Today, I'm going to share with you 3 everyday makeup essentials (plus a bonus) that are not makeup but will make your skin better, your makeup look flawless and keep it looking relatively fresh all day.
Why I Love Them
As a busy mom, I have a hard time finding those 10 minutes in my day when I can slap on some makeup. I pretty much go from 0-60, from the moment I jump out of bed and the whole day goes by in a blur. However, I find that I do feel good about myself and am mentally more present if I take the time to put on some makeup and look nice. My requirement? If I'm taking those 10 minutes, that makeup better last all day. These makeup essentials help my skin stay healthy, my makeup look good and stay put “most” of the day. That's a big win.
Sticker Shock
Yes, I know they are expensive. Before I get a flurry of comments telling me that I'm insane to spend this kind of money on stuff that's not even makeup, I'll say this. Your skin is the canvas to which you apply your makeup. If your skin is smooth, healthy and supple- your makeup will go on nicely and stay on beautifully. While these non-makeup makeup essentials are expensive, they work incredibly well. I've been using most of them for a while and I really see the difference they've made in my skin and how well my makeup goes on.
I also want to point out that this is not a sponsored post. I do not work with any of these companies and while the links I share may take you to my affiliate site, where I get a tiny commission if you purchase, I am NOT getting paid for this blog post by any of the products mentioned. I'm sharing these products with you because I really believe they work and I want you to try them and see the difference they make for you as well.
#1- Moisturizer
My first non-makeup makeup essential, and one of the most important items you can have in your beauty and self-care arsenal, is an excellent moisturizer.You should always, always, always moisturize your face before bed after cleansing your skin. And you should moisturize every morning prior to putting on any makeup.
I have gone through SO many different types and brands. My vanity drawer is basically a graveyard for half-used moisturizers. I have sensitive skin and really struggled to find one that was both moisturizing without being greasy, made my skin glow and just feel nourished. Then I tried the Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream.
They call it the magic turnaround moisturizer and with good reason. This stuff is magical. It made my face look and feel so soft that even my older son noticed (he's 6). It is paraben free and packed full of ingredients like peptide complexes, rosehip, camellia, Vitamin E and a few secret ingredients to really help bring life back to your tired skin. I barely sleep 4-5 hours a night and this moisturizer made my face look like I got a full night's rest, day after day. If you're tired of your old moisturizer and would like to try a new one, I'd really recommend it. Charlotte Tilbury's products are sold at Nordstrom, but if you don't have one nearby, you can also purchase it on Amazon right here.
#2- Primer
I know what you're thinking right now. This post is meant to make your life easier, not add more steps but hear me out. When you use a primer prior to applying your foundation, you create the perfect surface for your foundation to glide on and stay put. Taking that 2 minutes to apply primer has a huge payoff and if you don't believe me, just try it yourself.
When picking a primer, it is very important to make sure that you pick one that goes with your foundation. If you have a water-based foundation, always go with a water-based primer. If you have a silicone based foundation, choose a silicone based primer. Remember, oil and water don't mix and using opposite products will just result in your foundation breaking up and looking crackely.
My favorite primer in the whole world is the Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Primer. It is so LIGHT, just nestles into your skin creating this smooth surface and feels lightweight and gentle. I've used it with all my foundations and it works beautifully with all of them. I also love the packaging and how lovely it smells when I'm applying it. This is one of the best non-makeup makeup essentials you can purchase and even though the price tag is hefty, it is worth every penny. Since I'm VIB Rouge at Sephora, I try and just buy all my makeup there so I can max out my benefits, and so I always buy my primer right here.
#3- Setting Spray
Even if you take 10 minutes to do your makeup, you want to make it worth your while. Always using a setting spray means that your make up blends beautifully and doesn't' have that powdery look, AND it locks in your look (and this includes eye makeup too). For me, the best thing about setting sprays isn't so much the locking in the look, but the fact that using it blends the powders you used in your skin to give it a glorious finish that looks so natural and lovely.
I've mentioned one of my favorites in a previous post right here, but another one that I use all the time is the Mac Prep & Prime FIX+ Spray. It's one of the older setting sprays on the market and it honestly still remains an awesome product. It's packed full of vitamins and other goodies and helps set your makeup and gives a glow to your skin. MAC even recommends using it as a prepping spray prior to applying your makeup but I've never tried that. I just love using it as the final step in my makeup routine.
Bonus Product
I know the title of my blog post is 3 makeup essentials but then I thought about it and realized that this bonus item has really made a difference in my skin and its complexion water. I've tried a few of these, including the Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray but the one I LOVE is the Fig and Yarrow Orange Blossom and Lavender Complexion Water. It smells incredible and spraying it throughout the day keeps my skin hydrated, leaves my makeup looking fresh and I never get a cakey or oily look on my face. Plus, the spray has a ton of amazing ingredients that help nourish your skin while keeping it looking gorgeous.
So here they are- my favorite everyday non-makeup makeup essentials that will help your skin get healthier, your makeup go on beautifully and stay on all day.
What products do you love to use to hydrate or prep your skin and finish off your makeup? Share your favorites in the comments below!
