Must Have Makeup – My Daily Makeup Routine

Whenever I get messages on Instagram asking about my makeup, I usually refer them to my must have makeup post. Until I actually read it over today and realized it’s over 2 years old. I’ve switched out a few old faves for new products that I now love. I promise an update on the guest cottage is coming soon. I’m trying to stay out of the plumbers way this week, but in the meantime, I thought it would be the perfect time to refresh that post with my new faves! So here we go with my must have makeup – my daily makeup routine.

must have makeup products

Must Have Makeup – My Daily Makeup Routine

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I thought I would also break down the order and the way I use each product in case that’s helpful. So let’s start with prepping my face. I wash and moisturize my face every morning and use this SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum I’ve mentioned before. I follow that up with Elemis Marine Cream with SPF and I’m ready for my makeup products.

Makeup Face Prep

PRIMERS –

First up, I have been using this IT Cosmetics Your Face But Better Primer for over a year now and I love it. I like to apply it after my moisturizer and let it set a bit before applying my CC cream. While that sets I apply the Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion. I have hooded eyes and without this stuff my eyeshadow creases horribly. I’ve been using this for a million years and I swear by it. I also lightly dab a bit of the Becca Eye Brightener under my eyes while everything is setting. Now my face is ready to go.

FOUNDATION –

I used to use a few different foundations depending on the season, but I’ve switched over exclusively to IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC cream with SPF. As I’m getting older, I just love the light coverage of this formula and the built in SPF.

CONCEALER –

Tarte Shape Tape is still my absolute fave. I just ordered the ultra creamy formula to try (my mom swears by it!), which is supposed to be better for aging skin. I like to use this under my eye, down the bridge of my nose, and a little dab on my chin and forehead.

SETTING POWDER –

After concealer and CC cream I set everything with powder. I’ve tried out a few different setting powders over the past 2 years and I’ve repurchased this Laura Mercier one twice now. It’s so nice and light and not cakey. It sets my make-up and reduces any shiny areas.

BRONZER –

Bronzers are another item that I have a drawer full of. This Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer was a fave through my late twenties, and I’m not sure why I stopped using it! It’s a great warm, not orange shade, with no sparkle. It just adds a really natural glow. I use it to contour my nose a bit too.

BLUSH –

I love this Benefit Cheek Party blush/bronzer sample set that I recently purchased. It was a great way to try a bunch of different colors without a big commitment. I actually really like all of the colors and have been rotating them. My fave for summer is the GALifornia Sunny Gold Pink Blush.

HIGHLIGHTER – 

I like to use a little bit of highlighter (a little goes a long way) especially in the summer months. This Marc Jacobs O!Mega Glaze All-Over Foil Luminizer one is my go to. It has a really pretty glow. I use it on my brow bone and cheekbones. Bonus – it’s on major sale right now!

EYEBROWS –

Like most teenagers that grew up in the 90’s, I unfortunately suffered from the misguided over-plucking of my youth. Filling my sparse blonde eyebrows in is a must. This Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade makes it a pretty quick process, and the blonde color is the perfect tone for me. The Duo Brush makes it really easy to apply.

EYESHADOW –

This Tartelette 2 in Bloom Clay eyeshadow palette is still my fave. It has great neutrals for everyday, and some deeper colors for a more dramatic eye at night. I typically apply Flower Child over my whole lid, and Jetsetter and Sweetheart in my crease for daytime. For night I like to use Rebel or Activist. I also use the Smokeshow color along my lash line as an eyeliner.

EYELINER –

These Stila Stay All Day Waterproof liquid eyeliners are still my go to. They are so easy to apply since they have a felt-tip like applicator. If you can color in the lines you can use this. I like to use the Intense Smoky Quartz color for day, and Intense Black for a night out.

EYELASHES –

The Loreal Voluminous Lash Primer plus this IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout mascara has been my go to combo for the last year. I love how full and fluffy this combo makes my lashes look without being spidery.

LIPS –

I like to keep my lips looking pretty natural, but with a touch of color. I use this Charlotte Tilbury lipliner in Pillow Talk to lightly line and fill in my lips. Then for day I layer over this Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm in the color Big O. I love Buxom products, and this moisturizing lip balm with a hint of color is perfect for daytime. I love their Full-on Lip Cream for night.

SETTING SPRAY –

I finish everything off with a few spritzes of this Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. It really keeps my makeup put!

I think that’s it for my must have makeup – my daily makeup routine. I know it sounds like a lot of steps, but it only takes me about 10 minutes to apply. You can click on any of the bold links above or double-click on the squares below.

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9 Comments

  1. Becca is shutting down production in September! I’m looking for a replacement now for the under eye brightener…

  2. So interesting! I will have to check out some of these products. Although I will say, I probably have less than your daily products in my make-up bag (which is ALL my makeup)! LOL!! I go for a natural look. My skin leans dry, so I have not felt the need for any primer products (although the lash one looks interesting!). Until recently, I used only a touch of concealer and mineral powder instead of foundation. I’ve just started using Seint makeup. I love it! I use the foundation and just ordered one that can be used as concealer. I don’t do any contouring or highlighting. The same neutral eye colors all the time, liner and if dressy, I will go over the liner with a deeper color eyeshadow. I too have to touch up my brows, they are really thinning (and they are dark!). A touch of blush and I do use a light bronzing powder in the summer because I do not tan – at least not my face. We are outside lovers, but I learned the hard way what sun can do to your skin (I’ve had a couple of skin cancer spots on my face – so no sun on my face). I’m pretty low-maintenance. I like lip stain – it stays and looks natural (depending on the color). I can use a deeper color and gloss for dressing up.

      1. Honey, I turned 60 this year! I’m eons older than you!! LOL You look beautiful!

  3. Since you use IT Cosmetics foundations (me, too), have you tried their Bye Bye Pores Translucent Setting Powder? For me, it absolutely erases my pores and I really like that it comes in loose and pressed versions. Thanks so much for sharing these product reviews, Kelly.

  4. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post concerning your cosmetic choices! Thank you for sharing! I may try several!!

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