Spring Beauty Favorites
Spring Beauty
Favorites
Back at it with another round of my makeup favorites! I don’t know what it is about spring, but I love to reassess my makeup bag and see what’s still working well for me. I am a very loyal beauty lover. Once I find something I love and give it real estate in my makeup bag, it’s hard for me to switch it up, but I’m excited to dig into a bunch of my favorites, old and new!
If you’re shopping the Sephora Spring Sale, it is now open to everyone until 4/24, so it’s a great time to stock up on your favorites or something new! Scroll to the bottom for my beauty favorites.
ROBE (XL)
MAKEUP BAG | BUT ALSO LOVE THIS ONE
Amazon Beauty
Favorites
Amazon Beauty has exploded over the past year, offering a fantastic selection of makeup and skincare products, including premium brands. To ensure you’re purchasing from an authorized retailer, you can ensure the brand you’re shopping for has a legitimate storefront setup like Lancome, Laniege, and Clarins.
I love shopping for beauty tools on Amazon as well. I’ve found some incredible gems that have made my routine more efficient. First up is this makeup bag that fits A TON and zips open diagonally so you can really see every single item that’s in the bag. I recently discovered these cryo globes that I keep in the freezer and love rolling on my face to help de-puff and wake up my skin. These curved makeup spoons allow me to dip into any jar and grab every last drop without sticking my finger into it. I love wearing these headbands while washing my face or applying makeup; they’re towel-like and super comfortable to wear. These eye patches are a bit of a splurge, but I love to wear them in preparation for special events to help hydrate and depuff my under eyes.
I shared previously in my recent skincare I’m using blog post that I love to use a cleansing balm to remove my makeup at the end of the day. The key is to apply a cleansing balm to dry, with a full face of makeup, and work it in to loosen and clean away all of the dirt and grime. I alternate between two different cleansing balms, I usually stock up on one when they’re on sale, but you cannot go wrong with this one or this one! To make it as spa-like as possible, take a warm washcloth or one of these mini-face towels and run under warm water to melt everything away. This combo has single-handedly reduced my overall consumption of disposable makeup-removing wipes. The cleansing balm even removes the peskiest mascara!
This roller is great to have on hand in your purse or makeup bag for touch-ups throughout the day to remove oily spots. I cannot recommend having these spoolies on hand enough, I use them constantly for touching up brows and fixing mascara smudges (wait for it to dry, then gently flick it off). I love an eyelash curler, and this one has been a favorite lately. I get a ton of questions about brushes. I have accumulated a lot over the years and found many good ones and sets on Amazon. I also like to wash with a brush cleaner like this one in the sink! Lastly, if you’re a beauty sponge user this one is elite. It’s inexpensive and has the best density. Most professional makeup artists I know use black sponges so that you can see the product.
Sephora Makeup
Favorites
Here’s my every day/full-glam makeup routine. I will minimize or add to this process depending on the day and occasion, but hopefully, writing everything out is helpful!
STEP 1: PRIME + PREP SKIN
At the very least, cleanse, moisturize and apply SPF to your skin before applying makeup. I previously shared my current skincare routine here! I like to mix my serum or moisturizer with DiBronzi Bronzing Drops for a nice bronzey glow since my face is typically lighter than my body. For SPF, I’ve been loving this hyaluronic SPF 50. Then add Hourglass Veil Mineral primer. It lays so nicely on my skin. I’ve tried dozens of primers, but I keep returning to this one. It’s been in my kit for well over six years. I also love and use Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer; it’s more of a gel-like consistency that leaves skin tacky, but it makes makeup stay on all day long and gives a flawless complexion.
STEP 2: APPLY EYE PRIMER
I’ve talked about this eyelid primer for years; it’s my absolute favorite. I wear the shade “Bare.” To prevent creasing, you want to make sure you apply it to dry and clean eyelids. Some days I will wear the primer, nothing else because it provides a nice natural look, but it also is an excellent base for applying shadow that lasts all day. I’ve done a little research, and if you’re not ready to splurge yet, this $7 option has good reviews and seems like a good alternative.
STEP 3: COVER + CONCEAL
I’ve played around with Many foundations; I continue to return to this Smashbox one for extended wear. CC + BB creams are also great; I continue to return to this one for everyday use. Just as an FYI, if you’re concerned with pregnancy-safe makeup, one resource that I found incredibly helpful was 15minutebeauty’s blog. She is an actual doctor with extensive resources that are easy to search on pregnancy/nursing-safe skincare and beauty products. I encourage you to contact your healthcare team to discuss any concerns and make educated decisions on your behalf!
When applied with a damp beauty sponge, it goes on nicely for medium to full buildable coverage—currently wearing Medium. I’ve recently tried Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation; it’s a lovely silky formula. After applying all over my face, I’ll go in with concealer (shade Custard) to see which spots need additional coverage (usually under the eye and blemishes). I’ve been using this one for years, and it works best when warmed up onto your skin, so I’ll apply it with my ring finger. For finding your perfect shade, Sephora has a great shade finder and so does Lancome’s site.
STEP 4: SET THE WET + BRONZE
Keep in mind that whenever you apply liquid to your skin, you want to “set the wet” product with powder. This has significantly helped me, and I’ve noticed my makeup holds up better all day long with minimal touch-ups. I’ve tried a slew of pressed powders, and Laura Mercier’s are my favorites. I use her Translucent Loose Setting Powder and Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes, which WAKES me up and adds an extra brightening effect! I love bareMinerals’ Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder for a pressed option. I keep that one in my purse for on-the-go touch-ups.I love to use Urban Decay’s All-Nighter setting spray for special events and long days, and it comes in several different formulas now, so you can use the best one for your desired finish!
I like to play around with my bronzers and apply them in a “3” formation on my forehead, cheek, and jawbone. I have previously loved and sometimes still use this Milk Matte Cream Bronzer in Baked shade. But if I’m being frank, this Gucci Poudre De Beauté Éclat Soleil Bronzing Powder has completely rocked my world. It gives the most beautiful natural color; a little goes a long way. I wear shade 03. I also love Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze & Glow palette, now available in a mini size! I’m on my sixth one; it’s one of my favorites.
STEP 5: BLUSH + HIGHLIGHT
I use the lighter side of the Filmstar palette mentioned above, also available in mini, to highlight the cheekbone, bridge of my nose, and underneath my brow bone. It’s become my signature; no other highlight compares to me! I’ve tried and haven’t found a perfect look for less, but this $7 option has fantastic reviews for being similar. I also like to smile and apply a touch of this bronzer blush (blonzer) on my cheeks (shade Kiss of Pink). I recently tried and LOVE Iconic London’s brand new Kissed by the Sun Multi-Use Blush & Bronzer in the shade “Play Time.” The formula is unlike anything I’ve tried, a hybrid formula between cream and powder.
STEP 6: BROWS
I shared a few weeks ago that I LOVE to use this brow gel (shade 03) and recently learned a new way to apply it that makes a big difference. Before combing hairs in the direction, you’d like them to go in, brush them the opposite way first. This allows the product to get on there and gives the appearance of a fuller brow.
STEP 7: EYES / LASHES / LINER
How much I do of this step is often determined by how much time and “done up” I’d like to look. I discovered this mascara a few years ago, and it’s INCREDIBLE when you don’t want to deal with flaking or the dreaded “raccoon eyes.” It’s a tubular formula, so it comes off in little ‘tubes when you take it off.’ I highly recommend this for anyone who has issues with flaking/smudging. I mostly use it on the bottom lashes but often on top. Over the last year, I’ve tried Ilia’s mascara and it’s become my go-to for every day.
I also have been using this eyelash primer for over a year, and I LOVE it. As far as mascaras go, I love to switch it up and lately have been loving MAXIMIST Phyto-Fiber Volumizing Mascara and this high-volume mascara.
Before applying mascara, I’ll gently dot this gel liner (shade Arabian Nights or Black) in between my lashes. I’ve shared this a few times, but remember you’re not applying in swipes, just dotting for a subtle definition.
Sometimes I stop there; I’ll keep going and add eyeshadow. I recently purchased this palette and I use it nonstop, it has the prettiest shades, and I always receive compliments on it whenever I wear it. You can use a little or mix and blend a lot. I also have been loving this one; lately, it’s smaller and more travel-friendly. As far as brushes go, I have purchased this under $15 set of brushes which isn’t the best quality, but it is good if you’re looking to build your kit. I also love bareMinerals brushes which are cruelty-free, and Sephora’s own brand of brushes which are reasonably priced.
STEP 8: ADD A LIP!
To bring the look together, I’ve loved this long-wear lip color from Revlon in shades “Your Majesty” or “Eyes On Me.” When I’m feeling fancy, I’ll use lip liner. I wouldn't say I like the feeling of dry lips, so I always have this Ultra Repair Lip Therapy nearby. I’ve recently shared my list of favorite lipsticks in this recent post! I would also like to add this Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm. It gives a beautiful tint and lots of hydration. I started with the “Hibiscus” shade and purchased “Strawberry” - I love both! I also wear shade “local” a lot in this formula from Urban Decay!
Thanks for reading!
I hope this post was helpful and gave a glimpse into my current beauty rotation. Feel free to leave any questions or suggestions below. Be sure to check out the beauty tab on the blog for more makeup, skincare, and haircare posts. You can also check out my dedicated beauty list on my Amazon storefront to see all of my favorites saved there!
xo CMK