We Aim To Slay

On the journey to flawless makeup looks, we end up testing out a $*!T-ton of makeup. Here I’ll share my current favorite products, and why I enjoy using them!

Primer – Formula 10.0.6 Seriously Shine Free Mattifying Oil-Free Moisturizer with Aloe Vera and Bamboo

When the steamy and humid Connecticut summer rolls around, I like to use a mattifying product on my skin. About a year ago, I found this product at Ulta and really enjoyed using it as a moisturizer. I’ve been using it as a primer ever since I ran out of my number one primer – the Viper Venom Micro Blur Fix by Nip + Fab.

Formula 10.0.6’s bamboo moisturizer leaves my face feeling like a pore-less canvas, perfect for building colorful summer looks without relying on a heavy base (this is key to me, as there is nothing I detest more than feeling as if makeup is caked on my face.)

A wee bit of warning – this product has an odd smell because of the bamboo extract. At this point I’m desensitized to the scent, but I used it on my sister, Shelby, not too long ago and she was not a fan.

I also recently purchased a tube of Maybelline Master Prime By FaceStudio primer to blur and pore minimize – the “400” edition, which is clear. I love that this product leaves my skin feeling like velvet and helps to adhere my makeup to my skin.

Concealer – Clinique Beyond Perfecting Super Concealer Camouflage + 24 Hour Wear (shade Medium 18)

You know I’m not a concealer-every-single-day kind of gal. Generally, I only use concealer if I’m doing what I call a full face – i.e., I plan on using every single product on this list.

When I do plan on using concealer, I turn to this one for it’s creamy consistency. I find that this product best blends out when applied with your fingers – maybe it’s just me, but I find that when I use a beauty blender or makeup sponge to blend or set my concealer, it just ends up absorbing more product than I applied in the first place.

Recently I tried using a color corrector (I gloss over color correctors in this post), which is a concealer-like product that targets something specific based on the color. Occasionally I’ll color correct my dark circles (using an orange shade), then apply concealer on top of the color corrector.

Foundation – Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector (shade Medium Dark)

I’ve been using this foundation for close to two years now. It replaced the NARS foundation that I had sworn by for at least five years. What continues to draw me back to this product is the fact that it’s very lightweight, but buildable.

Y’all know that I prefer a no-makeup style look for my day to day life, so if I do decide to put on makeup, this would best be described as the tinted moisturizer of my foundations.

Not only does this product feel and look great on the skin, it’s made from a formula that “plays well with others.” I often find myself mixing it with the bamboo moisturizer as a way to add extra hydration throughout the day.

Ironically, this specific shade of foundation is a perfect match for myself, my sister Shelby, my sister Camryn, my mom Stacey, my stepmom Kimberly, and my grandmother Wendy – and we all have very different base tones to our skin, and my mother is a redhead (trust me, we were all Sisterhood-Of-The-Traveling-Pants level confused).

Setting Powder – Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder

Now I set these products with the Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder. I have to be honest, I use this product because it’s the one I have – because my mom got something she preferred and said I could take it – but I’m on the lookout for another setting powder. If you have any suggestions, leave them in the comments section below!

I’m also curious if you still use setting powder, or if you prefer to use a setting spray. Or, maybe you use both? Like many of us, I’m still learning different techniques, and it seems as if there’s a new product being released each day! So, from time to time I like to experiment with different products.

Blush – Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush (shade Quirky)

This is such a cute shade of coral. When I do my most simple, work appropriate makeup looks, I’ll use this blush on my cheeks and on my eyelids as a shadow shade. Because it’s a rather vibrant coral, it gives my complexion the “just-stepped-off-the-beach” glow that we’re all attempting to achieve this summer!

Highlighter – Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body (shade Aura)

Aura is a champagne shade highlighter, so it has flecks of golden tones, silvery tones, and opalescent tones as well. This, in my opinion, means that it will look fabulous on just about every skin tone. And, it looks great when used to highlight other body parts, such as your collar bone or the points of the shoulder (body highlight is something I do, literally, once every five years or so LOL!)

Eyebrows – Nyx Wicked Dreams Palette

I’ve had this palette for so long that I legitimately only use about 8 of the 24 shades. On the top row, three in from the right, is the perfect matte, espresso brown shade to fill in my eyebrows.

I’m currently on the look out for an eyeshadow single that is a matte shade of espresso brown, so if you have any suggestions please leave them in the comments section below!

Eyeshadow – Nyx Wicked Dreams Palette, Pony Effect That Girl Seoul, Kylie Cosmetics Blue Honey Palette, Alamar Cosmetics Reina Del Caribe, and The Nubian by Juvia’s

Right now I’m going back and forth between these five palettes. Probably because they all have the same base color story with each palette bringing about one or two shades that make them differ.

The color story I’m talking about is very similar to the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette – lots of browns, reddish browns, and desert-type shades. I prefer earthen tones because I was born right when summer begins to transition into autumn – there’s this idea that the season in which you were born will (partially) determine what colors look best on you (winter = cool tones; spring = pastels; summer = vibrant, bright shades; autumn = jewel tones, etc). I’ve found this to be true for myself, and subconsciously, I think I prefer these shades.

In last week’s post I talked about my newest palette – the Morphe 35H Hot Spot Artistry palette – which is so different from all of the others that I own. But, I’ve only used it once so far, so I can’t say whether or not it’s one of my favorites.

Eyeliner – Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise All Day Liquid Liner (shade Black)

It was so difficult for my to write that this is my favorite eyeliner when I haven’t been able to find my number one eyeliner for about six months. My all time number one? The Tarte Tartist Double Take Eyeliner – it’s duel ended! One end is a twist up crayon liner, the other end is a felt tip liquid. I don’t think I need to explain how that one liner will change your life.

But on one trip to Ulta, I couldn’t find it any where and I was in desperate need of a new liner, so I picked up the one by Maybelline. Honestly, Maybelline’s has a much finer tip and I find that my liner is much more precise with this product. But, I’m a sucker for continuity, so as soon as I’m able to find the Tarte liner again, I’ll probably give it another try in order to make a final decision. That final decision may come down to the price tag difference, and let me tell you, it certainly is a difference!

Mascara – Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Waterproof (shade Black)

This has been my all time favorite mascara since I was in high school. I will say that this product is somewhat wet – I always wipe off excess product on toilet tissue, otherwise it will get all over the place. But I’d rather have that kind of product than a dry and tacky one, as I find that those are prone to clumping.

Lipstick – Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, Cucumber Mint 

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good lipstick, but I prefer to just hydrate my lips and keep it moving. If I were to pick a few favorites, it would likely be by shade rather than brand. As I’m sure you can guess, I love a neutral brown/beige shade of lipstick. But, I also enjoy dressing up a look by using wine or burgundy shades. And, you can never go wrong with a good lip stain!

If you’ve tried any of these products, let me know in the comments below! And if you haven’t, maybe you’ll be inspired to try a few new items 🙂 Have a great day, my loves, and remember to SLAY!