I have finally come to a place in my makeup routine where I have a few beauty products that I use every day, I think I have perfected my everyday beauty routine. If I want a more glam look or maybe a more polished look for a meeting I’m going to, I will alter a bit but for the most part, I like sticking to the basics that work best for me. I have dry sensitive skin so I am very particular with what I put on my face both for skin care as well as makeup.

This post is in order of application:
Primer: After I complete my skincare routine (that’s a whole different post coming soon) I always start my makeup routine with NYX Professional Makeup Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray I realize its a setting spray and not a primer but it really does wonders when applied first. It helps my foundation stay on my face all day even in this extreme heat we have been facing here in Palm Springs.
Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup this stuff is legit magic. I have seen this foundation on social media for years and finally decided to purchase and was blown away. I have a hard time finding makeup for my dry skin that can also stand the heat of Palm Springs and this one does it all. I really love this product because a little goes a long way. I put one small dot on my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and just press it into my skin and seriously FLAWLESS. This is a full coverage foundation but it really does feel so nice and lightweight.
Setting Powder: Sephora Collection – MicroSmooth Baked Foundation Face Powder if you have dry, patchy skin this powder is a necessity! In 2016, I had my make up done in San Francisco for a wedding and the makeup artist used this and I was blown away. It is light and perfect. A little of this product goes a long way! One compact will last approximately 6 months, super economic.
Bronzer: Then I quickly use a matte bronzer just to warm up my face a bit. I find most matte bronzers to be chalky and a weird consistency but have had great luck with the Two Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer, I’ve used this in the past and have always loved it and last week I found it at TJ Maxx for $3.99!!!! legit, what a steal. I apply this to under my cheekbones and the top of my forehead, I have a huge forehead and this helps to minimize the appearance of my extra large forehead.
Blush: On a recent Ulta haul I bought the Morphe Blushing Babes Blush Trio this collection is $12 and it’s so rich in color. That price point for beautiful, perfect blush is mind-blowing! I buy the pop of pink pack and its the perfect trio of blushes for my fair skin.
Highlighter: I’m super weird about highlighter, in that I have lots of opinions. I stay far away from highlighters with a white undertone, these look fine until you see a picture of yourself the next day and completely regret the bright white highlighter. I generally go with a yellow undertone as this looks the best with my skin tone and honestly photographs best. When it comes to highlighter I’m a bit of a hoarder. My current favorite is a combination. I take Milk Makeup Highlighter and rub the product on the back of my hand to warm it up then I take the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and apply it to the spots on my face I want to be highlighted. I normally do my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose and a few light dabs on my chin. Then I lightly apply Jouer Powder Highlighter on top and it makes the most beautiful highlight.
Sidenote: I used the Beauty Blender for ages but one day I was looking for a cheaper alternative and purchased the real techniques version and will never ever go back. I’m obsessed. Its so good and legit a quarter the costs of the beauty blender.
Eyebrows: I have naturally very thin eyebrows so the obsession with dark, thick eyebrows will never work on me. I line the top of my eyebrows and softly fill in my eyebrows with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil and am good to go. This product is the best, I’ve had the pencil for over a year and it still has plenty of product left.
Eyeliner: In an effort to make my eyes look a splash bigger than they actually are, I take the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in the color desperation and very softly line the top lash line. I don’t personally like black eyeliner if feels too drastic on my eyes.
Mascara: If you follow me on Instagram, if you don’t follow me here, anyways I am constantly talking about one thing and that is my love for L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara, I wear the color Blackest Black in the waterproof version. It’s the holy grail of mascara, seriously. It makes my eyelashes look more voluminous and longer than ever before. I curl my eyelashes then heavily layer this mascara on its so good.
Lips: I am OBSESSED with lip products but the everyday look I talked about on an earlier blog post that can be found here: Monday Morning Obsessions: The Perfect Summer Nude Lip
I love makeup and am always searching for new products, spending hours in Ulta or Sephora testing out every new product sounds like the perfect Saturday to me. I read a lot about new products and always try to stay up to date on new releases but on top of that my best friend works in the beauty industry and she is constantly giving me new products that I usually fall in love with. Luckily, we have very different skin tones so she always saves all the fair shades for me, she keeps my make up vanity FULL!
What are some holy grail products that you can’t live without? I love new products and I am sure my husband loves when I add to my makeup collection.
-Heather
I really want to try the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup, and your glowing review really isn’t helping! Plus we have the same blog theme! Haha!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
its a bit more then I would traditionally spend on foundation but its worth EVERY PENNY!!!!
These recommendations are so helpful! I have been looking for a good foundation for a while that doesn’t make my dry skin worse, so I will definitely give the Estee Lauder one a try next!
It’s so good!!! I hesitated to buy because of the price tag but am so thankful I finally did!!
I recently tried the double wear foundation and also fell in love! <3
it’s so good!!!
I LOVE Double Wear. It’s amazing!
Its the best! I don’t know how I went so long without using it!!!