PSA: Sephora’s Beauty Insider Event is happening RIGHT NOW through 11/15 (Wednesday!), which means it’s time to stock up while everything (YES EVERYTHING) is 15-20% off. Sephora Rouge and Sephora VIB members receive a fat 20% off all purchases (with codes 20FORROUGE and 20FORVIB, respectively), and Sephora Beauty Insiders snag 15% off everything with code INSIDER15. Since I’ve been getting TONS of questions about beauty and makeup products lately, today I’m dishing on the five MVPs of my makeup bag—the five beauty products that are true game-changers for me.
If you’re looking for the complete, exhaustive list of every single beauty product I use, check out My Beauty Routine post, which I just completely overhauled and updated! It gives the comprehensive details of every single makeup product I use, how I use it, when I use it, and even what brushes I use to apply everything!
But first, let me highlight (pun intended?) my five beauty bag MVPs (which are all on sale at Sephora right now!)…
1. // Make Up Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation
My color: Y335
Allow me to introduce you to the heavyweight champ, Make Up Forever’s HD foundation. My love for this foundation runs DEEP. I’ve been known to tout this as unequivocally the best ever foundation on the planet, and I may or may not have joked about naming my first child after it (was I joking though…?). It’s lightweight, looks truly invisible (yet still hides everything you need it to hide), has the most natural finish, and literally doesn’t budge all. damn. day. I’ve been using it for more than 3 years now, and I’M NEVER TURNING BACK. EVER.
2. // Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
My color: Translucent
Application: Sephora Collection PRO Precision Powder Brush #59
I only started using a setting powder a few years ago, and can’t believe what a true game changer it really is. I honestly look back on years of wearing foundation or concealer without a setting powder and cringe. This Laura Mercier powder is an honest-to-goodness MUST-HAVE. After applying my foundation and concealer, I dust it all over my entire face (using this brush!), making special efforts to thoroughly cover the areas under the eye where I applied concealer. When it comes to keeping everything in place for the whole day, keeping oil under control, preventing your under-eye concealer from creasing and everything from fading, this will be your new best friend.
3. // Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lip Color
My go-to color: Currently alternating between Lover and Seduction daily…
If I had a dime for every DM I’ve received about the lipstick I’ve been wearing over the past few months, I’d be on a private jet right now bathing in Birkin bags. As you’ve probably noticed, I can’t get enough of a bold red lip this season, and my number one go-to lipstick has been: Laura Mercier’s Velour Lovers Lip Color. Not only is it insanely long-lasting, but it also keeps my lips moisturized all day long. For a more exhaustive list of all of my favorite lip products (including the lip pencil that I always wear under this lipstick!), check out the full My Beauty Routine post here!
4. // Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
My color: Taupe (formerly called “Ash Blonde”)
After years of searching for the perfect eyebrow pencil (that actually works for blondes…or dirty ash blondes in my case), I’ve officially reached the conclusion that Anastasia’s Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is the best there is, plain and simple. It’s completely smear-proof and the super fine tip allows you to mimic actual hair when you’re filling in gaps, yielding super natural results. Everyone I know—brunettes to redheads to blondes—is obsessed with this eyebrow pencil. Conclusion: There’s a reason this baby has 420,000 “loves” on Sephora.
5. // Smashbox Matte Exposure Palette
Application: Sephora Collection Eyes Uncomplicated Brush Set
The second most-frequently asked question on instagram and instastories is what eyeshadow I use, and for the past nine months or more, it’s been this palette! The shades are universally flattering, apply easily, stay perfect forever and never crease. Especially for everyday use, I prefer a matte shadow to something with a lot of shimmer, so this is the palette for me. My typical everyday look typically involves dusting the “Grounded” shade from this palette into the crease of my eye, and that’s it for eyeshadow!