Meg’s Most Loved: Makeup

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much less interested in trying every new makeup trend and much more interested in using what I know works.

And because I’m often asked about my go-to products, I opened my makeup drawers and pulled out my hands-down favorites. Admittedly, those drawers were overflowing, so this exercise forced me to look honestly at what I regularly use and genuinely love.

What remained was a surprisingly edited collection of products I reach for again and again, replace when I run out, and recommend without hesitation.

Complexion

My approach to foundation is to let my skin show through. I put so much time and effort into taking care of it that I don’t want to cover it completely, so most days I use a tinted SPF.

Last year, I discovered the Naked Sundays BeautyScreen SPF 50 Peptide Foundation Tint and was immediately impressed by the coverage and how light it feels. Somehow, it can cover a blemish and even out my skin tone while still letting a freckle or two show through.

I’m also a huge fan of ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint. The formula is lighter and more fluid, and you only need a small amount to even everything out. I use ILIA when my bare skin is looking especially good and I just want a little evening out. I reach for Naked Sundays when I want a touch more coverage.

For times when I need more coverage or am doing a bit of glam, I use Armani’s foundation and concealer. They work beautifully together, creating an almost airbrushed finish that still looks natural. On my skin, both formulas blend in beautifully without settling into lines and wrinkles. They are expensive, but in my opinion, worth every penny.

I’ll also use the Armani concealer on its own when I have a blemish but otherwise want to go makeup-free.

Setting

If I’ve learned one thing from all the years I’ve spent learning about makeup and having it professionally applied, it’s that the extra step of setting your face makes all the difference in how well your makeup lasts throughout the day.

I have two powders I rely on. First is the Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder, which I lightly dust on when I’m wearing either of my skin tints. Its lightness works beautifully with those formulas and sets everything without making my makeup feel heavy.

I’ve also been a longtime fan of Laura Mercier and use the Translucent Loose Setting Powder when I’m doing a more complete makeup application with the Armani foundation. It gives everything a finished look and helps it stay in place.

No matter what makeup I’m wearing, I always use the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray before my final step, which is mascara. It’s an iconic product for a reason. I’ve tried others, but there is something about the way this feels on my face and the staying power it gives my makeup that tops every other setting spray I’ve used.

Blush

For cheek color, I prefer a natural, healthy-looking flush.

I’ve been so impressed with everything I’ve tried from Rhode, and the Pocket Blush in Candy Apple is at the top of my list. I also love MERIT’s perfectly named Flush Balm in Le Bonbon, a bright pink; Stockholm, a soft pink; and Rouge, a sheer red. The formula is light, easy to blend and gives you just the right amount of color.

For times when I want something a little more dramatic, I’m obsessed with Patrick Ta’s Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo in She’s the Moment and She’s a Doll.

Bronzer

I apply bronzer only where the sun would naturally hit my face, and because I’m fair, I use it sparingly. Both of these come in a fantastic, inclusive range of shades.

The Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo is what I use for a more glamorous look, layering the cream and powder to create more depth and definition.

Most days, I apply the Fenty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer with my fingertips. It’s quick, easy to blend and gives my face a little dimension and life without looking like I’m wearing a lot of bronzer.

Lashes

I have a drawer full of mascaras that brands have sent me, and the truth is, I keep buying the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara with my own money because I love it. It has been my go-to for years because it simply works. My lashes look longer but still natural, it never flakes under my eyes, and it washes off beautifully.

For an eyelash curler, I’ve found that the Shiseido Eyelash Curler fits my eye shape best and gives my lashes a curl that actually holds.

Eyes

For my eyes, I believe the technical term for my technique is “smudge.” I smudge on a few neutral colors and call it a day.

The Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Cream Eyeshadows have been a longtime favorite. I swipe the color directly onto my eyelid or apply it with my finger and blend. The shades are neutral but still have some dimension, so they add warmth and definition without looking like a lot of eye makeup.

If I’m feeling bougie, I use the Armani Beauty Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow. The colors are beautiful and highly pigmented, so you only need a little.

I’m also obsessed with my eyebrows. I will not leave the house without doing them because they bring structure back to my face. Even though I have mine professionally shaped and tinted, I still fill them in with the BDB Universal Brow Pencil. It is the best eyebrow pencil I have ever used.

Lips

Finally I have a problem with lip color in that I buy everything I see. I can’t help it. If I’m not wearing a lip color I feel like my entire face disappears. So here is a quick round up of my most used, but truthfully, I have more lip products than I can count.

1. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Pillow Talk Original, $37 a great neutral on its own or with a gloss
2. Charlotte Tibury Lip Cheat Pillow Talk, $28 works with any lip color
3. Finding Ferdinand in The Black Balm Mixed Berry, $28 looks like Clinque’s Black Honey most moisturizing
4. Ilia Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss, $26 “Flambe” is my favorite red lip gloss every
5. Merit Shade Slick, $28 lightweight, lovely for casual days when you just want a hint of color
6. Fenty – I love Fenty Heat ($26) that subtly plumps and Fenty Cream which gives you glossy color without being sticky.

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