My Current Makeup Kit
I have always had a love of makeup and I grew up watching my mom do her daily routine without fail. One day she sat me up on the counter and gave me her real eyeshadow tutorial and it blew my away. I felt like I was pretty much a pro! Over the years, I’ve adapted and changed techniques and products but my love for cosmetics stays the same.
The Power of Makeup
Over the years I’ve become pretty passionate about makeup artistry and the power of makeup. I have never had formal artist training, but I’ve attended workshops and watched enough YouTube beauty gurus to form a pretty well-rounded knowledge base. But the real trick with makeup is in finding what works for YOU. Makeup is completely individual as we each begin with a unique canvas – our face. Then, add in the fact that we each have varying chemical makeups and skin types… when it comes to product selection, it’s far from a one-size-fits-all situation!
I have become quite passionate about developing a roster of my go-to products. There are times where I save and times where I splurge… and there is reasoning behind it all! When I find something that I like, I don’t want to waste my time and money straying from it. But on the other hand, I DO love to experiment. So with that in mind, from season to season, my ‘kit’ and daily routine is a mix of products that I’m extremely loyal to… with a few wildcards mixed in. Because you just never know when the next BIG THING might drop! It’s actually a lot of fun to be part of the creative and ever-changing world of cosmetics. It’s a community that is yours to be part of.
When it comes to the product lineup in my everyday routine, I have a few solid items that I am in a committed relationship with. But I also like to try new things! Want to know what items are in my current day-to-day makeup kit? This is my Fall/Winter 2021 Makeup routine from start to finish.
create my everyday look
Let’s start with the face.
#1 PRIMER
e.l.f. Poreless Primer
There’s much debate in the beauty world about whether or not primers are essential. There are a few tasks that beauty gurus look to primers for – moisturizing the canvas, filling and soothing pores, and adhering foundation for longer lasting wear. For me, pore-filling is the task I am most interested in and I’ve tried a few. At a reasonable $8(ish) pricetag, this drugstore primer is a great pore filler, comparing to other high-end versions I’ve tried. It also smells a bit like eucalyptus, which is a nice touch.
Will I buy this again? Definitely. I am already on my second bottle.
#2 FOUNDATION
Dior Backstage Airflash Foundation
Shade 100. This is where I bring in ‘the big guns’ and am willing to spend the big BUCKS. This foundation is pricey but worth the pennies in my opinion as I’ve not been able to find anything that goes on as smooth, weightless and delivers a porcelain finish the way this does!
Will I buy this again? Definitely. It’s an 11/10 for me!
#3 CONCEALER
Dior Forever Skin Correct
Shade 1.5N but I wish I had bought lighter. It’s creamy and provides great coverage. As with all concealers, I recommend setting this with powder.
Will I buy this again? Perhaps, but I will probably go back to my drugstore go-to, the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser in 110 Fair
#4 BROWS
NYX Precision Brow Pencil
Shade Taupe. The chisel tip is my bff, but I also like the Micro-tip version.
Will I buy this again? Definitely. I am on repeat with it over the years. I don’t see myself changing this as it’s readily available at my local drugstore and performs perfectly for my brow preference.
#5 POWDER/CONTOUR
Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit
I can’t get away from this. I particularly love the lightest shade as a setting powder for my foundation. I am currently testing out other bronzers, but I don’t want to recommend any other powders atm.
Will I buy this again? Definitely. I just finished my 3rd and will repurchase right away. The one annoying thing with this trio is that I usually use up the lightest powder shade first, then bronzer, then contour (which I never end up finishing before buying a new palette.) I wish they would provide a bigger pot size of the light shade than the others.
#6 BRONZER
Benefit Hoola
While waiting to use up my Smashbox Contour, I recently purchased this good old faithful favourite bronzer to supplement. I instantly remembered why I love it so much! For my skin tone, the shade and application is great. What’s more – I love, love, love the little brush it comes with! It’s a sleeper favourite as I don’t think many people bother to try using it.
Will I buy this again? This bronzer lasts quite a long time, so I don’t think I’ll need to for quite a while, but I certainly would.
#7 BLUSH
Charlotte Tilbury Cheek To Chic
It’s a pinky neutral blush compact with built-in glow. At the centre of the blush colour is a circle shape of highlight. A swirl of both gives a nice subtle wash of colour.
Will I buy this again? I might. However I have to say that I prefer more of a statement flush. If you like an understated cheek look, you’ll love it though.
Dior Rosy Glow Blush in Petal
I have had this blush for years (it had probably long expired!) but it recently surfaced in the beauty world, rumoured to be a favourite of Kylie Jenner. (Who knows if that is fake news though!) Nonetheless, I pulled it out to try it and I have fallen in love with it all over again! They call it a colour-awakening universal blush - for natural healthy glow. It really awakens the cheeks with a beautiful flush.
Will I buy this again? Yes. It is beautiful - the packaging is beautiful and I feel like it would work for everyone.
#8 FINISHING POWDER
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light
I have gone on record calling this ‘photoshop in a compact’. I don’t know what kind of magic that makes this voodoo do-so-well. LOL I like to use it just as it sounds - as a finishing powder. The final touch, layered on top of all of the lighter powders and products on my face to smooth and diffuse it into the contour and blush. It acts like a blurring tool to erase any harsh lines in my application.
Will I buy this again? Yes. It is truly a secret weapon.
#9 EYE SHADOW
Smashbox Photo Edit Eye Shadow Trio in Nudie Pic: Light
I like to test out lots of eyeshadows and palettes and while this is not my favourite palette ever, it is a great option for someone who wants to really pair down and simplify. I feel like these three shades can be applied in various ways and combinations to create looks for day to night. If you don’t want to have think about your makeup, and like to keep packaging sizes minimal, this is for you.
Will I buy this again? I would simply to have a basic option - especially for travel or makeup on the go. My favourite palette of all time is the Tarteist Pro Palette by Tarte. - It’s my favourite palette for someone who wants an array of wearable shade options.
#11 MASCARA
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes
and/or L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise in Blackest Black
Funny Story. To look at each of these mascaras, the wands and appearance at first glance makes them look VERY different from one another. The Charlotte Tilbury one has a long, thin applicator brush. When you pull out the Voluminous wand brush, it’s thick and plump and bursting with fibres. However, one day I did a trial using both separately - one on each eye. The final appearance on my lashes was… the exact same. I couldn’t choose one that I preferred over the other. Both looked great. I would say that I prefer working with the brush of the CT mascara as you feel like you have more precise control in application and can get into the finer hairs. The Voluminous is slightly clumpier so where one you have to work to build it up, the other you have to work to spread them out. In the end, they looked identical so it depends on budget and preference.
Will I buy this again? I would buy either again, but I also like to experiment with mascaras so I will probably try something else next.
#12 SETTING SPRAY
Morphe Continuous Setting Mist
Setting mists serve to merge all of the layers of makeup and also hopefully add staying power. This one goes on with such a lovely fine mist and has a nice scent. The jury is out for me as to if it improves longevity.
Will I buy this again? Maybe, but my favourite is the Urban Decay All Nighter.
#13 EVERYDAY LIPS
Revlon Ultra HD Vinyl Lip Polish in Birthday Suit - Applies like a gloss but adds the perfect warm nude pink shade. I had this last year and rediscovered it. It is so, so good.
Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick in Liv It Up or Pillow Talk - I love these lipsticks. The tubes are glitzy rose gold and both of these apply like a luxurious, classic lipstick. Liv It Up is a signature ‘Kyla Colour’ for all seasons - a matte rose pink with a cool-toned edge. Pillow Talk is a perfect spicy nude shade for fall.
NARS Mini Afterglow Lip Balm Duo - I’ve been talking this lil duo up on Instagram like crazy after I received my order from Sephora. The duo comes with two shades ‘Dolce Vita’ and ‘Orgasm’. Imagine lip balm… but unlevelled. They provide smooth, supple, long-lasting comfort while protecting and conditioning lips with a wash of beautifully sheer ‘your lips but better’ colour. These are a must try.
