Beauty Hit List: Must Have Makeup

Hi lovies! Last week, in my Beauty Hit List: Must Have Beauty Products, I shared with you my all time favorite, cannot live without beauty products. Today I’m sharing with you the items in my makeup bag that I absolutely must have!

I’ll go ahead and tell you that while I do own some products in the way of eye and face palettes I’ve found over the last couple of years that I reach for those products very infrequently. My everyday makeup routine is all about skin, and of course my signature bold lip. My morning routine includes a thirty minute commute, and while I understand that’s not hugely significant as commutes can go, ya girl is not a morning person. Therefore, when given the choice between a few extra minutes of sleep and well… pretty much anything, sleep will always come out on top. So the products I’m about to share with you can all be combined to create a “sweet beat” for everyday in ten minutes or less. Because ain’t nobody got time for more than that when it comes to everyday make up.

Foundation

If I’m going to wear foundation I want something that is full coverage, but also light weight. It must also be long wearing and easy to apply. I found all that and then some in Becca’s Ultimate Coverage 24 HR Foundation. This product provides the coverage that you need without being heavy, cakey or mask like. It provides a finish that I can only describe as your skin, but better. I don’t have time to check my face throughout the day and with Becca there is no need to.

Whether or not this product lasts for 24 hours I cannot say. But I know that it stays put through an eight hour work day and well beyond without fading, changing colors, separating or becoming cakey. Here’s a tip for you, when using this product, less is more. I find that a pump or less is usually more than sufficient for the coverage that I need. All the heart-eye emojis for this product!

  Concealer

Some days I forgo foundation in exchange for concealer. When I opt to perfect my skin using only a concealer and powder, Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer is the one I reach for. This tiny tube packs a big punch. The gel serum consistency means that it provides buildable coverage without ever looking heavy or dry. Just dot and blend. The coverage that this product provides is comparable to that I get from using a foundation.

Because I am a woman of a certain age, over 30, I feel that a little brightening under the eyes is always a good idea. For this task I grab ColourPop Cosmetics No Filter Concealer. Again, this product is lightweight and blendable for a look that is flawless and lasts all day.

Powder

Once the foundation and concealer are in place I apply a light layer of powder to ensure that my look stays put. The powder that I have found keeps my makeup in place and free of shine all day long is Elf Cosmetics Beautifully Bare Sheer Tint Finishing Powder. If you’re looking for a product that provides additional coverage, you should probably look elsewhere. This product is a finishing powder just as its name indicates.

It keeps me matte and on the occasion that I need a quick touch-up before going out in the evening I can add another layer of this product without worrying that it will ruin my face. The best part about this product is that it is only 6 dollars. Six dollars! I prefer this product over a mattifying powder from a high end brand that costs 7 times as much as this one. Yep, it’s just that GOOD! Get you some! I promise you will thank me later.

When I apply my finishing powder I skip the under eye area so as not to undo the brightening effect of the ColourPop Concealer. To set my under eye concealer in place I use Hour Glass Ambient Lighting Powder in the shaded Diffused Light. The powder has a pale yellow tint that is brightening without being overly bright. For work I don’t want to be highlighted to the Gawds. I just want to fool everyone in to thinking I got a full eight hours of sleep the night before. Here’s a money saving tip for you, buy the mini. You will use such a small amount of this product each day that there’s no need to splurge for the full size. I’ve been using this product for a couple of years now and I’m only on my second mini.

Bronzer

While there is nothing wrong with a super sculpted face, its just not the look I prefer. However, I do want my face to have some dimension. The next step in my routine is to use a bronzer to bring my face back to life so to speak. My fave is ColourPop Cosmetics Pressed Powder Bronzer in the shade Bits and Pieces. Y’all, I seriously love this product! It took me a lifetime to find my Goldilocks bronzer and I’ve since hit pan on several of these babies.

Highlighter

The final face product in my routine is highlighter. Now that my skin is acting right and texture is no longer a big concern for me, I never leave home without it.  

A light dusting on the tops of my cheeks and I’m done. I’ve gotten away from wearing eye shadow and blush, which used to be staples in my daily routine, and I’ve slowly become infatuated with highlighters. I will share more about my favorites in an upcoming post, but when it comes to highlighters you simply cannot go wrong with Becca. One of my favorite shades to make sure my melanin is poppin’ is Topaz.

Eyebrow Pencil

The last three products in my bag are all about the eyes. My brows are challenged and unfortunately there is no cure. So even when I’m feeling myself and having a “good skin day” one thing I never leave home without doing is filling in my eyebrows. It should come as no surprise to you that I only trust my pitiful, patchy brows to the Queen herself, Anastasia. Depending on my mood and what kind of brow I’m going for it’s Brow Wiz or Perfect Brow Pencil for me.

Mascara

I was blessed with good lashes, but because there’s nothing wrong with being a little extra, mascara is a must. For years I only wore high-end mascaras, but 2018 brought an end to that expensive habit. L’oreal’s Voluminous is the only mascara you’ll find in my collection and I’m happy to pay the 8 dollar price tag over the 23 dollars I paid for my previous favorite for years.

• 

• 

Eyeliner

This next item is one that I find myself omitting more and more, but when I’m feeling fancy and not sleep deprived I finish my eyes with a liquid eyeliner. My choice is Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. It’s name pretty much describes why I love it. It stays all day, ‘nuff said. The felt tip applicator makes it very easy to apply, as I never managed to figure out how to apply eyeliner with a brush tip applicator without getting it everywhere except where I want it.

Lipstick

Chances are if you catch me between the hours of 8 to 5 I won’t be wearing any lip color at all, but after hours and on the weekends,  a bold lip is my new go-to accessory.

I have lots of favorites that I want to share with you soon, but in the meantime check out some of the great colors from ColourPop. I recently discovered their Lux Lipsticks and I am in LOVE!

So, there you have it! My current Beauty IT List! Let me know in the comments what your favorite beauty products are. I’d love to hear your suggestions. Also check below for links to the products mentioned and information on my shades. In the meantime, stay beautiful!

V. Richelle

Products Mentioned

• Becca Ultimate Coverage 24 HR Foundation – Espresso
• Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer- Pot De Creme
• ColourPop No Filter Concealer- Dark 46
• Elf Beautifully Bare Sheer Tint Finishing Powder- Dark/Deep
• Hour Glass Ambient Lighting Powder -Diffused Light (mini)
• ColourPop Pressed Powder Bronzer- Bits and Pieces
• Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter- Topaz
• L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara- Blackest Black
• Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner- Intense Black
• ColourPop Lux Lipstick- Hello Stranger (pictured above), Liquid Courage (in photograph)