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11. Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette
You can find it at Sephora for $42.00.
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When I wear makeup, I get a lot of compliments. With those compliments, I have people asking me what I use. The problem is that I don't just use one brand and I use several products for different parts of my face. Another problem is that what may work for me may not work for everyone else.
Along with some of my favorite products, I also have some tips and tricks I've learned along the way, and some really affordable products that are just as great as high-end ones!
1. Let's start with Primer
Your skin care routine is an entirely different story, but after cleansing and moisturizing, the first step of your makeup routine should be a primer. I've tried everything from Smashbox Photo Finish Primer to the $75 Guerlain L'Or Radiance Primer with real gold flakes. But right now, my favorite is Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer. It's not silicone-y or liquidy. It's a nice whipped primer that you're able to press into your T-Zone or spread all over your face. It makes my pores invisible!
2. Brows
Brows are tricky for everyone. They're supposed to be sisters, not twins, but sometimes they don't even look like cousins. I personally love the Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade. I like the bottom of my brows, fill in the tail, then use a spooly brush to brush the product up into the rest of my brow and shape them. This helps them look filled in, but not too heavy or thick. Also, you can clean up and help shape your brows with some concealer and a small brush!
3. Beauty Sponges
Before we get into foundation, we need to talk about how to flawlessly apply your foundation. Some people like brushes, but I feel that when I use them, my foundation always looks streaky. You can never go wrong with a beauty sponge. There's of course, the original beautyblender , which applies makeup beautifully, but there's a new girl in town! I'm currently in love with the Morphe Highlight and Contour Sponge. I use the rounded tip to apply foundation and blend out my concealer and contour, and the flat edges to apply my powder and bake. It's denser than the beautyblender and when wet, is huge! And it's only $7!
4. Foundation
Before this foundation, I was dropping $50 on high-end foundations found at Sephora that weren't really working for me. Then I came across the ColourPop No Filter Foundation. It's only $12 and they have 42 shades! It's full-coverage and matte and they have a really easy system to cross-check different foundations to find your perfect shade. I'm shade 35 and just by entering in other shades I've used from other brands, I was able to find the perfect shade for me.
5. Concealer
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This concealer is a cult classic for a reason! It's so full-coverage, no one will ever know you pulled an all-nighter studying for that exam. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer blends beautifully on the skin. On days where I want to go for a more "natural" look, I apply the concealer on my bare skin where I would usually apply concealer and blend it, and it looks great!
6. Contour
For chiseling out my cheek bones and contouring my nose to make it look like I've had a rhinoplasty, I prefer to use a cream contour kit. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Cream Kit has been my favorite so far. The cream blends well on top of foundation and doesn't look muddy. For a seamless blend, or to tone down your contour, use the side of your beauty sponge you used to apply your foundation.
7. Bake/Setting Powder
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Bake your face like a cake! Baking your face means to apply a generous amount of translucent loose setting powder on the areas you applied your concealer. Leave this powder on while you apply your eyeshadow to easily brush off fallout from your shadows. This will also brighten up your face on top of your concealer. I love the Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder. It is finely milled and smells great! Plus, it's only $7 at Walgreens or $6 on Amazon!
8. Eyeshadow
Of course, I have to praise the James Charles x Morphe Palette. I was lucky enough to get this palette in the first release. Ever since getting this palette, I have not yearned for any other palette. That's not to say that the palettes that have been released since then haven't been amazing or beautiful, but I just don't have any need for them. Every color I would ever need is included in this 39 shade palette. As you can see, the first two rows of the palette are shades that are more neutral and can be used for everyday looks. The middle row has larger pans because those are most likely the shades that you would use the most. The bottom two rows are shades that are more artistic and bold, as the mantra for the palette is, "Unleash Your Inner Artist." Before I got this palette, there's no way I would have ever put bright blue eyeshadow on my lids. Now, since I have the option to and the colors are at my disposal, I experiment with different colors and looks for special events, like parties and holidays.
9. Liner
Let it be known that I do not agree with what she says nor do I support her as a person, but damn, Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner is the best liquid eyeliner I have ever used. Granted, I have been using this liner way before all of the controversies towards her came out, and I was so stuck in a routine and in love with this liner that I couldn't come to find another. This eyeliner is perfect for a sharp wing, or just lining your waterline. It is smudge proof and tear proof. A little tip for those who may find it difficult to achieve a perfect winged liner: use scotch tape! Place the tape on your eye where you would like the bottom of your wing to fall. Lightly drag the liner across the tape, connect it with the liner on your lid, and fill in the wing.
10. Mascara
Now, I'm not sure how many other people do this, but for mascara, I use two! I first put on a coat of Benefit Roller Lash Mascara. This helps me achieve curled and long lashes. The wand also separates my lashes and wisps them out. Then I go in and put on a layer of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. This mascara gives me a rich black color and the volume I am aiming to achieve.
11. Blush and Bronzer
After brushing off my bake, I like to go in with bronzer first. I use the Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer in the shade "Hoola Lite." I brush this over my contour to buff it out and also give me a warm glow. Then, I go in with Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush to give my cheeks a rosy color. Depending on the look I'm going for, I may go for a lighter, peachy shade. To apply my blush, I smile and apply it to the apples of my cheeks and blend upward towards my cheekbones. Another tip from James Charles is to take the shade "Literally" from his Morphe palette and blend it with your blush and highlight to give your cheeks a seamless transition.
12. Highlight
Lately I've been using the shade "Face" in the James Charles x Morphe Palette, but if I'm looking for that perfect pink-champagne blinding glow, I go to the Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlight Powder in the shade "Blossom Glow." Let me tell you, for $5, this highlighter is amazing!!
13. Lips
I am very picky when it comes to my lipstick. Seldom do I wear lipstick from an actual tube, and even more rarely do I wear anything with a cream finish. I love a good matte lip, even if it means my lips are dried up for the next few days. I love the Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Liquid Lip. It stays all day and lip glosses layer beautifully on top of them. Likewise, the Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipsticks are amazing, and I can attest that you can eat the oiliest foods and that lipstick will stay!
14. Setting Spray
Always! Set! Your! Face! Set your face with setting powder, and then set it with some setting spray when it's all done! I actually feel off or incomplete if I forget to mist my face with setting spray. My go-to is the fan-favorite, Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. I've gone in the ocean and pools with makeup on, and this has kept my face looking untouched.
These are just some of my favorite products in my makeup case that I keep coming back to. Remember, while I may love these, you may not, just like they may not work for you as they work for me.
These products are great for someone who has been doing makeup for a while or even for someone who is just starting out and doesn't know where to start. They are from a variety of brands and stores and are all fairly reasonably priced.
When I started doing makeup on myself, I would shut myself in my room and immediately take it all off before leaving. There was something that just made me uncomfortable in makeup.
During my sophomore year of high school, I started wearing makeup more. I got into watching YouTube videos and beauty influencers, like Jeffree Star and NikkieTutorials, and learned how to properly do makeup.
As my love for makeup began to expand, I felt as if I needed the name brand products these influencers kept mentioning. Companies like "Tarte," "Too Faced," "Anastasia Beverly Hills," and "Urban Decay" were being mentioned in every video I watched, so I felt as if I needed to buy their products. That was until I saw their prices.
I have never loved spending a lot of money on any one product, so I knew I had to make do with what I could find for cheaper. Drugstore brands may seem scary, but trust me, they are worth it. After a few years of trying out dozens of new drugstore and lower-end makeup lines, I finally found some of my favorite makeup items that are super affordable for those of us who are on a college-friendly budget.
1. Covergirl’s TruBlend Foundation ($11.49)
Not only does this foundation have an incredible shade range, but it is also extremely full coverage. A little product goes a long way with this foundation, and there's also no oxidation (turning darker over time)!
2. Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Bronzer ($6.00)
This bronzer with a summer tan? Gorgeous! If you are extremely pale like me, this bronzer is amazing at giving your skin that extra bit of glow you may need. Plus, it chisels those cheekbones so nicely!
3. Covergirl’s Lashblast Volume Mascara ($8.99)
Lashes, extend! Thanks to my BFF, I was introduced to this mascara and I've been telling everybody about it. It rarely clumps and makes your lashes look naturally lengthy.
4. NYX Liquid Lipsticks ($7.00)
I cannot say enough about these liquid lipsticks. For starters, they come in so many different nudes and pinks. The smaller tubes are so adorable and come in a variety of fun colors you can play with. They are extremely long wear and non-drying.
5. Morphe Mini Eyeshadow Palette ($12.00)
Morphe products, in general, are great for those of us on a budget. Their mini-palettes offer everything their larger palettes do in terms of color and blendability. I have so many in my drawers at home! These are especially great if you have limited storage or if you travel frequently and need some glam on-the-go!
6. Benefit POREfessional Face Primer Mini ($13.00)
If you feel as if your face gets oily, or you need a little something to put on before foundation, then this is for you. The travel size is your best option in terms of price because the full size is $32. A little bit goes a long way!
7. ColourPop No Filter Concealer ($6.00)
Coverage, coverage, coverage! For only $6.00, this concealer does wonders. Have an 8 a.m. and don't want to look too tired? Pop this on and blend away!
8. ColourPop Ultra Glossy Lip ($6.00)
My favorite part about this gloss is that it's not sticky. Of course, your hair will get caught in it when the wind blows, but it does not feel like superglue on your lips (*cough* Kylie Cosmetics *cough*).
9. ColourPop "Yes, Please!" Palette ($16.00)
Yes, this is the third ColourPop item in a row, but you cannot beat their prices! This palette might be my favorite palette of all time, especially for everyday wear. It has colors that are both practical and fun!
10. Formula 10.0.6 "Thirst No More" Moisturizer ($8.00)
I have extremely dry skin due to an auto-immune disease I have, and this moisturizer is the only one that seems to be able to moisturize my face the best. This brand also has incredibly relaxing face masks that I use on the daily!
11. Morphe Continuous Setting Spray ($16.00)
While this item isn't a necessity for an everyday makeup routine, it is nice to have on hand. On your days where it feels as if you are never getting out of class, at least you will know you look good with your makeup still in place!
12. Flower Beauty Pots Powder Blush ($6.99)
Not only is this makeup line run by the queen Drew Barrymore, but it has some of the best blushes around. They come in such cute colors, designs, and smell so good.
The next time you are out looking for makeup and want to save some cash, check out these products! You can thank me later.
I created a poll and sent it to all my friends and club group chats asking for people's opinions. I asked three questions. Do you think Ariana Grande's fake tan should be considered blackface? Do you think she appropriates black culture in any way? Do you think she appropriates Hispanic/Latino culture in any way? The yes or no questions were mandatory on the form but an explanation was optional.
These were the results along with some reasoning:
Do you think Ariana Grande's fake tan should be considered blackface?
82.4% of respondents said no, it is not blackface, and 17.6% said it is.
The only explanation for yes was "She is several shades darker."
Some of the explanations for no included:
"It's a spray tan. Everyone gets them. And as a black person, I don't find it offensive."
"She isn't changing her skin tone to suppress a minority, she is doing it because being tan is more on trend. She isn't doing it with the intent of hurting anyone."
"Her tan is not an attempt to seem black or to mock black people."
"It's just a tan. Who doesn't want to be tan?!"
"Some people just use too much tan. Example: Donald Trump. His fake tan is most likely not blackface."
"A good tan helps with confidence! I know that when I'm tan, I feel 100x prettier. I'm not a fan of Grande, but she got a tan! I don't think it's anything more."
"If someone is uncomfortable in their pale skin, they have every right to tan. She is not claiming to be anything other than white, she is just changing something about herself that made her insecure. Pale skin is often seen as unattractive, so this is perfectly normal for her to want to alter it."
"Everyone does fake tans. She just wants to show her real Italian color."
"We live in a time where getting a cheap tan equals wanting to be a certain race. These types of people are looking for something to be offended by at this point even if it's a non-issue."
The next question: Do you think she appropriates black culture in other ways? (language, appearance, etc.)
88.2% of respondents said she is not and 11.8% said that she is.
There were no explanations for yes here, but here are some of the ones to no.
"She acts too white."
"She's not desperate like the Kardashians, so there you go."
"I don't think she is doing anything to appropriate black culture, I think she is just trying to make money"
"I don't believe she is appropriating black culture simply by being who she is. If she was exploiting black culture like 'acting black' in a music video, that would be a much different case."
"I don't think her appearance does, but not sure about other characteristics"
"She is not claiming to be black or anything else. Many people have fake tans, it is normal in our society."
"She's expressing her interests."
I think it's interesting that the percentage went down.
The final Question: Do you think she appropriates Hispanic/Latino culture in any way? (language, appearance, etc.)
Again, 88.2% of respondents said she is not and 11.8% said she is.
There were again no explanations for yes. This time most of the answers for no were "Same as previous answers" as well as these:
"She doesn't act or take on any traits of people from these cultures."
"No. She's just expressing her interests."
"I've never seen her appropriate their culture."
Before I concluded these findings I looked to see if there were any other reasons people would find it problematic. The main thing I found was that she takes off her fake tan to be on magazine covers such as Vogue. This, in some people's minds, means she is using the dark skin to gain a following and gain a wider audience yet took it off to play to racist mainstream beauty standards.
I was hoping looking into all this would help me form a more solid opinion on the situation. As of now, I don't think it was done in a harmful sense, so it is probably okay. I hate when unnecessary problems are made. Yet, I can see why some people find her fake dark skin to be a problem. Similar to the Instagram influencers who were pretending to be black. I would love to hear more opinions on the matter and get more viewpoints.
