My Favorite Make Up Products
I often get asked by Senior girls that don't typically wear make up, what they should do for Senior pictures. I get it, if you've ever read any prepping guides about planning for Senior pictures, they all talk about wearing makeup and that you should wear slightly more than what you typically would because of the many different lighting situations you will be in. While this is the same thing I suggest, I also understand that you want to remain your natural self and I am 100% in agreeance with that.
Let's start off with the one thing that I think can make a huge impact in pictures. Mascara. Mascara is the simplest and easiest thing you can apply that helps draw attention to your eyes, making them pop and stand out more brightly and boldly than normal. Here are a few of my favorite mascaras.
The first is Ilia's Limitless Lash Mascara. I love this mascara. The wand has two sides to it, one side has bristles spaced closer together, while the other side has wider spaced bristles. The combination allows for better application by coating your lashes precisely for easy application. The mascara itself is buildable, while it lengthens, separates and lifts with just the right amount of volume. Link: https://a.co/d/glZ7UH4
The second is Ilia's Fullest Volumizing Lash Mascara. If you have thin or minimal lashes, this may be the mascara for you. The wand is designed to catch every lash while building volume, giving you thicker, fuller lashes. It is also buildable, giving you the ability to create as much or as little thickness and volume as you prefer. Link: https://a.co/d/hhcbfKy
The last is NEOGEN DERMALOGY Slim and Volume Mascara. This is a new mascara I have just started using and I'm loving it. It is part of the Korean Beauty brand. If you haven't heard, the Korean's know a thing or two about beauty and keeping it simple. This mascara has a unique metal wand that lifts, lengthens, volumes and curls your lashes all at once. It's quickly becoming my favorite and go to mascara. Link: https://a.co/d/duRO8nI
One final thing that really helps your eyelashes is curling them. Curling your eyelashes gives the appearance of more open and bright eyes. You can use the traditional eye curler, but product I have found that I absolutely love, is a heated lash curler. There are lots of options you can choose from on Amazon. I have a Lashify lash curler, but am ordering this one. It has 360 degree heat, shaped like a mascara wand and heats up quickly. One tip, curl your lashes before AND after you put your mascara on. Link: https://a.co/d/3J5k2r9
If you don't normally wear make up, but want to add some sparkle to your eyes, mascara is where it's at. As some would say, I don't leave home without it.
I'll be the first to say, I'm no make up wizard and I suck at eye make up. With that being said, I still love makeup and doing makeup. I'm all about keeping it natural and accentuating facial features. Let's start with the base, foundation. There are so many options out there for foundation, from light to full coverage and everything in between. When I turned 40 I started noticing a lot of changes to my face; large pores, fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots . . . the list goes on. I also noticed my current makeup just wasn't cutting it. It was thick and I felt like my face couldn't breathe. I don't like the caked on feel and I wanted my makeup to be as natural as possible. I spent a lot of time researching the best foundations, foundations for women over 40, the best foundation for a natural look and many more. I took that list and further researched and read tons of reviews on each of them. I finally narrowed it down to a couple of the top ones and after trying them out, I finally settled on my favorite.
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint. This foundation is a light, but buildable foundation. It took me a bit of trial and error to get the proper application and for my setting powder to not 'clump' on my face. My recommendation for application is to use a sponge. Apply a base layer and let it 'dry' for at least 5 minutes. This was a major breakthrough for me when I figure this out. I usually apply my base layer, then start working on my hair, after fiveish minutes, I go back and apply another light layer on my cheeks and forehead. Link: https://a.co/d/6D4Rbiu
Ilia Priming Serum. Don't forget about priming! Makeup priming is vital for proper application and longevity of your makeup. Since I went with the Ilia Super Serum, I decided to go with their primer as well. One major attribute I love about both the Skin Serum and the Priming Serum is they help protect against blue light and pollution. This primer also helps smooth, firm and moisturize the skin. Link: https://a.co/d/dEdQbKg
Ilia Soft Focus Finishing Powder. This is one of the best finishing powders I have used. Maybe it's because it works best with the other Ilia products I use, but it gives a beautiful finished looked. I don't use this directly after I apply my foundation, I typically apply it after I apply my contour, highlight and blush. I find by applying it after my contour, highlight and blush, the serum has dried fully and it also helps blend the contour, highlight and blush a little better. Link: https://a.co/d/4CMwNZf
I've really fallen in love with a lot of Ilia's products. They're all vegan, cruelty-free and gluten free. They also have many other benefits to helping with skin issues that arise as you get older.
Now that you have your base on and your skin is nice and even, you can pick and choose what you want to do. Maybe you want to just add some blush, mascara and be done or maybe you want to contour, highlight, blush and bronze. Whatever you choose, you do you, boo. Since I've gotten older, I need all the help I can get. Depending on the event, the day and how late I'm running behind in the morning, depends on what I end up doing and using that day. Here are my favorite products that I use when doing my makeup.
OGEE Contour Stick Set. This is the complete set, contour, highlight and blush, all in one kit. I love these sticks, they're super easy to use, convenient and it blends seamlessly. It's also buildable. They have a full line of blush colors, you can choose from. Their products are also organice. Link: https://a.co/d/6WjWNQM
Ilia Multi Stick for Lips & Cheeks. This is my go to for cheek color. I love OGEE blush, but I tend to use my Ilia blush. It doubles as lipstick, if you wish to use it that way. Link: https://a.co/d/3BphU19
Milani Baked Bronzer. If you prefer a powder bronzer, this is my go to. I also use this after I've put my finishing powder on if I feel like I need a little extra contouring or want a more 'sun kissed' look. Link: https://a.co/d/3k2gC5Z
Milani Matte Bronzing Powder. Another great bronzing/contouring powder. Milani is a great product as well, they are vegan and cruelty-free. Application is buildable, allowing you to be as natural as you like or build it up for a more dramatic look. Link: https://a.co/d/ckRYvDT
Milani Baked Highlighter. A great option to the OGEE stick. I love to use this under my blush, it gives it more depth and if I feel like I need a little extra, I can add a little on top. Link: https://a.co/d/5ShpAtT
MAC Bronzer. MAC is a well known makeup brand and for good reason. I've used many of their products over the years. I love this bronzer and usually use it to give my skin that 'sun kissed' glow. Link: https://a.co/d/5DaS0Yo
MAC Extra Dimenson Powder. This is another great product. I don't use this a ton, but it's a great highlighter, overall finisher and can be used on the inside of the eye to give that extra bright eye look to your eyes. Link: https://a.co/d/dtCWgAA
Remember earlier when I said I suck at eye make up? Well, I do. But, I've found a few things that work for me. These are my go to products when I decide to do a full face of makeup.
Urban Decay Eye Shadow Shimmer Primer. I've also used this as a standalone product and not used any eyeshadow. It has a little shimmer to it and works great when you're in a hurry, need a little color, but don't have time to do a full eye. If you do decide to do a full eye, I have found that letting this set for a few minutes works best. Urban Decay also has a regular Shadow Primer and is highly recommended. I have used it many times. Both primers help your eyeshadow from creasing and intensifies the color of your eyeshadow. Link: https://a.co/d/7v0SAms
Julep Creme to Powder Eyeshadow Stick. I love these sticks! They're easy to use, convenient and have a smudger built in, so no need for extra eye brushes for blending. They have a great selection of colors including matte, shimmer and metallic options. Link: https://a.co/d/7eBoZop
Smashbox Always Sharp Eyeliner. I can't say enough about this eyeliner. I love that there's a sharpener built in and I can get a precise line every time. I'm not a huge eyeliner person, I don't think I look great when my eyes get too dark, but when I do use it, I blend it in to my lashes, which gives a smokey eye look. Link: https://a.co/d/1M6IBQj
Tarte' Fake Awake Eye Highlighter. This is something new for me. I've just recently started using it, but so far, I've loved it. It goes on your lower eyelids waterline and it helps your eyes appear more open, awake and bright. It also has a smudger built in, which, I feel, is necessary to use when applying it. Link: https://a.co/d/ifV0kaO
Benefit Eyebrow Pencil and Gimme Brow. I'm going to talk about both these at the same time. I'm not into pencil perfect eyebrows. Personally, they don't look good on me and I can't do them. I have used Gimme Brow for years and love it, it's like mascara for your eyebrows. It fills and volumizes without a lot of work. Recently, i have started using their eyebrow pencil. If I want more defined brows or have a thin spot that needs some extra love, this brow pencil is what I use. It's super fine and it comes with a brow brush built in, which I use before I apply either of these two products. Eyebrow Pencil Link: https://a.co/d/gH87KpE Gimme Brow Link: https://a.co/d/fP0rOiR
There's a few other products that I haven't talked about that I love. While getting older has not only affected my skin, my hormones and a long list of other things, it's also affected my sleep. Tired looking eyes are not pretty.
Caudalie Firming & Depuffing Eye Gel. I love this product and the metal applicator that comes with it. It's cooling on the eyes in the morning and feels oh so good! Link: https://a.co/d/ha0j8mj
IT Concealer. Not only is this a great concealer, it is the best under eye concealer I've ever used. It's a bit thick, but it works phenomenally. A little goes a long ways. I apply this after my foundation and contour. Link: https://a.co/d/fxStKpu
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder. I love this finishing powder, it gives my face a nice glowy finish. It's my go to last step right before I set my makeup. Link: https://a.co/d/cJvAJLQ
Urban Decay Setting Spray. This step is often forgot about, but trust me, you don't want to. I've used a few different brands, but this brand has given me the best results for makeup that lasts all day. Link: https://a.co/d/20EI0Wg
Ilia Blue Light Face Mist. I have not used this setting mist, but it's in my Amazon cart, so I will update you all as soon as I try it out. I spend hours in front of the computer screen, and although I wear sunscreen every day to protect against UVB and UVA rays, any help I can get, I'm going to take it. As with all Ilia products, it is vegan, cruelty-free and gluten free. Link: https://a.co/d/dQEb0Oa
Neutrogene Hydro Boost Lip Gloss and Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother. I'm not a huge lipstick person. I like lip color and shine, but it always comes off quickly and I hate that it gets on everything my lips touch. However, I love a good lip gloss, especially one with a good SPF (sunburned lips are not fun) and good shine. I love the Hydro Boost Lip Gloss because it adds good color and shine to your lips. But my go to is the MoistureShine. I probably have 10 tubes of this stuff, I keep it everywhere. If you've ever heard someone say they have car chapstick, purse chapstick, nightstand chapstick, well I have car lip gloss, purse lip gloss . . . you get the picture. It has just a hint of color, a ton of gloss, is easy to apply, small enough to fit in my pocket and it keeps my lips hydrated and protected. Hydro Boost Link: https://a.co/d/5SHQ042 MoistureShine Link: https://a.co/d/7LF9m96
That's it! These are my favorite makeup products and the ones that I use. I know there are tons of brands out there for every type of makeup. I am constantly trying new things that I think might work for me. Yep, I waste a lot of money trying new products, but if I happen to find something I love, then it's worth it to me. I research everything I try and read reviews to see what others have to say, I'm a bit of a review snob, but I find that it's the best way to get honest feedback on products that may or may not work. I look forward to hearing if you've tried, currently use or have questions about any of these products. If you want to see a video of me doing my makeup, I'll do my best to get one posted!
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