In Summer of 2021, I set out on a "quest," if you will, to find my set of beauty products that work for my skin, don't cause breakouts, is good for my skin, and makes me feel beautiful, all while (hopefully) not breaking the bank!
I've dealt with acne all my life and it wasn't until after I had Grady that my skin finally took a chill pill. I even did Accutane when I was 18 and had to use special creams after that because of the effects it had on my skin. Now, I can (mostly) use what I want. I still have very oily skin but much less acne! (Praise the Lord.) Through this journey I learned a lot about my skin, what it reacts to and what works well for it. You'll notice that some things in my daily routine I'm willing to spend a little more money on or buy the luxury brand for, while others I prefer to spend the least amount possible. This makes my routine affordable for me and I'm getting products I love, while also not cutting out quality.
Skin Care:
Cleansing Device: LumiSpa
I do not have a link for you for the Lumi Spa, but I'm sure you know a friend that has one! Get in touch with your friends or family (or message me!) and get yourself one! IT cleanses, gets rid of the dead skin, and makes your face look and feel clean. I can tell the days I don't use mine and I don't use it everyday...imagine the good things I'd have to say if I did! ;)
Cleanser: Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7OQ
The LumiSpa does come in a kit with a cleanser that you're supposed to use with it. However, it was about $40 to repurchase. I liked the consistency of it and the fact that it made my face look and feel clean but I felt like I could use any cleanser I wanted. Then, I got a sample of this cleanser and I ended up REALLY loving it. The big bottle is $32, but they have a mini size to purchase as well! I (try to) use this twice a day!
Moisturizer: Drunk Elephant Protein Polypeptide Cream - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7NT
Yes, even with oily skin, moisturizer is a must. It can actually help the oil! This one came in the same sample kit I received that had the cleanser in it. I fell in love! It does not leave a greasy feeling at all and has a very smooth texture! I use this one at night before I go to bed! I use my tinted moisturizer for daytime - more on that below!
Toner: Clinique Clarifying Lotion - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7OY
This toner has been my saving grace since high school. They do have different ones for different skin types but I went ahead and linked them all - get the one that makes sense for your skin! I typically stick with the No. 3 (Combination/Oily) but sometimes I do go for the acne specific one! I use mine after cleansing on a cotton pad!
Makeup Remover: Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7Pf
Call me old fashioned and stingy, but I think makeup wipes are kind of a waste of money. A good ‘old cotton pad and this makeup remover takes my eye makeup off like a champ. I use this first, before anything in my skin care routine. I get all my makeup off and then use my cleanser!
Makeup:
"Foundation": Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7PZ
I'm not a "full face of makeup everyday" kind of gal so I just wanted a foundation or tinted moisturizer that had SPF and a little coverage. I did NOT want a full coverage foundation by any means! I went out on a limb and tried this one and found that it is my new go to! It's a little shiny for my liking but that's why I use my setting powder and with that on top - I love!
Setting Powder: Bye Bye Pores Setting Powder - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7Qf
You'll see a little further down the line that I'm a BIG fan of It Cosmetics and an even bigger fan of the Bye Bye Pores lineup of products. What can I say, I've got acne prone, oily, large pored skin. I like to use what helps minimize all of those! I have tried to go to cheaper setting powders, more expensive, even just tried to switch it up and I use it once and take it back to Ulta usually! I just love the way my skin looks with this one!
Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7PE
Ah, the holy grail of concealers. You've probably heard of this concealer and if you haven't tried it, wondered if it really was worth the hype and the price. If you have tried it, you know that it IS worth the hype and the price. I was aginst spending $30 on a tube of concealer so I purchased a set with a travel size concealer, mascara, and juicy lip lip product (see below!) I found out just how great it was AND that you don't have to use a ton so it does last forver! Like I mentioned, I got the travel size, and I probably will just buy the travel size (only $12) whenever I run out. I don't use my concealer everyday, just because I don't need to, so this way it would not go bad before I could use it all! Recently, Tarte did come out with a Shape Tape Glow Wand (very similar to the Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Treatment Concealer with the little sponge on the top!) They also have an "Ultra Creamy" version of the originial Shape Tape made specifically for dry or mature skin. I may pick this one up for myself next because I seem to be having a very dry under eye area recently. I have yet to figure out why and my insurance won't cover the medicine my doctor prescribed to try and help it...go figure!
Blush: Bye Bye Pores Blush - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7Ql
Like I said before, I love the Bye Bye Pores line of products! This blush is the perfect shade for me and it has a matte finish so I don't have to worry about getting too shiny. It's very buildable and lightweight as well! This again, I don't use every single day but it is my go-to for the days I do apply it!
Highlighter:
No link and no specific product. Why? I buy whatever looks cool and is cheap(ish!) For real. Right now, I'm using this gradient highlighting brick (it may even be eye shadow, the label is rubbed off and I'm almost out...oops! ;)) My highlighter is one thing I kind of allow myself to do whatever I want with. I don't wear eyeshadow for the simple fact that I don't always have time to apply it and I feel great with just these simple products, why complicate it more? I like a shimmery, lighter brown or champange color!
Bronzer: Bye Bye Pores Bronzer - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7Rv
Sensing a theme here? :) Once again, just like the Bye Bye Pores Blush, this Bronzer is a great color for me (they actually only have one - its that buildable and versatile,) matte, and lightweight! Sometimes I will use it to contour my face and sometimes I use my big fluffy brush and give myself an overall bronzed look - whatver I'm feeling for the day! Once again, this is a product I don't use every single day.
Setting Spray: Ulta Wanna Be Free Setting Spray - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7Ry
After I apply my tinted moisturizer and my setting powder, I spray my face down with my setting spray! If I'm applying my bronzer, blush, concealer, and highlighter, I do it after that and before my eyes. I think people do not give the Ulta line up of products enough credit. They are usually on sale (BOGO 50% off, buy 2 get 1 free, buy 2 get 2 free, etc,) and they really are great quality. My mom uses a couple of their products religiously, as do I, so when it is on sale, we just stock up together! This setting spray has a great sprayer and its lightweight but it does it's job flawlessly! I have used the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray and while it was great and did it's job, it's $33 a bottle. Why pay that when I can pay $12 and potentially get my other Ulta brand products for free? (Keep in mind, I like this for DAILY USE. For my wedding makeup, I used the Urban Decay one and I'd highly recommend that one for important, long wear - like weddings, important photo shoots, pageants, etc!)
Lip Product: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Gift Sets- https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7QW
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Single Colors - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7Q0
If you follow me on Instagram (if you don't it's @morganmdbarnett,) you know ALL about my love for the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lips! This is another product where I was VERY hesitant to spend the money. But once I did, I will sing it to the world to RUN and get you some of these! They are the perfect balance of a lip gloss, chapstick, and lipstick. They have a little color, they're glossy (but not sticky) and they moisturize your lips for a long time! I prefer to buy the gift sets from QVC (they come with 2-3 in a couple different colors) and I buy my single ones from Tarte directly (they have all the colors on their website vs. Ulta who only has certain ones!) My favorite colors are Icicle (clear + shimmer) and Rose (mid tone mauve.) They just came out with a new color (Bloom) and I may grab it and try it, it looks beautiful!
Mascara: Essense Lash Princess Flash Lash Effect Mascara - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7Q3
Mascara is another thing that I don't particularly love paying more than $10 for, honestly. I know my mascaras that I have had that are $20+ are great, and they are worth it, but it's just not justifiable for me. This one is $4.99/tube, it does it's job, and it makes my lashes work great. This same brand makes a few different kinds of mascara with different wands and formulas and I'd love to try some other ones! For now, this one works! :P
Brow Pencil: Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencil - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7Q8
I was thinking while doing my makeup one day, I remember it took me a few different brow pencils to find this one that I really like and I was heartbroken that they dicontinued what I used to use...funny part is, I can't even remember what I used to use! I've used this one since high school. It's an Ulta brand product, so like I said I'll just grab one quick if I'm at Ulta and they're on sale. I currently have three (yes, T H R E E,) unopened brown pencils in my makeup case right now and I did not do that intentionally. I got a Caboodle for myself for Christmas and I went to organize everything in there and I saw I had three...probably don't need to buy anymore for a while! HAHA
Brow Gel: Benefit Gimme Brow! - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7Rd
Brow Gel - another thing I'm willing to spend my money on! Benefit truly understands brows. All of their brow products are great, but this is one item I cannot live without. I've tried COUNTLESS brow gels (usually trying to find a cheaper one,) and I always go back to my tride and true Gimme Brow! Its not too goopy, just the right amount of color, and doesn't make me feel like my brows are glued to my face!
Brushes: It Cosmetics Brushes for Ulta - https://shopstyle.it/l/bC7R6
I linked a brush kit (on sale!) from It Cosmetics Brushes for Ulta. All of these brushes are super high quality and soft (they can be spendy, I'll warn you, so get them on sale or in set when you can!) Because I don't wear eye shadow, I felt like I could spend a little more on my face brushes. I use the angled one for my blush, the biggest fluffy one for my setting powder, the smaller dome one for my bronzer, and the smallest brush for my highlighter! I've linked a set that would be perfect but you can buy all similar brushes on their own from Ulta as well!
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