Thank you to @nycshoegal for inspiring this post by asking for a list of my favorite makeup products!! Here is a breakdown of the products I use everyday and have found to work the best for a natural but long lasting look.

 

Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil

I start by lining under my brows to define my natural arc while creating gentle hair-like strokes upwards. Instead of lining the tops of my eyebrows from end to end, I forgo the inner half of my brows and only line where my brow begins to arc downwards to avoid blocky, chunky looking eyebrows. Focus on keeping the inner half of your brows as natural looking as possible while creating clean, sharp lines on the outer half of your brows where they come to a point. I typically use Shade 3: Medium but sometimes switch to Shade 4: Warm Deep Brown depending on my tan & color of hair.

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz Mechanical Brow Pencil 

Before I switched to the Benefit brow pencil, I used to be a firm advocate and daily user of this Anastasia BH brow pencil. While it works beautifully, I found that one of these would only last me about 2 weeks before it ran out; the Benefit pencil, on the other hand, is about the same price but lasts me twice as long. I still use this pencil to define the outer tips of my brows, while using the Benefit pencil to shape and fill. I’ve also tried the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade but prefer using brow pencils for sharp, defined lines.

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette 

This palette has been my one-stop shop for every occasion- natural neutrals for everyday work, pops of bright pigments for photoshoots & even the perfect shades for contouring & highlighting. For a natural, neutral look I use Raw Sienna, Burnt Orange, Cyprus Umber, Primavera & Tempera. When I want a bright pop of color to highlight my eyes during photoshoots, I use Buon Fresco, Antique Bronze, Venetian Red, Red Ochre and Tempera. Oftentimes when I’m traveling, I try to pack as light as possible, makeup included. Rather than packing a separate highlighter and bronzer, I like to mix Warm Taupe, Raw Sienna & Cyprus Umber as contour and a mix of Tempera & Vermeer as highlighter.

 

Japonesque Go Curl Eyelash Curler

 

Of everything on this list, this item is my ALL TIME favorite & longest used product. I used to get so frustrated trying to curl my lashes with traditional curlers because my eyelids would always pinch, and the involuntary crying would make curling my lashes impossible. I discovered this curler in a small boutique during high school and immediately fell in love. Not only does this curler curl like a dream but its compact design makes it perfect to pack in your purse on the go. If you’re gonna purchase anything from this list, this is your winner.

 

Maybelline Rocket Volume Express Waterproof Mascara

I know a lot of you will laugh & try to tell me drugstore mascara is cheap and ineffective but let me tell you you’re only right about one thing- it’s cheap but definitely effective. Of all the different types of cosmetics that I’ve tried, mascara has given me the hardest time because while most mascaras lengthen, none of them have been able to hold the curl of my lashes. The Japonesque eyelash curler I mentioned earlier curls my lashes so beautifully that I would be so upset when my lashes would droop under the weight of the mascara. This Rocket Volume Mascara has been the only mascara that can hold up my curl while also providing me with the length and volume I desire. Even after trying a variety of mascaras from more prestigious brands, this is the only mascara I use. Note: This mascara comes in both regular and waterproof, the waterproof version holds my curl best.

 

Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner

 

Sharp, precise lines and easy application. While I wish this liner came in a waterproof version, I have no other complaints about this product. This liner is the perfect tool for creating a flawless cat eye and I’ve been using it for almost 4 years now.

 

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Liquid 24H Longwear SPF 15 Foundation

Up until college, I couldn’t wear foundation because of my sensitive skin despite the constant photoshoots and dance performances. It wasn’t until a dance competition my third year that I borrowed this foundation from a friend- let’s just say my world was changed. I can wear this foundation all day without my skin getting dried out or flaky, something I could not have imagined before. While this item is a little pricy, it’s definitely worth the investment. Make sure you firmly moisturize your skin before applying foundation for a dewy, glowing look that lasts all day. My shade is 370 Bisque.

 

Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzing Powder

No matter how much my skin tone fluctuates (growing up in Hawai’i, apparently your skin learns to tan quickly) this bronzing powder always seems to be the perfect shade. It blends in smoothly with my foundation and the accompanying brush allows me to deftly apply along my cheekbones.

 

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Luminizer

The main reason I love this highlighter is because it looks just as great at the end of a crazy night as it does when first applied. The luminizer has a similar viscosity as foundation but does not feel heavy or sticky after applied, and the pearl’s sheen appears less glittery and more luminescent on the skin.

 

MAC Little MAC Lipstick

That’s right, our favorite matte lipsticks now come in MINIS!!! The traditional full sized lipstick at MAC costs about $19 and these minis only cost $10. Both are made of the exact same formula and are of the same quality. Most women outgrow the shade of their lipstick before they even come close to finishing the tube (myself included), and beauty trends come and go. These minis allow me to try a wider variety of shades & experiment to see what works best for me. My go to neutral lipcolor is Whirl.