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The makeup counter at your favorite department store can feel like no-man’s land. How does one navigate across the 10 different types of mascara, infinite amounts of lipsticks and blushes, sprays that promise to do this, creams that swear to do that, or the plethora of powders and foundations. No worries: I’ve done it for you. Here are the only 6 products you’ll ever need or a great foundation (beauty joke!) to get you started.
1. Moisturizer
I can’t believe how many women admit to skipping this essential beauty routine. You wouldn’t go a day without drinking water, right? You remember to water your plants. Don’t forget to refresh your skin! Proper hydration does wonders for your skin, leaving you with a healthy, happy glow. My personal favorite moisturizer is Aveda Botanical Kinetics Lotion – I use it every day.
Be sure to choose a moisturizer with at least SPF 15. And if you’re looking to skip foundation (yet still have a smooth look), choose one that’s tinted, like this Nars Pure Radiant tinted moisturizer with SPF 30!
Moisturize your skin AND protect it from the sun!
For an extra splurge during the winter, use a night moisturizer, as our skin gets extremely dried out in winter.
And for a free splurge? Water — and lots of it! Get those 8 glasses in a day and begin to see a difference.
Moisturize everyday!
2. Mascara primer
Source: Getty Images/Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images/Jose Luis Pelaez Inc
Mascara primer is the makeup artist secret that no one is talking about! Get that baby-doll eyelash look without spending an hour in the mirror applying false lashes. Primer lengthens, thickens, and separates…all in one. I swear by Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum – it’s on the pricier side, but not as pricy as maintaining eyelash extensions! Skipping the eyeliner can make you look more youthful and have people asking: are those real??
3. Neutral lip liner
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For this one, I emphasize that you choose a neutral for your skin tone because the wrong shade of nude on ones lips makes you look like a clown. Lip liner helps define your lips and perfects your pout. A nude lip liner can be used with most colors, leaving your smile looking nothing short of sexy. For a natural look, use your lip liner as lipstick! Line your lips and then fill in for a matte look that’s great for daytime.
Dark skin (a la Kelly Rowland)? Splurge with Nars African Queen or save with NYX Cocoa.
Brown skin (a la Erykah Badu)? Splurge with MAC Chestnut or save with Fashion Fair Light Brown. L
ight skin (a la Rihanna)? Splurge with Bobbi Brown Beige or save with L’Oréal Colour Riche Lip Liner in Au Naturale.
Kim Kardashian West’s nude lip gives her a fresh look. Image: Donato Sardella/Getty Images Entertainment
4. Concealer
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Concealer is used for discolorations on your face, which, left untreated, can accentuate signs of aging. These discolorations are dark spots under your eyes, acne, and scars.
Most women are using the wrong color concealer for the wrong problem. Your concealer should be no more than one to two shades lighter than your skin tone.
Have dark spots under your eyes? Use an orange or peach colored concealer to cancel out the blue/black shadows that are cast by your under-eye circles. Has a pimple popped up at the wrong time? Use green colored concealer on top of the pimple only. Then, after you let it set, add your foundation lightly on top. Concealer is great for keeping your makeup in place (dab some before applying eye shadow), fixing makeup mistakes (use it to clean up your cat eye), and prevents your lipstick from bleeding (try it the next time you wear that bold red lip!)
5. Red lipstick
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EVERY woman should own a red lipstick that she can pull out for the perfect date night look or that power look. You don’t have to do much else, when wearing red!
Pro tips? Take the time to find the right shade for you and be sure to use a liner to prevent bleeding. MAC Ruby Woo, remarkably, looks great on multiple skin tones.
6. Primer
Use primer to soften your skin and achieve a velvety glow.
You wouldn’t paint your house without a basecoat – why would you paint your face without primer? Choose a primer with SPF for added protection. My personal favorite is Smashbox Photo Finish, I use it on the daily and it helped me achieve my makeup look above. Primer is essential in ensuring your makeup goes on not only evenly, but smoothly. It helps fill in pores and minimizes fine lines. Another added bonus: it creates a flawless look in photos. Hello, selfie!
What products can you not live without? Share them with me in the comments below!
The Only 6 Products Your Makeup Bag Will Ever Need was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
