Indie Makeup companies I mention: Notriously Morbid or NM and Aromaleigh
*Wash your face. Please, please do this, even if you did it as part of your nightly routine. Your skin will thank you. I use a handmade soap from Ashes and Alchemy.
*Micellar Water. This stuff is a holy grail for me. I absolutely adore it!
*Moisturizer - I use Andalou Naturals Resveratrol Q10 Night Repair Cream I know, it says night repair but I use it in the morning as well.
Then I use Garnier Naturals 5 Second Blur
Next, a face primer. Right now I'm using Sephora Collection Ultra Smoothing Primer Just a word about primers, I know that some companies have color correcting primers. Just like with all make-up, there is no one size fits all. Many of them are going to have too much correcting color, in my experience. Too much green = jaundiced. If you MUST use a color correcter, buy a loose powder and apply with a very light hand. A fiber optic brush is a better option and again a light hand.
Concealer - I know it's going to sound cheesy, but Hard Candy's Glamoflauge has worked amazingly well for me. Squeeze a tiny bit onto the back of your hand and use a concealer brush. It's not going to take much and it stays in place after blending.
Foundation - Kat Von D's Lock-It Foundation This is a heavy coverage foundation and can be used to cover up tattoos if the need arises. Please, for the love of all you hold sacred, use a foundation brush! I kept hearing, "One pump will cover your whole face", it was taking me 3!! Bought a foundation brush, one pump on the back of the hand and voila! If you don't have a Sephora close by to find your match, and taking a gamble at $35 isn't advisable, there are sellers on ebay who sell samples.
Next, you need to set your foundation, especially if you have oily skin. Right now, depending on the day, I'm either using a barely there loose face powder, or a Mattifying Balm from Elf. I am dying to try this High Definition Pressed Powder from Lunatik Labs.
I mean, c'mon, do you SEE that packaging?
Highlight, Contour, Blush - Right now, my go-to for all 3 are from Notoriously Morbid
I do have a highlighter stick, palette, and eyebrow highlight stick from Hard Candy. They are cream based so are a little tricky to work with until you get used to them.
Brushes are incredibly important in this regard. So please, go check out Phyrra's Pale Girls Guide to Contouring
Next up, eyes! They are, after all, the windows to the soul.
I no longer used pressed shadows. I haven't used pressed shadows in about 8 years. For a very, very long time I used Aromaleigh Well, no, let me rephrase that, I still do! Until today, when I bought some contouring and highlighting shades I hadn't bought from her in many, many years. I just recently began shopping with Carrie, over at Notoriously Morbid. Her colors are absolutely breath-taking and in themes/color schemes that I adore. I am, however, getting ahead of myself a bit. There is a step before shadows.
PRIMER! Yes, we prime the face and we prime the eyes. Primer gives loose shadows something to adhere to.UD Primer Potion I've tried many, many primers and this one is my favorite.
Then I'll use a Matte shadow that's close to the color I intend to wear, or I'll use the color I am wearing as a bit of a base. I do this because we have another step when using glittery/duo chrome shadows.
Many of NM's shadows are glittery or duo chrome. So they need a sticky base to adhere to in order to see all that sparkle or color-shifting goodness. And NM has you covered with Shadow Bind Just a tiny dab (and I do mean tiny) tapped over the shadow layer you just put on (do one eye at a time) then use a short, flat brush and tap it onto the lid. Don't swipe or you'll lose all the sparkly you're trying to bring out.
*Eyeliner - Oh the bane of my existence. I have discovered, as I've gotten older, that my eyes are entirely too wet for lining the waterline. However, I do line the lid at the lashline and for that I use Nyx Slide on Pencil I will sometimes use it to line the lower lashline. Most of the time now, though, I use a dark eyeshadow.
*I finish the eyes off with Maybelline's Falsies Push up drama
The lashes in this pic are not actual falsies.
Exfoliate the lips using a toothbrush and then I use NM's Mystic Mattes. Some days it's just that. Other days I apply lip liner and NM's Changeling topcoat. Those topcoats are AMAZING.
I have many finishing powders to choose from to swipe lightly over my face before setting it all in place. It depends on the look I'm going for that day.
To finish the look and make sure it stays where I put it, I use Urban Decay's All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
I tried several drugstore brands and my main complaint was when I went to take it all off at night I had to scrub. It was almost like having a light film of spray glue on my skin.
So now I've worn some or all of this on my face, what do I do to get it off?
Ashes & Alchemy soap to remove the bulk of the foundation.
Micellar Water to get any residue off.
NIght Repair Cream
*And just before bed I use Slumber Salve from NM.
3 times a week I use Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and if I'm having a horrible skin day there are essential oils that get used as well.
I know, it seems like a LOT, but many days foundation and eyeliner/mascara is all I actually manage in the makeup department. However, I clean and prep my face every morning and evening.
Hope this helps!
