I have always been the type of person who loves to play with makeup. Since I was a little girl doing my own makeup for my dance competitions I was in love with testing and trying new products and coming up with different beauty looks. I was the type of person who was watching YouTube tutorials on my phone in high school instead of paying attention in class (oops – but now I get to write about makeup so it kind of paid off?)
This year I have been doing a deeper dive into trying new brands and products to shake things up and see what I’ve been missing. After all with so many viral products and beauty content creators always clogging up my feed testing new products and trends, I figured time to take a look at my makeup bag and see what needed to be upgraded. After trying a few new beauty products and of course, remaining faithful to a few of my OG products I figured it best to share with you my updated list of holy-grail products. I’ve given you all my makeup secrets, from the gel-based moisturizer I now swear by to the foundation I’ve been wearing for years to the best blushes and highlighters on the market and so much more.
Keep scrolling to get your hands on the beauty products I currently use in my routine.
Tower 28 Beauty
Sos Daily Rescue Facial Spray
I know some people may roll their eyes at facial sprays but I personally love them and use one in my daily routine. Before I prep my skin I spray my face with a facial spray since your skin absorbs skincare products better when you skin is damp. I just recently got my hands on the SOS Daily Rescue Facial spray from Tower 28 Beauty and so far I love it.
Dr. Jart+
Cicapair™ Cooling Gel Moisturizer for Redness
I always say I want my skin to look like a glazed donut after prepping my skin for my makeup. In other words as glowy and hydrated as possible. This product does exactly that and I have to say I’m completely obsessed. The gel texture is everything, and I know I’m definitely going to be buying another as soon as it runs out.
PATRICK TA
Major Glow Balm
I’ve tried a lot of body glow products and this one reigns supreme. It’s the product celebrities like Issa Rae, Janel Monet, and Alix Earl reach for when getting red-carpet ready. This balm is like instant golden goddess, and I highly recommend using it when you have something special on the calendar that you’re planning on wearing an outfit that shows a little more skin. I first tried this product a few years ago on a trip to Miami and still in 2024 I am singing it’s praises. I will warn you, it can sometimes transfer onto clothing so when applying make sure you really massage the product into your skin with a body brush.
NARS
Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
Me and this foundation are in a love affair. If you’re a person of color I highly reccomend this foundation. It’s truly like liquid skin. It is on the fuller coverage side so if you want something light weight then I would opt for something else.
Real Techniques
Miracle Complexion Sponge
I’ve been using Real Techniques sponges for years, and I cant reccomend them enough.
NARS
Radiant Creamy Concealer
It’s not necessarily news that this concealer is fire but I have to remind everyone. It’s the only one I use.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder
As someone with oily skin, setting powder is like my best friend. I’ve tried all the buzzy ones that we’ve all heard about but this one reigns supreme in my opinion. I use the shade Banana.
PATRICK TA
Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
This blush was a new one for me, I usually only wear NARS blush but I have been so impressed by Patrick Ta’s other products that I had to try this one. I’m someone who’s skin is on the oily side but loves cream blushes. Even though I love them, since my skin is already oily adding cream blush by itself often just makes me look and feel greasier. But when you use a powder blush as a base and with a brush add a cream based blush over top you can get that glowy look of a cream blush while staying matte. This product has both in one, it’s a dream come true.
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Soft Pop Blush Stick
I often layer this over a powder blush, I apply this product with brush to the highest points of my cheek bones.
Gucci
L’obscur Lengthening Mascara
This mascara is magic. It grips every indivudal lash and lengthens them from the first stroke. This is the kind of mascara you put on and you audibly say “wow.”
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Softsculpt® Shaping Stick
This prouct has been a total game changer. After celebrity makeup artist Mary Philips said she uses the “underpainting” technique or contouring under your foundation I wanted to try a contour stick to try the technique myself and now I can’t imagine doing my makeup routine without it. This product is super easy to use and blends really well with a beauty sponge. I wen’t on a girls trip and all of my friends kept asking to use this product after they tried it.
Charlotte Tilbury
Collagen Superfusion Face Oil
The most luxe feeling facial oil, I use this in my nighttime skincare routine and then when I wake up my skin feels so plump.
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Moistureglow™ Plumping Lip Serum
Once this plumping serum came into my life I knew I would never be the same. Not only is this product super hydrating but it’s really pigmented and shiny so you can wear it as a lip gloss. I usually put a lip liner on first and then one of these for a pretty every day lip combo.
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Ultra Suede® Sculpting Lip Pencil
I’m a huge lip liner person, and while I usually opted for a drug store liner this Makeup By Mario sculpting lip pencil is worth the extra money. The little brush on the end of the pencil is a game changer and makes getting that ’90s glossy lip look so much easier. This is a product I’ll be buying for life.
Charlotte Tilbury
Magic Cream Face Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid
I am a HUGE Charlotte Tilbury fan and this product is one of my favorite from them. It lives up to the name, and after using it consistently I defienitly noticed a difference in how moisturized and bright my skin was.
NARS
Talc-Free Powder Blush
I’m really into that sunburned, fresh-from-the-beach glowing cheeks look and the NARS Talc-Free Powder Blush in the shade Exhibit-A does just that. It may look a little scary to apply such a bright hue of red but trust me in blends out beautifully.
I’ve just recently started using Refy products and so far I’m a huge fan of the lip gloss. I’ve been wearing the shade Rosewood nonstop. It has a super high shine finish that I love.
Augustinus Bader
The Cream With Tfc8® Face Moisturizer
Everyones favorite moisturizer. I know the price tag is a bit steep but once you try it, you’ll get it.
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Master Crystal Reflector™
As far as powder highlighters go, this one is definitely one of my all time favorites. It’s super pigmented so you don’t need a lot of product and it looks gorgeous layered over a good blush.
DIOR
Lip Addict Lip Maximizer Gloss
I have so many of these, they’re my go-to gloss.
Charlotte Tilbury
Magic Serum Crystal Elixir Face Serum
This serum is apart of my skin prep routine. It’s got vitamin C and polyglutamic acid for brighter skin plus it helps with reducing signs of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles.
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
The internets favorite eyeliner for a reason. It lasts all day long, and it’s so precise that it makes getting a cat eye look so easy. Which isn’t always the case.
Summer Fridays
Shadedrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen Spf 30
Finding a good facial sunscreen can be difficult. You don’t want one that leaves a white cast or dries out your skin or has a strong smell. This one has none of the above. It has a milky texture that settles into the skin as soon as it’s applied while being moisturizing and protecting your skin from the sun.
Charlotte Tilbury
Collagen Lip Bath Lip Gloss
I’m somewhat of an expert when it comes to lip glosses and this one is one I find myself coming back to again and again. My personal shade preference is Peachy Glow but I’d love to try them all. This lip gloss is full of collagen so your lips look extra plumped, plus the applicator is in the shape of a heart. How cute is that?
This lip oil is as good as everyone says it is. My favorite shade is Rosewood.
tarte
Amazonian Clay Matte Waterproof Bronzer
My current favorite bronzer.
Charlotte Tilbury
Invisible Uv Flawless Poreless Primer Broad Spectrum Spf 50
The perfect primer/SPF combo in my opinion.
Urban Decay
24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow
I have been loving playing with glittery pigments and shadows again. I just recently got my hands on Urban Decay’s 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in the shade cosmic and I applied it with my finger on the lid.
Summer Fridays
Lip Butter Balm for Hydration & Shine
There are so many good lip balms out on the market right now but I love the Summer Friday’s one. Plus the shades are pigmented enough and finish is shiny enough for this to work even as a gloss.
Augustinus Bader
The Body Cream
I cant stop talking about this body cream. It leaves my skin baby smooth, and like other Augustinus Bader products putting this lotion on is a luxury experience.
Tower 28 Beauty
Shineon Lip Jelly Non-Sticky Gloss
The formula on this gloss is unreal. I need to try it in more shades.
WUNDERBROW
Wunderbrow Gel – Clear
Meet your new favorite brow gel.
Drunk Elephant
B-Goldi™ Bright Illuminating Drops With 5% Niacinamide
I add a few drops of this into my foundation when I want to look extra glowy.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
À La Rose Scented Body Oil
I put this on after using a lotion or body butter my skin when I want to look a little extra angelic in a dress or I’m showing extra skin. Plus is smells like heaven.
Urban Decay
Perversion Volumizing Mascara
This mascara lives up to the name, giving my lashes tons of volume.
Charlotte Tilbury
Glowgasm Beauty Wand Highlighter
I didn’t think I would love this product as much as I do. I apply it after using a powder blush to the high points of my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. This wand gives you the prettiest glowing highlight. Emphasis on the glow, if you’re looking for something that’s more glittery I would reach for the Makeup By Mario Master Crystal Reflector highlighter instead.
Aquaphor Water Filters
Healing Ointment Skin Protectant
I use Aquaphor for so many things but its my go-to for when I want “Barbie” looking legs.
Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Makeup Setting Spray
A holy grail setting spray for sure.