Although I am a strong believer that women do not need makeup to look or feel beautiful, I personally, absolutely love makeup. I don't have to put makeup on everyday. But I do it because I love to. I love the colors, combinations and result that comes with makeup, especially since I like art. I will admit it; when I know I did my makeup really well, that day I do tend to have more self-confidence. But, hey, a little self confidence never hurt anyone, right? As a result, of my being a makeup enthusiast, I created a list of my top 20 makeup items. Most of them are higher brands, not drugstore products, but I think it's worth it for what you're getting in return. I've also included the link to each website, if you just click on the pictures below. I hope you enjoy my most loved makeup collection.
Starting off with primers and foundations:
1. Tarte's Clean Slate Powerless 12- hr Perfecting Primer
This is my absolute favorite primer. I've tried many different primers, but since I have huge pores I felt like my makeup sinks into my face by the end of the day. This primer shrink pores and creases and also holds my makeup way longer than 12 hours.
2. Make Up For Ever's Mat Velvet + Mortifying Foundation
This foundation is really neat. It goes on so smoothly and gives you a bit of time to play with and adjust once on your skin. But once you set it, it mattes and stays and literally feels like velvet!
Next, Eye Products:
3. Urban Decay's Vice 4 Eyeshadow Palette
This is one of my favorite new palettes. It's edgier than other palettes, so I would not suggest it if neutrals are one's preference. If not though, it is seriously amazing! The pigments are awesome and you have your choice of looks. For example, you can do a brown eye, pink eye, green eye, even purple eye. Totally worth it plus it comes with a double ended brush.
4. Tarte's Tartelette in Bloom Eyeshadow Palette
For people who do love nude looks this is an amazing palette for you. With cute names like flower child, rebel, funny girl and an array of mattes and glitters to choose from, you can create endless and effortless looks. This is the second palette of the tartelette collection and I can't wait for the third.
5. Sephora + Pantone Universe's Modern Watercolor Eyeshadow Palette
There has been a lot of controversy with this palette. Some say that it's not pigmented enough or the colors aren't compatible with each other. I, however, think that this is one of Sephora's better palettes. I absolutely love the packaging and especially how there's a clear sheet inside to not only protect from fall out, but also to give the buyer the numbers of each shade, as if they were paints. I like how the two new colors of the year are pointed out, rose quartz and serenity and the pigments to me are great. I don't think they're too little. I use this all the time by itself, but I do agree it looks nice mixed with other palettes, too.
6. Colour Pop x Kathleen Lights' Where The Night Is eye shadow quad
This eyeshadow quad was a collaboration with the amazing makeup artist, Kathleen Lights. It comes with four sparkly shades, midnight, porter, telepathy and weenie. They are super, super pigmented and just glide on and stay on all day long. This was my first buy from ColourPop and I was extremely impressed
7. Urban Decay's 24-hour Glide On Gel Eyeliner Travel Size Set: Cosmic
I purchased these after Christmas on a whim and they are one of the best eyeliners I use. They are all neutrals which means, they're very wearable. It is travel size which means you can stick some in your purse, backpack, anywhere for a quick touch up. They come in a set of five beautiful shades and glide on just like their tiny suggests.
8. Benefit's They're Real! Push-Up Eyeliner
This is the perfect product for people who are just getting into wings or want it done easier. It's a pen that you crank up before each use so a little product comes out and you just sweep it on. It's that easy and comes with a lot of product.
9. Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
I LOVE this product. The felt tip is so flexible, it lets you create thick or thin lines at the flip of a wrist. It seriously is waterproof and lasts the whole day.
10. Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara
Although I so do not approve of this name (sorry mom and nanny) this is such a good product. The fibers on it are just incredible and you only need one coat to see a difference. It's black as night and never flaky. A must have in the makeup bag.
11. MAC False Lashes Mascara
I love this mascara, it is so adorable. The wand is the cutest shape and true to its name it creates a false lash look. Personally, I apply this as my base and then add Too Faced as mentioned above to get long, luscious lashes.
Moving on to finishing products:
12. Tate's 12-hr Amazonian Clay Blushes
I love tarte. As you can see on this list they have a variety of amazing products and these blushes are no exception. I ordered this cute kit from qvc for a steal of a price because it comes with four deluxe blushes (two matte and two sparkly) plus a blush brush. The color lasts all day, so you'll look beautiful and rosy cheeked from morning to night.
13. Too Faced's Selfie Palette
This #selfie palette is the perfect touch when you're planning on taking a lot of pictures of your look. The three finishing powders allow your face to either deflect light, bronze or seem like you have an ethereal effect. It's really cute and adds the perfect touch.
14. Tate's Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder
This product makes your face feel smooth as a baby's bottom! Enough said, if you purchase anything, get this finishing powder.
Hair and Body Products:
15. Batiste's Dry Shampoo
16. Josie Maran's Argan Oil Products
Thank you, Mimi for introducing me to the world of argan oil! It has so many health benefits as well! I love Josie Maran's whipped argan oil for my legs, arms and dry spots. I love her pure argan oil for my face at night and dry lips. So worth every penny and noticeable difference in a week!
Next, Removers and Cleaners:
17. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Makeup Remover
Available at drug stores and grocery stores all over, Garner's new makeup remover is amazing. It really looks and feels like water and completely removes makeup at night easily.
18. Elf Makeup Remover Pen
This pen by e.l.f. is a complete life saver! It is perfect for when I split with my eyeliner or accidentally get mascara in undesirable places. Just swipe with this pen and the makeup is gone and you're left with a clean slate.
19. Sigma Spa Express Brush Cleaning Mat
This mat is ingenious! It has a side for face brushes and a side for eye brushes. Using your favorite brush remover (or makeup remover or even shampoo if you're in a pinch!) wash, refine, then rinse each brush. It's amazing and quick. I do prefer the smaller mat, though, because it's honestly just smaller and easier to handle. Plus it's pink.
Saving the best for last:
20. Kylie Lip Kits
I've got to admit, I was not a big fan of the famous "King Kylie," but after following her journey through her second rush of lip kits and also following her on Instagram, Snapchat, etc I am thoroughly impressed. She really is hard working and loves this product like a child of her own. I have Posie K and Dolce K and the product itself is outstanding. The lip liner is easy to apply, but the liquid lipstick is what takes the cake. As soon as you apply it, it mattes itself and will not wipe off for anything! No lip print go your coffee, tissue, boyfriend, nothing! You'll only need to apply once for the whole day and $29 is such a steal for these kits.
Well, that is all 20 products and I hope you go running to Ulta or Sephora to buy all of them! Trust me, you will not be disappointed with these beauties.
