• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

My Most-Used Makeup Products at the Moment

April 14th, 2016 by Adia Goss 28 Comments

most used makeup

I’m always trying new products, but I thought it would be fun to share what have been my most-used makeup products lately. For me, these are the products that “just work,” and they’re the things I reach for when I want to throw something on my face without having to give it any thought. The colors are just right, and they help me achieve my signature look — glowy skin and pinky/nude lips. 🙂

Foundations

most used makeup

I am a sucker for glowy, lightweight bases, and I’ve been constantly reaching for PUR Minerals HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation in Tan and NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Annapurna, which may be a tad too light for me, but it’s sheer enough that it still works.

The PUR Minerals foundation is amazing, by the way. Here are swatches and a full review. It’s available now at PUR Minerals for $39.  

No brand matches my skin as well as NARS, and I love that NARS Pure Radiant has SPF 30. This was one of my first high-end foundations, and I’ve repurchased it time and again and will probably continue to do so because it’s a great everyday foundation. It’s available now at NARS Cosmetics for $44.

And, just to make sure my face is seriously glowy, I also like to use Pixi by Petra Glow Mist.  It adds glow and helps my makeup last a bit longer. It’s definitely one of my favorite facial mists, and it’s available now at Target for $15.

most used makeup
L to R: Swatches of PUR Minerals HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation in Tan and NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Annapurna

Brow & lash products

most used makeup
L to R: Glossier Boy Brow in Black, Dior Diorshow Brow Styler Gel in Brown and Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

I’ve been devoted to Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz for years, but for the past month or so I’ve been reaching for brow gel instead.  One reason is that I think my brows have been looking pretty good, and I don’t have any missing patches.

Another reason is that brow gel is just faster, and I like the softer look, too. Glossier Boy Brow in Black has a tiny little wand that makes it easy to add some color and definition to my brows. And then the formula has a stiff, waxy texture, but it’s still really easy to blend.

For an even softer look, Dior Diorshow Brow Styler Gel in Brunette is a bit less opaque, and it’s brown, so it’s great for low-key days when I just want to add a little polish to my face without too much fuss.

It has a more liquid texture than the Glossier one, but both are amazing.

Boy Brow is available now at glossier.com for $16, and you can find Diorshow Brow Styler Gel at Nordstrom for $29.

When it comes to my lashes, Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is one of my all-time favorite mascaras ever. It makes my lashes super full and dark, but it doesn’t clump at all. I plan to keep repurchasing it over and over!  

It’s available at Sephora for $23.

Face and lip products

most used cheek products
ColorPop Cosmetics Highlighters in Most Necessary and Butterfly Beach

I am a HUGE ColourPop fan, and I probably wear something from the brand every single day. I use Most Necessary as a blush to add a little color and sheen to my face, and Butterfly Beach is great for adding a natural shine.

Butterfly Beach is also something that I use in my quick post-gym makeup routine.

Plus, both are available at ColourPop for $8!

most used lipsticks

most used lipsticks

I’m most comfortable with either a nude or a pink on my lips because I think they’re great for wearing to work, and I also know they’ll look good with whatever else I’m wearing on my face or body.  

These two are constantly in my purse: In a Nutshell and Frick N’Frack.

In a Nutshell is my new favorite nude lipstick, and it’s only $10 at H&M.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be available online right now, but similar shades are linked here.

For something with a bit more color, I’ve been reaching for Frick N’ Frack by ColourPop. It’s from their new Ultra Satin Lip launch, and I love the finish. I think the color is perfect for everyday. It’s available at ColourPop for $6.

most used makeup
L to R: cheek color swatches of Most Necessary and Butterfly Beach; lipstick swatches of In A Nutshell and Frick N’ Frack

Eyeshadows

most-used-eyeshadow-sticks

I usually don’t find time for eyeshadow on most days, but when I go out at night, I LIVE for smokey eyes.

These NARS Velvet Shadow Sticks make it so easy to get a good smokey eye. I’ve had Aigle Noir (black with green and gold shimmer) since the summer, but I just bought Nunavut (deep purple) when I got my makeup done at the NARS San Francisco boutique a couple weeks ago.

I’ll typically smudge it all over the lid, then blend out the edges with my fingers. Add mascara, and my eyes are done!

The NARS Velvet Shadow Sticks are available at Sephora for $28.

L to R: NARS Velvet Shadow Stick in Nunavut and Aigle Noir
L to R: NARS Velvet Shadow Stick in Nunavut and Aigle Noir

What particular products have you been loving lately? You know the drill. Let me know in the comments! 🙂

Adia Goss


Adia is a lawyer by day and a beauty blogger by night. She believes that makeup should be fun and simple, but she also likes multi-step skincare routines (she’s complicated!). Adia loves the sight of a brand new highlighter, and she’s constantly looking for the perfect concealer. Follow her beauty adventures at Adia Adores (formerly beautyluxelife) and on Instagram.

My Most-Used Makeup Products at the Moment / Originally published April 14th, 2016

There are 28 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Colour Pop, Dior, Glossier, Guest Post, MAC Makeup, Makeup, NARS, Pixi, PUR Cosmetics

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

Previous Post: Use Double-Duty Products to Get Your Busy Booty out the Door Faster
Next Post: Unsung Makeup Heroes: Kat Von D Metal Crush “Thunderstruck” Eyeshadow

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chelsea says

    April 14th, 2016 at 2:47 pm

    Oooh, fun post! The Pur foundation sounds amazing!

    My most used products right now are probably the Glossier Skin tint, concealer, and Boy Brow, Makeup Geek eyeshadow in Vanilla Bean, a different bronzy Makeup Geek eyeshadow whose name I don’t remember, and Clinique High Impact mascara or Pacifica Stellar Length mascara.

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 15th, 2016 at 10:04 am

      I think if you like the Glossier skin tint but want more coverage, the PUR foundation would be perfect! I see that you’re a fellow Glossier fan 🙂 I LOVE their products and packaging.
      Adia recently posted … Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick: Perfect for Travel

      Reply
      • Chelsea says

        April 15th, 2016 at 10:23 am

        I’ll have to check it out!

        Their stuff is just really handy, and pretty fairly priced. I also like that the skin tint doesn’t have SPF; I wear a separate sunscreen, and a lot of sunscreens break me out. Plus I also find that foundations without sunscreen look better.

        Reply
        • Adia says

          April 15th, 2016 at 1:20 pm

          I ALWAYS wear a separate sunscreen. I think foundations with sunscreen sometimes aren’t as true to color.

          Reply
  2. Kwmechelle says

    April 14th, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    Those NARS shadow sticks are so nice. Beautiful colors 🙂

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 15th, 2016 at 10:05 am

      I really like them. So easy for a smokey eye!
      Adia recently posted … Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick: Perfect for Travel

      Reply
  3. sarahc says

    April 14th, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    Is there anyone who doesn’t love nars pure radiant? It’s so bomb dot com! I have to try the nars velvet shadow sticks sooooon.

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 15th, 2016 at 10:05 am

      Seriously! Everyone loves it 🙂
      Adia recently posted … Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick: Perfect for Travel

      Reply
  4. Carly says

    April 14th, 2016 at 7:12 pm

    Yes! Boy brow for the win! I loved your most used makeup products. It looks like we have very similar tastes.
    Carly recently posted … Glossier “Black” Boy Brow Review

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 15th, 2016 at 10:06 am

      Yessss! I love Boy brow 🙂
      Adia recently posted … Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick: Perfect for Travel

      Reply
  5. Kiss & Make-up says

    April 15th, 2016 at 3:01 am

    Nunavut and Aigle Noir look really beautiful! And I really like your lip color choices.
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Personal | Five reasons I love going back to Belgium

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 15th, 2016 at 10:07 am

      Thanks! These lip colors are definitely going to be staples.
      Adia recently posted … Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick: Perfect for Travel

      Reply
  6. Chris25 says

    April 15th, 2016 at 3:33 am

    Great post! NARS’ Radiant Creamy Concealer is a frequent go-to for me. I also couldn’t live without their semi matte lipstick in Fire Down Below.
    Chris25 recently posted … Enchanted Polishes in Pegasus and March 2014

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 15th, 2016 at 10:07 am

      OH yeah, I love the NARS concealer too! The consistency is great.
      Adia recently posted … Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick: Perfect for Travel

      Reply
  7. Rachel R. says

    April 15th, 2016 at 4:21 am

    Ooooh, I love the looks of In a Nutshell.

    I have a large stash that I rotate often, so my most used makeup products are mostly basics. Mirabella Prime for Face & Eyes. Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Nyx CC Cream in Green as needed for redness under my foundation. BareMinerals Original Foundation SPF 15 in Fair and e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation in Porcelain. (Which one I use depends on how much coverage I need that day and how oily my skin is.) E.l.f. HD Concealer in Brightening for undereye circles. E.l.f. HD Powder. E.l.f. Mist & Set. Sephora Blush in Tranquil as contour powder. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Perversion and Roach. Physician’s Formula Sexy Booster Cat Eye Mascara in Ultra Black. My most used blushes lately are Milani Rose Powder Blush in Coral Cove, and Tarte Amazionian Clay Blush in Exposed. My lip colors have been all over the place.

    I’ve been pretty obsessed with the UD x Gwen Stefani eyeshadow and blush palettes,Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly Palette, and bhCosmetics Foil Eyes 28 Color Eyeshadow Palette. A couple days ago I finally caved and bought the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette on the Sephora sale. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be putting that into heavy use the rest of the spring and summer.

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 15th, 2016 at 10:09 am

      You have some good picks here! I love the UDxGwen eyeshadow palette. Also I bought the Too Faced PB&J palette bc of Karen’s review here but haven’t used it yet!! I really need to though LOL. Taking note of the Milani blush you mentioned too.
      Adia recently posted … Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick: Perfect for Travel

      Reply
      • Rachel R. says

        April 15th, 2016 at 12:20 pm

        I’m glad to hear you love the Gwen eyeshadow palette. I feel like it’s really under-appreciated. I hope you’ll like the PB & J palette. Let us know how you end up liking it. Have a wonderful weekend!

        Reply
        • Adia says

          April 15th, 2016 at 1:21 pm

          You’re right; I don’t really hear much about the Gwen palette at all. I’ll have to try the PB&J palette and report back 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend too!
          Adia recently posted … Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick: Perfect for Travel

          Reply
  8. LindaLibraLoca says

    April 15th, 2016 at 5:57 am

    Out of convenience I have been reaching for my tried and trusted stuff a lot lately, which are the Clinique eyeshadow sticks, my L´Oréal liquid liner and a thin layer of the MAC Studio Waterweight foundation, as well as my The Body Shop Honey bronzer.
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Taking out the trash IV – April 2016 Empties

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 15th, 2016 at 10:09 am

      Which eyeshadow sticks do you like?
      Adia recently posted … Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick: Perfect for Travel

      Reply
      • LindaLibraLoca says

        April 16th, 2016 at 6:43 am

        The Clinique ones, especially Bountiful Beige and Fuller Fudge, but I do own some KIKO ones that are lovely as well.

        Reply
  9. Mickey says

    April 15th, 2016 at 2:57 pm

    I luv tinted moisturizers for everyday used so I don’t have to feel this heavy load of foundation. I recently discovered shadow sticks from MBB and I love them! I don’t use it that much because there’s no need, but for you how do you use shadow sticks for the daytime since many have shimmers in them? I’d like to switch up simple mascara or eyeliner days with a shadow if I can, just haven’t figured out how…

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 22nd, 2016 at 7:29 am

      Hi Mickey! I’ll just smudge the shadow stick along the lashes and use my finger to blend it out. That leaves more of a wash of color rather than something super intense.
      Adia recently posted … Glossier Favorites

      Reply
  10. Cel says

    April 15th, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    Would you say the boy brow is stiff enough to keep stubborn brows brushed up the whole day? I’ve been contemplating getting it versus the Anastasia brow gel.

    Those highlighters are triggering me to make another colourpop order (I really shouldn’t! haha) and the Pur Hydrafluid sounds soooo good especially because my skin’s been dry recently.

    At the moment I’ve been showing love to my MAC Face and Body and started actually using blush (any random one I can find in my drawer lol). Nyx intense butter gloss in Chocolate crepe has been my go-to easy lip.
    Cel recently posted … Regrets #1 // Bite, Essence, Hourglass, L.A. Girl, The Body Shop

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 22nd, 2016 at 7:31 am

      Hi Cel! I definitely think the boy brow will work! My brows are bushy and it keeps them in place all day! You’re reminding me that I need to try Butter Gloss. Keep hearing great things 🙂
      Adia recently posted … Glossier Favorites

      Reply
  11. Erin says

    April 15th, 2016 at 5:20 pm

    I love the shadow sticks but I don’t own any yet. NARS TM is my go to!
    Erin recently posted … Juliette Has A Gun Miss Charming

    Reply
    • Adia says

      April 22nd, 2016 at 7:32 am

      NARS definitely sets the bar for tinted moisturizer!
      Adia recently posted … Glossier Favorites

      Reply
  12. Romy says

    April 16th, 2016 at 4:39 pm

    The Glossier Boy Brow looks sooooo nice, and I’m a sucker for good marketing, and the “boy brow” name just makes me think if I wear it I’ll look like Cara Delevingne, haha. Lovely post x

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

be strong coffee mug youve got this

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 662

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 643

window bed balcony

Saturday Surfing, Jan. 23, 2021

briogeo at ulta

Briogeo Now at Ulta!

duri when in rome

I’ve Found the Perfect Pale Blue Denim Nail Polish, and It’s Only $8

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2020 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.