do this: my daily beauty routine

I’m sure like many of you out there, I have a beauty routine I usually follow. For me, makeup is a huge part of that routine. I wish I was the kind of person that looked good without makeup but alas, the bags under my eyes just aren’t disappearing by themselves. I’m still tweaking my list and always on the hunt for new products to try out (please let me know if you have any I’d love to try them!) but for the last few months I’ve been sticking to a pretty set list. My usual daily routine is comprised of several products and when I have a fancier outing I add things like eyeliner, lipstick, etc. It kind of seems like a lot but I swear I don’t walk around with a cakey face full of makeup, I just feel more confident with a bit of enhancement.

1) Moisturizer – This is like the holy grail of a beauty regimen. I’m currently using Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer by Aveeno. I like it, but to be honest I’m still on the hunt for that perfect moisturizer to swear by. This one goes on very smoothly and doesn’t irritate my skin. I also love that it has SPF 30 (trying to undo years of teenage tanning bed damage by wearing SPF daily now.)

2) Mascara – Another beauty routine I swear by is mascara. I literally will not leave home without it. The one time I did, I immediately stopped at the nearest store to buy some and apply it because I felt so naked without mascara on. Am I the only one who feels this? I think it’s because of the instant pick me up mascara provides. Maybelline Great Lash Curved Brush Mascara in blackest black is my current favorite. This brand has been consistently ranked as one of the best mascaras out there and I can see why, it’s awesome. You could put on several layers of this stuff without getting the goopy, spider eyes effect. Win!

3) Foundation – Having flawless skin that doesn’t require foundation is on my list of desires, until that day comes I like to have at least some coverage on my face. Foundation is something I constantly go back and forth on (I alternate between using liquid and bareMinerals) but my go-to for the last few years is L’Oreal’s True Match Super-Blendable Makeup in True Beige W3. I have trouble finding shades that match my skin, especially when we’re in between seasons and I’m not super pale but not really tan either. I usually remedy this by blending a lighter and darker together with some moisturizer to get just the right coverage.

4) Concealer – This is another product I’m still testing out, but for now L’Oreal’s True Match Super-Blendable Concealer in fair/light W1-2-3 is my current favorite. I apply it before the foundation and then blend together a bit to get an even tone throughout. I find it helpful for covering up trouble spots.

5) bareMinerals Foundation – A friend introduced me to bareMinerals a few years ago and I’ve been using it ever since. bareMinerals Matte Foundation in Medium Beige is usually my shade of choice. Because this product is a bit pricier, sometimes when I run low I go back to the liquid foundation. Overall, I like the coverage of the bareMinerals, but I sometimes find applying liquid can be faster. This could just be me, but I like having options to alternate.

6) Eyeshadow primer – This is a product I only recently began using but I can totally see the difference. A quick swipe of Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion on my eyes really allows my eyeshadow to stay put much longer.

7) Eyeshadow – I don’t wear eyeshadow every day, but when I do it’s Urban Decay’s Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette. I love the variety of colors that still stick to the neutral range. I’m not one to put crazy colors on my eyes so these are absolutely perfect. For bolder looks you can do the darker tones and there is plenty to choose from for daytime. I also have the original Naked palette and am still using it. Highly recommend this!

8) Eyebrow Pencil – After years of waxing, my left eyebrow remains stubbornly shorter than my right so filling it in with Anastasia’s Perfect Brow Pencil from Sephora gives me a more balanced look. You don’t even realize how important eyebrows are until you’ve had them filled in nicely, makes such a difference!

9) Eyeliner – As for the eyeliner, I have a cautionary tale. For years, I lined my inner lid with a brown or black pencil. It wasn’t until a recent visit to my eye doctor that I learned that inner lid has tiny little holes that absorb all that eyeliner and don’t allow for your eyes to properly hydrate. Needless to say I stopped that habit cold turkey. Since then, I’ve been learning how to do a subtle line on my top lid. L’Oreal’s Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner has been a great solution. It glides on yet isn’t as harsh as a liquid black line so it can be a nice daytime look. For a more dramatic effect, I simply apply a thicker line.

10) Blush – I don’t have a particular favorite at the moment, I simply use whatever I have lying around. Blush and contouring is still something I’d like to learn but for now I’ve been using

So there you have it, the most heavily-used products in my beauty arsenal. Like I mentioned, my makeup routine continues to evolve. I love trying out new things, especially makeup and am always open to hearing tips/tricks/things to try, etc. Makeup is just one of those things that you can constantly experiment with. It’s a great way to change your look and an instant ego boost (at least for me.) If you have any fave products or beauty routines please share, I’d love to hear them.