TOP 10 FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS - Sivan
12.28.15

TOP 10 FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS

sivan ayla make-up routine

Starting the beauty category on my blog was something I was going to hold off until the new year, but I just couldn’t. Which should tell you how excited I am to kick this off. Especially when I avoided the topic of beauty on the blog in general until now. I was never a big make-up girl. I used it, but wasn’t obsessed or addicted to any one product. Basically, as long as I always had a good mascara I was good to go. When it came time to practice doing my own make-up for my wedding (eeeeeek!), I kind of discovered a whole new world.

It started on YouTube. I watched all these incredibly beautiful British girls give tutorials on the perfect wedding day make-up. I wasn’t in love with any (to be honest), but I was intrigued. I would find myself making a weekly trip to Sephora to grab things like primer, concealer, “fluffy” brushes…it was all over my head.

After weeks of trying new products (a spending a few hundred dollars) I narrowed it down to the top products I truly loved. I have pretty sensitive skin so not everything works for me. So while I didn’t exactly want to spend so much time and money on make-up I ended up giving away, I also knew this would be the only to really know the best products for me.

Lastly, my biggest pet-peeve EVER is when I get my make-up done and you can just see the make-up (cake) on my face. It accentuates pores and make me look dry. All things I do NOT like. Believe it or not, with the exception of having my make-up done for photoshoots, the last time I got my face done was for prom. And even then I wasn’t happy 🙁 This is also why I had to take matters into my own hands for the wedding.

So, with all that said, I bring you my new beauty category. It will have round-ups of my favorite products, how-to’s, and reviews of new products I try. I am open to other ideas as well–if there is anything specific you want to know about my regimes I’m an open book. Today’s post is about my favorite products I use for my “everyday” look. Aka, when I have to leave the house and face civilization.

Step 1: Primer // It makes a huge difference in my foundation application. The Hourglass primer is extremely silky so applying it is not sticky, difficult, or messy.

Step 2: Foundation // My dermatologist recently made me switch to this new Giorgio Armani foundation and it is surprisingly as light as it claims. As you read above, my biggest fear in life is walking around with cake-like make-up on and this one is perfection.

Step 3: Eyebrows // How did I ever live without filling in my brows? It was something I learned about 2 years ago and now it is as vital to my leaving the house as mascara. I love the Anastasia Brow Wiz pen in universal light for my everyday use. It’s not over-done and lasts all day.

Step 4: Eye primer // Every make-up artist I work with swears by the Urban Decay potion eye primer. It has anti-aging properties and keeps eyeshadow on all day. Just like priming your face, make-up (especially powder) needs something to stick to.

Step 5: Under eye concealer // Fake Up is THE best concealer I’ve ever used. The coverage stick itself has a layer or chapstick-like balm around it so it literally feels like you’re applying lip balm under your eyes. It keeps the delicate area super moisturized while also giving insane coverage.

Step 6: Eyeshadow // The Too Faced palette I used was suggested to me for my wedding and it has turned into my everyday palette as well. The colors are all right up my alley–brown-toned and super natural. I love the Cashmere Bunny for all over and the Erotica for eye-liner.

Step 7: Brushes // If you are one of those people who thinks you can get the same effect from CVS brushes (like I was), think again. Investing in some good brushes is well worth it. They will last you for years and make all the difference in your eyeshadow. I use 2 Smashbox brushes for the all-over “fluffy” effect, and the crease shading. For eye-liner I use this brush.

Step 8: Curl lashes // Curling your lashes will instantly open your eyes. When I’m not in the mood to wear any make-up (or when I’m working out in the morning) I always give my lashes a little curl to make me look a little less dead. Next would be to apply a thick coat of mascara on the top.

Step 9: Nude liner // Quite possibly one of my favorite tricks for brown eyes. Apply nude liner on your water-line to make your eyes pop. Add mascara to the lower lashes after.

Step 10: Bronzer // I love being tan. Since I don’t sun my face as much anymore, my face needs a lot of help in that department. I use 2 different Nars compacts to create a very subtle “contour.” The first one is matte, and then I add the shimmer version on top. I always apply the highlighting shimmer under my eyes as well.

If you are interested in seeing a video of this process please comment below and I will get on it!