Top 5 Makeup MUST HAVES

As a professional makeup artist I must confess, I own well over 1,000 makeup products. However, I personally use between 4-8 products on an average day. SHOCKING I know. Even more surprising is I get tons of compliments on the days when I'm running around with minimal makeup than I do the days I spend an hour in the mirror using 50 different products. With this in mind I'd like to share with you my TOP 5 makeup MUST HAVES! These items give me a flawless yet effortless look and can easily travel in my clutch, fanny pack, or heaux bag! 😁

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Bonus Tip:

Yes, it's backwards to start with a bonus but THIS IS ESSENTIAL! In addition to the MAKEUP MUST HAVES listed below I urge you to keep NEUTROGENA Makeup Wipes close by at all times. Hygiene is essential and if you ever find yourself too exhausted to actually make it to your bathroom after partying the night away make sure that party isn't staring back at you the next morning as you peel your face off that pillow. I'm sure you can muster the strength to reach into your bedside table and do a quick wipe down before passing out. I also keep a case in the glove compartment of my car! You do not want to end up walking around with yesterdays face if you decide to stay out all night! These on the go wipes are not just for hard core partiers they are also great for getting out makeup stains. I often use a makeup wipe in addition to washing my face to cut through all the setting spray and banana powdered layers of a full face. Now lets get

MAKEUP MUST HAVES

1. LIP GLOSS POPPIN'

There is nothing more disturbing than chapped lips on a pretty face. They immediately grab attention and have the person you're talking to peering down at them throughout your conversation (probably wondering if they should offer you some water or carmex) Don't be that person! My go to lip gloss is LIP GLASS by MAC. It's shine is unmatched and it's thick so it doesn't fade away easily. I often use it over my favorite matte colors to get the same vibrant colors with a glossy glow. If you're a lady who prefers lip colors over gloss I ADORE MENTED COSMETICS NUDE LIPSTICKS. I think it's extremely important to wear a natural toned lip color when going for a minimalist look. If you pair a bare face with a vibrant lip it often highlights all the imperfections in the skin and gives an unbalanced unflattering look.

2. LASHES ON FLEEK

MASCARA MASCARA MASCARA! I know lash extensions have taken over but as someone who perpetually wakes up face-in-pillow I avoid any type of lash I can't take off at night. While I love a good strip lash from any beauty supply store blue box or my favorite a DEMI WHISPIE from ARDELL my everyday on the go lash is simply MASCARA! Our generation has become so obsessed with these butterfly winged lashes that the simple beauty of our natural lashes is being overlook and under appreciated. NO MORE! there is something so breathtaking about simple lashes. My favorites mascara is MAYBELLINE VOLUM' EXPRESS THE COLOSSAL CAT EYE. Its can be found pretty much EVERYWHERE including your local Walmart, Publix or Kroger. It's curved wand is essential to easy bottom lash application. BOTTOM LASH APPLICATION IS KEY! It helps frame the eye and gives a whimsical feel. I really love all the MAYBELLINE mascara's I've tried, they are easy to find and inexpensive. If you're feeling bossy, however, TOO FACED has a mascara called BETTER THAN SEX and it is AMAZING if you're going for a more bold look.

3. Concealer

No one is perfect so leaving the house completely barefaced can be frightening but most of us really used makeup for a few reasons; to cover dark under eye and bags, to hide blemishes or discoloration. But this doesn't require a full face! My top concealers that goes EVERYWHERE WITH ME is the MAC STUDIO FIX CONCEAL AND CORRECT PALETTE this comes with 6 shades all of which come in handy at some point for me. I recently came back from a vacation that made me SEVERAL shades darker luckily I had this palette which made the transition a little more smooth. Also, it can be used to highlight and contour certain areas BUT REMEMBER we are trying to keep it simple for todays lesson. Another inexpensive alternative you'll find in every makeup artist kit is the L.A.GIRL HD PRO CONCEAL these little tubes can be found for $3-5 at any beauty supply near you. If using under the eye I suggest adding a powder to your MUST HAVES list but remember to use lightly (we are going for the no natural look).

4. WOW BROW!

This is MAJOR! The brow frames the face and sets the tone. When brows are freshly tamed it often makes your face automatically appear cleaner and brighter. If you are like me and naturally have full brows all you need is a little brow gel to keep them in place I recommend ANASTASIA Beverly Hills CLEAR BROW GEL and you're set. However if it's been a while since your last threading or wax or your have thinner brows you'll need a little brow filler to define them. I love ANASTASIA Beverly Hills DIP BROW for a full look. Also, MAC COSMETICS EYEBROW STYLER, a few strokes go a log way and maintain a natural look.

5. LET THERE BE LIGHT!

HIGHlight, that is! Glowing skin is always #GOALS. Highlighters come in many forms but my top favorite for a natural minimalistic glow has got to be DANESSA MYRICKS Dew Wet Highlighter in color HOT WATER. It's not a powder or a liquid ITS A BALM! This hydrates the skin and plumps the appearance of the cheeks. It's perfect for days when you're rocking natural looks. Other favorites include BECCA CHAMPAGNE POP and FENTY TROPHY WIFE for when I really want to make a statement. I have heard amazing things about NOORFACE SKINGLASS but it's always sold out 😔 I never get to try it myself.

What are your top favorites? Did I miss something that is essential in your routine? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!