Fall & Winter 2020 Curated Makeup Capsule | Fall Winter Minimalist Makeup

Stick Foundation | If I’m being honest, I haven’t applied a liquid foundation since 2019. For my lifestyle right now, I just don’t need heavy, oil-proof coverage that lasts for 10+ hours. I’m never out of my house that long. This formula is sufficiently long lasting for my lifestyle, it blends easily, and most importantly, application doesn’t require a sponge or brush needing immediate washing. Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Stick Foundation is affordable and just a really great everyday option.

Concealer | I just want to clear up one thing. I continuously hear about Maybelline Fit Me concealer being a dupe for the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. It is not a dupe. The textures and coverages are completely different. You’ll hear me discussing Maybelline Fit Me because I honestly enjoy it, but the two are not interchangeable. Now that that’s out of the way, I love this concealer because the formula is highly pigmented but it is still lightweight and never creases or bunches up under my eyes. It also means I can layer it pretty heavily if I really want to cover something without looking cakey.

Bronzer | I can’t live without Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer, even in the winter. My face is prone to looking puffy and so I like to use bronzer to give the illusion that I didn’t eat a pile of salty fries for dinner. Butter Bronzer has been my favorite for a while because it applies extremely smoothly, never looks chalky, and it has a delightful scent.

Blush | If you’re wondering what exactly you should do with your blush these days, now that your cheeks are obstructed by your mask, check out this post ➢ How To Wear Makeup With A Face Mask | easy & natural makeup look. I love this Clinique Cheek Pop Blush in Ginger Pop for pretty much the same reasons why I love the aforementioned bronzer. It goes on lightly and is buildable, and offers a very slight shimmer that never looks overdone.

Finishing Powder | This is a product that I was once obsessed with, and now it’s again climbing up my list of favorites. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light sort of like a cross between a powder and a light highlighter. It gives a very natural sheen that lacks the powdery-ness of a setting powder, but won’t make you look like a disco ball either. I use it all over in place of a setting powder in the winter time when I need less oil control and more radiance in my skin.

Eye Primer | Eye primer is a must for me to avoid eyelid oils traveling and setting my eyeballs on fire. And of course, it is very helpful for making sure your eyeshadow stays put. I like this Milani Eyeshadow Primer formula because it has a slight tint so it doesn’t leave a white-cast around my eyes. Also, I appreciate the fact that it comes in a squeezy tube. It means I can aggressively squeeze every last drop of product out of the tube, and that makes my frugal self happy.

Brow Pomade | I find Maybelline Tattoo Brow Pomade to be very similar to the Anastasia version. If you don’t have a strong affinity for a particular Anastasia color, then I think this is a good substitute. Plus, I like that it comes with this handy brush that I actually find quite useful.

Eyeshadow Palette | I have owned my Tarte Tartelette In Bloom palette for years and it is still one of my favorites. There is a good mix of warm and neutral shades, and 3/4 of the shadows are matte, which I like. The three shimmers included each each offer a distinct look, so I don’t feel like I’m carrying around an entire palette just to have my makeup end up looking the same every time. You know those palettes. Also, the case feels very sturdy, it snaps shut securely, and the mirror is large and not distorted. It’s just a high-quality palette overall.

Eyeliner Pen | I’ve talked about NYX Epic Ink Eyeliner ad nauseam at this point. But I really believe it is one of the best eyeliner pens you can buy at the drugstore. Even if you think you aren’t great at applying liquid eyeliner, I think you’ll get the hang of using this pen. The felt tip is super flexible so it glides across your eyelid without skipping, and then just let up on the pressure at your outer corner to create a perfect little “flick.”

Mascara | L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara is probably the most boring and basic mascara recommendation you’ll ever hear, but for good reason. This is the mascara I used all throughout high school and didn’t give it much thought. Since then, I’ve tried countless other mascaras and even though I liked a lot of them, none have the magical combination of volume, length, non-irritating formula, minimal flaking, and likable price that this one does. It just has it all.

Natural Long Wearing Lipstick | Okay, so this Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick admittedly has mixed reviews. I could probably find a similar shade in another liquid lipstick formula, but this one is just nostalgic for me. I have no other justification, really. I have happy associations with the scent, and it’s a nice color, so yeah. It is also a bit on the pricy side, and so if you want something similar but don’t feel like spending needlessly on a liquid lipstick, read on.

Bold Smudge-Proof Lipstick | Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick is a newer discovery for me, but so far I really like it. Why do I have two liquid lipsticks in such a tiny makeup capsule? Masks. That’s why. I’m not usually wearing lipstick back there because the mask will stay on the entire time I’m in public anyway. However there are times when we may venture out for dinner and during those times I feel less self-conscious when I know my half-face of makeup looks somewhat less like a half-face of makeup.