Updated Makeup Routine!

OK so it's been a while since I've updated my makeup routine - and it's time.
I do a full-face of makeup 5 days a week for work, so I try a lot of makeup - and it has to work well, since I'm in HD every day…and at 4am.
So here's what I use.. and I also included my non-work products below! Also a quick note - all of these products are cruelty-free. I use Cruelty Free Kitty’s MASSIVE website to check any product before I buy. And if you think - oh they’re just testing on rates - it’s beagles and bunnies. Literal dogs. So stop buying products that test on animals.

Now off my soapbox and onto the makeup…

***First, I always start with my skincare. A good base makes your makeup even more flawless!

-Start with a clean face... then, do this:

- Skin Pharm Glow Factor vitamin C serum.
-Skin Pharm Youth Serum
-Skin Pharm High Beam Moisturizer
-Skin Pharm Eye Sculpt under eye cream
-Skin Pharm Sheer Defense Tinted Sunscreen

Now for the makeup.

1. PRIMER: I REALLY like MILK’s Hydro-grip primer. This one bottle lasts SO LONG.
ALTERNATES - and honestly just as good: Elf Power Grip Primer or Lawless Set the Stage Hydrating Primer

You can’t go wrong with anything from Lawless Beauty. Lawless Beauty Set the Stage Primer

2. FOUNDATION: I have tried MANY foundations and I finally found one I love. Makeup by Mario Surreal Skin Foundation. It leaves your skin glowing with the perfect amount of coverage. And if you want even more coverage - you can add another layer. It’s the best of both worlds. I use color 10C.

3. CONCEALER: I have several concealers I love. Right now, I'm using Makeup by Mario - SurrealSkin Concealer. I use color 200 Neutral.

ALTERNATES:
But, I also love Kosas Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer and eye cream. Yes, you read that - concealer AND eye cream in one. And when you put it under your eyes you can really see it. It’s so creamy but not super thick.

Or - Lawless Conseal the Deal Lightweight Concealer

4. CONTOUR: Rare Beauty contour stick. I have tried a lot of contour methods - this one is the easiest to use, blend, and it actually lasts. Most contour I've found blends easily, but too easily. I felt like I just had to keep adding the product to see any progress. Rare beauty's formula is the best I've found.
ALTERNATE: Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Creme Contour and Powder Bronzer Duo: Only reason this isn’t my #1 is because you need a good brush to make this work. I think it also takes a little bit more skill to layer the cream and powder bronzer. But if you can get it right - it’s great.

5. BROWS: I really like the laminated brow look - and in this IG video I showed how I get my brows laminated every 8-10 weeks with Jen from Parlour 3. That’s the first step. Then to maintain the laminated brow look, I use Grande Brow styling gel OR Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze.

ALTERNATE: Kara Sanchez’ Luxe Brow Gel. Watch my makeup video to see how I use it HERE.
. Make sure you get these disposable brow brushes from Amazon HERE.

BROWS PART 2: If you need a little fill-in - I use the Lawless Beauty Shape Up Soft Fill Eyebrow pencil. It’s easy to use and gives just a little bit of color to brows. Or if you prefer the gel - this one is great too.

6. BLUSH! Saie Liquid Blush is my absolute favorite! A TINY bit goes a long way!

ALTERNATE: And this one is right up there with the Saie blush - Rare Beauty liquid blush. Same concept. I equally love this product.
I LOVE blush. I like using several different kinds depending on my outfit and how bold I want my blush to be. I usually do all my makeup then add a little bit of extra blush on top. The ‘extra’ blush I use is usually the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick. It’s very easy to blend and if you mess up, you can just wipe it away. I also love using it for lipstick! It really is beautiful.

7. MASCARA: I’ve tried so many different mascaras. The ONLY kind that works for me is the tubing mascara. I am always asked if I am wearing fake eyelashes! My go-to is Thrive Mascara. It doesn’t flake, lasts all day, and I never have raccoon eyes when I wear it. I also love that with every purchase from Thrive Causemetics the company donates money to help communities thrive. They support a variety of charities and organizations.

-ALTERNATE: Caliray tubing mascara

8. SETTING POWDER: I have uneven skin and I am also not great at blending makeup. Which is why having a setting powder really helps blend out the unevenness of my makeup. Lawless Skin-Smoothing perfecting powder is my go-to.

-ALTERNATE: KOSAS Cloud Set Baking Setting and Smoothing Talc-free powder is great. I have it in two shades - one a neutral color and another a bit of a darker shade for when I need some color!

-Or Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Finish Setting Powder

9. BRONZE (sometimes) - I don't use bronzer every day - but sometimes I need a little color. I love these equally -

-Makeup by Mario Soft Sculpt Bronzer

-Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Matte Bronzer

10. LIPS: Hands down, Lawless lip liner. I have so many colors and sometimes use more than one to get the right color. It blends easily and lasts. I color in my lips with the liner for a base, then top with lipstick. I have Pink Slip, Rosewood, Pink Suede and Desert Mauve.

11. LIPSTICK: Again, Lawless Lipstick. I have colors: Femme & Minx.

12. EYELINER:

Rare Beauty waterproof gel eyeliner in black

ALTERNATE:
Caliray Surfproof & waterproof eyeliner. It glides on easy and stays put!

13. LIP GLOSS: Lawless Beauty Forget the Filler Gloss - OH MY GOSH. I wear this stuff alone. I wear it over my lipstick. I LOVE IT. I have so many shades and I cannot get enough. Perfect shine, plumping and smoothing!

14. SETTING SPRAY:

Urban Decay Up All Night

15. EYE SHADOW: I use both of these pallets often and you can’t go wrong.

-Makeup by Mario Eyeshadow palette

-Lawless - the Lavender One eyeshadow palette

17. TOOLS: The right brush can make or break your makeup. And this travel case is what I use to carry them in every day.
First, a good eye brush is so important. I use it for putting on concealer.
ALTERNATE - Makeup by Mario EF 1 brush - the dual ended brush is perfect for eyeshadow and concealer.
Powder puff triangles: These are the perfect angle for dabbing setting powder under eyes or any other blending.
Makeup by Mario Surreal Foundation F4 Foundation Brush: I use one end for my foundation and one end for blending blush, concealer, etc.
Contour & Blush Brush: Brush
Setting Powder Brush: Fluffy brush by Saie or Lawless Multi use beauty brush

And don’t forget the sponge! These sponges need to be washed every few days. Trust me.

This one is great. Or this one.
18. HAIR: I rarely use hairspray. Since adding the Jolie Water Filter to my shower, (Use code NIKKIBURDINE for a discount) my fly-aways have been so much better. BUT - I do occasionally need a little help - and this wax stick from Amazon is always in my bag. (It will last you years!)

19. EVERY DAY MAKEUP: I don't need to look HD-ready every day. In fact I prefer to wear less makeup. Again, the tinted sunscreen from Skin Pharm is the best base - and on weekends it's usually the only thing I wear. If I have a lot of dark circles, I'll add a layer of Saie tinted sunscreen, it has a bit more coverage. For a little lip color - Lawless Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping & Line Smoothing Lip Balm is the best. Cupid is my favorite!

If I want some color - the Westman Atelier blush is my go-to. And that's it! Hope this helps!

Next
Next

Favorite things I’ve purchased lately: February