Who wants to talk a little makeup with me today?
I’ve had a few requests recently to share a little bit more about my makeup so I figured hey, today is as good a day as any other! For those of you who may be newer readers, I do have a vlog that I created (over 3 years ago?!?) about my makeup routine. You can view there HERE. And even though it’s old, a lot of what I use and the way in which I apply it is still the same (I’m a creature of habit, what can I say?) so be sure to check that out!
But as for today, I wanted to start out the makeup talk by sharing my favorite makeup products from Sephora.
I buy about half of what I use for makeup at Sephora and the other half from somewhere like Target (I’ll share all of those the next go-around).
There was a time where I bought almost all of my makeup from Sephora, but then I became an adult and had a mortgage and a kid and all that jazz to pay for, so I’ve tried to back away at least a teeeeny bit from the expensive stuff.
However, the items in today’s post are things that I just have not been able to find other replacements for. And since I love all of these so much, they are here to stay (for now)!
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
I don’t use this every day since it’s not cheap, but I will use it on occasion where I know I’m going to be out for a long day and won’t be able to refresh my makeup, or when I know I just want a little extra coverage. I don’t typically use this on the average work day.
NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna
My tried and true, absolute favorite piece of makeup. I’ve been using this bronzer for years, all year-round, and it’s just great. The color isn’t like, “OMG she’s wearing bronzer,” but still gives a nice warmth that accentuates a summer tan or helps warm up a pale winter complexion.
Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Rose Bloom
About a week ago, I was starting to get kind of frustrated with the way my blush was looking. I was trying to get every last bit that I could out of an almost-empty compact, so I finally bit the bullet and tossed that one to open up my new one. It was then that I noticed what a difference this color makes! Light, fresh, goes on smoothly, and helps brighten up my complexion with just a touch of color. Another runner-up favorite of mine is NARS Blush in Orgasm.
Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Smog and Sin
I have been using these two colors of eyeshadows for as long as I can remember. The neutral colors go with just about any color palate that I decide to wear, and I’ve found that the colors just complement each other really well. I use them as follows (also in my vlog):
Smog: All over lid, concentrated in the crease of the lid (in a sideways “V” shape) and to line the lower lashes (I use a Q-tip and line underneath the lower lashes)
Sin: Cover above lid up to brow bone and concentrated in the center of the lid for a “pop” of brightness and color. (<- forgive me, I’m not a makeup artist…I’m sure I’m not explaining that correctly at all).
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Concealer in 340 Sand {UPDATED: I now use the Make Up Forever Ultra HD Concealer in Y33 since they changed the line slightly}
A true lifesaver for my inevitable, doesn’t-matter-how-much-sleep-I-get dark circles. Thank you, genetics. But this concealer has been a favorite of mine for a few years now and I just love it. It glides on smooth (I use my ring finger to apply and blot in) and covers extremely well.
So there you have it…my small fortune of favorite cosmetics.
How about you guys? What are some of your Sephora favorites?
Nyx has a Studio Perfect Primer that works the same as the Smashbox primer and its pretty reasonable.
I just went to Ulta two weeks ago and saw Nyx was a very reasonably prices make up line and bought a lot of their products. I love them, and saw the studio perfect primer. I might need to head back and pick it up (they were out of it besides the sample when I was there)
I’ve never heard of Nyx…? Now I’m intrigued!
I heard NYX is for drag queens and stuff..I wear it when I go to the disco or Acapulco with my mens. Shoooooot
The good thing is you can try it out if you buy it from Ulta and if you have 80% of it and within 60 days you can return it.
Does it work that way if you order online too? I don’t have an Ulta near me… :(
Yup. A return mailing label is included in your purchase for your convenience. You just have to print off the return info fro your order.
I feel so overwhelmed going in there…. Glad to have some suggestions.
I also love the Make UP For Ever HD Concealer. it’s awesome! My absolute fave purchase from Sephora ever has been the Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush. It is like a pore eraser/super blender/miracle working brush – it’s literally the best $25 I’ve ever spent there! This is probably going to sound a bit crazy (or absurd) but my friend is a makeup artist and she swears Monistat (yes, you know the name) Powder Gel is the BEST makeup primer she’s ever used. She learned it as a trade secret of runway/magazine makeup artists. I only mention it because you specifically use Smashbox and that’s what she was using before she switched to this method. I know, weird, but she swears by it, and I’ve tried it and it is an awesome primer and way, way less $$$. Again, weird, but a trick of the trade!
Haha, it does sound crazy but I’ve definitely heard that before!
It’s sad how much money I could spend in Sephora if I allowed myself free reign. I’m a big fan of YSL products. I swear by their new fusion ink foundation, blush and lipsticks. I need to get some of that Makeup Forever concealer though! I can sleep 12 hours and still look like I only got 4 : /
I’ve been all about bare minerals makeup but I do have a sephora gift card so I may try that urban decay eye shadow – I use similar colors from MAC
I have some tried and true make up staples, but have found some great doops for the higher end brands as well. From Sephora, I love Nars bronzer and blush, Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara and IT cosmetics (from Ulta).
Ah, I love Sephora (and miss it too). We don’t have it here in Australia, so I’ve sent a box full of my “stock ups” to my mother in law for when she visits next month!!!
I also love Nars bronzers and their Orgasm blush is my favourite :)
Love Tarte (can’t find it anywhere here) and BareMinerals for face, Boscia and Origins skin products, and most recently the YSL Babydoll mascara. Oh, and Boxom matte glosses! Take me back to North Americaaaa!
Oooom like I wear sharpie for my eyebrows, wall plaster for my whole face, brown crayolas markers for my lip liner and medicated Chapstick for my lips. That’s my makeups and stuff. Mirala look it mija!
Ooooooooom courntey hola?! You don’t like my makeups and stuff? I axe cos u don’t reply and stuff!
I LOVE the Kat Von D Tattoo eyeliner… it never smudges or fades and one stick lasts a long time! Also, the Nails Inc. Caviar Topcoat is a life saver, there is nothing more I hate than waiting for my nails to dry after a mani, and that top coat dries them in 45 seconds and they are good to go!
I’ll have to look for that top coat! Thanks for the tip!
I love that Smashbox primer, too, but like you I don’t use it everyday. I mostly save it for nights out and occasions where I really want to look put-together. Another really good one for much less is L’Oreal’s Magic Perfecting base. It’s the only inexpensive primer I’ve found that I like.
Go for the Sephora ladies. As I tell my wife you can’t put a price on beauty. :)
Hahaha, I’m sure mom appreciates that ;)
I totally am with you that there are just some products that do NOT come close to nicer beauty brands. I have tried to use drugstore mascara, but nothing beats Benefit’s They’re Real mascara. It’s just the best.
LOVE makeup forever HD foundation.. it was a little pricy..but so worth it! I dont use it everyday, but i really love how it looks! can’t go wrong with NARS either! : )
How did you choose the colors? Trial and error or did you have a professional choose them for you?
I really like NARS products as well but the last time I went to purchase one, I noticed that they’re made with parabens which are a known carcinogen. It’s crazy how much crap is our makeup, even the expensive stuff!
For Sephora finds I like Bare Minerals foundation, Tarte’s lash primer, and Josie Maran’s black oil mascara. I’m still hunting for a good natural bronzer though!
I love Tarte and Urban Decay products so I buy those at Sephora. First Aid is also great for skincare. I am about 50/50 on my products too. Half high end, half Taget or the drug store.
I’m so bad with makeup! I haven’t used any of these.. honestly my go -to is Bare Minerals foundation!
Courtney, I love the return of your fashion/makeup/beauty posts! I also really like the Stitch Fix reviews. It’s always fun to see what products others love. Thanks for bringing them back!
Courtney, I have to second this!! :)
Awesome post!! I am so out of my element when it comes to makeup and what to use so I always am super basic! This is my favorite concealer from Sephora though…works awesome for pimples AND dark circles!
http://www.sephora.com/erase-paste-P208603?skuId=1073691
Stila stay all day liquid eyeliner!! I’ve tried replacing it a million times to no avail. It’s just the best!
Thank you! :)
Ooooom you’re welcome!
I’m not a big makeup person, but I do really really really like one product from Sephora. It’s a Philosophy skincare product, not makeup, but it’s fantastic!
http://www.lovesweatbeers.com/2014/03/07/friday-five-12/
Those eye shadow colors are gorgeous!!
I have been meaning to visit Sephora for awhile now to try to get some “nicer” makeup products (most of mine are from places like Target), but I’m afraid that once I get in there I will want to #buyallthemakeup !! :(
I have heard good things about that primer. I just wanted to mention I also LOVE Nars blush in Orgasm, but found a cheap substitution from NYX… their powder blush in the color “Pinched”. NYX makes a lot of nice lip butters and glosses that I have come to love. The best selection (and prices) are at Ulta, but Target and CVS also sell NYX.
At Sephora, I have been wanting to get a Beauty Blender sponge… it’s about $20 and you wet it before using it to apply foundation. I have heard a lot of good things about it.
I never go too deep into sephora for fear I’ll never come out plus one look at the prices of even mascara, my wallet runs to hide! I LOVE bare minerals (so far here in Canada you can only order it from sephora or online) and I have a very old eye shadow trio that I still love that I got when I was probably 20!! Is that bad to have make up for 10 years? Please don’t answer that ! :)
I love the foundations by Tarte & the peach blush by Nars! Sephora is my kryptonite!
I loved that Smashbox primer but felt it was really pricey, so I tried the Ulta brand (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3570067) and was pleasantly surprised! Felt like it was jut as good as Smashbox. Might want to give it a try :)
Good to know, thanks Julie! Have a great weekend!!