May
2014
Makeup Essentials
Last week I got asked by one of my lovely readers to do a post about makeup. Honestly I am no expert on makeup, in fact I have very little makeup, only the very essentials to look good in a natural way and nothing else. Each month I spend the less money possible in makeup (as opposed to clothes) and in this territory I am the most faithful customer to the stores/brands that carry the products I wear.
I will start by saying I have terrible oily skin, so please note that this products may not be suitable for someone with let’s say…dry skin. Besides that there is the fact that I have pale skin, which is a total disadvantage when you live in Spain as brands do not sell a good range of colors for fair skin tones. I try to do my best with what is available here, but what I usually do, is purchase makeup in my trips, specially when I go to the US.
With all that said, these are my makeup essentials (from left to right):
– Chanel nail polish in Innatendu: now this is the only category in makeup where I go crazy and buy a lot. I chose this color as a representation of my huge collection of Chanel nail polishes, as it’s one of my favorites. To me Chanel has the prettiest colors and the best quality in nail polishes. SHOP HERE
– Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in Rouge Noir: my favorite color ever in lipstick. I apply it lightly with a brush when I want a less intense color, it just depends on my mood. SHOP HERE
– Chanel Ligne Graphique eyeliner in Noir-Noir: I love how thin and easy this one applies. SHOP HERE
– Chanel Le Volume mascara in Noir: gives you volume and lenght. I used to wear Helena Rubinstein’s Lash Queen which is a really good mascara too. SHOP HERE
– Chanel Les Beiges : color depends on the season and what I can find. 10 – 20 would be ideal but they don’t sell them here in Spain so sometimes I have to go for a 30. This product is AMAZING! I apply this after foundation, it is not a bronzer by no means, it hardly adds color but it leaves you looking great. SHOP HERE
– MAC Paint Pot cream eyeshadow in Constructivist: best eye shadow I have ever tried. I only have this one color and it works for me. I like natural earth tones and this shade of brown naturally adds color without looking loud and out there. SHOP HERE
– Carmex lip balm: this is not really makeup, this I always have on my bag no matter where I go as I need to hydrate my lips constantly. SHOP HERE
– Estee Lauder Double Wear: again this depends on the season and where I am. Ecru is a good color for me, but not available here. This foundation is more on the heavy side, for me it works perfectly but I would not advise this on someone with dry skin. SHOP HERE
– Makeup Bag is Burberry.
I have yet to find a blush and concealer that I stick with so I did not include them. I am open to hear your recommendations!
marta
May 19, 2014 at 9:38 PM (10 years ago)Great selection. I can’t also live without My Beiges de Chanel.
I also have pale and oily skin, so I understand how hard it is to find the perfect foundation. My main concern is to avoid that ugly shiny finish. After trying several foundations with no luck, I finally found the one that works for me. It’s from Benefit (Hello Flawless). My skin looks healthy and it doesn´t shine at all. Since it’s an american brand, they have differents tones, so you will easily find a light one, like the the one I use.
In concealer, I strongly recommend you the brand By Terry. She’s the one that invented the famous Touche Eclat de YSL (which I also love) , so she has an even better one in her brand. She also has great blushes and custom-made lipsticks with your favorite colour. Great brand! And they sell it in Sephora (at least here in Paris)
Trini
May 21, 2014 at 12:29 PM (10 years ago)Thank you so much for your suggestions! I will definitely look up the brand By Terry, hopefully they have it here too!
Marlena
May 21, 2014 at 6:55 PM (10 years ago)Trini a good concealer is by Laura Mercier and it is called Secret Camouflage. Another one is by Bobbi Brown and it’s in a small jar. Both are very efficient. For blush, Nars is a classic. The quality and colors of their blushes are top notch. Also, Chanel released their cream blush, which looks alluring!
Thanks for the post!
Laura
May 21, 2014 at 11:54 PM (10 years ago)Great post, and if you are looking for a good blush that looks really natural try mac in the color “prism” is the best pink with a little bit of brown that looks great always with any kind of makeup you use, if you want something a little more pink, check out 2 from bobbi brown: “apricot” is like you are blushing naturally! , and “pale pink” this is in cream and is so easy to apply! And for bronzing powder:”terracota light” is the best option! And sometimes you only need this stuff, no blush , no nothing, and you will look great!
tks!
And for concealer mac is always a good option.
Btw have you tried from chanel their coco shine lipstick in “boy”? Great everday color, i always have that with me in my bag.
I love this kind of posts! You should do another with your skincare regime, perfumes, etc
Trini
May 22, 2014 at 4:05 PM (10 years ago)I love love love Laura Mercier, unfortunately they don’t sell her brand in Spain
Thanks for the tip on Bobbi Brown i’ve heard around it’s one of the best concealers…so I might give it a try! Same for the blushes you suggested.
Annemarie
June 16, 2014 at 1:25 AM (10 years ago)Hi Trini! I was just looking at your makeup selections and when I lived in Madrid 2 years ago I bought all my high-end makeup at the Marionnaud Parfumerie, especially the one on Calle Orense (very close to the Corte Ingles at Nuevos Ministerios). They had By Terry, Chanel, Dior, Guerlain, YSL, etc. Sometimes they didn’t have things light enough for me, as I’m very pale too, but they did have a lot of selection generally. You might find the Estee Lauder color you need there. I have had great success with YSL’s Creme de Blush for a very natural glow on cheeks. Thanks again for all the inspiration!
Trini
June 27, 2014 at 12:06 AM (10 years ago)Thank you so much for the tip! I used to work near Calle Orense so I know that neighborhood well, and the Marionnaud you are talking about. I wasn’t aware they sold brand By Terry, to be honest I was not aware it existed as of a month ago, but will check it out. I will ask them for lighter colors and hopefully I can find something for me. Thanks again!
PJ
July 2, 2014 at 7:40 PM (10 years ago)Hi Trini, I’d also suggest Nars for blushers, especially the ‘orgasm’ shade which is the best-selling one (it is the perfect colour). Love your blog! x