Earlier this week I posted my beauty must haves to achieve a great base. Here is a list of my make-up must haves to help enhance your natural beauty 
You will notice that I bounce between name brands and brands you can find at Target/your local drug store. There are a few products I refuse to by in a drug store (foundation, powder) and others that I have found to work great at the low price tag.
Face:
1- Primer: If you don’t use a primer on your face you need to run to the store now and buy some. I can’t explain enough how big of a difference it makes to use primer: 1) the primer creates a layer to prevent make-up from seeping into your pores. No make-up in pores =s less breakouts, 2) no make-up in pores means a flawless look. If I don’t use a primer you can see the make-up fill in the pores which leads to enhancing pores, and 3) primer helps your make-up last longer.
I bounce between two primers. The above, Too Faced Primed and Poreless, is what I normally use. It’s a cream base (goes on very smoothly and feels like silk) opposed to a gel base. I have a tendency to have normal to oily skin and have found that gel primers only make my skin more oily. This stuff lasts a while and doesn’t dry out your skin or make it oily, best of both worlds! Another major plus for this because it doesn’t have a time period of needing to set before make-up application.
The other primer I use is by Philosophy: The Present-Clear Makeup. I really like this because it can be used as a moisturizer as well as a primer and does a great job of making sure your make-up sits on top of your skin rather than in it. One note about this product is to make sure you wait AT LEAST the two minutes they advise before applying make-up. It needs to fully dry before make-up application.
e.l.f. essential eyelid primer is the primer I use for my eyeshadow. Again, if you don’t use an eye primer, you are missing out. This drastically extends the life of your eyeshadow as well as preventing creasing and oily grossness. If you haven’t heard of e.l.f. you MUST try them out. They are a make-up company (e.l.f. stands for eyes lips face) that started off only online and offered their products for $1. You can find them at select retailers (Target) and online, and they now offer tiered products at varying prices (still SUPER affordable). For some make-up basics, you will see that I use them as a go-to.
2- Concealer:
Sephora’s Perfecting Cover Concealer is a concealer I use mostly under my eyes. I don’t have dark circles or bags but using a little bit of concealer under your eyes and on the bridge of your nose brightens your face and adds some dimension. Sephora has some other types of concealers but this is their heaviest. As you can tell, I’m not afraid to use make-up
3- Foundation: I only stick to one foundation and it’s because I have found it works wonders. While I recommend the brand I use, I think the foundation you choose will depend on the coverage you need. If you don’t need full coverage, there’s no point in using the brand I do because it can be too much/too heavy. Since I do some TV work and need a little extra coverage due to uneven skin tones and the wear and tear of past acne issues, I tend to go for heavier coverage.
Make Up For Ever HD Foundation is my pick! I absolutely LOVE this foundation. A little goes a long way with this product which means it lasts a long time which makes up for the price. It also has great buildable coverage so you can choose exactly how much you need. Put it on in the morning and by evening time your coverage is STILL there! I can’t say enough about this product…love, love, love
3- Powder: I never use foundation by itself. I always set it with a powder and usually not a translucent one. Again, because I need medium to heavy coverage I go with a powder with some substance.
Sephora’s Mineral Compact has quickly become a favorite of mine. I lightly brush this over my foundation and it helps set it perfectly. Due to its decent coverage, I can put this on over my primer when I am doing a quick run to the store when I don’t have a full face of make-up on and still feel confident. Love that this can be worn alone or on top of foundation.
Eyes
1- Eye Shadow: When I was in college I became addicted to M.A.C. mostly for their eyeshadows. While they have a rainbow of colors, I found myself getting the same colors, just in varying shades. Nowadays I have gone away from them as my main eyeshadow, but still use them for key colors that I found I like.
The two shades above are my go-to’s from M.A.C. The top is Sketch and the bottom is Trax. Trax I use on the lid and Sketch goes in the crease (with a bone color base first). A great fall combination or colors that can be worn to work for some drama or at night to create a smokey eye just by using a tad more Sketch.
Thanks to the lovely Ashley Spivey, I have fallen in love with the Too Faced Natural Eye Shadow Collection. Not only does this eye palette have great combos for the day that are totally work appropriate, but it also incorporates colors that are perfect for a night out. And if you need any assistance in creating looks, the palette comes with three cards for varying occasions that show you how to get a great eye. With multiple basic colors included in this, it’s great as your only source of eye colors or as an addition to what you already have. If I get some time this week i’ll do a blog on varying eyes I have created by mixing and matching the colors. *Note: I’m not sure why this photo shows a mini applicator but mine didn’t include one.
2- Eye Liner: I use two different eyeliners depending on which area I am applying it to.
Sephora’s Long-lasting eyeliner in matte black is what I use for my upper eyelid. I prefer a liquid due to its easy application. The harder you press, the thicker the line. The thin brush lets you get super close to the lash line which completes your look.
M.A.C. Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved is the liner I use for my lower lash line. I usually put some on the bottom lash line in the outter corner and then on the inside of the lower eyelid. I only use this at night because it is a little too much for day wear. Even though it’s waterproof I find it doesn’t stay too long on the inner lower eyelid so I usually carry it with me when I go out to do one mid-evening application.
3- Mascara:Mascara is one product that I go back and forth with pharmacy brands and name brands. I have found some of both that I like but currently I am using a name brand.
Again, the amazing Ashley Spivey recommended Benefit’s They’re Real! and then lucky for me, the next day my roomie bought this for me as a part of my birthday present! Crazy, right?! While this mascara does wonders for my eyelashes when it comes to making them look long, I do find that it can sometimes clump them making my lashes look sparse. I have to make sure I comb through my lashes in order to separate them. Also, if you are putting on multiple applications make sure you do so relatively quickly. If it dries all the way you can’t put another layer on without pulling your lashes.
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Flared is the drug store brand I go to when I need mascara and can’t take the time to run to the mall. This defines, extends and thickens my lashes…a definite fave! Make sure you stick with the washable and not waterproof. I accidentally bought the waterproof version first and even with eye make-up remover, that junk doesn’t come off!
4- Eyebrows: Some of you may be thinking, “eyebrows? what do you mean eyebrows?” Yes, it is oh so important that you define your eyebrows in SOME way. They help frame your face and you will be surprised at the difference it makes!
e.l.f. eyebrow kit is one that I found to be inexpensive yet does the job! It includes not only a gel but a powder to help set the brows. You can find it in multiple shades to help match your eyebrow color and, again, you can find it at Target or online. For $3 why not take the chance and see what it can add to your make-up routine!
Cheeks
1- Bronzer: I use bronzer not just on my cheek bones but around my face in certain areas. If you use a foundation/powder that covers your natural dimensions you need to be sure you add them back in with the bronzer.
e.l.f. mineral glow bronzer is what I use to define my face. My cheek bones, forehead and jaw line get a brush of this. It’s not shimmery like some bronzers are and comes in two shades. Love this stuff…it lasts forever and, of course, is affordable!
2- Blush: I don’t know why but I really like defined cheeks. Some people choose little definition, but I really enjoy a perky cheek Blush is so important and the color you use will depend on what your skin tone is.
M.A.C. powder blush in Fleur Power is what I use on the apples of my cheeks. It’s a color that lasts through all seasons. I also sometimes run a tad bit over my forehead to brighten up my face.
Lips
1- Lip liner: When it comes to lips I’m not a chick that pushes the envelope and goes for the bright red or coral look. I’m a very basic, neutral lip kinda girl. But even with a neutral lip you must define it with a lip liner.
M.A.C.’s lip pencil in Soar is a color that I’ve found works with many neutral lip sticks/glosses. Apply a little bit of chap stick and then line your lips with this before applying your color and you’re ready!
2- Lip color: Between sticks, glosses, glasses, tints, etc, it’s hard to find what works. I’ve found a stick and gloss that I like, both from M.A.C.
M.A.C.s lip gloss in Lust is a new shade I have fallen in LOVE with. You’ve probably noticed when I find a product I like I fall in LOVE with it This color is fab. One minor note: this gloss is sticky. Which is fine if you’re like me and don’t have a man to kiss. But if you have a significant other or like to make-out with randoms at the bar (i’m not knocking ya) this may not be for you. 
M.A.C.s lip stick in Hot Gossip is a stick I use that has a little more color to it. Since it’s a stick it’s not sticky and can be worn if you plan on lip locking all night
Holy cow. I think i’m finally finished with this blog! This is seriously on the level of, if not more intense than, a Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad recap blog! I hope these tips are of use to AT LEAST one of you out there! If you have any questions please let me know and I can give you info on specific shades that I use if you think our skin tones are similar
***Edit 11/3/11 11:30 am EST***
I can’t believe I forgot to add this tip! If you use M.A.C. make sure you save your empty containers. If you take 6 to a M.A.C. store you can get a free lip stick, gloss or eye shadow! Recycling is beautiful
