1. A great moisturizer.
Consult a dermatologist for the most appropriate kind to suit your skin type. I use Clinque Moisture Surge right before I apply foundation. I LOVE this product (and no, i'm a regular average jane and I am not being paid to endorse or promote any of these products in any way). Its a water-based formula so not greasy at all, and won't leave a gleam across your t-zone. Very versatile through all seasons- the muggy icky summer months and the dry-frigid-bonechilling winters.
All clinique products are hypo-allergenic so suitable for even the most sensitive skin types. You can find this at any department store. Approximately $33.00
The multitude of products out on the market is absolutely mind-boggling especially with regards to foundation. It is imperative that you find a shade to suit your exact skin color.
Do NOT test foundation on your hand because more times than not, your face is a couple shades lighter than your sun-kissed arms. Also, don't go for something really light that will make you look like a ghost, that look ain't cute, its from like the 1800's not 2011 thankyouverymuch.
Based on your personal preference in terms of texture, find the consistency that meshes with your skin-type: you may opt for powder based foundations or cream based foundations, or any of the other janks that IDK about.
I use L'oreal true match liquid foundation. My skin color changes from summer to winter, so thats another word of advice. Switch your foundation as you become the pale-scarier-version of yourself in the winter.
3. Blush shades that transcend your look from day to night
My makeup bag consists of the following blushes
a) L'oreal true match n3 - Day time everyday look. $12-16 at your local drugstore
b) Nars Orgasm - the little sparkles give such a radiant glow. Super pigmented so a little goes a long way. Best for a night out. $25-28 at sephora or any department store
c) Clinique Fresh Bloom blush. I LOOOVE how its two shades in one. The blending effect offers great contrast and the lighter part of the blush helps highlight the apples of the cheek while the darker hue serves as a shading color to emphasize those fabulous cheek bones. The red and pink tones are both awesome- Pink for the day time and Red for the night
4. A bronzer
I use The Body Shop: Honey Bronze. Listen women, bronzers are essential. Its not cute to walk around with your face darker than your neck. Always choose a bronzer that has a little bit of shimmer in it.
5. Eyeshadow
If you are to own ONE eyeshadow palette, I highly recommend the clinique color surge eyeshadow duo. These neutrals can easily be worn for a day time look, and emphasized more for that sexy smoky eye night time look. The lighter color can be applied to the brow bone and inside of the eye. The darker color to the crease.
6. Eye liner.
I use REALLY DARK black eyeliners. Recently I switched over to using a gel-creme eyeliner from maybelline and I ABSOLUTELY am in love with it. Other's that I recommend are Mac pencil liner in engraved $16. The only problem I have with it is that it runs out really fast so i always felt like I was rushing to the Mac counter to stock up on that eyeliner. If you prefer to use Mac then remember you need a really good pencil sharpner because you will be doing a lot of eye pencil sharpening
The Maybelline eye studio lasting dramatic gel eyeliner in BLACKEST BLACK is FANTABULOUS!!!!!!!!! Lorvve it
7. Mascara.
My top two picks for mascara are:
a) Clinique High Impact mascara in black
b) L'oreal voluminous mascara in Carbon
Stay tuned for an upcoming makeup tutorial ;)
