My lists for Best Hair and Best Skincare were kept at a list of 10ish; I fear this list will be longer so I will break it down into sections. Bear with me. [A sampling as to why you should believe me here.]
Primers

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer $30.00 USD at Bergdorf Goodman
Laura Mercier's foundation primer was the first I used and although I have tried and liked many others, hers is by far the best. Creating the ultimate canvas for foundation and makeup. Apply over moisturizer or onto clean skin before a Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer or foundation.

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 $17.00 USD at Sephora
Another Primer that I have tried and like. The price point is more affordable than Laura Mercier and really, there isn't a big difference in results.
**Use Primers sparingly as some formulations if you use too much it will cause foundation to pill. You only need a pea-size for your entire face.
Foundations: I give you my top 3 as I can't settle on just one.

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation. I bet you saw that coming. I first used this since 2004 on Stylin' Gypsies and have been hooked ever since. Excellent coverage that still looks like your skin and not heavy.

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20 $32.00 USD at Sephora
A lightweight, tinted moisturizer infused with protective SPF 20. What it does: This oil-free, water-resistant tinted moisturizer helps skin look softer and younger with micro-fine light diffusing pigments. Perfect for daily use, it creates a sheer wash of natural color and helps diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Rae Cosmetics Climate Control a semi-sheer foundation with SPF that is heat and sweat-proof. Developed by Austinite Rochelle Rae in the heat of Texas. You have to work to blend quickly as this foundation sets pretty fast but once it's on it ain't goin' nowhere.
Concealers / Under-Eye Brighteners
These to me fit in the same category and not because they are the same thing but because if you have very little baggage under your eyes you may just require an under-eye brightener. Or if you look like you have excess then you may need to dab some brightener on top of your concealer.

By Terry Touche Veloutee, $55 USD is a new find for me. I LOVE it. Makeup Artist, Terry de Gunzburg developed YSL Touche Eclat [which is meh for me; I find the texture chalky] and now has her own line. If you are an Eclat-fan then the transition is a must for you. If you were like me and meh on the Eclat then this is definitely a no-brainer.

Amazing Cosmetics A Little Amazing Light Golden 0.2oz $28.00 USD at SkinStore
This concealer erases dark circles, blemishes, broken capillaries, sun damage and redness with only using tiny amounts of product.Called the ""magic eraser"" by beauty insiders, Amazing Concealer will transform your skin... into Amazing skin.""
I've tried this once feeling and seeing the results immediately. So - keeping in mind that I just bought it and haven't thoroughly tested it yet - but the results at first sight were amazing.

Soap & Glory Trick And TreatmentTM Double-Action Under Eye Dark Circle Corrector $18.00 USD at Sephora
It features a special yellow pigment mix to neutralize dark purple under eye circles. The formula also includes soft-focusing spheres to instantly minimize fine lines and clinically-tested levels of HALOXYL™ dark-circle -lightening peptides. What else you need to know: HALOXYL helps mobilize sluggish, dark under-skin pigment. It works by slowly attacking the root of dark circles while instigating a quick cover up.
Yup. It works. One shade though... any darker skin lovelies care to comment?
Master corrector $36.00 USD at Giorgio Armani
Corrective concealer in four color-balancing shades designed to target specific complexion concerns. Exclusive micro-fil technology allows for targeted correction, visibly concealing imperfections while light-reflecting pearls impart a halo of light imparting a seamless, flawless facial canvas. Corrective concealer shades include:
- 1. pink: counteracts sallow, dull skin and effectively corrects yellow and olive pigmentation.
- 2. orange: targets olive or darker skin tones to conceal under-eye circles, freckles, dark spots and hyper-pigmentation.
**Normally at this stage you would lightly powder. I'm not a powder fan. My opinion: it's the most over-used makeup. If you want to age yourself use powder. It accentuates fine lines and makes the skin look dry. I use FACEatelier's Translucent powder SPARINGLY.
Bronzer
Sheer Bronzer $48.00 by Giorgio Armani at Saks Fifth Avenue
Great for sculpting! Create the glow of sun-kissed skin with Sheer Bronzer, a soft micro-fine bronzing powder. Copper and bronze hues warm skin, creating a sculpted glow with shimmering, honey highlights. All skin types.

Soap & Glory Solar Powder cheap and cheerful at 11 pounds... which is what in USD?? $22- ish? [insert Barbie beauty math here]
This comes with a subtle highlighter too so easy-peasey for scuplting. Subtle, blends as you apply so you won't look like an aging 80s rockstar.
LOVE Soap & Glory products. Every one I have tried I have kept in my box o'beauty.
Blush
FACEatelier Facade is a beautiful blush that blends out to a wash of colour. Great blendibility so you aren't playing beat the clock trying to blend.

NARS Powder Blush Cheek Color, Orgasm $27.00 USD by NARS at Beauty.com
Um. Yeah... as the name would imply... a beautiful just got laid colour.... If only there was a hair equivilent... Ladies, you know what I mean; show of hands if you actually have had sex with the intention of getting that look... come on... don't be shy...yay, me neither. *wink*

If you are lucky you can grab a limited edition NARS Danmari All About Cheeks Palette $65.00 USD. Long story but I have 2 - that I paid for, NARS shows me no makeup artist love. All of these colours are wearable for everyone and a must-have for beauty pros. If you do a lot of bridal makeup click order now.
EYESHADOW
Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner $19.00 USD at Benefit
The only downfall with this product is there are not enough colours. I love it. The texture is sheer but you see it. Benefit's cream shadows are a great base for any eye makeup too as it can act like a bit of a primer. I can layer many colours on top and they don't flake or crease. The most used item in my kit is my Benefit Creaseless Eyeshadow in Birthday Suit. Need a smoky eye? Here.
M·A·C Eyeshadow $15.00 USD by M·A·C at Nordstrom
With a plethora of colours you can't go wrong when looking for a new shadow hitting the MAC counters. One of my FAVE colours of all time is SHROOM. A great champagne colour for the inner eye, brow arch and anywhere else you want a smidge of a highlight.

Yaby Cosmetics has many wonderful things in their line and this is one of my favourite palettes. The pigments are so powerful and look so gorgeous on anyone that I work on. A must for any beauty addict.
I'm still on the search for a great black intense shadow, Any suggestions? The ones I have tried are either wimpy or shimmer. I want a great intense, I'm a goth-type black shadow. Trust me, I have tried a lot and I'd be surprised if someone can come up with one that I haven't tried. Oooo, a challenge! :)
Eyeliner

Powerpoint Eye Pencil $15.00 USD at M·A·C
I have so many of these. I love them. They are easily blended and stay-put.

L'Oreal-Voluminous Mistake-Proof Marker Eyeliner $6.99 USD at Ulta
L ́Orèal Voluminous Eyeliner Mistake-Proof Marker has an exclusive Slanted Applicator that provides a flow that is controlled and continuous allowing you to line your eyes perfectly every time.For a soft look, use the pointed tip to draw a thin, fine line.For a more dramatic look, use the slanted side to draw a thick, full line.The fragrance-free formula is water-resistant and won¿t smudge, fade, or smear for all-day wear, up to 12 hours.Ophthalmologist and allergy tested, this eyeliner is suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.Removes easily with eye makeup remover. (.056 oz)
D) All of the above. It's amazeballs. Buy it.
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner $21.00 USD Sephora
Get the precision of a liquid liner with the ease of a gel-based formula. The eyeliner glides on smoothly and precisely, then quickly dries down to a long-wearing, water-resistant finish. Also an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner.
Mascara

L'Oreal Voluminous Dramatic Volume Building Mascara $6.99 USD at Ulta for bold and beautiful lashes, with dramatic volume.
I first tried this when I was the L'Oreal Paris lead hairstylist for Canadian Idol. L'Oreal was uber generous with their products and I could have opened up my own shop with the product they supplied us for Idol [I led hair for L'Oreal Paris Fashion Week in Toronto for 3 seasons too] I came away with much love for L'Oreal Paris and this mascara is my kit staple.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara
$5.99 by Revlon at Target
I have been trying this mascara lately. I have the brownish-black - normally I wear black as I find the brown/ brown-blacks not intense enough, This colour has depth and when I wear it I don't feel the urge to grab my black mascara. Easy to apply and zero under-eye bleeding or smudging. I love the volume I get too - much needed for my aging lashes. *sigh*

Majolica Majorca. Good luck finding this is North America as I don't think it's available there. Anyone?
I love the brush - you can get right to the roots with no fuss.
Lip Liners
Yes - they can look harsh but they do have a purpose especially with the red lips trending right now.

Givenchy Lip Liner
$24.50 USD by Givenchy at Sephora A long-lasting, waterproof lip liner pencil with sharpener. Literally glides onto lips without feathering as it provides a precise line. Enriched with vitamin E, the formula protects lips while skin conditioners retain moisture.
Honestly Givenchy, you need more colours. You have the best lip liners but I need more colours!

MAC Lip Pencil $14.00 USD at Dillard's
Where Givenchy fails in colours MAC wins! Everyone knows MAC for their vast colour range. I find the pencils a smidge dry, I'd like to see a reformulation with some slight added moisture then they would be perfect!
Lipstick

The best neutral goes to Bobbi Brown for the lip colour in Beige. It is wearing out from my 1991 Anniversary palette. One of her original colours so happy to know that it's not a limited edition and I can snag a full tube anytime. A great colour wearable for so many women.

Julie Hewett Noir Lipstick $22.50 USD at Anthropologie
This double-pigmented formula is blended with healing camellia oil and essence of rosebud, for color that will stay on your lips for hours but never dry them out.This claim is so ridiculously true. These lipsticks are genius. I don't know how she did it but the pigments are so vivid and stunning. I use them on shoots, brides and myself. They last longer than the Energizer Bunny.
Highlighter

Jemma Kidd Makeup Dewy Glow Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme, Iced Gold $30.00 USD at Beauty.com
Hands-down the BEST highlighter I have ever used. I have tried others that come close but this one I will cry if Jemma Kidd ever discontinues it. A little goes a long way. When you apply this turn your head slowly in the light to see how it catches the light. You want to see it as you turn not when you are static. If you see a lot of highlight staying still then you have applied way too much and then you will just look sweaty Betty.
XO
There's my list!
What are your faves?? Anyone hate anything on the list? Not sure who could possibly but if it doesn't work for you tell me why - maybe it's your technique and I can happily help correct it.
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