I believe all women are pretty without makeup, but with the right makeup can be pretty powerful. —Bobbi Brown
When it comes to makeup, I’m a huge fan of the quick and effortless routine. Major emphasis on the quick part, ha!
Maybe it was the long hours of doing my own hair and makeup during high school only for it to fade by half time (I was a dancer) that made me opt for a quick beauty routine in adulthood.
Or maybe it’s because I hate wasting tons of time getting ready (unless it’s a super special occasion).
Regardless, I’ve learned that I’m a serious creature of habit when it comes to makeup, which is why you rarely see me share about new beauty in general.
After years of trying beauty products, I’ve come to learn, why mess with something if it works for you? Unless they change formulas, but I digress.
Today, I wanted to share my makeup favorites that I’m pretty sure I’ll be sticking to for a long time.
FACE
MERIT PERFECTING COMPLEXION STICK
Personally, I do not wear foundation as I hate the heavy feeling on my skin. To even out my skin tone and cover up blemish discolorations as they heal, I use this complexion stick.
It’s been a favorite of mine for over two years! I also use it as my under eye concealer and have found that it works well! This quick “swipe” application process is my favorite! I love this product so much that I bought two more sticks to put in my other toiletry bags.
In the past, reviewers have said that the product does break off. I don’t know if that problem has been fixed. However, truthfully, I’d still purchase it because I love the coverage. I used the shade Dune and put it on using this foundation brush.
PATRICK TA BLUSH
The first and last time I used a blush, hit pan, hit until the product was gone, and was disappointed that my product/shade was discontinued was in the early 2010s. It was Tarte’s Paarty shade. RIP 2010s original Tarte Paaarty blush — I’ll never forget you.
Since then, I could not find a blush I knew I would use up…until I found the shade She Goes to the Gym.
How fitting because I go to the gym regularly too, ha!
While I don’t use the cream part a ton, I can still say it’s a great product. And it’s long-lasting (if you pair the cream with the powder). I know I’m committed to hitting pan for this shade!
On that same note, if you’re not into big-sized products, I recommend this blush duo set. You’ll get both She Goes to the Gym and She’s Seductive in the smaller sizes so you can make sure you’ll really use up all your product.
HOURGLASS SETTING POWDER
I never used setting powder as it was an extra step. But let me tell you, after seeing other women use it and talk about it for many years, I decided to give it a shot.
Even though I’m late to the game (I only started last year), I can say with confidence that I’ll never stop using this setting powder because it sets my eye makeup so well!
I put this powder on using their fluffy powder brush, which has washed well with no problems too!
EYES
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS EYEBROW PENCIL
Ah, my old faithful of an eyebrow pencil! I kid you not when I say that I’ve been using this staple eyebrow pencil (shade Granite) for about a decade.
The spoolie is great to use if you want to brush your brows or diffuse the color a bit. It lasts so long (minus sweaty gym days) and when there’s a sale, I always buy a backup.
ARMANI LIQUID EYE TINT
If you follow Ashley Paige on Instagram, she gets credit for this recommendation as she was the one who influenced me to get this liquid eyeshadow.
After seeing her talk about it a dozen times, before getting a paid partnership with the brand, I caved. And she was right! It’s quick and easy ::cries tears of joy:: and doesn’t crease (another win!) so I got the set (now sold out) from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to have a backup.
The way I apply it is, I just do a quick swipe my eyelids and even it out with the Hourglass concealer brush. Done!
CHANEL LIQUID EYELINER
Like I’ve mentioned before, I’ve done my signature cat eye makeup with liquid eyeliner for over 20 years and I don’t ever plan on stopping.
That said, after trying a lot of eye liners over the years, I’m pretty sure I found my end-game, my staple, the apple of my eye (see what I did there?) of liquid eyeliners.
Even though the pen version has been my favorite style to use due to control and quick, precise results, I’ll be saying “see you later” to the old Sephora liquid eyeliner.
While I’ve used it for manyyy years, after purging my beauty box recently, I found my Chanel liquid eyeliner I purchased five years ago, but used once.
I decided to give the wand style a try once again and after a few days, I got the application process down.
The formula is smooth, the color rich, and the staying power? Exquisite!!!
I can say with my chest that this baby stays on!!! Yes, even AFTER a super sweaty HIIT workout too! How’s that for a real review?!
Note: Because it’s been SO long, I don’t know if they’ve changed the formula. I hope not! Please forgive me if you have a newer formula and your experience isn’t the same.
CHANEL WATERPROOF MASCARA
Following on the heels of quite possibly the best liquid eyeliner ever made, I started using mascara again.
While I still use false eyelashes, I don’t like the way they feel on me so I go back to mascara, especially on weekends. I prefer waterproof as I tend to get raccoon eyes with non-waterproof formulas.
Even though it has less-than-stellar reviews, this particular mascara works for me. However, I think it’s sold out because the brand plans to re-release it with a new formula. I’ll report back!
LIPS
SUMMER FRIDAYS FLUSHED LIP STAIN
I know some people don’t like lip stains, but the Summer Fridays team did a great job with this easy-to-use product!
Although I’ve found it to fade quicker than I expected, it does add the right amount of color. I use this with their butter lip balm on top or a gloss I already own.
However, lately, I use it underneath my nude liquid lipstick in order to add a hint of pink and it works very well! I use the shade Rosette.
CHANEL LIQUID LIPSTICK
Like their liquid eyeliner, I re-discovered my liquid lipstick in Tender Beige recently. I decided to give it a go again (thought it was a tad too nude for my skin tone). And after pair it with Summer Fridays’ lip stain, it’s back in my rotation!
I was so impressed that this product seriously lasted all day that I ordered it in the Pink Nude shade. Heck, it’s so good, I think I might see my sales associate to get a few more as backups as well as a few more shades!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my updated makeup article because these products have worked so well that I don’t think I’ll be changing out anything any time soon!
Now, for skincare, that’s another story, ha!
Tell me, what are your time-saving, go-to makeup favorites you love?!
Let me know in the comments because I’d love to know!
