Alright. Here it is. And if you think this wasn’t hard for me to post my before pictures… it was. Even though I’m a confident woman no one likes to see their face under the lights totally naked! I feel that makeup is SO INCREDIBLY important. Not even to hide my flaws or to transform the way I look but because it helps me feel just a bit more put together. I’m a young mother to two… feeling a bit more put together is sometimes the only win I have for the day! Oh yes, and these photos have not been photoshopped.
These are the products I use. They are also commonly found in the corner of Savy’s bedroom, tucked underneath pillows or put in baby pockets for safe keeping 🙂 She is obsessed with stealing my makeup! I got the little organizer at TJ Maxx – I need like ten more of them! You can also find them at the Container Store, this is the one I want next.
I try to buy all the beauty products I can at Nordstrom because it’s free shipping and they have an amazing return policy. If I try something and don’t like it or it makes me break out, I feel confident knowing I can get my money back.
BRUSHES:
Foundation Brush: This is one of the few brushes I’ve ever splurged on and it was totally worth the money. It’s the IT Cosmetics Dual Ended Concealer Brush and it’s cheapest on Amazon. If you use a liquid foundation you’ll LOVE this brush. It actually blends the product into your skin instead of pushing it around on top of your face. I also use the smaller end to contour.
Angled Blush Brush: I’ve been using the $9 Sonia Kashuk Blush brush but the bristles tend to fall out easily. For $6 more I’d splurge and get the bare minerals angled blush brush. Bare Minerals have AMAZING brushes that last forever.
Small Contour Brush: I bought the Mac 09 Small Contour Brush years ago to apply my mac makeup foundation. I now use it to blend my cream blush and I love it. Mine is a crazy color because my proactiv has dyed the bristles… oops!
Powder Brush: I really love the Eco Tools Large Powder Brush. It’s really soft and doesn’t grab too much product – perfect for setting makeup.
Eyebrow brush: I use the Anastasia Beverly hills Duo Brow Brush but I just started using this Brow Wiz pencil and it’s amazing. It’s more precise and the brush and color come in one so it’s super handy.
Angled Eyeshadow Brush: The Mac 275 angled eyeshadow brush is my favorite. I use this one to apply that kitten shimmer color all over my lid.
Fluffy blending brush: I use the Sephora #19 Tapered Crease brush to blend the darker color onto my eyelids. It’s larger which I like because it helps me apply my makeup faster.
SKIN:
Primer: Lately I’ve been using the Temptu and Proactiv primers. I also really like the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. If you don’t use Proactiv and you don’t have the air brush machine, I’d go with the Smashbox primer. Primers are a little pricey but they last forever and truly help with not only the application of product, but they help your foundation stay on longer and they minimize pores. Don’t waste expensive makeup on skin that isn’t primed!
Concealer: I use the Nars Complexion Concealer. My color is Custard. Concealer is more pigmented for troubled spots. Dab it on zits and discolorations.
Foundation: You put foundation on your entire face – it gives you that blank canvas and evens out skin tone. I use the Makeup Forever Matte Mat Velvet + Foundation. My color is #30 Porcelain. I switched from Mac foundation awhile ago and never looked back. The Mac Foundation was heavy and thick and it totally smells. Try this stuff next time you run out of your Mac foundation, I promise you’ll love it! I also really love the new Bare Minerals Foundation, it’s super creamy and all natural. My color is Bare Shell 02. If you’re into the ‘clean’ makeup, you’ll absolutely love it. It provides more coverage than it use to and you’ll want this brush to go with it.
Cream Blush: I love the Cream Blush from Maskcara. If you don’t love cream blushes, I really love the Bare Minerals Blush in Giddy Pink.
Contour Powder: I use Bahama Mama Bronzer. I like it because it doesn’t have any shimmer to it and it’s a great color to contour with. You want be careful when contouring because it needs to look like shadow and not like bronzer.
Highlighter: It took me forever to find a great highlighter. I kept trying “highlighters” and kept being disappointed. I finally tried the Nars Creamy Concealer as a highlighter and I absolutely loved it. My color is Vanilla. Yes it’s a concealer, but if you buy it a shade lighter than your natural skin tone, because it’s so creamy, it can easily be used as a highlighter. Best one I’ve found.
Illuminator: Illuminator adds that dewy look to your skin. I love the Illuminator from Maskcara or I also really like the Nars Illuminator.
Powder: I use powder to set all my makeup. I really like the Makeup Forever Powder, my color is 115 Pink Ivory, or if you’re looking for something more clean, the Bare Minerals Powder works amazing too. My color is light.
EYES:
Eyelid Primer: Mac Paint Pot Primer in painterly, I also really love the Urban Decay Eye Primer, it goes on a bit creamier. I like to get primers that have a nude color to them rather than sheer because it helps the eyeshadows color show better and it also conceals any veins or dark spots on the eyelid.
Eyeshadow Palette: Stila in the light Palette — fav color kitten. This palette also comes with a smudge stick which is an amazing eyeliner and a booklet on different ways you can apply the colors.
Eyeliner: Maybelline Eye Studio Liner Gel (comes with brush)
Mascara: I really love the Bare Minerals Mascara, or if you’d like something cheaper, my favorite drug store maskcara is the Maybelline Lash Stiletto
EYEBROWS:
Eyebrow Powder: Mac Eyeshadow in Brun. In the video I used the Head Over Heels color in the True Romantic Palette by Bare Minerals. I’m not sure if it’s available anymore. Both are great ashy colors perfect for the eyebrows!
Brow Gel: I didn’t mention this in the video because Savy had stolen it and I couldn’t find it, but I use it daily to set the eyebrow color. It’s Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel.
Just discovered this Brow Wiz pencil from my sisters makeup bag and absolutely love it!
LIPS:
Maybelline 105 pink wink
And last but not least, the video. It’s pretty long because I wanted to explain it all. I used quite a bit of product so that you could see it in the video. When I’m filming I tend to apply more makeup than I need because it looks better under the lights. My everyday routine though requires much less foundation and coverage but the steps are all the same. Also, at the end I say it takes about five minutes to do my entire makeup routine. I’ve timed myself since and if I do the entire thing perfectly it’s 10 minutes and if I’m in a hurry and skip steps it takes 5. Just wanted to clarify!
This post was not sponsored, all opinions are my own.
Hi, Abby! I’m Aileen; I’m a 36-year-old Filipino girl from Salinas, California. I love your Youtube channel! I’m still clueless about hair, but I LOVE to play with makeup, and your Everyday Makeup Routine video has really helped me enhance my everyday makeup routine! I started using Makeup Forever’s Mattifying Primer, and that alone makes a huge difference in how my makeup looks! It shrinks my pores and makes my skin look so smooth! I also started using the Makeup Forever Mat Velvet Foundation, and I love it. I’ve been wanting full-coverage foundation, and the Mat Velvet does NOT make my super-oily skin feel like it’s dripping with oil like every other liquid foundation I’ve ever tried! Thank you so much for the recommendations!
Today, I tried your eyelash-curling trick with my very expensive Shu Uemura lash curler that I haven’t touched in months because I thought I had long given up trying to curl my thick, coarse lashes. I think I’ll get it with more practice.
I still haven’t figured out how you apply eyeshadow so effortlessly, but I’m going to keep watching this video and keep practicing.
Thank you again–so much! This one video is so revelationary! I just went through a breakup, so it’s been hard to feel motivated to “put my face on” every day. But my sister told me, “Keep your head up. Take care of yourself.” So I’ve been playing with makeup and painting my nails and doing some pampering–and it really makes a difference. And my new Makeup Forever makeup has given me an extra boost of confidence to go out and face the world.
Abby, can I ask you about two beauty trends? I need a beauty authority’s opinion on these things. One is Micellar Water. I’m seeing ads for it in every beauty magazine. Is this a fad or for real?
The second trend is liquid lipstick. I want to start wearing lipstick like a real adult, so I looked up some videos on Youtube for women with olive skin, and they ALL mentioned “liquid lipstick.” I have NEVER heard of it before! Is this a fad or for real?
Thank you, Abby! You are a great teacher! Thank you for sharing your amazing knowledge with us!
–Aileen from Cali
I have lots of issues with my own makeup and could really use some advice from you about tips. My mascara and eyeliner are always smudging and I use exactly what you use here. My foundation rubs off. And lipstick also doesn’t stay on and feels very clumpy and unpleasant to me. Help me please!
Really? That’s so weird to hear! You’re setting it with powder at the end? My foundation doesn’t look as nice at the end of the day – one of the reasons why I love the temptu airbrush because it literally stays on alllll day. Do you live in a humid place or have really oily skin? I know that sometimes the different shapes of eyes can cause eyeliners to smudge differently. Maybe try a waterproof eyeliner so it doesn’t smudge? I’d go to Sephora and ask them for help!
I loved watching and reading! I don’t west much make up but try to loom glamorous with what I do like to out on. I don’t usually do lipstick because it feels gross and needs applied a billion times a day and eye liner is just too hard for my unsteady heands. I love the contouring and highlighting info and links to products and brushes. Some of this stuff is so expensive, though. Hopefully I can save up for some goodies. Thanks for sharing. I have a lot of scarcs from acne and picking. Not the deep kinds just the dark kind. I hate how nothing seems to cover up. One question…how do you keep from your mascara and liner smudging all day? As soon as I apply that stuff it ends up smudged. Also…can you talk about your skin care routine? With all that makeup you’ll have to keep your pores clean. What products do you use to keep from break outs, but also keep from dry skin. When I use harsh chemicals my face pretty much fries off. I have dry patches that keep drying if I use things for acne. But I get back breakouts! What do you do?
I am very encouraged by watching your tutorials for hair and makeup. I have very similar coloring and hair texture, so this really helps. Thanks!
Thanks Joanne!
Just watched this! LOVED it!!! I am going to test out your tricks tomorrow morning. More makeup tutorials are definitely welcome! You always look glowing!
Hi! I have been addicted to your site over the past couple of weeks since i discovered it! I just bought all this makeup online and can;t wait to start playing when i get it!! Thank you so much for keeping it simple for those if us who don’t know what we are doing! I love your honesty and your tips for the every day girl!
Thanks Abby!
Love your style, site, hair, makeup…..I digress! Would you ever consider doing a make up tutorial with drug store brands (read: cheaper)????
Hey Abby I really loved this post it’s really helpful. Your hair looks cute too! I know you did a little proof in the front and pulled the hair above your ears back but what does it look like in the back? I hope this isn’t a dumb question I just think it’s cute and I’m wondering how you pinned it or what ever you did. Thank you! 🙂
Abby! Thanks for sharing this, I needed it. I hardly wear any makeup, just the basic mascara, blush, and eye shadow. To be honest, it’s because I have no idea what I’m doing nor any idea what to get! So your list of what you use and detailed descriptions have helped me; I’ll be doing some makeup shopping this weekend 😀
Hi Abby, I thought you did a fabulous job on this video! You are so cute and fun to watch! I’m a friend of Mel and John’s and just loved watching you because you look so much like Mel! Anyway, I just somehow linked to your blog and loved it! Keep it up!
Hi Abby,
I just did a rough estimate to purchase all the products you suggested…..well over $350 haha my husband loved that I was following your channel and really getting into playing around with new hairstyles etc….he may feel differently now that I’ve seen your awesome makeup tutorial and want some new makeup 😉 haha
Thanks for sharing you great tips!
Haha CRAP! That’s a ton of $$! I definitely didn’t head to Sephora and purchase it all overnight. I remember buying the foundation and concealer back in December, and then I got the eyeshadow palette last fall. Just buy a few things here and there when you can afford it. I’d start with that palette though cause it’s the best!
Absolutely Fabulous. Abby you done a cracking job and I know exactly what you mean by make up making you feel more put together. Pay no attentstion to the first comment as there is always someone who has to be negative. Can’t wait for your next tutorial. Lots of love, X o x
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I know the basics but this has taught me so much! I now know the difference between highlighter and illuminator! 🙂 Thank you again. If you’re looking for requests I would love to see a more nighttime/night on the town tutorial/look.
Now I just need to wait for pay day to grab all those great products. The people at work won’t even recognise me next week. Thank you again!
Thank you Abby for all that you do. I don’t know how I stumbled upon your blog……I guess your hair book was a birthday present and I fell in love with it! I feel so blessed to be able to read your great posts. They’ve not only inspired me (like coming out of my comfort zone and wearing more colorful clothing) but they also strengthen me. When you talk about being a mother and the joy it brings you, or the talks and articles you find that help you, it brings tears to my eyes. I feel the spirit so strongly that I feel Heavenly Father’s love for each of us and it brings the most peaceful feeling to my heart. You’ve been so wonderful I’m just so grateful. I know that someday I’ll be a wife and mother who’s strong and ready to take on life’s challenges. Thank you for blessing all of our lives.
hi,Abby:) I’ve recently started to read and enjoy your blog.I admire you being so bright,fresh,energetic and brave woman, wife and mom:)Be blessed you and your amazing family.Lovefrom Ukraine:)
Do you ever use a lotion under your primer? I’ve heard of some people doing it, but I feel like it would make my makeup shift. Any thoughts? Thanks so much!
I have naturally red/splotchy skin too, and I’ve been using lemon juice as a natural defoliant after I shower followed by coconut oil in the evenings. I also do a raw honey mask about once a week. My skin looks so much better! I’m acne prone, too, and my skin has been much clearer and less splotchy/red than normal. I don’t know what your beauty routine is like, but this has been helping me.
Awesome job Abby! Very clear and easy to follow. Thanks for listing all your products!! I don’t like my naked face either – uneven skin tone and horribly dark genetic under eye circles. So I get it!
This tutorial and post were amazing. I think you’re awesome for showing completely before and then after pictures. I definitely want to try the nars creamy concealer as a highlighter.
Jacque
Looksforlovelies.com
Just saw this on pinterest and thought I’d let you know you misspelled ‘dewy’ in the graphic. As a librarian, I love Dewey (and his classification system) but I wouldn’t want his skin 😉
ahhh SHOOT! I thought I spell checked that. Thanks for letting me know!!!
Being someone who is intimidated by putting on makeup, but has always wanted to learn…I found this tutorial SUPER AWESOME!! Your routine was specific and easy to follow, I definitely want to try some of this stuff out. Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Nobody likes to see their face totally naked? Gosh I hope that’s not true.
I really think you are very beautiful without makeup. You have that natural beachy look and I think you don’t need all that makeup. I hope you can be confident in your own natural beauty some day because I think the makeup hides your real self. I do understand if you like to dress up from time to time but I hope you can look at yourself and not feel the need to “cover up”. Best wishes
Hi Tina! Thanks for the comment! I am confident in my own natural beauty, I just feel more put together with it on. Just like when you shower and curl your hair you feel a bit more special… if that makes sense! My confidence however doesn’t rely on me wearing makeup!