It is no hidden secret that I love makeup. My bathroom drawers used to spill over daily with blushes, bronzers, eyeshadows, mascaras, and lipsticks. I would buy any new product I could get my hands on, even if it looked almost identical to one I had bought the week before. It was a full-blown, out of proportion obsession. Now that I have been wearing makeup for a few years and have invested countless hours watching YouTube beauty gurus' techniques, I have downsized my collection to just my favorites. I know what looks I like to wear, what suits my face, and what products I need to create those looks. Here I have compiled a list of the 8 beauty/makeup products that I think every makeup lover should own. Let's begin...

1. Foundation

I hate wearing foundation. The only times that I do wear it is on a night out when I know I will be taking a lot of pictures or when my skin is acting up and I want to cover any spots. This is the one product that I recommend investing in. If your skin looks flawless and clean, the rest of your makeup will generally look great as well. Foundation should be used to even out your skin tone, not cover up every single pimple or mark (that can be done later with concealer). I recommend Make Up For Ever HD Foundation which is formulated for on-screen use, which guarantees that your skin will look airbrushed in any photos you take and in real life.

2. Concealer

Concealer is a saving grace. Instead of caking on makeup in the hot summer sun, I like to just cover up anything I don't want being seen. This leaves my skin looking clean and natural, but flawless at the same time. If you have a normal skin type, you can get away with using the same concealer under your eyes and on spots. If you have dry or oily skin, you might need to use two different formulas for each area (creamier under your eyes and a drier one on any spots). I recommend the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer or the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer.

3. Blush/Bronzer

I have tried almost every bronzer in Sephora and at the drugstore, but I cannot seem to find one that does not break me out. Instead of bronzer, I use a blush with a bronze or natural tone to it instead of a bright pink or red. This saves money, saves time, and gives your face a natural glow like you would get from the sun. I recommend the Milani Baked Blush in Bellissimo Bronze.

4. Eyeliner

Instead of going for a full eyeshadow look during the day, I run a shimmery brown eyeliner along my top and bottom lash lines. To smoke it out and make it look more natural and sultry, I take a small brush and gently blend it out. If the eyeliner starts to fade throughout the day, you can blend it out even more with your finger and it will look as good as new. I've been using the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Brown.

5. Mascara

Mascara is best bought at the drugstore, at least, for me it is. I have short, stubby, and straight eyelashes that don't hold a curl for longer than a minute. I have tried Dior, Givenchy, and YSL mascaras, but my all time favorite is The Rocket by Maybelline. It grabs each one of my short lashes and extends them so that they are somewhat visible to the naked eye. If you have long and luscious eyelashes already (bless you), then you may be more particular, but I'll take what I can get.

6. Highlighter

I became a new woman when I received the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Champagne Pop for Christmas. It made my pale skin glow all throughout the winter and really complements a tan in the summer months. While you do not have to spend a lot of money on a highlighter, higher end highlighters tend to look more natural/shimmery and less arts-and-crafts glittery.

7. Lip Stain

I have tried to liquid lipstick trend, the Kylie Jenner exaggerated lip liner look, and the classic red lip. If you are okay with heading to the restroom every few hours to retouch your makeup, then those are great. But for someone who wants to put something on in the morning and still have their lips looking fresh and lively by the late afternoon, I would recommend a lip stain. I tend to go for brighter reds and pinks. If you apply a little and blend them out, they give a nice pop of color that can light up any face. I recommend the Revlon Kissable Balm Stains.

8. Makeup Setting Spray

This will change your life. Investing in a makeup setting spray will allow you to wear heavier makeup on nights out or on warm days and not have it melt off your face after a few hours. I like to spray this on before my foundation and then once again after I have applied all of my makeup. These sprays help lock everything in place so the products don't play slip-and-slide throughout your busy days/nights. I recommend the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.

You don't need makeup to make yourself look better or feel better, but I find that it helps give me an extra ounce of confidence when I am feeling down. Getting ready is half the fun of going out, so blast some music and whip out these products and I am sure that they will boost your mood.