A while back, I blogged about the makeup that transformed my complexion. If you missed it, you can read about it HERE. It’s called Complexion Rescue by Bare Minerals – a name that lives up to its reputation. It’s a tinted moisturizer that instantly evens skin tone. A dab of this stuff on your brush will wipe away dark spots, red spots and everything in between. It provides great coverage, yet it is totally lightweight and perfect for everyday. I only wish that I had known about it years ago!

I received a lot of interest from that blog post, so I decided that you might want to see absolutely everything that’s in my cosmetics bag. Yes? After months of experimenting with beauty products, this is my tried and true “go to” collection of cosmetics that I can’t live without. I’ve also included link to places that you can purchase them.

Cosmetics That I Can’t Live Without

At first glance, it may seem like a lot. But, I timed how long it takes for me to apply my makeup and it takes less than 5 minutes. As you click on some of the links, you’ll see that there are items that are very modestly priced, especially Maybelline. I tend to invest more money in high quality mascara and lip products because I think that those are the products that you can really tell a difference in the quality.

I’ve listed them in the order that I apply them:

• Cover Fx Concealer – I use color P40, but you should purchase one that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. I use this to hide any intense blemishes that will not be covered by Complexion Rescue.
• Complexion Rescue by BareMinerals – apply with a brush or a cosmetic sponge all over your face. It’s best to go to a place like Sephora or a high-end department store, like Nordstrom, to have a makeup expert help you select the right color match for your skin.
• Maybelline Eyebrow Precise – one of the MOST important parts of my daily beauty routine. I am guilty of over plucking, but luckily they have grown back in. I use this pencil to define and perfect my brows so they look identical to each other. I like the twist up feature and the micro crayon that outlines and fills in my brows.
• Maybelline Fit Me! Pressed Powder – after outlining and filling in my brows, I apply this powder/shadow directly under my brows to create more contrast. I also swipe some on my eyelids to make my mascara pop!
• Mineral Fusion Volumizing Mascara – I like this brand because it’s thick, but doesn’t flake.
• Maybelline Master Contour Stick – even though my nose is small, I want it to have more definition. I use the cream color side down the bridge of my nose and the brown color side on either side of the cream and blend them in.
• BareMinerals California Bronze – apparently the one I have was a limited edition and it’s sold out everywhere. But, here is a link to another bronzer Park Avenue Princess Bronzer & Contour Palette. It’s gotten 40K Loves on the Sephora site, so it must be amazing! Act fast, this will sell out quickly. I actually like this one better because it has more shades, and I just ordered it for myself. Anyway, the current one I use comes in three shades so you can use it for contouring and for highlighting. I use the lighter bronze in the hollow directly below my cheek bone and the highlighter directly on the top of my cheek bone immediately beneath my eye. I haven’t used the darker brown, but perhaps it will come in handy this summer when my skin has a summer glow. If contouring is new to you, I’ve included a makeup contouring cheat sheet at the END of this post, so you can see exactly where I apply it.
• Rouge Gel Lip Liner – this is a very helpful tool of my makeup arsenal, it makes my pout look more prominent and helps keep the lipstick from spreading.
• Lipstick – I’ve had a relationship with the Clinique brand since I was sixteen. I got my first makeover and set of makeup from their counter at Bloomingdale’s in the city as my Sweet Sixteen gift. I still use their skin care products religiously, and I love their Chubby Stick (not shown).
• Brushes – a basic set of brushes to apply foundation, contouring powder and eyeshadow is all I use. I may invest in a more “professional set” later.

That’s the list of cosmetics that I use pretty much every day. If I want to get really glammed up, I will use liquid eyeliner, colored eyeshadows, and perhaps a darker lipstick – depending on what I am doing and the time of day.

Below is one of the best graphics I have seen to illustrate where and how contouring can maximize and minimize parts of your face.

I hope that this list helps answer your questions, but please email me or leave a question in the comment section.

If you liked this post, please take a moment to like us back on Facebook, click HERE, thank you!

sarah o’brien

connecticut in style

ct in style blog

connecticut bloggers