A couple of months ago, I started using quarantine as the perfect excuse to start testing out products that would lead me to be able to wear less makeup even when we're out of lockdown. By the time summer is in full swing and I'm able to lie out on a shared beach towel with my best friend, my brows will be fuller than ever (and waterproof!) thanks to these products.
Ladies, PLEASE stop overfilling your brows. The bold bushy brow took the spotlight in 2018, and that is completely fine if it's how your hair naturally grows in. However, myself and many others are tired of seeing ridiculously dark, overdrawn brows that resemble a rectangle more than an eyebrow. Brows should be filled in with small brush strokes along the natural hairline and faded toward the inside where hair is more sparse.
As someone who has had both awesome and horrible spray tans, sometimes it is better to not test your luck. Using self-tanner at home is even riskier, as you likely can't reach your mid back or apply in perfect circular motions. Turning out splotchy, orange, and streaky is the last thing you want, as pictures will especially highlight these things!
There's nothing worse than having butthole lips. Ladies, you know exactly what I'm talking about... matte lipstick sinks into the creases in your lips and begins to resemble something we definitely wouldn't want on our face. Cheap matte lipsticks dry out your lips and are full of chemicals that solidify the lipstick and make it flake off in pieces. Not exactly ideal.
Apparently, it has become a trend to dot your cheeks and under eyes with a brown brow pen to simulate freckles... what?! If you don't have freckles, then you don't have them. Attempting to recreate them will likely leave you with brown smudges all over your face by the end of the day. Just please don't do it.
GiphyBeauty guru Jeffree Starr made a trend out of this, selling highlighter in a variety of rainbow colors. Highlight is supposed to lightly bring out your features and add a glow to your face... why should it be blue? Stick to skin tone highlights and avoid looking like a clown.
GiphyHair extensions can be beautiful and natural looking if done by a professional in a hair salon. Because this typically runs around $400, many have attempted to take matters into their own hands. Please do not order hair extensions on Amazon and glue them in yourself. The point is to look like your hair is naturally that long, and DIY extensions are often clumpy and far too obvious
GiphyThis hasn't been as prevalent in the past year with the rise in lip fillers, but I still see it occasionally. We all know your lips aren't that big. It's a waste of lip liner and doesn't look natural, as makeup is supposed to enhance your natural beauty, not completely change it.
This seems to be a continuous problem regardless of the year. Beauty stores such as Ulta and Sephora would be more than happy to color match your skin and help pick a foundation that is perfect for you. Frankly, there is no excuse to have mismatched foundation that causes your face to look completely different than the rest of your body
Makeup is constantly changing, and each year many women reflect on past trends and their shortcomings. For this year, let's leave these eight things in the past.
SHAPE TAPE CONCEALER
Photo by Micalah Brundage
The God-sent concealer straight from Heaven... or so it seems. This stuff is legit. Exclusively sold at Ulta stores or online, the bullet proof and long-lasting formula is the best I have ever seen. If you're new to this product or are interested in buying it for the first time, I cannot stress the importance of finding the correct shade for your skin tone, enough. That is what will make the world of a difference. From covering blemishes to brightening dark circles and spots, there are endless possibilities with this concealer depending on the shade. I will never go back to another concealer again because once set with a nice powder, this concealer creates natural looking, flawless skin, a basis for a great minimal look.
PROSECCO POP HIGHLIGHTER
Photo by Micalah Brundage
Never did I ever think a highlighter would become a part of my regular makeup routine. Until I received this one as a gift last Christmas. As most of these products on this list, it was a game changer. Now, I use it to highlight, essentially my entire face, because there is nothing more natural than a face full of glitter, right? On a real note, a natural glow is totally achievable with this highlighter and its warm, goldish undertone. Popping a little bit of this on my cheekbones, nose, and cupid's bow, makes me look awake and gives my skin the pick me up it needs when I needed to be out the door like 5 minutes ago.
MORPHE 35O PALETTE
Photo by Micalah Brundage
One of the BEST palettes that has ever come into my possession, this affordable palette proves itself to be the jack of all trades. I rarely use any other eyeshadow, because personally, as someone who really only uses neutral warm tones, I can go super natural and casual with one shade, or do an extravagant smokey, sparkly eye, all with the same palette. For those days when you feel like less is more, and you need to get out the door, you can throw on a light color to set your concealer and brighten your eyes, and pair it with a matte mocha color in your crease, and viola! It looks like you put forth an effort. For the days when you feel like experimenting, you can pair some brighter orange tones with intensely pigmented sparkle shades. This palette has so much to offer, but it is most definitely a staple for those natural looks.
ANASTASIA BROW WIZ (TAUPE)
Photo by Micalah Brundage
I first purchased the infamous Anastasia Brow Wiz last year and loved it. When I ran out though, I foolishly decided, instead of quickly replacing it, I would finish using some other sample brow products I had received. Boy, was that a mistake. Sure, it was fine, but a few months later when I finally replaced my brow wiz, I realized how much I had truly missed it. The way the butter like formula glides on makes it easy to get either a feathery brow look or a dramatic clean cut brow, but will never leave you with a Crayola crayon looking fill in job. The built-in spoolie brush makes it easy to distribute the product so your clump free and everything looks even. The thin design makes getting a clean arch extremely plausible. If you fill in your brows and need to be able to do so quickly and without a hassle, this product is a must.
"TWIG" MAC LIPSTICK (LEFT) AND ULTA NUDE "IN THE BUFF" LIPSTICK (RIGHT)
Photo by Micalah Brundage
When it comes to lips, I keep it pretty neutral most days, regardless of whether or not I am doing a full face of makeup, or a light natural touch up. Some of my all-time favorites include the satin MAC lipstick in the color "TWIG" (A67), and a lucky find from the Ulta beauty collection, a creamy light nude lipstick in the color "IN THE BUFF" (225). The MAC lipstick is definitely a darker and bolder option, as it's a warm mauve, whereas the Ulta option is lighter and airy. Both of which, I love including in a natural, quick look, depending on whether I want more of statement lip, or not. They are both so easy to throw on and last most of the day, but I definitely am always willing to venture beyond these and complete the "no makeup" makeup look with any nudes, mauves, or taupes.
Whether you are the makeup guru of your friend group or have never worn lipstick in your life, these products work for anyone. Even better than that, they are all under $30, so they won't break the bank this holiday season.
Imagine what you could do with all the money you are saving on these makeup products!
One of my favorite foundations ever, drugstore and high-end combined. This one has a dewy finish, and they have a Pro Matte if you are on the oily side. Super cheap, so you can buy a bunch of different colors, depending on what cycle of your spray tan you are on! (My shade ranges from 201-208, I'm insane, I know).
I don't need to say anything about this, other than it is the best concealer I have ever tried and will ever try. You can also get a darker shade for cream contouring.
If you're like me and have big pores, this will be your best friend. Set your concealer, or your entire face, with this powder and you will look like a face tuned porcelain doll. Everything will be blurred out, plus it gives zero flashbacks. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, honey.
To look like we've had an extreme glow up.
For the girls who want people to see their highlight from Mars, this is for you. One of the best, most blinding highlighters I've used. Serious dupe for Becca Champagne Pop.
I only get my brushes from Morphe. They are insanely good for the price point and the sets will give you everything you need for the perfect smokey eye.
Morphe always slays. They have a variety of the 15 color palettes, some more purple-toned for nighttime and some pinker or orange-toned for daytime. The Day Slayer is a perfect warm-toned palette for whatever you have going on during the holidays.
No, this article is not sponsored by Morphe. Yes, I'm obsessed with all their products. This sponge is seriously amazing, and I love the flat edge so you can cut your contour just like you cut that toxic ex out of your life last year. Plus, its a fraction of the price of a Beauty Blender.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Juvia's Place is seriously so underrated. Not that many people know about this brand but it has the best colors with insane pigmentation and blendability, for the most affordable prices.
Use these to spice up any smokey eye look. I actually used Kitten Karma for my New Year's Eve look that I did on a plane ride home last year. It's easy to use and makes a hell of a statement.
Stock up on these! I like Santa Monica, Calabasas, and Hollywood Hills.
I have tried a lot of mascaras in my day, and this one has to be the best. I don't even buy high-end mascaras anymore, because L'Oreal is just out here absolutely murdering the lash game right now.
This will change your brows forever. If you are just starting to fill in, I would recommend the Brow Wiz, which is $21 and just a little bit more skinny, which gives you more control. The Definer is a bit thicker and angled, so it cuts down the time of filling in by at least half. I use soft brown and I have brown hair with golden highlights. If you aren't sure what color to get, I recommend going lighter instead of darker. You can always build up color, but it's a lot harder to lighten up brows once they're already too dark.
Not sure why or how, but this makes brown eyes pop like no other. Less harsh than doing a black in the water line, but still makes a statement. If you have brown eyes, you need this.
These things have a great color payoff, aren't streaky and will stay on your lips throughout the entire day and night, whether you are popping champagne with the girls or smooching that New Year's Kiss.
Boss, Kristen & Mary Jo: Perfect reds for the holidays.
Khlo$: My favorite nude, ever.
Posie K: An all-time favorite by all, pinky-nude.
Leo: A good, rich dark plum for winter.
THE BEST GLOSS I'VE EVER USED. PERIOD. I've gotten compliments on my lips every single time I've worn this gloss. Every. Single. Time.
It seems like this wouldn't be much of anything, but let me tell you, these sprays are life-changing. Amazing for refreshing throughout the day, a primer for makeup, setting spray, or just a few hydrating spritzes before bed. I prefer either Cucumber or Rose Water, but the Lavender would be nice to use before bed if you have a hard time going to sleep (lavender has a lot of natural calming qualities that help with sleep). They also have sets with the same scent that just have differing sizes for traveling, home, whenever. You do NOT wanna sleep on these.
Last Morphe product, I promise. Y'all need this setting spray, like yesterday. Go buy this immediately. The mist is super fine and comes out in an aerosol mist, like hairspray, so you won't get those annoying drops of liquid all over your face. It's sold out almost all the time, so I suggest buying in bulk.
Have a break out before your big holiday party? Just wanna do a mask with some wine and a movie with the gals? This one is amazing. It clears your face of breakouts, you can even feel it tingling as it's working. Use once a week to give the skin a pick-me-up.
Ok, I kinda cheated on this one. The mini size is $22, but that's enough for you to try it and see if you like it, which I'm sure you will. This mask is more for hydration and smoothing than the clay one. Use overnight or slap on for 10 minutes then wash off for bouncy, hydrated skin.
And now, you are equipped with everything necessary to look snatched this holiday season. Sleigh, girl.
