The Makeup I’m Actually Wearing Right Now

The products that have earned a permanent spot on my vanity lately

I love makeup. I always have.

But the way I shop for it has definitely changed.

There was a time when I wanted every new eyeshadow palette that came out. Now, I’m much more interested in finding the products that actually make a difference when I sit down to do my makeup.

So I thought I’d share the makeup I’m actually wearing right now—the products I’ve been reaching for all summer and will probably continue using well into fall.

And every once in a while, something fun enough to make me want to play.

My skin leans dry, so I’m also pretty particular about complexion products. I want hydration and glow, but I don't want to look greasy.

I want coverage, but I don't want foundation settling into every little line. And I definitely don't want to spend an hour trying to make my makeup look like I'm not wearing an hour's worth of makeup.

These are the products I've been reaching for all summer and will probably continue using as we head into fall.

Not everything is expensive. Actually, some of the least expensive products in my makeup bag have surprised me the most.

The little ritual before the day begins.

First, the base

Iconic London Underglow Blurring Primer

This has become such an important part of my makeup routine.

I do my skincare first, and then I apply the Iconic London Underglow Blurring Primer almost like the final step of my skincare. For me, it locks all that prep in and creates the perfect surface for foundation.

My skin doesn't feel greasy, but it still has enough hydration that my foundation goes on beautifully. And it gives me that subtle glow underneath everything without looking overly shiny.

It's one of those products where I notice the difference in how the rest of my makeup behaves.

Make Up For Ever HD Skin Perfecting Foundation

The Make Up For Ever HD Skin Perfecting Foundation has been pretty much perfect for my skin.

I use one pump. That's it.

I'd call the coverage medium, and that's really all I need. My skin still looks like skin, just a much better version of it. It doesn't settle into my fine lines, it doesn't make my drier areas look worse, and it sets beautifully with powder.

That's really what I look for in foundation now. I don't want my foundation to announce itself. I want someone to look at my skin and think my skin looks good.

This does that.

Huda Beauty Concealer

Ride or die.

I use other concealers, but I have gone through multiple bottles of my Huda Beauty concealer, which probably says more than anything else I could write about it.

The coverage is beautiful, it sets wonderfully, and most importantly for me, it doesn't crease.

I also don't think this is one of those concealers that needs to be put into an age category.

It's just a really good concealer. Different skin types will obviously have different experiences, but I think this is one worth trying whether you're dealing with perfectly smooth skin or a few more lines around the eyes.

The $12 powder that completely surprised me

NYX Wonder Snatch Loose Setting Powder

This was an influencer-made-me-buy-it purchase, and I'm glad I listened.

The NYX Wonder Snatch Loose Setting Powder is only around $12, and I was genuinely surprised by how good it is.

It sets everything down and locks my makeup in without giving me that heavy, dry, powdery finish I absolutely don't want. My makeup still looks natural and skin-like afterward.

For dry skin especially, powder can go wrong very quickly. Too much and suddenly every little bit of texture becomes visible.

I don't have that problem with this one.

First, the base: the primer, foundation, concealer and powder I’m reaching for right now.

The three products that make the biggest difference

If I had to strip my makeup routine down to the products that change the overall look of my face the most, outside of my base, it would probably be blush, bronzer and highlighter.

This is where I have fun.

Morphe CloudLight Soft Glow Veil Blush

This blush is kicking ass right now.

The Morphe CloudLight Soft Glow Veil Blush is beautiful. Soft, diffused, glowy without being obnoxiously shimmery, and incredibly flattering on the skin.

And I'm just going to say it: I think this is comparable to Hourglass.

Hands down.

At around $16, it's one of those products that reminds me that you absolutely do not need luxury pricing to get a luxury-looking finish.

L'Oréal Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick / Bronzer

I've also been loving the L'Oréal Lumi products for adding warmth and dimension back into my face.

The bronzer gives me that sun-kissed warmth that I especially love during summer without requiring a complicated contour routine.

The formula has a beautiful glow to it, which works especially well with my drier skin. If you're very oily, I could see wanting to set it a little more strategically, but for me, it's gorgeous.

Essence The Highlighter

And then there is my approximately $5 Essence highlighter.

Five dollars.

This is exactly why I don't believe the price tag tells you whether a makeup product is going to be good.

Essence The Highlighter gives me that beautiful catch-the-light glow without looking like I've painted a metallic stripe across my cheekbone.

For the money, it's ridiculously good.

The three products that make the biggest difference: blush, bronzer and highlighter.

Brows: one splurge and one dupe

I have been using the Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting & Laminating Eyebrow Gel, and I really like it.

But here's the thing.

I've also used the Maybelline Super Lock Brow Glue, and they're similar enough that when my Rare Beauty is gone, I'm going back to Maybelline.

Rare Beauty is around $21. Maybelline is around $10.

I don't mind spending money on makeup when I think it's worth it. But when I can get essentially the result I'm looking for at half the price, I'm going to tell you.

Maybelline wins this one for me.

For filling in my brows, I also use the NYX Micro Brow Pencil, which is another inexpensive staple that simply does what I need it to do.

My current mascara combination

I'm currently using L'Oréal Paradise Big Deal Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara along with Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara.

I'm not trying to create huge, dramatic lashes every day. I like them long, separated and lifted, but still natural-looking.

Using these together gives me exactly that.

Nothing crazy. Nothing clumpy. Just really pretty lashes.

And that's kind of my entire philosophy with everyday makeup right now.

Eyeshadow: I'm not collecting palettes anymore

I have a lot of Natasha Denona eyeshadow palettes.

And when I say a lot, I mean enough that I've reached the point where a new palette has to give me something I don't already own before I'm interested.

One I've really enjoyed during summer is the Natasha Denona Bloom Eyeshadow Palette.

The colors give me that soft, slightly flushed, subdued look that works beautifully this time of year.

But I'm not buying palettes simply because they're new anymore.

Give me one incredible shimmer. A strange color. An amazing glitter. A tiny palette with two or three shades that make me stop and stare.

That interests me.

Another neutral palette with colors I already own six times over? Probably not.

And yes, there are products I thought I'd love...

One of them was the Danessa Myricks Lightwork Volume VII Freedom Palette.

Before anyone comes for me, I'm not knocking Danessa Myricks. There are beautiful things in this palette.

The shimmers? Gorgeous.

But the brown powder shadows didn't wow me the way I expected them to. I found myself going back in again and again trying to build the depth I wanted, and the formula felt a little powdery to me.

I still use the palette, especially for those shimmers, but it wasn't the instant love affair I thought it was going to be.

I also picked up the little Pastel Dream Freedom Palette.

It's okay.

And sometimes "it's okay" is the review.

Not every product has to be terrible or incredible. Sometimes you spend the money, use it and realize you probably wouldn't buy it again.

Lips stay simple in summer

I'm much more drawn to natural lip shades during the warmer months. Fall and winter are when I tend to bring more color back into my lips.

Right now, I've been loving the Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stain.

I don't normally get excited about lip liner, but the stain concept got me. It gives me the definition I want without making my lips look overly drawn on.

One tip: store it upside down.

Otherwise, I've found it can start drying out. That's the one little quirk I've learned with it.

And then gloss.

Lawless Forget The Filler Lip Plumping Line Smoothing Gloss

Hands down, one of my favorites.

The Lawless Forget The Filler Lip Plumping Line Smoothing Gloss makes my lips look juicy, smooth and full without looking overdone.

It visually softens those little lip lines and gives me exactly the kind of natural, glossy lip I want during summer.

This is one I will keep buying.

Why This Is the Makeup I’m Actually Wearing Right Now

Maybe this is why I still love makeup even though I'm buying less of it.

It's not really about chasing every new release anymore.

I love getting up in the morning, having my coffee, doing a little meditation, going through my skincare and then sitting down at my vanity to do my makeup.

It sets the mood for my day.

Most days, the foundation of my routine stays pretty much the same. I know which base products work for my skin. I know what mascara I like. I know how I like my brows.

But blush?

Eyeshadow?

Highlighter?

That's where I still play.

That's where I can decide who I feel like being that morning.

And that's probably what beauty has become for me: less about collecting things and more about enjoying the things that actually make me feel good.

These are mine right now.

Yours might be completely different.

And that's half the fun.

Kelly 🤍

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