Oh, hello there. If you're a lady, you'll be happy with today's post. Maybe even some of you guys will, too. I'm not judging...out loud. I'm about to save you all a lot of pain and heartache. Despite what Ms. Raitt says, I CAN make you love me. And I will, by telling you about the best makeup products in all the land.
Why should you trust my opinion, you ask? Um, because I was five years old the first time my mom caught me using her makeup and I told her the brush that comes with the compact was virtually superfluous (or something to that effect), I've tested more products than I can count and I've become an obsessive perfectionist about it, that's why.
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| My makeup bag |
I'm gonna rant for a quick sec, mkay? I'm working out 6-7 days a week now, so it seems like the majority of the times I'm getting ready to go out, I'll be going to the gym. And you can bet your badonkadonk I'm gonna wear makeup to the gym, simply for the reason that I don't enjoy looking disgusting. I don't understand why the gym has to be a safe haven for ugliness. There are products to prevent that, so I'm gonna use 'em. I hate this nonsense I keep seeing everywhere:
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| You don't know me! FYI, post-workout fireface isn't sexy, either. |
First of all, the "..." confuses me, but I'd like to change this to, "If you don't have makeup that lasts through a workout, you didn't...SHOP HARD ENOUGH."
So in summation, screw you, and here's why: Yesterday, I spent 2 hours and over 1200 calories at the gym. When I left, I did not look like the crazy person I was sure I appeared to be. I had quickly shuffled back to the locker room when I was done, fully expecting to see a monster in the mirror, but my makeup was still doing its thing and being my hero. My eye makeup wasn't running and my red face wasn't showing through. I do use a smoothing primer, which didn't make the list because I only notice a little difference when I use it, not enough to justify the cost. I think it really is just in the quality of makeup you buy. I won't say I ever look "cute" after a workout, but if it weren't for my sweat-soaked clothes, I wouldn't have had any problems meeting friends for dinner or something. Okay? Okay.
I use different techniques depending on the day, but I prefer to keep my makeup natural-looking and enhance features, not create them. This still requires more products than you'd think, however, and I've picked my absolute favorites, the best of the best, the tried and true products I can't live without.
Here they are, in the order I use them:
I've bought or tested (for at least one day each) Make Up For Ever, Stila, NARS, Dior, Mary Kay, MAC, Lancome and Clinique foundations, just to name a few. A couple Sephora trips ago, I'd asked for a foundation that wouldn't wear off in the hot, humid Hawaii weather, because I had yet to find one. I took home samples of their top three suggestions. The Tarte foundation was instantly different from anything I'd ever used, in a good way. It is clay, but it wears like a mousse. It's so light for the amount of coverage it provides. Don't do what I did and accidentally buy the regular Amazonian clay foundation. That one actually sucks. You want the 12-hour one. At least ask for a sample at Sephora.
2. Sonia Kashuk Buffing Brush - $13
I never thought I was the kind of person who needed a foundation brush, but since I started using this, I realized I so am. And at $13, I'm okay with that. It provides a flawless, airbrushed effect, and I can totally tell a difference between this and applying it with my fingers. Don't dab into a blob of the Tarte foundation, if that's what you're using. That would work fine with a cream foundation, but Tarte is different. Smear a nickel-sized amount on the back of your hand and dab the buffing brush in that before applying.
3. Too Faced Shadow Insurance - $20
This stuff is probably my #1 favorite product, just because of how good it is at its job. Long story short: it keeps your eye shadow perfect forever, no matter what. I don't understand. It's witchcraft or something. Brady introduced me to it and I didn't think it would be as good as she said, but I was wrong. After an entire day of wear, even eye makeup remover has a hard time getting my eyeshadow off. Grab a sample of this at Sephora, as well.
4. e.l.f. Eye Compact (at Target--in stores only) - $1
Brady also introduced me to this. New York was a big eye-opener for me (see what eye did there?) in this sense. The compact is $1, and you can buy up to four magnetized eyeshadows to fit inside, which are $1 each. I love it because it's cheap, but also the "Wheat" shade is my favorite color of all my eye shadows. I put it on the inside corners and lower lash line. Yes, it's a cheap product, and wouldn't normally make my favorites list, but guess what? The Too Faced primer gives cheap or crappy eye shadow a purpose. Just wet your brush first so it doesn't dust all over your face, and with the primer, it'll last all day.
5. Sephora Eyeshadow in Espresso Shot 95 - $5
This is a really pretty color. It's my 2nd favorite eyeshadow. I apply it to the crease and outer corner. This will dust all over your face and stay there if you just swipe and go, so dampen your brush and test it on your hand first. It's on sale from $12, so just get it!
6. Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx - $19
This lasts all day and doesn't budge. Simple as that. I tested three eyeliners on my hand that all claimed to be longwearing, and swiped eye makeup remover over them. This was the only one that came out looking untouched. I have a very close 2nd favorite; I used to use the Dior eyeliner exclusively until I tested the Smashbox one. The design is better and it glides on more smoothly, but it doesn't last as long as Smashbox.
7. Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray - $14
When you've applied everything and need to look fresh for a long time, finish it off with this spray. It's like a top coat that will seal everything. I buy the smaller one so I can travel with it.
I realize this list is missing a huge staple: mascara. I have tested many, much mascaras and I don't love any of them. Maybe my standards for mascara are unrealistic, but if it clumps or crumples off in little black specks on my face, I'm angry. I don't wear mascara to the gym because I haven't found one that will last. Right now I have Clinique and CoverGirl, both of which crumple off throughout the day. I'm just putting up with it for now. If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Enjoy!
Kirsten Leah
I thoroughly enjoyed this post! :-)
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