Makeup Essentials for EVERY kit!

Hi, guys! It's been a really long time since I've posted, but that often happens when you work 55-60 hour weeks... anyway, I've got a couple of free moments before I move back into college so here comes a super fantabulously way overdue post! Requested by one of my amazing DG sisters, Annie, this one is all about the makeup every girl should have in her kit. Whether you are a beauty junkie or a roll-out-of-bed and go kind of girl, these products should definitely make your list! So here we go...

FACE

1. Concealer

So I know most makeup fearful gals avoid face product like the plague because they feel like it's too "heavy" or that they will look far too "made-up". Not true if you do it the right way! My #1 recommendation for face product is concealer. You can do so much with a good concealer. It brightens under the eyes, camouflages blemishes or redness, and can smooth over fine lines.

You definitely want to get a creamy concealer, either in stick or pot form. Anything liquid will vanish in about an hour or two, depending on your skin type. Creamy concealers are the best for covering acne or fine lines because they will not settle into them. Here are a couple of recommendations:

Drugstore:
-Revlon PhotoReady concealer stick (best dupe for MAC)
-NYC cover stick (most budget-friendly; only $1-3!)

High end:
-MAC Studio Finish Concealer (best range of shades)
-Bobbi Brown creamy concealer

2. Blush

If there's one thing women overlook more than a good primer, it's cheek color. A little color really brings light to the face and a youthful glow that can't be matched. Just please don't overdo it, ladies! A quick-tip to make applying blush a no-brainer: only apply color on the tops of the cheekbones, not the apples of the cheeks. And by that, I mean don't put the color on the big round parts of your cheeks. Put it on the sides from your temples to just past the corner of your eye in a diagonal line. I'm a fan of blushes of all different formulas, so here are a couple of each.

Drugstore:
-Covergirl Cheekers in Pretty Peach or Rose Silk (Powder and budget friendly! only $4)
-Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin or Soft Plum (Cream/Mousse)

High end:
-Tarte Cheek Stain in Blushing Bride (Gel stain)
-Benefit Benetint (Liquid stain)
-MAC Pinch O' Peach blush (powder)


EYES

3. Eyeliner

A good eyeliner is an essential no woman should be without. For a noticeable difference without looking like you tried too hard,  tightline your upper inner waterline. What I mean by that is to take your eyeliner weapon of choice and gently place the color on the fleshy, slippery skin in-between your lashes and your eyeballs. This will make you appear more awake and gently define your eyes without screaming, "I'M WEARING EYELINER RIGHT NOW!"

For tightlining, I generally recommend a creamy or gel eyeliner, as it tends to stay put a little longer, but they haven't exactly been approved for use on that particular area. I know a lot of people do it, and I personally have not encountered any issues, but you should be aware that it can be irritating to some people and that a pencil eyeliner may work better for you.

Drugstore:
-Maybelline Eye Studio Master Drama (Pencil/Cream hybrid)
-Covergirl Point Plus eyeliner (Pencil)

High end:
-MAC Kohl Pencil (** This is my absolute favorite and well worth the price for the ease of use and high pigmentation)
-Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes (Pencil/Cream hybrid)
-Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner (Bonus! This one is waterproof and comes in awesome colors!)

#4. Mascara

I consider mascara to be the holy grail makeup product of all time. It can complete any look or fake a good night's sleep. If I were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one product, this is the one I would choose. There are a lot of different types of mascara, and I will complete a more in-depth differentiation of the types for certain lash types, but for now, I will just recommend the go-to's.

When applying mascara, the best method is to place the brush at the roots of lashes and gently wiggle the brush back and forth in a zig zag motion while pulling up the length of the lash. This coats them the best and provides a cleaner, clump-free body on which to place the next coat. Oh, and that old 2-coat rule your mom uses? Doesn't apply anymore. Put as many coats on as you want. That's right, I just said that.

Drugstore
-Maybelline The Falsies (ORIGINAL ONLY-- I'm not a fan of the variations) mascara
-Covergirl LashBlast mascara

High end
-MAC Zoomlash mascara
-Clinique High Impact mascara
-Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash mascara


LIPS

5. Lipstick

All right, ladies. So a lot of you makeup-phobic types are probably wondering why the heck I would put lipstick on here instead of something a little less "daring", like lipgloss or lip balm. Well, to be frank, those lip products just don't complete a look the way lipstick does. They are a nice addition to lipstick, but alone? They just don't quite make it. And these days, lipstick comes in a HUGE variety of colors and finishes, from matte to pearlescent shimmer and completely nude to shocking fuchsia.

If you have never used lipstick before, I would stay close to nude/brown or peach tones, as those will flatter almost any complexion and provide a barely-there finish to any face while still looking finished. If you're a little more daring or have a special event you're attending, any bright pink or red will do.

To be honest, though, there are no rules when it comes to lip color. Experiment and find out what looks best on you. I'll complete another post all about the undertones of lipsticks and what to look for when choosing punchier shades, but for now, here's a list of my favorite anyone-can-wear-them colors.

Drugstore
-Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Rose Blush or Coral Shimmer (Pinky and peach nudes)
-Revlon Color Burst Lipstick in Candy Pink or Cherry Ice (Bright pink and red)

High end
-MAC Viva Glam Gaga I (soft nude)
-MAC Viva Glam Gaga II (bluish pink)
-Lancome L'absolu Nu in Coral Ribbon or Rose Veil



And after all that, if you're still left wanting more, here are a couple of "extra" recommendations for items to add to your kit:
-Brow gel (Maybelline Great Lash in clear, or MAC Browset in clear)
-Highlighter (Physician's Formula Happy Booster in Translucent, or Benefit High Beam)
-Eyeshadow (Covergirl eye enhancers in Drama eyes, or Urban Decay Naked palette, etc... the options are endless for this category, which is why I didn't include it above)


Hope that helped some of you out! Have a fabulous day and I'll be posting soon!

Peace, love and hugs,
Abbey