I love makeup and have for quite some time. I dabble in looks from extravagant smokey eyes and bold lips to minimal makeup for fresh and natural looks. Some days, all I feel like doing is light makeup to make myself look more put together. For those days, these five products are my holy grail go to's.
1. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
SHAPE TAPE CONCEALER
Photo by Micalah Brundage
The God-sent concealer straight from Heaven... or so it seems. This stuff is legit. Exclusively sold at Ulta stores or online, the bullet proof and long-lasting formula is the best I have ever seen. If you're new to this product or are interested in buying it for the first time, I cannot stress the importance of finding the correct shade for your skin tone, enough. That is what will make the world of a difference. From covering blemishes to brightening dark circles and spots, there are endless possibilities with this concealer depending on the shade. I will never go back to another concealer again because once set with a nice powder, this concealer creates natural looking, flawless skin, a basis for a great minimal look.
2. Prosecco Pop BECCA Highlighter
PROSECCO POP HIGHLIGHTER
Photo by Micalah Brundage
Never did I ever think a highlighter would become a part of my regular makeup routine. Until I received this one as a gift last Christmas. As most of these products on this list, it was a game changer. Now, I use it to highlight, essentially my entire face, because there is nothing more natural than a face full of glitter, right? On a real note, a natural glow is totally achievable with this highlighter and its warm, goldish undertone. Popping a little bit of this on my cheekbones, nose, and cupid's bow, makes me look awake and gives my skin the pick me up it needs when I needed to be out the door like 5 minutes ago.
3. Morphe 35O PaletteÂ
MORPHE 35O PALETTE
Photo by Micalah Brundage
One of the BEST palettes that has ever come into my possession, this affordable palette proves itself to be the jack of all trades. I rarely use any other eyeshadow, because personally, as someone who really only uses neutral warm tones, I can go super natural and casual with one shade, or do an extravagant smokey, sparkly eye, all with the same palette. For those days when you feel like less is more, and you need to get out the door, you can throw on a light color to set your concealer and brighten your eyes, and pair it with a matte mocha color in your crease, and viola! It looks like you put forth an effort. For the days when you feel like experimenting, you can pair some brighter orange tones with intensely pigmented sparkle shades. This palette has so much to offer, but it is most definitely a staple for those natural looks.
4. Anastasia Brow Wiz
ANASTASIA BROW WIZ (TAUPE)
Photo by Micalah Brundage
I first purchased the infamous Anastasia Brow Wiz last year and loved it. When I ran out though, I foolishly decided, instead of quickly replacing it, I would finish using some other sample brow products I had received. Boy, was that a mistake. Sure, it was fine, but a few months later when I finally replaced my brow wiz, I realized how much I had truly missed it. The way the butter like formula glides on makes it easy to get either a feathery brow look or a dramatic clean cut brow, but will never leave you with a Crayola crayon looking fill in job. The built-in spoolie brush makes it easy to distribute the product so your clump free and everything looks even. The thin design makes getting a clean arch extremely plausible. If you fill in your brows and need to be able to do so quickly and without a hassle, this product is a must.
4. Simple LipsticksÂ
"TWIG" MAC LIPSTICK (LEFT) AND ULTA NUDE "IN THE BUFF" LIPSTICK (RIGHT)
Photo by Micalah Brundage
When it comes to lips, I keep it pretty neutral most days, regardless of whether or not I am doing a full face of makeup, or a light natural touch up. Some of my all-time favorites include the satin MAC lipstick in the color "TWIG" (A67), and a lucky find from the Ulta beauty collection, a creamy light nude lipstick in the color "IN THE BUFF" (225). The MAC lipstick is definitely a darker and bolder option, as it's a warm mauve, whereas the Ulta option is lighter and airy. Both of which, I love including in a natural, quick look, depending on whether I want more of statement lip, or not. They are both so easy to throw on and last most of the day, but I definitely am always willing to venture beyond these and complete the "no makeup" makeup look with any nudes, mauves, or taupes.
