Morning Makeup
Getting up at 2:30am ain’t easy, and doing my makeup at that time isn’t either. I found a rhythm lately with a few key products and thought I’d share with y’all!
So here we go. Video posted here to my Instagram with a step-by-step of the 20-minute routine… and the products are all listed below. Some are on Sephora, some on Amazon. All are cruelty-free!
Let it be known I show up to work looking like a mess. Individual links are below as well as pictures with links. If you prefer to shop on Amazon, I linked almost everything here too.
PRIMER: I REALLY like MILK’s Hydro-grip primer. This one bottle lasts SO LONG.
ALTERNATE: Elf Power Grip Primer
FOUNDATION: I have tried MANY foundations and I finally found one I love. Makeup by Mario Surreal Skin Foundation. It leaves your skin glowing with the perfect amount of coverage. And if you want even more coverage - you can add another layer. It’s the best of both worlds.
CONCEALER: Kosas Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer and eye cream. Yes, you read that - concealer AND eye cream in one. And when you put it under your eyes you can really see it. It’s so creamy but not super thick. It blends easily and covers imperfections and dark circles. And coming from someone who doesn’t sleep, my dark circles are always on display.
CONTOUR: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand: There’s a reason this product always sells out. It’s easy to use and easy to blend. Just make sure you blend your contour UP instead of down to lift your face. And make sure you have a good, moist blending sponge or fluffy brush on hand to blend. I’ll link some brushes at the bottom of this post.
-ALTERNATES: Makeup by Mario Shaping Stick - same concept. I love anything Mario makes.
-Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Creme Contour and Powder Bronzer Duo: Only reason this isn’t my #1 is because you need a good brush to make this work. I think it also takes a little bit more skill to layer the cream and powder bronzer. But if you can get it right - it’s pretty amazing. Patrick Ta posts some really great how-to videos on Tik Tok. _____
-Fenty by Rihanna Match Stix Contour Skinstick: SUPER easy to use and blend. I use this for my off days because it’s not a super dramatic contour stick in my opinion.
-Sculpt Tape Contour Wand by Shape Tape: Same concept as Charlotte Tilbury
BROWS: Kara Sanchez Luxe Brow Gel - In my last IG video I showed how I get my brows laminated every 8-10 weeks with Jen from Parlour 3. That’s the first step. Then to maintain the laminated brow look, use Kara Sanchez’ Luxe Brow Gel. Watch my makeup video to see how I use it HERE_____. Make sure you get these disposable brow brushes from Amazon HERE ____
BROWS PART 2: If you need a little fill-in - I use the Lawless Beauty Shape Up Soft Fill Eyebrow pencil. It’s easy to use and gives just a little bit of color to brows.
BLUSH! Saie Liquid Blush is my absolute favorite! A TINY bit goes a long way!
ALTERNATE: And this one is right up there with the Saie blush - Rare Beauty liquid blush. Same concept. I equally love this product.
Now as mentioned in my video ____ I LOVE blush. I like using several different kinds depending on my outfit and how bold I want my blush to be. I usually do all my makeup then add a little bit of extra blush on top. The ‘extra’ blush I use is usually the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick. It’s very easy to blend and if you mess up, you can just wipe it away. I also love using it for lipstick! It really is beautiful.
Another good blush stick option and one I use on my off-days - is MAKE Beauty. Heat Stroke Cheek Tint. It’s also creamy but has a little bit of a sheen to it. I think this one is perfect for warmer days and over a lighter foundation. Also works on lips!
Similarly to the contour - Patrick Ta makes a BEAUTIFUL cream blush & powder blush duo. It’s super pigmented and great for layering.
MASCARA: I’ve tried so many different mascaras. The ONLY kind that works for me is the tubing mascara. I am always asked if I am wearing fake eyelashes! My go-to is Thrive Mascara. It doesn’t flake, lasts all day, and I never have raccoon eyes when I wear it. I also love that with every purchase from Thrive Causemetics the company donates money to help communities thrive. They support a variety of charities and organizations. More HERE.
ALTERNATE: CaliRay is one of my favorite clean-beauty brands and they have a great tubing mascara I really like! It’s the Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing mascara.
SETTING POWDER: I have uneven skin and I am also not great at blending makeup. Which is why having a setting powder really helps blend out the unevenness of my makeup. KOSAS is one of my favorite makeup lines - they are clean and vegan! Their Cloud Set Baking Setting and Smoothing Talc-free powder is the best. I have it in two shades - one a neutral color and another a bit of a darker shade for when I need some color!
ALTERNATE: Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder. This is a loose-setting powder, it;s good for oily skin. A natural finish and not a lot of coverage. It’s not cakey or dry and helps blur pores too!
LIPS: I’ve tried so many lip liners. I always go back to Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat Lip Liner in pink nude. It’s the perfect shade for literally any lipstick color.
ALTERNATE: DIBS Beauty No Pressure Lip Liner: I liked this lip liner a lot - Its a lot creamier than the Charlotte Tilbury one so I felt like I had to use more of it to really make a mark, but for lighter makeup days this one is great.
EYESHADOW: I have two that are really my favorite go-to’s. Winky Luxe’s Latte Kitten Palette. The reds are great for green & hazel eyes!
AND the Tartlette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette is another great one. It’s got all your basic colors for an every day look or for something more dramatic.
ALTERNATE EXTRA: And speaking of dramatic - the Lawless Beauty “The Lavendar One” is my new favorite. These colors are beautiful and perfect for spring!EYELINER: I use Caliray Surfproof & waterproof eyeliner. It glides on easy and stays put!
LIPSTICK: Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Lipstick. This lipstick is creamy and matte but not drying. Great on it’s own if you need a solid lip but also works well under lipgloss.
LIPGLOSS: Lawless Beauty Forget the Filler Gloss - OH MY GOSH. I wear this stuff alone. I wear it over my lipstick. I LOVE IT. I have so many shades and I cannot get enough. Perfect shine, plumping and smoothing!
SETTING SPRAY: Tarte All-nighter setting spray. I have used this for years and it’s never steered me wrong.
ALTERNATE: Elf Setting sprayBONUS: Hair stick! For those pesky fly-aways. I’ve had this stick for 3 years and I’ve barely made a dent in it. Helps smooth fly-aways and tame baby hairs!
Now you’re camera ready!
TOOLS: Brushes and sponges are so important. So is cleaning them weekly! Here are the brushes I use.
First, the Essential Eyebrush set from Sephora. The smaller ones are great for shadows and the big fluffy one is perfect for putting on concealer.
I’ll do an every-day makeup routine soon!ALTERNATE - Makeup by Mario EF 1 brush - the dual ended brush is perfect for eyeshadow and concealer.
Powder puff triangles: These are the perfect angle for dabbing setting powder under eyes or any other blending.
Makeup by Mario Surreal Foundation F4 Foundation Brush: I use one end for my foundation and one end for blending blush, concealer, etc.
Blush brush: Monochrome moment blush brush #1 by Patrick Ta
Major Sculpt - Contour Brush by Patrick Ta
Setting Powder Brush: Fluffy brush by Saie
Makeup Sponge: Beauty Blender or this Kosas sponge are great.
And please, please, please make sure to wash your brushes and makeup sponges weekly! I do it every Sunday. Makeup and dirt can accumulate and lead to bacteria on brushes…and breakouts on your skin! I use Dove bar soap or Dawn Dish soap.
