Back to Beauty Basics
I’m doing something radical. I’m scaling my makeup back to before I became a beauty junkie, and I’m doing it for one year.
This may not seem like such a radical move to you but to me, who’s been hooked on YouTube makeup vloggers since 2013, and who joined their ranks shortly thereafter, this is major. It’s a combination of project pan, where the goal is to finish anything that has hit pan or is close to it, and an experiment to rediscover what my life was like before collecting over 50 eyeshadow palettes, several bottles of foundation, several different concealers, at least 30 blushes, 10 highlighters, and a handful of bronzer/contouring products. It’s staggering, I know. My sister once asked me if I realized I only have one face.
With the pandemic and only working from home, makeup isn’t an everyday occurrence anymore; although I do try and wear makeup at least 3 times a week, or whenever I know I have a meeting with video. It just isn’t the priority it used to be. So I thought I’d take myself back to the time when my makeup collection consisted of the basics. Of course back then I had no idea that contour and highlight existed; I’ve since learned to appreciate how they sculpt the face.
So here is what I’m paring down to:
Primer: CoverFx Blurring Primer - not my favorite primer but one that I pulled from my collection that needs using up. It does a decent job of being pore filling but I suspect it may be giving me blackheads. We shall see…
Foundation: Milani Conceal + Perfect 2 in 1 Foundation + Concealer in Sand. I love this foundation because it has great coverage, isn’t too matte but certainly isn’t dewy, and has great staying power. I look perfected but not overly done with this foundation.
Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger. I really like this concealer - it’s a cult classic for a reason. It provides lovely coverage, and some radiance. I’ve forgotten how dry the formula is compared to some. All of that being said, if I have to be honest, I’m using this concealer because I need to finish it up. It’s not a holy grail, just a really good concealer I happen to have because, at one point, everyone on YouTube had it.
Powders: I have two that I use.
NYX HD Finishing Powder (pressed) in Banana is solely for setting my concealer. I really love the soft finish I get with this powder and the yellow shade works well with my neutral undertone, plus it doesn’t cake up my concealer.
Too Faced Peach Perfect Mattifying Setting Powder. It’s a really great setting powder, does a great job of keeping my natural oils at bay. But again, if I have to be honest, I’ve picked it just because it’s almost finished. I’ll likely have to switch to another powder in the next month or so.
Brow product: The Browgal Brow Convertible Brow Duo in Dark. I received this in a subscription box and am using it because it’s the only brow product in my hair color that I like. I’ve been too lazy and cheap to buy another brow product and will try my best to stick to this all year.
Eyeshadow: This was a tough category because, like lipstick, eyeshadow is a form of self expression for me. I’ve narrowed it down to 2.
Too Faced Born This Way Natural Nudes: I love the soft blush neutrals in this palette. To me, this is a universally flattering color story and is a perfect everyday palette. Too Faced makes the most beautiful matte eyeshadows and they are the stars of the show. The shimmers aren’t so great when applied with a dry brush; they really shine with a damp brush or when applied with the finger. Still, it’s a beauty.
Urban Decay Born to Run: This palette has it all, and frankly, would stand on it’s own in this experiment. Still, I’ve included it for those days when I don’t want to do just a neutral look, but rather for when I want to incorporate a multitude of other tones, and pops of color. The shadows are all very beautiful and I can come up with dozens of great looks.
Bronzer & Highlighter: Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo. It’s a two in one and is spectacular! Another cult classic that I know I won’t get tired of. The bronzer/contour shade is a barely there shade that somehow straddles cool and warm and looks amazing despite it’s low key nature. The highlighter is a lovely champagne with the tiniest smidge of gold. It lends a natural glow that builds on itself very well for those days you want to beam. Either way, it’s incredibly flattering, especially for us 50+ gals.
Blush: Tarte Color Wheel Amazonian Clay Blush Palette: I’ve opted for this Tarth blush palette that was a holiday release a few years ago. Reason being is that I get a wide selection of blushes to choose from and they’re seasonal, if I want them to be. On one side, there are brighter shades most suitable for the warmer seasons, and on the other side the shades are muted and work wonderfully in the cooler months. Most importantly, I chose this palette because Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes are known for their pigmentation and longevity. Bonus - this palette has a couple of highlighters as well.
Miscellaneous:
I change out my mascaras every 3 months; I try to limit strip lashes to just filming or photo shoot days because the camera diminishes my short natural lashes.
Lipsticks are an obsession I’m not ready to give up yet, so they will be ever changing.
With that, I’m embarking on my little experiment, to see how well I do, what I can finish, which palette will have shadows that hit pan first, and ultimately, will I be able to stick to plan. I’m excited for this - it’ll be a challenge and something that will make me stretch my creative muscle to make do with a limited amount of products, something I did regularly prior to 2013.
What are some of your ride or die products, that you use every day without fail?
