Makeup is one of my passions, but makeup can also be overwhelming for many; there is so much out there, from high end department store makeup to drugstore makeup, from the countless YouTube makeup videos to the celebrity looks we see and wonder if we can do on ourselves.  I was lucky growing up to listen and learn from my mom’s beauty tricks as her degree is in cosmetology.  Makeup can be simple and glamorous – here are the products that I have found to be essential to my routine, day and night.  For day looks, I go lighter and for night looks I just go darker 🙂  Read on to see what I love and swear by.  My list seems lengthy, but it’s really not too much at all!  These are the things that I swear by!

Foundation: Clinique’s Superbalanced Makeup (without SPF) in Breeze (32)

Concealer: Glossier concealer in Light 

Loose Powder: Covergirl Clean Professional in Translucent Fair (I use sparingly on my nose)

Blush: Milani rose powder blush in Tea Rose

Highlight: High Beam by Benefit Cosmetics (for my fair skin tone, it adds a sweet pink shimmer)

Eyebrows: Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara (for grooming my brows in place)

Eyeshadow: NYX Cosmetics palette in The Natural Shadow or LA Colors palette in Bronze Queen

Mascara: L’Oreal Voluminous Original in Blackest Black

Lipstick: Revlon’s “Gentlemen Prefer Pink” or Revlon’s “Love That Red“

Lip Liner: L’Oreal Colour Riche in Forever Rose or L’Oreal Colour Riche in Always Red

Lipgloss: NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee