My Updated Foundation & Full Makeup Routine

makeup for ever HD microfinish powder  |  MAC 150 brush  |  Mary Kay foundation brush (this Sigma F60 foundation brush is a great one) |  It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7  |  Sigma F68 concealer brush  |  It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream in fair and light  |  MAC studio finish concealer (my shade is NC20)  |  NARS bronzer in Laguna

When I first started writing this post, it was going to be about my favorite foundations, plural. But as it sat in my drafts, I started exclusively using a new foundation instead of alternating, so this post is now about my NEW foundation routine and overall makeup routine. Forgive me, this post is about to get long-winded.

Over the years, I’ve tried so many different lip colors, mascaras, eye liners, bronzers, self tanners, hair products…the list goes on and on. But one product I’ve stayed true to for about 15 years (eeek!) is my foundation.

I used MAC’s StudioFix powder foundation from late high school onward. It made my skin look even and I liked how easy it was to apply with a powder brush.

I’ve been reluctant to change my foundation— why fix what’s not broken, right? But one day I received Make Up For Ever’s new Ultra HD foundation in the mail and I thought, what the heck, I’m on maternity leave, I’m going to try this out.

That foundation was the “catalyst” for my interest in exploring other foundations. For awhile, I only wore the MUFE Ultra HD. Then I went back to my MAC StudioFix after a few months or I would alternate (old habits die hard, y’all).

Over the last few months, I’ve noticed several of my favorite bloggers talking about It Cosmetic’s “your skin but better” CC cream and I was intrigued. Everyone said what an incredible foundation it was and the before and afters looked amazing. So I drove myself to Ulta to see what all the fuss was about.

And, then came this post. It Cosmetic’s “your skin but better” CC cream is so good, it caused me to change my foundation routine. It totally lives up to the hype. Below I’m sharing why I love it, how I apply it and its pros and cons.

F O U N D A T I O N  &  C O N C E A L E R

Sometimes there are these products that get a ton of hype in the blogging world and you’re probably wondering “are they all getting paid to say that?” This post is 100% not sponsored and I purchased this CC cream on my own (I am on my third tube!) and I can confirm that the hype is real. I have no idea how they created a foundation that feels super lightweight on the skin and yet provides such great coverage, but they did. I love that it comes in a push top soft container. I prefer that to glass and love a pump because it keeps things hygienic.

I apply this foundation with It Cosmetic’s foundation brush (which was a gift I received in a goody bag at a blogger brunch, but again, I’m not being compensated to mention it). This brush is amazing and really allows you to give an airbrushed finish to the skin. The foundation somehow both melts into your skin and visibly evens out your skin tone. It even helps hide many imperfections without adding concealer. It honestly feels like you’re wearing nothing. It’s so bizarre because for the level of coverage you get, it feels so lightweight (which is always a good thing— who wants a product to feel heavy on their skin, am I right?!)

What I’m telling you is that you must try this foundation. It has an SPF of 50 as well, which is awesome especially if you live in the South like me.

The downfall of this product is that it’s not available in as many shades as you would hope. I first purchased the medium shade in store for summer, but soon I realized it was too dark for my skin and had to exchange for the light. I wore the light for a couple of weeks and when I fell out of my self-tanning routine, I realized that the light was a smidgen too dark for me as well. So I went and purchased the color fair and now I use one pump of fair and one pump of light and it does my entire face/neck and the result is a great match for my skin tone.

One other downside is that you do typically have to use a finishing powder to set it, but this is optional. I personally use Make Up For Ever’s HD microfinish powder directly after applying it. I think most liquid foundations require a very light/soft dusting of finishing powder, especially if you have oily or combination skin. You may be able to get away with wearing it on its own if you have dry skin. *Updated to add that since drafting this post, I recently purchased It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Anti-Aging Finishing Powder and love it so much! It’s a pressed powder so a little less messy. If I had to pick one, I would get the It Cosmetics, but both are good.

The only other skin product I use is Neutrogena sensitive skin moisturizer(I have sworn by this one for about 10 years) and MAC’s studio finish concealer.

Overall, I use a lot of different products, but my finished look is pretty natural looking. Not a “no makeup, makeup” look, but not a super done-up look either. I like to focus on even skin with a little warmth and lined eyes with a little color on the lips and cheeks. Really simple, even though it doesn’t seem like it when you see all the products. It’s not what you use— it’s how (and how much) you apply.
E Y E SUrban Decay Naked Smoky palette  |  Mac Prep + Prime highligher in radiant rose  |  Benefit Eye Bright  |  MAC fluidline gel liner in dipdown  |  Urban Decay original primer potion  |  Clarins kohl eye pencil  |  MAC eyeliner brush- old, but this Sigma one is identical  |  MAC eye shadow in “copperplate”

The next part of my makeup routine is my eye makeup. First, I apply Urban Decay’s primer potion (the original version) to my lids and then I use Benefit’s “Eye Bright” pencil on the inner corners of my eyes and lower lash line. This trick helps eyeshadow last and allows me to use eyeshadow to line my lower lash line instead of a pencil or gel liner. I prefer the softer, more diffused look of using an eyeshadow to line my lower lash line. The one I use 99 percent of the time is MAC’s “copperplate.” Then, I use either Clarin’s eyeliner pencil in “bronze” to line my top lash line, MAC’s gel liner in “dipdown” or “whiskey” from Urban Decay’s Naked Smoky palette.

I am using several mascaras right now and among my favorites are (please note I only use the waterproof versions of these mascaras): DiorShow waterproof, Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara, Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Waterproof Mascara, Cover Girl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara, Cover Girl The Super Sizer Waterproof Mascara , and Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara. *Update— after I drafted this post, I started to use Pixie’s Lash Boosting mascara in ‘blackest blue” and it is incredible. I am addicted to it and wear it constantly!

DiorShow waterproof  |  Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara  |  Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara  |  L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Waterproof Mascara  |  Cover Girl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara |  Cover Girl The Super Sizer Waterproof Mascara  |   Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara 

Finally, I line my waterline. This is optional, of course, but for me personally, I love the way it looks. Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in “zero” is my go-to. It stays put and the color is super black and it applies so smoothly.

Now, it’s time for brows. Brows are so important. They frame your face and make such an impact when they’re full and defined. My favorite brow products are Anastasia of Beverly Hills brow wiz pencil and powder duo. I also recently started to use It Cosmetic’s universal brow pencil and it’s amazing. I like to use a pencil to outline and fill in my brows and then a powder to fill in any areas that are still a little sparse. Even if you don’t wear a full face of makeup, I think filling in your brows makes such an impact that it’s very much worth the couple minutes it takes.

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara  |  It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil  |  Anastasia of Beverly Hills Duo Brow Powder   

C H E E K S

Bobbi Brown Blush in peony  |  Urban Decay ‘All Nighter’ Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray  |  Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Next up, I add bronzer and blush. NARS bronzer in “laguna” is pricey, but lasts awhile and gives skin a beautiful wash of warmth. It’s definitely my holy grail, repurchased over-and-over bronzer. I then apply Bobbi Brown’s blush in “peony” on the apples of my cheeks. For my skin tone, this is the best pink blush I have ever found. And, it happens to be named after my favorite flower.

L I P S

Urban Decay ‘Vice’ Lipstick  in naked and menace  |  MAC Tinted Lipglass in cultured and snob  |  Revlon Color Stay Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in honey  |  Urban Decay Ultra Nourishing Lip Gloss   |  Pixi MultiBalm in baby petal  

The last products I apply are lip products. Sometimes I layer them because it’s more fun that way and you can lighten or darken the color as desired. You can see some of my favorite above.

That’s it! If I’m going to have a really long day (like when I have early meetings or shoots at the hospital) or if it’s super hot and humid out, I will set my makeup with Urban Decay’s All-Nighter makeup setting spray. It really works to keep your skin looking fresh and your makeup in place.

I was thinking of making a series of these posts— a compilation and mini reviews of my favorite self tanners, nail polishes, skin care, etc— would y’all be interested in that? Let me know in the comments on on IG!

Have a great week!