Why do you wear so much make-up? Part 1

From both long-term friends and strangers, I get asked this question more than any other. My answer is simple: above all else, it’s fun and it helps me wake up and get focused in the morning. I love learning and experimenting with new techniques and creating looks that match my mood, outfit or the function I’m getting ready for. Without further delay, here is my slightly infamous (OK, maybe not) daily make-up routine:

MAKE-UP PREP

Ammiy Unicorn Makeup Brushes Set

A crucial part of applying make-up that is often swept under the rug is the applicators themselves! After several recommendations, I decided to purchase the 10-piece Ammiy unicorn make-up brush set and give it a try. I love them because they are super unique (the handles look like unicorns horns, people!!!), cruelty-free and high quality. They’re also very easy to clean. Don’t forget – you should be cleaning your make-up brushes two to three times per week, if not daily.

Lancôme Énergie de Vie Skin Care Line

As revealed in my earlier post, “Down With Dry Skin,” I have a pretty strict skincare routine using Lancôme’s Énergie de Vie Skin Care Line (which I cannot recommend enough), so I start my mornings by washing and moisturizing my face exclusively using those products.

Ulta Hydrating Face Primer

To prepare my skin for foundation and to make sure it stays moisturized throughout the day (since I have dry skin), I make sure to use a primer that locks in moisture and makes my foundation last for as long as I need it to. I love using Ulta’s Hydrating Face Primer. I’ve heard great things about more expensive, brand-name primers, but if I find a product that is great for both my skin and my wallet, I try to stay loyal to it.

Ulta Color Correct Concealer Palette

Because I have a lot of redness in my T-zone, I have been experimenting with color correcting for the past couple of months and have really loved the results. Since I was just trying to see how color correcting worked for my face, I only purchased a basic Ulta color correct concealer palette. I’ve branched out and used the yellow and purple colors to brighten the dark circles under my eyes and even out my skin tone in other areas of my face as needed. Once I run out of this palette, I definitely plan on trying anti-redness color correcting options from more reputable brands – so stay tuned!

FOUNDATION

Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Liquid 24H Longwear SPF 15 Foundation

Because I love its skincare line so much, I decided to try Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Liquid 24H Longwear SPF 15 Foundation, and I absolutely love it. It keeps my skin looking hydrated and blends really well with my natural skin tone. My skin tone is on the fairer side, so I have a lot of problems with foundation oxidizing slightly after its application, making it darker than my actual skin tone. I’ll be honest, this foundation can be guilty of doing that if I don’t bother to blend it well, but I have substantially less issues with skin tone matching than I have with other types of liquid foundations.

Bare Minerals Original Foundation

To help even out the coverage and lock-in my liquid foundation base, I like to take a large powder brush and lightly buff a thin layer of this powder-based foundation for my second step in my (admittedly lengthy) make-up routine. I’ve been consistently using Bare Minerals for 10+ years, and couldn’t be more impressed with how good it has been to my skin. It has never been a pore-clogger and is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin or for those of us who accidentally fall asleep in their make-up from time to time (it happens to the best of us).

L'Oreal Glam Bronze for Face & Body

I like to use this fabulous bronzer to accentuate my cheekbones. It’s pigmented but easily blendable, and is the only bronzer I’ve found that I feel comfortable using year-round (it adapts to pale winter me and slightly-less-pale summer me).

Salted Caramel Kylighter – Kylie Cosmetics

For special occasions or nights out, I’ll use my fan brush (with the unicorn handle, of course) to swipe some highlighter on my cheekbones, nose and upper lip. I’m currently using the Salted Caramel Kylighter from Kylie Cosmetics, which is a lovely shimmery gold. I actually really like the highlighter, except it quickly broke into a powdery mess just from the normal tousle that my make-up bag gets. But, part of being an unemployed college student means that I can’t afford to spend money on a replacement highlighter :’)

Aaaannnnnnd that’s my general routine (give or take some steps, depending on the day) for my facial make-up! Stay tuned for Why Do You Wear So Much Make-Up Part 2 about my daily eye, eyebrow and lip routines.