My Top 10 Favorite Makeup Products!

By Avi
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05 Oct, 2016
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A BLO/OUT Lead Makeup Artist's Fav Products for a Perfect Look!

Recently, while working with a client she asked me "If you had to pick one product to use for the rest of your life what would it be?" I thought to myself "One product? Like forever? Forever ever?" There is absolutely no way that I could pick just one.

With so many amazing lines out there is it possible to have just one favorite? For me the answer is no! I am constantly hunting down the cult classics (like Ubran Decays Naked Palettes, what beauty lover didn't want these when they came out?) or products reviewed by other beauty bloggers to test out.

After some thinking, I finally narrowed my list down to ten products I absolutely could not live without! The products that I am about to review are my go to's for myself as well as my beautiful clients! They're all super versatile and I find work amazing for all skin types and tones. Let's get started...

BENEFIT COSMETICS: The POREfessional Primer - ($31.00 at Sephora)

My obsession with this stuff started when I saw my all time favorite YouTube blogger (@mannymua) reviewing it on his channel. Before this product I was using a photofinish primer and felt it left certain skin types looking greasy. You can literally see it filling in deep pores while applying the product and that in of itself was amazing to me.

Don't think that just because you don't have pore issues that this product isn't for you. It's great for ALL skin types. It's creamy texture leaves the skin feeling velvety soft. This stuff is my foundation's best friend and I will NEVER not have this product in my kit. Seriously, please just try this and let me know what you think. P.S You're welcome :)

LOREAL INFALLIBLE: Pro Matte & Pro Glow Foundation - ($11.99 at any drugstore)

Ok, so I know this is basically two separate products but if you don't care then neither do I! Foundation is by far the most important step to any makeup application. It evens out the skin tone, minimizes any imperfections and sets the tone for your entire look. Drug store makeup brands tend to get a bad rap, but this stuff is being blogged and reviewed about all over social media and for good reason! The build-able factor and multiple colors in particular is what sold me! You can literally pick the amount of coverage you want with either line.

Finding a foundation that allows you to determine how much coverage you want is hard to find especially when it comes to drug store brands. For me anyway, I noticed that you either picked between full coverage, or almost no coverage at all. I wanted the freedom to be able to use as much or as little foundation that my little heart desired and Loreal made that happen! Of course there are so many amazing foundations out there, but based on quality and price NOTHING matches this stuff!

Pro Matte: I recommend using this if your skin tends to produce excess oils. It will help matify your face leaving a clean finish without any build up.

Pro Glow: Use this product for dryer skin types or if you prefer more of a dewy finish to your face. Again both products are build-able so use as much or as little as you like!

MAC COSMETICS: PRO Longwear Paint Pot "Painterly" - ($22.00 Mac Cosmetics)

Wondering why your eyeshadow looks dull? It's because you haven't been introduced to this baby yet! I personally use it as an eyeshadow base (but it can be used as a cream shadow if you prefer) I am a little biased when it comes to Mac, I just feel like they never get it wrong! From foundation, to setting sprays they're just...perfect!

Paint pots come in 26 shades and are all amazing but for me, "Painterly" is where it's at! This one actually has a cooler finish but I feel like it's the most versatile for all skin types. Just sweep this on the eyelid and blend before you apply eyeshadow and BAM! Pigment heaven! This stuff can make your $3 eyeshadow look like any high end brand with one simple application. It leaves a streak free finish and NEVER creases! Macs paint pots are a necessity in my kit. Trust me when I say you'll love this.

MORPHE BRUSHES: 35W Eyeshadow Palette - ($19.99 @ Morphebrushes.com)

If you know anything about Morphe, you know people lost their minds when the 350 palette came out. If not, just know that Morphe is an amazing line that is increasingly known for their affordable eyeshadow palettes and makeup brushes.

My personal favorite is the 35W palette. This is all you need to create any look. From a smokey eye, to a more natural look this palette covers all the bases! These eyeshadow are super pigmented so a little goes a long way. I find myself using this on almost every client since it is super versatile. I use it so much that I'm running low and it's actually time to purchase another one. Their website also offers an array of other product lines for purchase which is also a selling factor for me. I am so happy that finally someone got it right when it came to price as well as quality. Morphe, I love you!

PRO TIP: For a smokey look apply medium/darker tones shadows on the outter corners of the eyes and working it towards the center of your lid. Blending is key when it comes to the eyes. Try to build shades lightly rather than applying large amounts of product at once.

BENEFIT COSMETICS: Speed Brow (Quick Set Brow Gel) - ($13.00 at Sephora)

Benefit's website says this is "hairspray for your brows" and they are not lying! I find with my brows anyway, no matter how much I fill them in with either a pomade or pencil there is always that one hair! You know, that one brow hair that you analyze and notice in every picture? Or is that just me? Haha! Anyway, finding this product has been a life saver. We all want "brows on fleek" and benefit has you covered!

I apply this product right after I'm done shading my brows just to keep them in place. It is quick setting and actually gives you an instant brow lift. These days, I lean toward a more natural brow and this works great for that too. Just brush brows in an upward motion with this product and be on your way! The speed in "Speed Brow" is what I was looking for and I got it! This is a go-to for days when you're on the run and just want a little pick me up.

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS: Glow Kit "Sun Dipped" - ($40.00 at Sephora)

Remember in the beginning when I said I couldn't pick just one product for the rest of my life? Well... I lied! I LIVE for a good highlight. Honestly, who doesn't? I want my cheekbones to gleam and shine the second I walk into a room! Anastasia Beverly Hills is by far the queen of the highlight game. They have so many palettes to choose from and I love them all! My personal favorite however is "Sun dipped". My reason for this is because the palette has so much to offer.

It works great with all skin tones, from dark to light. This product completes any makeup look and takes you from drab to fab in one brush stroke! If you guys aren't on the highlight band wagon yet, please get this so you understand the true satisfaction that I feel when applying it!

PRO TIP: Apply product on the natural areas you want to "highlight" and sculpt. I apply it on cheekbones, bridge of nose, cupids bow, inner eyes, and the area right above the brows. I find that a fan brush gives me the best results.

LAURA MERCIER: Translucent Loose Setting Powder - ($38.00 at Sephora)

Baking has a new meaning thanks to makeup lovers! It is the process where you apply loose translucent powder to the areas of the face that you feel crease and don't hold up as well (ex: under eyes, around nose) and let it "bake" for about 5 minutes to set your makeup! I was skeptical when this tip first came out but now I bake everyone!

Letting translucent powder rest and settle on your face really makes a difference when it comes to the longevity of your makeup look! Laura Mercier may be a bit pricy for some but it is by far the best powder on the market! It never leaves that caky or gritty finish that I find with some other translucent powders and it comes in two shades that work on any skin tone. Translucent powder is a necessity in any makeup kit and makeup artists will tell you, it's a game changer! One dusting of this will leave your skin feeling and looking soft without having to worry about those stubborn creases that tend to happen under your eyes. Laura Merciers Translucent Loose Setting Powder is my absolute favorite product to "set" the face! Don't worry about splurging on this product, it lasts forever and is so worth the money.

PRO TIP: Use a damp beauty blender to apply powder under eyes. Leave on for five minutes while working on the rest of your face. Use a brush to remove excess powder and reveal a flawless finish!

ARDELL LASHES: Demi Wispies - ($3.99 at any drugstore)

If you ask me, lashes are the one thing that complete any look. I am obsessed with synthetic mink lashes, and I feel like Ardell's Demi Wispies are the closest comparison to those. They are super lightweight and have more of a natural finish. I use these on myself as well as clients on a daily basis. I think that these lashes out of all the drugstore brands are the highest quality and look best especially in photos. I just love how naturally dramatic they look if that makes sense? They're great for a day time or night time look! If you're looking for amazing lashes, I highly suggest these! They are super affordable, so stock up because drug stores run out of these babies quick!

PRO TIP: Once glue is applied to the strip lash, make sure you let it sit for at least 30 seconds! This will ensure that the glue is tacky enough to hold in place and not slide around. Use tweezers to secure the ends of your lashes since the sides are what typically tend to lift.

KAT VON D: Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks - ($20.00 at Sephora)

Liquid lipsticks are here to stay! The formula alone is what makes this product a cult classic. I have tried almost every single brand and in my opinion nothing compares to Kat Von D's line. I have found with some product lines, the formula will leave my lips dry, clumpy, and my lips cracking but that's not the case with this everlasting liquid. This product is also build-able meaning you can add as much or as little as you want. My favorite color is "Lolita" and I use it on everyone if they express that they prefer more of a deep nude lips.

I am OBSESSED with this shade of deeper skin tones as well. It makes for such a romantic look when matched with a golden/ copper eye. Seriously guys, I love love love this product! If you're looking for something that will last all day without reapplying, comes in multiple beautiful shades, and in my opinion is priced well get this and thank me later!

PRO TIP: Apply liquid lipstick with applicator and use a highlighter directly in the middle to create a fuller, plumper lip.

MILANI: Rose Powder Blush - (6.99 at any drugstore)

I will admit, I saw these in the drugstore and picked them up simply because they're beautiful. I feel like some brands tend to skimp on packaging and they really shouldn't! I love MILANI especially for their darker toned products, but I will say I did not have high expectations for this blush once I got it home. Boy was I wrong!

This is now my FAVORITE blush for every single client (my love for this is up there with Nars Orgasm blush). This blush comes in 9 shades for literally every skin tone imaginable. I love brands that cater to all women and this brand definitely does. We're all especially unique and deserve products that all of us can use. These blushes are so pigmented so a little goes a long way. I love these and hopefully you will too!

*(All products featured in this post were used to create this look! )*

I hope you guys test these products out and become just as obsessed with them as I am! I'd love to hear your feedback!

As always, please comment below and tell me which makeup products you absolutely cannot live without.

XOXO

Gina

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