Makeup Favorites: My Go-To Products

Happy Tuesday!

September is now here and I am not sure about you guys, but I am getting so excited for fall, so get ready for some fun fall content coming up! For styling inspiration, notifications on new blog posts, and to keep up to date with everything new be sure to follow our instagram page at valgastinellblog!

For today’s blog, I took a deep dive into my makeup bag and selected the five core products that I have consistently used and would recommend to other people looking for a staple product in that category. More specifically, I am touching on Foundation, Contour, Setting Powder, Brow Gel, and Mascara, so if you are looking for a potential new favorite, look no further!

1. Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear

Starting with foundation, I have loved the Estee Lauder Double Wear and continued to go back to it for years. After trying my fair share of foundations, I have found that this one is the perfect balance of a natural finish and medium-full buildable coverage with long-lasting wear.

Another great quality is that it is very user-friendly. It blends easily with different methods of application whether you prefer sponges, brushes, or your hands and cooperates well with other makeup products as well.

One thing I will add is that the foundation does not come with a pump, but no need to worry, they sell individual pumps that can be purchased in addition, so if a pour out bottle is a dealbreaker, I’ve got you covered.

Also, if you prefer a lighter and more glowy base, mixing this foundation with a tinted moisturizer or a normal moisturizer is a great way to adjust the coverage to your liking.

2. Contour: Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Shaping Stick

The Makeup By Mario contour stick is a recent find that I now consider a favorite. I use the shade Light Medium that has a beautiful, natural looking contour color which blends seamlessly into your base routine.

Another great part of this product is that the contour stick is dual-ended with a brush on one side and the product on the other, making it particularly great for doing your makeup on-the-go!

My current favorite way of applying this product is getting some product onto a brush and then pressing the product in.

3. Setting Powder: Makeup Revolution Loose Baking Powder- Banana Light

The last go-to product regarding the base routine, is setting powder. Finding a great setting powder can be tough since we want to avoid flashback when taking photos and a “cakey” appearance.

What I love about this product is that it eliminates shine, sets makeup in place for long wear, has a yellow tint that eliminates flashback, and still allows for a natural glow to peek through. I have been loving to use this with a powder puff and dusting off excess with a small powder brush.

Setting Powder Tips:

Dry Skin: If your skin is on the dry side, dusting setting powder only on specific areas with a powder brush and adding setting spray could be helpful methods to help maintain a natural finish.

Oily Skin: Alternatively, if your skin is a bit more oily, using a powder puff can help set makeup in place and keeping blotting sheets to freshen up makeup throughout the day can help achieve that natural finish as well.

4. Brow Gel: Anastasia Brow Gel

On to the brows!

Keeping neat brows is a part of the makeup routine that I think makes a significant difference and even on no-makeup days when I want to feel put together, I will reach for a clear brow gel.

This brow gel is quick to use and will hold the brows in place all day. It has a spoolie applicator wand similar to mascara, making it easy to brush through the brows. Additionally, it is a very beginner-friendly eyebrow product due to its clear color.

5. Mascara: L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara- Waterproof

Last but not least is the Waterproof L’Oréal Telescopic mascara.

This mascara is one of my absolute favorites. It holds a curl all day long, doesn’t flake, and has a buildable formula.

The wand is pretty unique to other mascaras I’ve used before since it is very thin with short bristles. The wand helps achieve length and is great for getting those inner corner and bottom lashes as well.

While one coat will give a more natural, “no makeup” makeup lash look, a couple of coats will give a dark and defined lash, so depending on application you can adjust how your lashes turn out.

One thing I would note if you do not typically use waterproof mascara is that it can hold your lash curl very well and last long, but can be tougher to remove than normal mascara.

Oil- based removers or products specifically made to remove eye makeup can make removing it a lot easier, but there is also a regular version of this mascara if that works better for you!

Wrap- Up

That wraps up today's blog on Makeup Favorites: My Go-to products.

If you decide to give any of these a try, I would love to hear your feedback and see if you love these products as much as I do!

Also feel free to share your makeup favorites with me on Instagram @valgastinellblog!

Hope you all have an amazing week! <3