Calling all lipstick lovers!! Today we are talking all about the makeup we love — tips, techniques and favorite products. Most of us have go-to products that we can’t live without. From holy grail foundations to multi hued eyeshadow palettes, there’s nothing quite like finding a product that makes you feel like a million bucks. Even the most seasoned makeup enthusiasts like to learn a new tip or two.
The best makeup looks begin with a good skincare routine. Our skin has different requirements as we age, check out our (over 50) skincare routines here. Grab your brushes and get ready to dive into a world of beauty bliss as we explore some of our favorite makeup must-haves, share some tips, and swap secrets for achieving a flawless finish.
Beautiful makeup begins with a good skincare routine! Don’t forget to check out our other recent post, All About Skincare. And, for more beauty recommendations, check out this haircare post.
All About Megan’s Makeup
Face
- Ilia Skin Tint and the Ilia Blurring Skin Foundation Stick have been my go-tos for face for over a year. I wear the skin tint for everyday and the foundation stick for a more “full face” look.
- Depending on the weather I alternate between this Rare Beauty cream blush and the Hourglass powder blush. Both are awesome, just depends on how dry/humid it is outside.
- New this year is the Kosas Baked Bronzer. Go with a light hand in small circles where the sun would naturally hit your face. Gives you an instant “just got back from spring break” glow.
- Last year during the Sephora sale I picked up the Dior Forever Glow, it’s super sheer (meant to be worn under your make up) and gives a filter like finish to your skin.
SHOP THE PRODUCTS
Lips
- Let’s be honest, I have way too many lipsticks to pick a favorite. Sharing with you my current spring rotation.
- NARS Lipstick in color Devious has been my go to lately, a good neutral pink with above average staying power.
- The NARS Air Matte Lip in color Shag is my current ride or die. I’ve been consistently reaching for it over and over for two years, kind of a “my lips when I had a full load of estrogen coursing through my veins” pink. Add a swipe of the Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil in color Blush Dream to give it a creamy finish. Bury me in this combo.
- When I want a lighter but still cool/neutral pink I reach for the Queen Musia in color Becky Sharp or the Dior Addict Lip Glow in Berry.
SHOP THE PRODUCTS
Eyes
- I love a palette, it reminds me of the big Estee Lauder Holiday kits I used to get as a kid for Christmas.
- This Make Up by Mario cool-toned neutral eye palette has everything I’ll ever need – tried and true, I’m on my 3rd one.
- Pro tip: As we age our skin is dryer making eye liner “drag” against our tender eye lids. Try a gel eyeliner. My fav is the Make Up Forever Aqua Resist Gel liner. NO PULLING. And it twists so no stabbing yourself in the eye with the sharp wooden bits.
- Kosas Eyebrow Gel is my current favorite. This is a holy grail product for me since my blond eyebrows are INVISIBLE.
SHOP THE PRODUCTS
Shop More of Megan’s Recommendations
All About Christa’s Makeup
Face
- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is my tried-and-true favorite I’ve used for years; provides a smooth layer for applying makeup and minimizes pores; helps your makeup last longer.
- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (color 2N Maple) – I prefer a tinted moisturizer with SPF (instead of a foundation) for lighter coverage that doesn’t settle in fine lines and wrinkles.
- Ilia Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint (color “At Last”) – add a little color to your cheeks.
- After trying many concealers, the Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Undereye Concealer (color 25N) is my favorite; doesn’t settle into fine lines.
SHOP THE PRODUCTS
Lips
- Megan’s love of lipsticks is rubbing off on me, and I found so many in my drawer that I use and love.
- Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color Moisturizing Lipstick is my newest lipstick addition; I love the “plum” color for a natural look. This is the one I use most often!
- ILIA Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil in “Only You” is a nice, natural look. (Thanks, Megan, for gifting this new fav to me!)
- I also love the IT Cosmetics lipstick–it has beautiful color and lasts all day! My fav is the “Like a Dream” but it’s sold out most places. I’m always searching for it, though, so if you love it like I do, keep checking back. I linked the same color in their lip gloss.
SHOP THE PRODUCTS
Eyes
- My go to eye shadow is the the Urban Decay Naked3 Mini Soft Pink Eyeshadow palette. I use the lightest color all over the lid, use the darkest color as an eye liner and then use a mix of the other lighter shades on the lid and darker shades in the crease.
- IT Cosmetics 4-in-1 Eye Makeup Brush is an all-over, crease, smudge and liner brush in one tool. Perfect for your travel bag, too!
- ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara is my favorite lengthening mascara. Plus the clean formula is easy to remove.
- Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel (color 3 Medium Neutral Light Brown) creates a natural looking eyebrow with more volume.
SHOP THE PRODUCTS
Shop More of Christa’s Recommendations
Many of these products come in travel sizes–that’s a great way to try something new, and they take up less room when you’re packing. Pro tip: To make packing easy, keep a makeup bag packed and ready to go with all the essentials!
Shop Christa’s Travel Makeup
Shop Travel Bags for Your Makeup
Tips for Cleaning Makeup Brushes
While we’re talking about beauty, when was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? A quick Google search tells us we don’t do it nearly as often as we should – experts say every 1-2 weeks! (Don’t feel bad, ours are LONG overdue!)
- Start with a bar of Purpose soap in an inexpensive plastic travel soap holder. Add a little water to the soap and a little water on the brush (be careful to only wet the bristles).
- Swirl the brush around on the soap to remove any makeup, until you get a lather that is makeup free – this may require that you rinse the brush and soap several times.
- Use a washcloth to blot the excess water from your makeup brush. Use a makeup brush drying rack (linked below) to dry the brushes overnight.
Shop Brush Cleaning Products
TikTok Inspired Makeup Recommendations from Megan’s Niece
I took my sixteen year old niece on a Sephora spree. Two months later and my niece has texted and let me (us!) know that since she’s been using her new products her skin has never looked better. She specifically called out The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, which is also one of my favorite products. Scientific evidence that it works for teen skin as well as my over 50 dry skin.
Shop Teen Recommendations
Need some new makeup? Pin this post to save our faves!
We earn from your purchases made through Collective Voice affiliate links in this post, at no additional cost to you.
Thank you for supporting our work. xo, Megan & Christa
Comments
Comments are closed.