My Make-Up Routine: A Mix of Splurge and Budget Items

I few weeks ago I posted my skin care routine. In that I talk about how I have tried thousands of products and have landed on a simple, mostly drugstore based, process. As I mention in the post, I have very sensitive skin, that is also acne prone, that is a combination base. Clearly won the skincare lottery! Since I shared my skincare routine, I figure the natural next step is to post my makeup routine.

Let me start by saying, I am not a makeup guru, but I do have products I swear by. Similar to my skincare routine this is something I have tested over many painstaking years of dealing with acne. I think I have finally found the makeup that works for my skin; combo, prone to acne, but also gets very dry. On top of this, my skin is very sensitive so I can't wear a ton of heavy product, trying to get decently full coverage that doesn't feel heavy on my skin has been my mission since I started wearing makeup and I have finally found the right items for me.

While my skincare routine was very budget friendly (read: drugstore), my makeup routine is a combo of drugstore and more expensive products. I wouldn’t say these items are the most expensive or highest-end brands, but they aren't the cheapest either. I have found with makeup you have to splurge a bit for certain items, especially if you have sensitive skin. The more expensive items usually last a bit longer, you sometimes end up getting more for your money with the expensive ones because they do tend to last longer… obviously not all are created equal so do your research on what you splurge on if you do!

Without further ado… here are the products I use on a regular basis and a few I use for special occasions.

Face

I use the Neutrogena hydro boost hydrating concealer under my eyes, around my nose and on any blemishes I may have. I switched to this concealer a while back because I found the skin under my eyes was getting wildly dry during allergy season (which seems to last all year long in the mid-west). I needed to find something that would provide coverage and moisturize at the same time - please welcome the hydro boost onto the stage! This concealer is so creamy but provides such great coverage. It has a moisture core that adds that bit of hydration my under eyes desperately need. It doesn't dry the skin out either, which is key for me to avoid flakes.

Once the concealer is on I use a powder foundation from bare Minerals. It's matte so helps reduce any shineage and provides great coverage… honestly better coverage than any liquid foundation I've ever used before. Author's note: That may be because of my sensitive skin… In the past when I've used liquid foundation, I could feel the foundation sitting on my skin and would start to itch my face so by the end of the day the coverage was nonexistent, or rather, all over my hands.

The first thing I noticed when I applied the matte foundation was I didn't feel it. It wasn't itchy. A miracle! It also covered all my blemishes. I didn't even have to apply a ton of it and I felt like I had an airbrush finish. 

Cheeks

I've heard blush is not in anymore…. But for a pale girl blush is always a must. Since I don’t use a ton, I usually get a sample size from Sephora when I order my more expensive items. I'm currently using Saie liquid blush in chili. This is a very pigmented blush, so you really don't need to use a lot. It comes in a little pump bottle, which isn't my favorite because it's hard to evenly distribute, but I like the color on my skin, so I'll use it at least until I run out.

Eyes

Normally I don't do anything for my eyes other than mascara. I have always used Maybelline Great Lash. I've tried so many mascaras and I keep going back to Great Lash. It provides full coverage, lasts all day, doesn’t smudge, and lifts the lashes! Why use anything else?!

I also use an eyebrow brush to brush out the brows and fill in when needed. I'm currently using Kosas, but I've used the Anastasia brow wand in the past

If I want to add a bit of glam to my eyes I use the Bobbi Brown eyeshadow stick. I got a gift set of 3 a while back that came in nude, golden pink, and a pearly bronze. They are super simple to swipe on some color to the lids, you can also build the color up or just use for a liner if you don't want a lot of coverage.

Lips

Again, I usually don't do a lip other than a Vaseline gloss. But when I want a bit of color on the lips, I'll use either MAC Angel or Pat McGrath Labs Divine Rose. They are both a pinky nude that is a slightly more pigmented color of my natural lip color. I've been known to add a lip gloss on top for a little bit of sparkle.

Budget vs Splurge 

I will always splurge on a foundation, concealer, or powder… really anything that is going to touch my skin a lot. I've used a fair amount of drugstore items in the past and while they can be OK - a lot of the times the products irritate my skin too much therefore making them unusable.

I'll do a budget buy on almost everything else… the only difference I've noticed is the pigmentation. Usually, the more expensive brands are more pigmented, so you don't have to use as much, specifically for a blush or shadow. I also don't wear a lot of makeup so if I do end up buying a more expensive lipstick or eyeshadow or blush, I'll go for a sample size or a gift set. Yes, it's a smaller amount, but it's usually lasts me a long time before I run out plus they are less expensive so you can feel fancy using a brand name, but not break the bank.

I hope this guide has helped with either your decision to buy a product or not buy a product. I can't wait to hear what you have to say! Interested to learn what brands you splurge on and what you budget buy!