The Sephora Savings Event Sale is back with first access to Rouge! Access and savings happen during these dates with code SPRINGSALE:
- Rouge members get a 20% discount from 4/10 – 4/20
- VIB members receive a 15% discount from 14/4 – 20/4
- Insiders get a 10% discount from April 14 to April 20
- 30% discount on the entire Sephora collection
Here are my top makeup recommendations by category.
Primers/complexion enhancers
I still don’t normally use primers as I prefer to use a moisturizer that can perform multiple tasks. Here are the multitaskers I use that you can use as a primer or complexion booster.
Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Stick – This is a glowy foundation stick that I initially thought would be a shimmery mess on the skin. It is on the softening side, but not sticky. A few readers messaged me about this and told me they used it as an all-over primer base and added concealer and powder on top for their perfect natural glow. I tried their tips and loved the look.
One/Size by Patrick Starrr Base Thinner – I tried the Bronze Base Thinner after receiving a press sample and fell head over heels in love with it. It’s a multi-purpose product that you can use in different ways, but I like to mix it with my favorite foundations to blend them out for a more natural, glowy look. I bought Pearlescent Pink to try. Bronze is definitely darker than my skin tone and gives it a bronzed look, while Pearlescent Pink looks more natural.
Saie Glowy Super Gel – Another favorite that I love for dry skin or if your foundation looks dry or patchy. I like to mix one pump of this with a liquid foundation to give it a little more shine.
Refy Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer – One of the few primers I like because it feels lighter and isn’t heavy.
Best foundations
These are my top 4 in rotation from Sephora.
Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick – This is my most worn foundation since 2024. I sometimes have to mix shades, but right now 3N is my perfect match. I love the coverage, how it blends and the ease of use. (PS I tried the new Forever Skin Glow Foundation formula and it is very drying on my skin even though it is supposed to be “glossy.”) In Action here.
It Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation SPF 40 – This is still the best CC+ cream with SPF because it is not as thick as most CC+ formulas.
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation – The new formula performs the same as the original for me. I still love this for a naturally glossy finish that isn’t too shiny. See it in action here.
m.ph Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation – I love this newer formula. I don’t think I would really describe it as “weightless” as I can definitely feel it on my skin once it sets. I still like medium, natural-looking coverage. I’m between shades 150 and 170 (I have to blend). Demo here.
Best concealers
I don’t always use concealer these days because I find that the foundations I use have enough coverage for me. These are my top picks from Sephora.
Prada Beauty Micro-Correcting Concealer – This is a nice lightweight medium coverage blurring concealer. I really like this one under the eyes! Demo and samples here.
YSL Touche Eclat Concealer Pen – This is still my favorite brightening under-eye concealer. It has a thinner formula, but is shiny and emollient. It doesn’t cover the dark circles but I really like it to brighten it up.
Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer – This is the best multi-tasking creamy concealer. I like that it doesn’t wrinkle or cake. It also lasts a really long time, which I love.
Ilia Skin Blur Serum Concealer – This is a new formula that has pretty good coverage for under the eyes. Not too thick but not transparent. It is fade-resistant and self-adjusting. I love the Ilia and Hourglass concealer brushes.
Powder/Set
I only use one brand of setting powder these days and that is the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. I like both the original and talc-free formulas. This is one of the few loose powder formulas that doesn’t look like there is a white cast on my skin.
Favorite blushes
I have so many blush favorites. I love trying new shades and formulas, but if I had to choose only 5, these would be my picks.
Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème + Powder Duo – I love the colors they have and the fact that you can layer the cream over a powder or just wear them alone. I take at least one shade with me when I travel. Certain shades are also available in mini sizes.
Prada Touch Cream-To-Powder Soft Blur Blushes are new and I love them. These are cream-colored blushes that dry to a beautiful satin finish. I like to apply with my fingers. I’ve only tried Peach and Tulip so far, but I love the shades and will be reviewing and trying out all the shades I’ve purchased before the sale ends. (Peach on the face hereapplied both shades here.)
YSL Make Me Blush (powder) is my favorite powder blush these days. The shimmers and mattes are SO pretty. They have a silky texture that is just so beautiful. If I had to choose one color, it would be 44B Nude Lavalliere! Review + swatches here.
Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tint is the best long-lasting liquid blush formula. Most other formulas just don’t last long, but these dry nicely and last without looking heavy.
rhode Pocket Blush – I think this is my favorite for a cream blush formula. They are so easy to pop on the face and blend. I usually take Sproet and Piggy with me when I travel.
Bronzer
Dior Forever Skin Bronze Bronzing Balm Stick – If you buy one cream bronzer, buy the one from Dior. Swatches of three shades here, but this is the best cream satin finish bronzer I’ve tried and I really like the colors. They’re not too orange, not too cool in color, they’re just perfect! Steel here.
Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer – This is a natural cream bronzer, very similar in concept to the Merit stick. I love this because it looks SO natural on the skin.
Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer – I looked for this too, even though I initially thought it was way too sheer for my taste. I tried lightening the bronzer and I think it is flattering for my skin tone to go more sheer.
Best highlighters
Sarah Creal Today’s Highlights Peptide Balm – This is the best glowy, dewy highlight I’ve tried because it doesn’t feel sticky or sticky. It is a balm, but a gentle one. The finish is transparent and looks natural and leaves the skin radiant.
Hourglass Unreal Radiant Glow Liquid Highlighter – I just swatched this here, but a more detailed review will follow soon! This is a new formula from Hourglass together with a new Highlighter Brush. For a liquid highlight it’s 10/10. The finish is smooth and easy to control. Not too frosty or glittery on the skin and it dries nicely. Steel here.
Dior Forever Glow Maximizer Liquid – This will always be a favorite. If I had to choose one it would be Peachy or Nude.
Prada Light Glowing Highlighter Powder – I love this for a powder highlight – the shimmer is so pretty! Steel here.
Eyeshadow loves
Natasha Denona everything is incredible, I really still love I Need a Warm and I Need a Nude (swatches here And here).
Prada Dimensions Multi-Effect Refillable Eyeshadow in 8 Pansy is my favorite palette of the year so far (swatches here).
Merit Solo Shadow – I love this one for a one-off shadow. Top 3 choices are Vachetta, Glace and Surrealism.
For a completely matte palette, Mario Master Mattes Original Makeup is paired with the Patrick Ta Matte Palettes (I love all the shades, but Medium is my go-to).
Eyeliner/mascara/eyebrow
Anastasia Brow Definer – This is a classic, but I just ordered the ArchiBrow Microblade Detailing Pencil and I love it, the packaging is really innovative and the application is super detailed/fine.
Glossier Boy Brow Arch Pencil – Another favorite for the formula, but there isn’t enough product in the pencil! This is running out so quickly that I stopped repurchasing.
Tarte Tartelette Tubing XL – Still the best non-smudge mascara I’ve tried.
Diorshow OverVolume Extreme Volume Waterproof – I love this new formula even more than other Dior mascara formulas.
Lip gloss
As a lip gloss lover, it’s hard for me to narrow down my favorites, but I keep going back to these five.
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer – Dior lip gloss lover for LIFE!!!!!
REFY Lip Gloss – They have THE best neutral shades.
Lawless Forget the Filler Gloss – Some shades are too pale for me, but I swear by Cherry Vanilla for that glossy pout.
Sarah Creal – I really love this formula and the colors. They are fresh and add just the right amount of color. These are the ones I took with me on all my trips last year.
Tinted lip balms/oils
I will spare no expense in trying out the latest and greatest balms and oils.
Patrick Ta Major Moisture Tinted Lip Balm – This was a pleasant surprise for me! I like that it has a good amount of pigment for a balm. Pink salted caramel on the lips here.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter – A classic that I always have in my bag. I love the limited edition duo they recently launched.
YSL everything – Now is the time to save! I like these, but they are expensive. I actually can’t get over how expensive lip products are these days. I remember when Tom Ford launched a $50 lipstick and everyone was outraged. Now it seems like almost everything is close to this price.
Dior Lip Glow Oil – I love the new formula for that soft, glassy finish. Swatches in this post here.
My favorite lipsticks
YSL Candy Glaze, but actually YSL everything! I feel like they consistently release top tier formulas and colors. Particularly love the Candy Glaze in shade 13.
Prada Monochrome Soft Matte Blur Lipstick – Still the best matte lipstick formula I have tried.
Dior Rouge Dior On Stage Lipstick – Iconic Rose is the best nude pink.
Gucci Glow and Care Shine Lipstick – A classic I can’t live without, especially Sally Soft Honey or Julie Blush.
NARS Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick – I love this for a glossy finish.
Lip liner
I’m currently testing several new lip liner formulas, so I don’t know if I can say which one is THE best right now. I still love Tom Ford Beauty and Dior. I’ll keep you posted on the new ones I’m testing soon!
This wraps up my makeup recommendations! I know it’s a long summary, but I wanted to cover all the categories!
