creating the perfect makeup routine
an ultimate guide
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A Guide to Creating the Ultimate Makeup Routine
With so many different products and opinions on the internet, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start or what products you need to buy. This is a guide to creating the ultimate makeup routine. I’ll break down each product and its purpose so you can feel confident in your makeup routine, knowing you have the right products. You are using the proper techniques in the correct order. Remember, when it comes to doing makeup, skin prep is essential! Always start with a freshly washed face, and follow your skincare routine. This is vital to extending the wear of your makeup and protecting your skin throughout the day!
eye and brow makeup
First, start with eye and brow makeup. Some people like to start with their face makeup. However, I prefer to start with my eye and brow makeup because it gets the longer part out of the way first. If you chronically run late like me, you know this is important for time management! Secondly, your eyeshadow blending can be imperfect because you can clean up the lines with concealer and foundation afterwards. Eye and brow makeup includes everything from brow pencils to eyeshadows to lash primer and mascara.
Eyebrows
Let’s begin! I like to start with my eyebrows. When it comes to eyebrows, there are lots of options. You have eyebrow pencils, dip and draw, powders and more. For beginners, an eyebrow pencil is the easiest to use. You can start by filling in thin spots in your eyebrows and work your way up to using a product to shape your eyebrows. The best way to become familiar with shaping your eyebrows is to have them waxed and cleaned up by a professional. Then you will have a clean brow to work with, already in the shape of your natural brow. This is a great way to learn! Remember, you always want the tailor the end of your eyebrows to the darkest and gradually get lighter until you reach the start of your brow. Once you have finished drawing your eyebrows, soften any harsh lines using a spoolie or a small brush to lightly buff them out. Add a couple of baby brows where your eyebrows begin (closest to the bridge of your nose), and just like that, you have full-trendy brows! Don’t stress yourself out over perfecting eyebrows; they are sisters, not twins and don’t need to be precisely identical.
I use an angled brow pencil, and I love it. It makes shaping my brows and breeze, and the product is super blendable. It even comes with a small brush to buff out the harsh lines, leaving me with a soft, natural-looking eyebrow. Purchase for yourself HERE!(high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic)
Eyeshadow primer
Just like your face needs primer, you will get the best results from your eyeshadow when you use a primer. Eyeshadow primers are created differently than regular face primers. They aim to give you an even base to put your eyeshadow on. Eyeshadow primer extends the wear of your eyeshadow, makes your eyeshadow crease-free and makes the colours pop. This is a necessity if you are working with vibrant or pale colours. Eyeshadow primer creates a cut crease look, giving your eyeshadow a good, natural base to shine!
Purchase my high-quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic eyeshadow primer HERE.
eyeshadow
This is where you can let your creativity show! You can do everything from a simple light eyeshadow look to a dramatic, elaborate look. The choice is yours! If you’re new to making eyes start simple, using neutral colours will be the best learning place. Start by practicing blending shadow out into your crease, working on creating a V shape above the outer corner of your eye. Typically you want to work darkest to lightest, having the darker colours on the outer side of your eye to create dimension and the lighter colours at the inner corner of your eye to brighten your eyes. The possibilities are endless when it comes to eyeshadow. There are powder eyeshadows, cream eyeshadows and liquid eyeshadows. The best place to start is powdered eyeshadow because that is what most people are familiar with.
Purchase my starter eyeshadow palette (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic) – Morning Mocha HERE. This is perfect for beginners because it contains 4 colours, 2 lighter and 2 darker colours. This palette lets you get comfortable working with two colours and building your way up to four or more! This is also the perfect palette if you love neutral browns. This will quickly become a go-to in your makeup routines.
Curious about trying liquid eyeshadow? I love them, and you will too! Learn more HERE.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner adds another level of dimension and complexity to your eye makeup. The concept of eyeliner is simple, but perfecting it can be challenging. Getting that perfect wing takes practice, especially if you have hooded eyes!
Purchase my high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic angled eyeliner pen HERE. This product makes applying eyeliner a lot easier because it has winged tip to create the perfect lines.
Eye lash Primer
If you want long-lasting, bolder mascara, girl, you must use a lash primer! This primer will allow you to get the most out of your mascara, giving you maximum length and volume. It also helps protect your natural lashes from the mascara and provides the mascara with something to hold onto. If you don’t regularly use a lash primer, try it! You won’t believe the difference it makes in your mascara!
Purchase my favourite high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic lash primer HERE. It is also packed with ingredients like Vitamin E to nourish your lashes and has a curved brush for max volume and curl!
Mascara
Mascara is one of the most purchased makeup products to date! It completes your eye look. However, not all mascaras are created equal and choosing one will take your makeup from average to jaw-dropping. When selecting a mascara, you want to look for a long-wear product that has maximum volume and adds length. The right mascara will have you ditching those monthly (and costly) lash extensions! Pair your mascara with a lash primer and eyelash curler for next-level lashes.
Purchase my 4D mascara HERE (p.s. it’s high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic)
Learn my fail proof technique to upgrading your lashes with mascara HERE
Have you ever wondered about what exactly is used to formulate your favourite makeup products? Spoiler alert, it’s a lot of chemicals! Read all about toxic chemicals commonly used in mascara HERE. Plus I share my alternative that is free of toxic chemicals.
Falsies (fake eye lashes)
False lashes are extremely popular right now. They totally pull the whole look together and elevate your makeup! Falsies can be tricky to apply, but practice makes anything a breeze. My favourite falsies are actually magnetic. Instead of using glue to hold the lashes to your eyes, they use magnetic eyeliner. This makes application a breeze. Simply apply your mascara as usual, apply the magnetic liner and pop those bad boys in place. They also come with individual lashes to fill in any spots you feel need a little extra volume! They are made from vegan silk fibre and are reusable! You can wear them up to 60 times with proper care!
Purchase my magnetic and reusable false lashes HERE (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic).
face makeup
Now for the magic! When makeup is applied with the proper techniques, it can accentuate your beautiful features while maintaining a natural look. Regarding face makeup, the most important thing to remember is your skin tone and selecting colours and shades that complement it. Even with excellent products and the proper techniques, your makeup will look off if it doesn’t match your natural skin tone. Remember that if you live in a place with drastic seasonal changes, your skin tone will appear differently at different times of the year. For example, the sun will make your skin darker in the summer, so your makeup products must match your summer skin tone. In winter, your skin is paler due to the lack of sunshine, so you must select colours that match your lighter complexion.
If you need help finding your skin tone or matching your products to your skin tone. This is my guide to finding your skin tone. Read it HERE. I also offer free colour matches with the purchase of any foundation. If you need help with colour matching, take my colour match quiz HERE, and I will personally colour match you.
primer
This is the base for all your makeup. Without primer or with the wrong primer, it will shorten the wear of your makeup. Primer lengthens your makeup’s wear because it gives it a base to hold onto. Primer also protects your skin from your makeup. Makeup can dry the skin, so a good, hydrating primer is a must. Primer sets the tone for how the rest of your makeup will look. The right primer can hydrate, blur or mattify your skin before applying the rest of your face makeup.
Purchase my favourite hydrating primer HERE. I love it because it works AMAZING but it’s also high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic.
Concealer
Concealer has two purposes when it comes to face makeup. Firstly, concealer is what is used to correct the skin. It is used to help even out your skin tone. At the same time, concealer is excellent for covering pimples or blemishes before putting foundation on. If you are covering a pimple, let the concealer dry before blending it and applying foundation. This will result in maximum coverage and make those pimples disappear. Secondly, concealer is a great product to lighten or highlight areas of your face you want to draw the light to, for example, under your eyes and around your eyebrows. When appropriately applied, concealer can change your face’s appearance, giving a light and lifted look.
Thirdly, you can use concealer as a liquid contour. This is one of my all-time favourite makeup hacks. Just purchase a concealer several shades darker than your skin, and you’re good to go. Apply to any areas you want to contour. For example, your cheekbones, jawline and nose. When selecting your colour, it is crucial to stick to a colour that reflects your skin tone. If you have a warm skin tone, choose a concealer with warm undertones that is darker than your skin colouring.
My all-time favourite, go-to concealer, works fantastic, is so hydrating and has anti-aging properties thanks to the formulation, including vitamin E. As well as ingredients like caffeine and hyaluronic acid to reduce puffiness and brighten the under eyes, good bye bags. Try this high-quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic concealer for yourself HERE.
Foundation
This is where things vary a lot. So many different types of foundations are available, with your most popular being BB cream, liquid foundation and pressed powder foundation. Similarly, you have some less popular foundation types like a stick and spray foundations.
Do you need help determining what foundation suits your skin type and needs? Check out my guide to selecting the perfect foundation HERE.
The foundation’s job is to cover and even your skin. It can be applied using numerous techniques, including a brush, fingers, and a beauty blender. I prefer to apply my foundation using a brush, putting a few drops onto the brush and blending evenly across my whole face and down to my neck. Repeating this process until I have the desired coverage. After, I go in with a damp beauty blender and press the foundation into my skin. This removes any excess product and extends the wear of the foundation.
I have five different foundations that I rotate between, depending on the coverage or look I am after. They are all high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic. Again, if you are still determining what type of foundation is best for your skin, I have an in-depth breakdown of each type (as well as how to determine what skin type you are) found HERE. Secondly, if you need to know what colour of foundation to best match your skin, I have a fail-proof quiz for colour matching you can read HERE. I also offer complimentary colour-matching services. If you need help finding the perfect colour and foundation type, take my COLOUR MATCHING QUIZ, and I will set you up!
Purchase foundation HERE.
contour
The goal of contouring is to add dimension to your face, to contrast the lighter areas of your face. Contouring highlights the naturally darker areas on your face. Another reason contouring is essential is that it can change the appearance of your face. It can give the appearance of a snatched and lifted look because contour is applied in a way that lifts your face. Lastly, foundation (even when matched correctly) takes the warmth out of your face. Foundation essentially makes your whole face the same shade. Contour brings the natural warmth and colour depth back to your face. The only difference is you are in control of where you place it.
Contour is a two-step process. First, you want to go in with a liquid contour. Make sure this contour is in the same category as your skin tone. Use a contour with warm tones if you have a warm skin tone. You apply contour to the bottom of your jawline, just below your cheekbones, nose, and the tip of your forehead. Some people also apply contouring around their lips, which is optional. It all depends on your face’s natural structure and facial features. When using liquid contour, you only want to apply a small amount. Think of 2-3 dots per area of your face. Then blend it out very lightly. This can be done with an angled brush for contouring or a beauty blender. Liquid contour comes in both a liquid form and a cream form.
Purchase my fav product for liquid contouring HERE (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic). Purchase my fav product for cream contour HERE (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic).
Secondly, to extend the wear of your makeup, you will want to lightly go over the blended-out liquid contour with a powdered contour or bronzer. Again, using an angled contour brush, lightly tap on some of the powder directly over top of the blended-out liquid contour.
Purchase my favourite bronzer/powder contour HERE (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic).
For a quicker application, you can use just a liquid or cream contour, which will achieve a similar look.
highlighter
There are two different types of highlighter. First, concealer is highlighter (typically slightly lighter than your foundation). Its purpose is to add brightness to the face. It is generally used under the eyes to give the appearance of lifted and larger eyes. Add contrast and definition when used on your brow bone and between your eyebrows. It can be used on your checks (in a curved line going roughly from the corner of your lip to your ear). It is used on the top of your nose to slim your nose. It is also used on the top of your lip to define your cupid’s bow. To achieve this, you take your concealer and apply small amounts to these areas on top of your foundation and blend it out lightly.
The second type of highlighter is to add a slight shimmer to a specific area of your face that catches the light. This highlighter form is applied last in the face makeup process and in minimal amounts. It is typically found as a pressed powder but can also come in a liquid state. The most common places to apply this highlighter is on the top of your cheekbones near where you apply blush, the tip of your nose, your cupid’ bow and the inner corners of your eyes. Regarding this step, the fewer product you use will give you a better result!
Purchase my go-to highlighter HERE. I love it because it is so subtle, adding the slightest shimmer when the light refects off it. Plus, it’s high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic!
setting powder
This powder gets applied to any area you use concealer to highlight your face, focusing mainly on under your eyes and jawbone. This process is called baking, and it ensures your makeup lasts all day long without creasing. You use a beauty blender or a puff pad to apply this product. You want to have excess on your face. It will look a little odd but trust the process. You want to let the product bake on the concealer for a few minutes. I leave it baking for the time I apply my contour. Once the powder has baked, you lightly brush away any excess product. This leaves your skin looking so bright and flawless.
The setting powder I use has water molecules infused into it, which is incredible. However, this technology is also the setting powder to keep my skin moist and crease-free. ALL. DAY. LONG! Oh, and it’s high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic. Purchase HERE.
blush
Rosey cheeks are so romantic and what ties a whole face of makeup together. Blush brings your makeup to life. Blush can bee applied as much or as little as you like and comes in a variety of different shade of pinks. Blush can go anywhere from a small amount on each check just above your contour for a playful look to all the way from your cheek bones across your nose for a sun-kissed look. It is completely up to you! Plus is typically applied using a smaller angled brush for precision.
Purchase my go to rosey blush HERE (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic).
setting spray
Setting spray is the very last step in your whole makeup routine. Its job is to lock all the products into place for long-lasting, flawless makeup. A good setting spray also provides moisture to your skin and prevents the makeup from looking dry or cracky as the day goes on. Apply spray onto your face about 8-10 inches away, in an X and T pattern.
I have tried many different setting sprays and continuously return to just one. I love it because it is heat-, humidity-, and transfer-resistant, so you can go about your day without the touch-ups. It contains green tea extract and vitamin E, which are skin-loving antioxidants. It also contains aloe and cucumber for a refreshing spa-like start to your day. Plus, Onealic acid soothes the skin. This setting spray is also fragranced with naturally derived ingredients which is a win. It is high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic. Purchase HERE.
lip makeup
Lips are what elevates your whole makeup look and what really ties it all together. No makeup is complete without some sort of lipstick or lip gloss. It is so fun to play around with the different lip combos and all the different colours of lipstick. The options are truly endless! Just remember to take a makeup wipe or a cotton pad with some makeup remover and gently wipe off any foundation on your lips. This gives you a clean space to apply lipstick.
lip liner
When it comes to lips, always start with a lip liner. The purpose of lip lines is to create precise lines around your lips. The lipstick is too big to be able to give you the precision you need to create perfectly smooth lines around your lips. The use of lip liner is what separates okay lips from show-stopping ones. Lip liners can also give the illusion of larger, fuller lips without injections. To apply lip liner, make an X over your cupid’s bow and trace the rest of your lips. If you want your lips to be larger, trace the outer portion of your lips, where the skin would meet your lips.
My favourite lip liner is self-sharpening. Suppose you have been running late and tearing your house apart looking for a sharpener. In that case, you know the convenience of self-sharpening products (and they come with a sharpener if you desire an extra sharp look). It is also infused with vitamin C to smooth the skin and protect it from environmental stressors. It wears for over 8 hours without drying the lips out. Of course, it’s high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic. Purchase HERE.
lipstick
Lipstick is what gives your lips a pout, plump and radiant colour. The lipstick comes in two different forms. The lipstick is just a creamy stick you apply directly onto your lips. Tracing your lips and remaining inside the area where you lay your lip liner. In addition to this type of lipstick, you can also get liquid lipstick. The idea is that you just use a wand to apply liquid lipstick. Both products can come with a glossy finish or a matte finish. Whatever you choose depends on your preference and the look you are creating. To extend the wear of your lipstick even longer, you can tap on a small amount of setting powder to your lips. Just use a tiny amount, so you don’t alter the colour of the lipstick. This technique will give all lipsticks a matte appearance and use lip gloss to revive the shine.
Try my favourite creamy lipstick HERE (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic). It is infused with ingredients to hydrate and nourish the lips during wear, has long-lasting technology for all-day wear and is transfer resistant.
Give your lips boldness with my matte lipstick (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic). It is long-wearing, doesn’t bleed outside your lips and is 100% pout worthy! Try it HERE.
Try my favourite liquid lipstick HERE (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic). These babies provide up to ten hours of transfer proof, touch up free wear!
Lip gloss + tinted lip balm
If you want a less dramatic lip look, lip gloss will be your best friend. If you want to just wear lip gloss, use a lip liner to define your lips. Rub your lips together lightly after lip liner application to soften out those lines. Then just pop some gloss on and take on your day! Gloss comes in a variety of colours and shines. You can get lipgloss in shades from clear to deep reds and everything in between. You can get lip glosses with sparkles for a pop of glitter or just iridescent for that perfect shine.
Try my go to lip gloss HERE (high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic and non-comedogenic). It is great for on the go, natural looks and layering over matte lipstick!
Tinted lip balms are great for no-makeup days or just to enhance the colour of your natural lip. It also works as an excellent base for lipstick thanks to the moisturizing properties of lip balm. My favourite one is infused with shea butter, which is so soft. I have one in every purse! I also love that it has a crayon-like tip rather than the traditional flat top, so it works great as a lip liner! I absolutely love when one product has multiple functions!
Try my go to lip balm HERE! It is high quality, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, non-toxic, non-comedogenic and naturally scented!
makeup tools
Makeup tools are essential to the makeup process. You can apply your makeup with the proper tools to best accentuate your facial features. Makeup tools make makeup application much easier because they were designed with a specific product in mind and to adequately apply said property. Makeup brushes, when cleaned regularly, are more sanitary than using your fingers or the products included applicator.
Using the right makeup brushes can be confusing. They all look so similar, yet, their functions are so different. I put together an easy-to-follow guide describing what brush goes with what product. Read HERE.
makeup bundles
I have put together some fun makeup bundles to get you started on creating the ultimate makeup routine. There are baby bundles with the basics to get you started, all the way to fully loaded makeup bags with all the products you could need. LEARN MORE HERE!
– Beginner Face Makeup Bundle (primer, foundation, foundation brush and setting spray)
– Upgrade Your Makeup Bundle (primer, foundation, foundation brush, setting spray, bronzer, blush and concealer)
– Deluxe Full Face Makeup Bundle (primer, foundation, foundation brush, setting spray, bronzer, blush, concealer, highlighter, contour stick and setting powder – Includes personalized makeup bag with purchase)
– Eyeshadow Starter Bundle (brow pencil and blending brush, mascara, two liquid eyeshadows and eyeliner)
– Next Level Eyeshadow Bundle (brow pencil and blending brush, mascara, two liquid eyeshadows, eyeliner, Morning Mocha quad palette, eye primer)
– Show-Stopping Eye Bundle (brow pencil and blending brush, mascara, two liquid eyeshadows, eyeliner, Morning Mocha quad palette, eye primer, lash primer, reusable magnetic lashes, magnetic eyeliner and eyelash applicator – Includes personalized makeup bag with purchase)
– Intro to Lips Bundle (creamy lipstick, lip liner, lip gloss and tinted lip balm)
– Pamper you Lips Bundle (creamy lipstick, two lip liners, lip gloss, tinted lip balm, matte lipstick and liquid lipstick)
– Ultimate Pout Lipstick Bundle (creamy lipstick, two lip liners, lip gloss, tinted lip balm, matte lipstick, liquid lipstick, lip scrub, plumping lip gloss and hydrating lip mask)
foundation match quiz
If you want to learn more about bundles or want a complementary colour match, fill out the quiz below! I can’t wait to meet you and participate in your makeup journey!
