My Must-Have Makeup Faves

I love the idea of makeup–transformation, enhancement, etc.–but am usually pretty lazy about actually using it. My daily routine is pretty simple: I make sure my skin looks good, my lashes are curled, and hurriedly swipe on a lip stain as I’m rushing out the door. Sometimes I’ll do a red lip or a basic cat eye, but these are the products I manage to use regularly:

1 > YSL Touch Eclat in 6.5 | I have ridiculously dark under-eye circles, and I’ve convinced myself that this makes a difference. Mostly I like that the pretty gold tube makes me feel fancy.

2 > Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Deep | Honestly, I use this because Maybelline was one of the ONLY brands to make a BB cream for brown skin when they first became popular in the US. Even MAC didn’t make one at the time! Sometimes I mix in a little aloe vera gel for a dewy finish.

3 > Sephora powder brush | I use this to apply bronzer–it fits nicely in the spot just underneath my cheekbones.

4 > NYX cream blush in Orange CB09 | I’ve gotten into cream blush lately, as it blends more seamlessly with my BB cream. I use this when I want a modern coral-y flush.

5 > NYX eyebrow pencil in Medium Brown | I am 100% against Instagram brows, but I do like my arches to look groomed. I use the pencil to fill in the tail and any bald patches.

6 > L’Oreal Voluminous Smoldering eyeliner in Brown | I’m terribly imprecise when it comes to liner, and this was literally made for smudging.

7 > Love My Eyes sharpener | A sharp point is key, especially for brow pencils.

8 > Shu Uemura eyelash curler | It’s supposed to be the best, and I drank the Kool Aid. To be fair, it does do a better job than the drugstore curler I keep in my gym bag.

9 > Clinique Mascara brush | I use this to brush and shape my eyebrows, and I have several. Real talk: Clinique’s disposable brushes are DA BEST, so when you go to Sephora or Ulta be sure to grab a few.

10 > DiorShow Blackout Waterproof | It costs a grip, but this is the mascara that makes the most difference.

11 > Guerlain Terracotta bronzing powder in 07 | I bought my first Guerlain bronzer when I was in middle school, after reading that the editor of Essence Magazine recommended it. I use it as a combination contour/bronzer to add color and definition.

12 > Sonia Kashuk Duofibre brush #115 | Blending is key to natural-looking makeup, so I do a final buff with this brush once everything is on and poppin’.

13 > Clinique Chubby Stick in Roly Poly Rosy | One of my favorite makeup artists gave this to me after a shoot, and I love it. I use this in place of the NYX cream blush when I want a pink-y romantic flush.

SHOP IT!

What are your favorites? Are there any magical life-changing products I should know about?