I've always been the type of person who loves playing with makeup. Since childhood, I'd do my makeup for my dance competitions. I loved testing and trying new products and coming up with different looks. I often watched YouTube tutorials on my phone in high school instead of paying attention in class. (Oops. Well, now I write about makeup for a living, so maybe that paid off?)
This year, I've been trying new brands and products to shake things up and see what I've been missing. After all, with so many viral products and beauty content creators filling my feed, I figured it was time to take a look at my makeup bag and see what needed to be upgraded. After trying a few new beauty products and, of course, remaining faithful to a few of my OG products, I decided to share my updated list of holy-grail products with you. I'm giving you all my makeup secrets—from the gel-based moisturizer I swear by to the foundation I've been wearing for years to the best blushes and highlighters on the market.
Keep scrolling to get your hands on the beauty products I currently use in my routine.
I know some people may roll their eyes at facial sprays, but I love them and use them in my daily routine. As part of my skincare prep, I spray my face with this. I've found that my skin tends to absorb products better when it's damp. I just recently got my hands on the SOS Daily Rescue Facial spray from Tower 28 Beauty, and so far, I love it.
I always say I want my skin to look like a glazed doughnut after prepping it for my makeup. In other words, I need it to be as glowy and hydrated as possible. This product does exactly that. The gel texture is everything, and I know I'm going to be buying another one as soon as it runs out.
I've tried a lot of body-glow products, and this one takes the cake. It's the product celebrities like Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, and Alix Earle reach for when getting red-carpet ready. This balm creates an instant golden goddess glow, and I highly recommend using it when you're planning on showing some skin. I first tried this product a few years ago on a trip to Miami, and still, in 2024, I am singing its praises. I will warn you that it can sometimes transfer onto clothing, so when applying, make sure you really massage the product into your skin with a big brush.
This foundation and I have a longstanding love affair. If you're a person of color, I highly recommend this foundation. It's truly like liquid skin. It has full coverage, so if you want something lightweight, then I would opt for something else.
I've been using Real Techniques sponges for years, and I can't recommend them enough.
It's not necessarily news that this concealer is fire, but I have to remind everyone that it's the only one I'll use. It's that good.
As someone with oily skin, setting powder is like my best friend. I've tried all the buzzy ones that we've all heard about, but this one reigns supreme, in my opinion. I use the shade Banana.
This blush was a new one for me. I usually only wear Nars blushes, but I've been so impressed by Patrick Ta's other products that I had to try this one. Even though my skin is on the oily side, I love cream blushes. Because of that, they tend to make me look and feel greasier. I love that Patrick Ta's blushes contain both a powder and a cream. The idea is that you use the powder as a base and wear the cream on top. It gives you a glowy look while also staying matte. Truly a dream come true.
I often layer this over a powder blush. I apply it with a brush to the highest points of my cheekbones.
This mascara is magic. It grips every individual lash and lengthens them from the first stroke. This is the kind of mascara you put on and you audibly say, "Wow."
This product has been a total game changer. After celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips's underpainting technique (aka contouring under your foundation) went viral, I wanted to try a contour stick for myself, and now I can't imagine doing my makeup without it. It's an easy-to-use product and blends well with a beauty sponge. I took it with me on a girls' trip, and my friends kept asking to use it.
The most luxurious facial oil. I use this in my nighttime skincare routine. When I wake up, my skin feels so plump.
Once this plumping serum came into my life, I knew I would never be the same. Not only is this product super hydrating, but it's also so pigmented and shiny that it can double as a lip gloss. I usually wear a lip liner with it for a pretty, everyday lip combo.
I'm a huge lip-liner person, and while I usually opt for a drugstore liner, this Makeup by Mario sculpting lip pencil is worth the extra money. The little brush on the end of the pencil is a game changer and makes getting that '90s glossy lip so much easier. This is a product I'll be buying for life.
I am a huge Charlotte Tilbury fan. This product is one of my favorites from the brand. It lives up to the name, and after using it consistently, I noticed a difference in how moisturized and bright my skin looked.
I'm really into that sunburned, fresh-from-the-beach look, and the Nars Talc-Free Powder Blush in the shade Exhibit-A does just that. It may look a little scary to apply such a bright hue of red, but trust me—it blends out beautifully.
I've just recently started using Refy products, and so far I'm a huge fan of its lip gloss. I've been wearing the shade Rosewood nonstop. It has a high-shine finish that I love.
Everyone's favorite moisturizer. I know the price tag is a bit steep, but once you try it, you'll get it.
As far as powder highlighters go, this one is one of my all-time favorites. It's super pigmented, so you don't need a lot of product. Plus, it looks gorgeous layered over a good blush.
I have so many of these. They're my go-to glosses.
This serum is a part of my skin-prep routine. It's got vitamin C and polyglutamic acid for brighter skin, and it helps with reducing signs of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.
It's the internet's favorite eyeliner for a reason. It lasts all day long and is so precise that it makes getting the cat-eye look so easy (which isn't always the case).
Finding a good sunscreen can be difficult. You don't want one that leaves a white cast, dries out your skin, or has a strong smell. This one has none of the above. It has a milky texture that settles into the skin as soon as it's applied.
I'm somewhat of an expert when it comes to lip glosses, and this is one I find myself coming back to again and again. My personal shade preference is Peachy Glow, but I'd love to try them all. This lip gloss is full of collagen so your lips look extra plumped. Also, the applicator is in the shape of a heart. How cute is that?
This lip oil is as good as everyone says it is. My favorite shade is Rosewood.
My current favorite bronzer.
The perfect primer-and-SPF product, in my opinion.
I've been loving playing with glittery pigments and eye shadows again. I just recently got my hands on Urban Decay's 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in the shade Cosmic. I simply apply it with my finger onto the eyelids.
There are so many good lip balms out on the market right now, but I love the Summer Fridays one. Plus, they're pigmented and shiny enough to wear as a gloss.
I can't stop talking about this body cream. It leaves my skin baby-soft, and like other Augustinus Bader products, applying this lotion is a luxurious experience.
The formula on this gloss is unreal. I need to try it in more shades.
Meet your new favorite brow gel.
I add a few drops of this into my foundation when I want to look extra glowy.
I put this on after using a lotion or body butter on my skin when I want to look a little extra angelic in a dress or I'm showing extra skin. It also smells heavenly.
This mascara lives up to its name. I love that it gives my lashes tons of volume.
I didn't think I would love this product as much as I do. I apply it after using a powder blush to the high points of my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. This wand gives you the prettiest highlight. It does give an intense warm glow, but if you're looking for something more glittery, I would reach for the Makeup by Mario Master Crystal Reflector highlighter instead.
I use Aquaphor for so many things, but it's my go-to for when I want Barbie-looking legs.
A holy-grail setting spray.
This article was originally published on Who What Wear.