I get a lot of questions about my makeup routine, so I figured it was time to give this post a quick update. It’s officially summer, but honestly, this is pretty much what I do year-round. I don’t wear everything listed below every single day, but I usually use at least one product from each category. I always feel my best with a full face of makeup—even if it’s just a low-key version for everyday wear.
Before we get into the products, I’ll mention that most of what I use comes from department store or premium beauty brands. I’ve just found over the years that those formulas tend to work best for my skin, and I’m willing to invest in products I use every day. That said, I’ll always call out a great find when something more affordable makes it into my routine.
Current Makeup Routine: Face
Tinted Sunscreen: I always start my makeup routine with this ISDIN mineral tinted sunscreen SPF 50, and if you’ve been around here for a while, you’ve probably already heard me rave about it. My dermatologist recommended it years ago, and it’s been a staple ever since. It provides broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection and has a lightweight, non-greasy texture that blends in beautifully with no white cast, just a subtle tint that helps even out skin tone. It’s also formulated with DNA repair enzymes to help protect and repair sun-damaged skin. I wear this every day, whether I’m going for a full face of makeup or skipping it altogether.
Foundation: I’ve tried a lot of foundations over the years, but nothing compares to the La Mer Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20. It’s definitely a splurge, but if you’ve ever wondered how I get that luminous finish—this is it. A little goes a long way, and the bottle lasts a very long time. I switch shades depending on the season and often mix two to get just the right tone. Right now, I’m using a mix of 330 Tan (which runs a bit warm on its own) and Taupe 31A (a lighter, cooler shade). The combo works well for my current skin tone, but if I get more color as summer goes on, I may start using 330 Tan on its own.
Application tip: I apply it with the BK Beauty 101 Foundation Brush, which gives a smooth, seamless finish without soaking up too much product. In fact, I’m a huge fan of all BK Beauty brushes.
Concealer: My current go-to is the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear in 215 Buff Neutral. It’s a great shade for summer—light enough to brighten without looking too stark. I probably could go a shade or two lighter in the winter, but I’ve been using this one year-round, and it works.
Setting Powder: I seem to have accumulated a few setting powders, and most days I just use whichever one I grab first. That said, I always come back to the I.T. Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores in Translucent. It gives my skin a soft, airbrushed finish and works especially well under the eyes to set concealer. I also use the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, which is a classic, and during the summer months when my skin has more color, I sometimes switch to MAC Studio Fix in Medium Deep to help match my face to the rest of my skin tone. (I don’t tan my face on purpose, but I try to keep things looking consistent.)
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores (also at Amazon) in Naturally Pretty // IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Blush Brush #4 (also at Amazon)
Blush: I’ve tested a few blushes through various beauty campaigns, and the one I keep reaching for is the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores (also at Amazon) in Naturally Pretty. It goes on smoothly, blends beautifully, and the color is just right—not too bright, not too flat.
Finishing Spray: I don’t always use a setting spray, but if my makeup is looking a little dry—or if I want some extra insurance that everything will stay in place all day—I’ll spritz on the Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Spray. It helps lock everything in without feeling heavy or sticky, and it’s a nice final step when I want my makeup to go the distance.
Current Makeup Routine: Eyes
Eyelash Conditioner: This isn’t technically makeup, but it makes a big difference in how my lashes look. I’ve been using RevitaLash Advanced (also at Nordstrom) for years, and it’s the reason my lashes are so long and full. I’m in maintenance mode now, so I only apply it every other night—and that’s enough to keep the results going. I know it can be a bit controversial, but it’s worked well for me, and I haven’t experienced any side effects.
Eye Shadow: I’m still hanging on to my tarte Inspire Amazonian Clay Palette, even though it’s been discontinued for a while now. I love the mix of wearable neutrals, and I even dip into the blush and bronzer it includes. I haven’t found anything I love quite as much, so for now, I’m sticking with it.
For more natural makeup days, I reach for the Perricone MD No Makeup Eyeshadow. It gives my eyelids a soft, even tone and helps neutralize any discoloration, without looking like I’m wearing anything at all. It’s one of those products that doesn’t look like much in the bottle but makes a noticeable difference.
Eye Liner: My all-time favorite eyeliner was discontinued), so I’ve been on the hunt for a solid replacement. In a perfect world, that would be a self-sharpening pencil that’s soft enough for the waterline, precise enough for the lash line, and still blendable—but that unicorn product has proven hard to find.
For now, I’ve settled on the Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in 02 Noir Intense for the lid and Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner in Tuxedo for the waterline. (I could use the Laura Mercier pencil for both, but then it would need to be sharpened more often, which is kind of a hassle.) When I want a more defined or dramatic look, I reach for the tarte maneater liquid eyeliner.
Mascara: I currently use the MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara or the tarte tartelette tubing mascara. The tarte is a little better at volumizing, but it can get clumpy. The MAC does an amazing job separating and lengthening, and I find the skinny wand easier to use, but my lashes don’t look as thick as they do when I use the tarte, so I often use a combination of both. I’m also a longtime fan of Lancôme Hypnôse Volumizing Mascara in Black, and for a drugstore option, L’Oreal Voluminous Volume Building Mascara does a decent job stacking up to the pricier options.
Eyebrow Pencil: Even though I’ve had microblading, I still like to touch up my brows—and I cannot be without the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Mechanical Brow Pencil in Dark Brown or Ebony. (I go back and forth on the color, depending how dark my hair is, but they’re fairly interchangeable.) This self-sharpening pencil is precise, natural-looking, and easy to use, with a built-in spoolie on the other end. They run out without much warning, so I always keep a few backups on hand.
Current Makeup Routine: Lips
Lip Liner: I always start by lining and lightly filling in my lips with liner—it helps my lipstick last longer and keeps it from feathering. For a long time, I used the iconic Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Pencil in Pillow Talk, and it’s still a great option, especially for preventing lipstick from bleeding. Lately, though, I’ve been using the tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner in Mauve. I love the twist-up design—no need to sharpen it—which makes it quick and easy to use. It doesn’t hold my lipstick in place quite as well as the Charlotte Tilbury, but the convenience won me over.
Lipstick: Like most women, I have a handful of lipsticks floating around, and I usually just reach for whatever’s closest. I’m not super particular about brands or formulas, but I do tend to stick with rosy pinks in medium shades—not too light, not too dark. I have thinner lips, so I usually avoid anything too bold or bright.
My longtime favorite was the Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo in Activist, which has sadly been discontinued. I still have a few left, and I’ll keep using them while I can. Lately, I’ve been loving the YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick in 150—it’s hydrating, easy to wear, and such a pretty color. I also use a few tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plumps, especially Mixed Berries and Cherry Blossom (which came in a QVC gift set). Mixed Berries is a great everyday shade, while Cherry Blossom is a little lighter and more subtle. And when I want something with more depth, I reach for the tarte Maracuja Lip Vinyl in Roseberry—it’s a bit deeper but still very wearable. And somewhere along the way, I also picked up the Laura Geller Classic Cream Lipstick in Real Rosy, and I like that too.
Lipgloss: If my lipstick feels dry or looks a little too bold, I’ll often layer a plumping gloss on top to soften the look. I still like the Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Cream Gloss in Dolly—it’s an old favorite that adds just the right amount of shine without being sticky. Or I’ll reach for one of the lighter tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plumps, and sometimes I don’t use anything, and some days I don’t use gloss at all—it just depends on the mood and the lip color.
Final Thoughts
So that’s my current makeup routine! Some of these products have been in my lineup for years, while others are newer discoveries—but this is more or less what I reach for on most days. I don’t always use every single item, but I like having a solid rotation of products that work well together and help me feel put together.
If you’ve tried any of these, I’d love to hear what you think—and if you have a holy grail product I should try, let me know in the comments!
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