Holy Grail makeup products
So I was talking to some of y'all on twitter (if you want to talk to me, I have the same SN there so just add me! I'll add you back if you identify yourself here so ik who you are lol) about holy grail makeup products so here is a post with all the info in one place.
I'm clearly no expert but I watch way too many makeup tutorials and buy too much makeup, so these are just the products that work for me. If you don't know already, I'm eurasian (half Japanese) with brown eyes/brown hair (dyed red rn) and ghostly pale skin. My skin tends to be on the oily side. Here are my Holy Grail products + links.
Urban Decay Naked 3 palette - this one is more pinkish than the other two, which complements my skin tone but may not complement yours. I suggest swinging by sephora and trying out some swatches from the other naked palettes to see which one fits you best. The palette itself is amazing, though. I use it nearly every day.
Kirkland Signature makeup brushes - I'm cheap and can't afford fancy brushes makeup gurus use lol. I found these on eBay and I think they were originally sold at Costco. I don't have a Costco card so I'm not sure if they still are. Anyway, for the price point these are great quality and do exactly what I need them to do. Thanks to xlivvielockex for the rec!
Shiseido eyelash curler - This went for about $20 which is a splurge, but by far the best eyelash curler I've used. The curve of the curler fits my eye shape much better than cheaper brands. Again though, it might depend on your eye shape so I'd suggest trying a bunch before spending $20
Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach - got this from Target for about $15. It is hands down the best thing I've found for my industrial strength Seungri-level dark circles. Unfortunately I think it will only work for fair-medium skin tones. I recommend using a brush (I use a cheap concealer brush I got from eco tools or something at a drugstore) and putting it just on the dark circles--don't blend outside the circles or you will get that lovely casper-looking reverse raccoon look.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in vanilla - Obviously, you'll have to head to Sephora and find the best shade for you. This is just the best shade for me. But this stuff is AWESOMESAUCE. It's a splurge but it is seriously the best concealer you will ever find. There is nothing it can't cover. I use it over the Pixi for my undereye circles.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on eye pencil - These are the hands-down best pencils I have ever used and probably will ever use. They live up to the hype and manage to last all day in Hawaii, plus they are really easy to apply, and not all tough and hardly pigmented like cheapo drugstore pencils. For every day, I use Demolition, and for going out/special occasions, I use Perversion.
Maybelline Master Precise eyeliner pen - I use this to do the winged eyeliner look when I'm in the mood. It's a great product for the price point, and it also lasts the whole work day in Hawaii, which is an impressive feat. I find it easier to do winged eyeliner with a pen than a gel eyeliner and brush, personally. Thanks to Mia for the rec!
Lioele Dollish Veil Vita BB Cream - Absolute best bb cream I've used. It has a matte finish and is great for oily skin like mine. It feels light on the skin but has really good coverage. I use the green shade, which comes out of the pump minty-green but oxidizes to my skin tone. They also have a purple one but I've never tried it so idk about it, lol. I would only rec this product if you have very fair skin, however. It will prob look too light on medium-dark skin. Thanks to chunsakuma for the rec!
Lioele auto eyebrow - My eyebrows don't really show up well without some help, so I use this. It is super easy to use and will last the whole day. Hard to beat the price point, too.
The Face Shop Highlighter beam - knockoff of Benefit's high beam but works just as well, imo. This stuff is GORGEOUS. I use it on the center of my nose and cheeks to contour. Very subtle but pretty glow.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri - topcoat that really does dry nails fast. I like most Sally Hansen topcoats, really. They work just fine for far less $$ than that toxic sludge called Seche Vite. Get this if you don't want to spend a lot of money and don't fancy getting cancer on your hands.
Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch - I love this stuff so much I have 3 tubes of it in both purses and my work bag. It's just tinted lip balm, but it's a nice sheer pink that looks very subtle and pretty, imo.
Maybelline Big Eyes waterproof mascara in black - I like most Maybelline mascaras, but what I really like about this one is the separate brush for the bottom lashes. I would recommend any of the Volum' Express if you, like me, have really short and straight lashes. Make sure to get the waterproof, as it will hold a curl much better than non-waterproof
Not pictured:
Urban Decay primer potion in Eden because I need a new bottle lol. Another slightly pricey product, but hands down the best primer I've used. Eden will only work on people with fair skin tone, but the regular primer potion dries transparent.
Nature Republic Shine Blossom Blusher in… something Korean, idk I can't read it lol. (This is the only link I could find, but I bought it at the Nature Republic store in Ala Moana). The color I got was a pale kind of candy pink. It smells really nice and the color looks great. Obviously, I would only rec this particular shade if you have fair skin, but there are a few other shades that may work on darker skin.
I use most of these products every day or nearly every day. Other products I really like include the Makeup For Ever Mat Velvet foundation in Ivory, which is very pricey but worth it. I only use it for special occasions when I think I'll be photographed a lot, though.
I also love false eyelashes. I use the Pa half lashes for everyday (I couldn't find a link to the exact product, which I buy here at Don Quijote, but here are some other lashes they make) but I also like the Holika Holika ones and the Face Shop ones (couldn't find them online, but they're at the store here in Honolulu). I usually use the Duo glue you can find at drugstores.
I have not found a powder I really like yet, sadly. I'm currently using the Lioele Blooming face powder and it's working out OK. I also need to find a good bronzer. I am currently using a LORAC one I got on sale somewhere but it's too ruddy for my skin.
If this seems like a lot of makeup, you're right, it is a lot. But it really doesn't take that much to put it all on, promise. I only spend about 10-15 minutes on my everyday look.
I'm going to link my makeup tutorials playlist on youtube. I've had to modify these to fit my personal eye shape, which took some practice, but they're a good starting point: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHSYH4oXAEjlvNwTUzzVF5r3kGJh9Iwyl
(OK, well, Manila Luzon's tutorial is there because I love her and found the video extremely impressive)
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.
I'm clearly no expert but I watch way too many makeup tutorials and buy too much makeup, so these are just the products that work for me. If you don't know already, I'm eurasian (half Japanese) with brown eyes/brown hair (dyed red rn) and ghostly pale skin. My skin tends to be on the oily side. Here are my Holy Grail products + links.
Urban Decay Naked 3 palette - this one is more pinkish than the other two, which complements my skin tone but may not complement yours. I suggest swinging by sephora and trying out some swatches from the other naked palettes to see which one fits you best. The palette itself is amazing, though. I use it nearly every day.
Kirkland Signature makeup brushes - I'm cheap and can't afford fancy brushes makeup gurus use lol. I found these on eBay and I think they were originally sold at Costco. I don't have a Costco card so I'm not sure if they still are. Anyway, for the price point these are great quality and do exactly what I need them to do. Thanks to xlivvielockex for the rec!
Shiseido eyelash curler - This went for about $20 which is a splurge, but by far the best eyelash curler I've used. The curve of the curler fits my eye shape much better than cheaper brands. Again though, it might depend on your eye shape so I'd suggest trying a bunch before spending $20
Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach - got this from Target for about $15. It is hands down the best thing I've found for my industrial strength Seungri-level dark circles. Unfortunately I think it will only work for fair-medium skin tones. I recommend using a brush (I use a cheap concealer brush I got from eco tools or something at a drugstore) and putting it just on the dark circles--don't blend outside the circles or you will get that lovely casper-looking reverse raccoon look.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in vanilla - Obviously, you'll have to head to Sephora and find the best shade for you. This is just the best shade for me. But this stuff is AWESOMESAUCE. It's a splurge but it is seriously the best concealer you will ever find. There is nothing it can't cover. I use it over the Pixi for my undereye circles.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on eye pencil - These are the hands-down best pencils I have ever used and probably will ever use. They live up to the hype and manage to last all day in Hawaii, plus they are really easy to apply, and not all tough and hardly pigmented like cheapo drugstore pencils. For every day, I use Demolition, and for going out/special occasions, I use Perversion.
Maybelline Master Precise eyeliner pen - I use this to do the winged eyeliner look when I'm in the mood. It's a great product for the price point, and it also lasts the whole work day in Hawaii, which is an impressive feat. I find it easier to do winged eyeliner with a pen than a gel eyeliner and brush, personally. Thanks to Mia for the rec!
Lioele Dollish Veil Vita BB Cream - Absolute best bb cream I've used. It has a matte finish and is great for oily skin like mine. It feels light on the skin but has really good coverage. I use the green shade, which comes out of the pump minty-green but oxidizes to my skin tone. They also have a purple one but I've never tried it so idk about it, lol. I would only rec this product if you have very fair skin, however. It will prob look too light on medium-dark skin. Thanks to chunsakuma for the rec!
Lioele auto eyebrow - My eyebrows don't really show up well without some help, so I use this. It is super easy to use and will last the whole day. Hard to beat the price point, too.
The Face Shop Highlighter beam - knockoff of Benefit's high beam but works just as well, imo. This stuff is GORGEOUS. I use it on the center of my nose and cheeks to contour. Very subtle but pretty glow.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri - topcoat that really does dry nails fast. I like most Sally Hansen topcoats, really. They work just fine for far less $$ than that toxic sludge called Seche Vite. Get this if you don't want to spend a lot of money and don't fancy getting cancer on your hands.
Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch - I love this stuff so much I have 3 tubes of it in both purses and my work bag. It's just tinted lip balm, but it's a nice sheer pink that looks very subtle and pretty, imo.
Maybelline Big Eyes waterproof mascara in black - I like most Maybelline mascaras, but what I really like about this one is the separate brush for the bottom lashes. I would recommend any of the Volum' Express if you, like me, have really short and straight lashes. Make sure to get the waterproof, as it will hold a curl much better than non-waterproof
Not pictured:
Urban Decay primer potion in Eden because I need a new bottle lol. Another slightly pricey product, but hands down the best primer I've used. Eden will only work on people with fair skin tone, but the regular primer potion dries transparent.
Nature Republic Shine Blossom Blusher in… something Korean, idk I can't read it lol. (This is the only link I could find, but I bought it at the Nature Republic store in Ala Moana). The color I got was a pale kind of candy pink. It smells really nice and the color looks great. Obviously, I would only rec this particular shade if you have fair skin, but there are a few other shades that may work on darker skin.
I use most of these products every day or nearly every day. Other products I really like include the Makeup For Ever Mat Velvet foundation in Ivory, which is very pricey but worth it. I only use it for special occasions when I think I'll be photographed a lot, though.
I also love false eyelashes. I use the Pa half lashes for everyday (I couldn't find a link to the exact product, which I buy here at Don Quijote, but here are some other lashes they make) but I also like the Holika Holika ones and the Face Shop ones (couldn't find them online, but they're at the store here in Honolulu). I usually use the Duo glue you can find at drugstores.
I have not found a powder I really like yet, sadly. I'm currently using the Lioele Blooming face powder and it's working out OK. I also need to find a good bronzer. I am currently using a LORAC one I got on sale somewhere but it's too ruddy for my skin.
If this seems like a lot of makeup, you're right, it is a lot. But it really doesn't take that much to put it all on, promise. I only spend about 10-15 minutes on my everyday look.
I'm going to link my makeup tutorials playlist on youtube. I've had to modify these to fit my personal eye shape, which took some practice, but they're a good starting point: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHSYH4oXAEjlvNwTUzzVF5r3kGJh9Iwyl
(OK, well, Manila Luzon's tutorial is there because I love her and found the video extremely impressive)
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.