesn’t hurt when I apply them to my eyelids. If you are looking for something less dramatic, here are my favorite lashes to use for everyday wear, Faux Mink 811 False Lashes by Ardell.
10. Brush-On Lash Adhesive by Duo
My favorite eyelash glue that I have used for years is the Duo Brush-On Lash Adhesive. What I love about this glue is that it lasts all day no matter the weather (or how strong the wind is blowing on my face!). It also dries clear, is waterproof, lightweight, and easy to remove. I love that it has vitamins, is latex-free, formaldehyde-free, and 100% cruelty-free. I have sensitive eyes, and this is perfect for me. It is also very easy to apply because it has a thin brush, making it user-friendly for beginners too!
Do you use any of these products? I would love to learn more about your favorite beauty products too!
