Flawless Makeup Routine

Makeup…it’s something we put on (in one way or another) just about everyday. Why not use the best of the best to make yourself look flawless without looking overdone? There are thousands and thousands of ways to apply makeup with the various brands and colors out there. Although my makeup routine may not necessarily work for everyone, there is at least one product in there for everyone and I encourage you to find your perfect makeup routine for that everyday flawless look.

1. Bobbi Brown Corrector: I have featured this product on my blog before…I even did a guest post dedicated to the Bobbi Brown Corrector on My Shimmer. There are very few products I believe to be life-changing and this is one of them. Apply a few dabs under your eyes and dark circles are GONE. I’m serious…it’s amazing.

2. Bare Minerals Matte Foundation: I have never been a huge fan of foundation because I hate that heavy, “cakey” feeling on your face but because this is a powder, it’s so light and you don’t even feel it on your face at all. Bare Minerals Matte Foundation absorbs excess oil without overdrying. It’s infused with RareMinerals and Active Soil Complex which minimizes pores and and promotes cell turnover…AND it has SPF 15! It’s really a win-win situation with this amazing foundation.

3. NARS Bronzing Powder: I’ve been using NARS bronzer (in Laguna) for about 4 years now and it’s by far the best bronzer I’ve ever used. It gives your face a little glow/shimmer without looking like you put glitter all over your face. The best part about this bronzer is that a little goes a long way so it really lasts. Apply with the Claudio Riaz Instant Face brush and you will have a perfect tan in seconds! This brush is quite pricey ($125 at Barneys) but I promise it is worth the investment. Claudio Riaz brushes are another life-changing thing I cannot help but share with all of you.

4. Bare Minerals Eyeshadow: I specifically use the color Bare Skin which I truly believe looks good with any skin color. It’s a blush taupe color with shimmer that is a great all over eye-color. I apply this with the Claudio Riaz Instant Lid brush which makes putting on all-over shadow as simple as it gets. I put Bare Skin it all over (crease and lid) for a day look. For night, I use Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour in Kir Royal (a dark purple) with Bare Skin to create a more smoky eye. I apply this with the Claudio Riaz Instant Contour brush which, again, is the easiest way to apply darker shadows for that smoky effect.

5. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner: I apply this to the inside of my upper lid with the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush to thicken the lash line. This is a technique I learned from my favorite makeup man (Richard at the BlueMercury in Lincoln Park…go see him if you have the opportunity!) and I have done it everyday since he told me about it. If you’re going to put just one cosmetic on…this is it. It’s a more subtle way to wear eyeliner and it makes your eyes just pop. For the best results, use with your favorite mascara (and an eyelash curler of course). I use the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler first, then I apply my favorite volumizing mascara, CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara. To add more drama to the lashes, I use a coat of NARS Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara after the LashBlast.

6: MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder: This is the last step of my makeup routine (whether it be day or night) that just sets the whole look. It reduces shine while minimizing the look of pores, lines and imperfections. Also, it only comes in one shade so it suits all skin types and colors which makes it a very easy purchase.

**Note: I don’t normally use a lip color during the day (I use Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF15…it’s amazing!) but every once in a while, I may feel it’s a lip-gloss-kind-of-day so I will put on Kiehls Lip Gloss in Pink Rider. It’s a great neutral color with a hint of pink that makes your lips look glossy and fabulous.

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So, what do you think of my makeup routine? It seems long (it really isn’t though) but I wanted to let you all know WHY I love these products so much. What are your favorite cosmetic brands or products? What’s your makeup routine like? Have you tried any of these products? Will you now? I want to hear from you!