BEAUTY
BEAUTY BUYS: MY EVERYDAY MAKEUP STAPLES
Makeup has never been my thing. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the artistry; I simply lack the patience (and, let’s be honest, the skill) to master it. But more than that, I’ve always preferred a natural, no-makeup look over a heavy, full-face beat.
That being said, makeup is still an essential part of my daily routine—just in a way that feels effortless and incredibly low-maintenance. I love to try new products, and I’m always on the hunt for the next best ones. From the perfect wash of color (this blush is everything) to the ultimate glow-inducing staple, here’s a look at eight hero products in my current lineup.
WESTMAN ATELIER BRONZING DROPS
The only thing better than a sunkissed glow is one that doesn’t require actual time spent in the sun. Enter these bronzing drops. Much like the brand’s complexion drops (equally obsessed with those), these pigment-packed drops are weightless and mix seamlessly with a serum or moisturizer. The formula is buildable, too, which allows me to work my way up to my desired level of warmth. The result? A sheer, radiant glow all year long.
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MERIT BALM CREAM BLUSH
What makes this blush stand out? The texture. This sheer, buttery formula melts into the skin with a dewy, second-skin finish—never cakey, never overdone. Unlike traditional cream blushes that can feel sticky or fade unevenly, this one glides on seamlessly and wears beautifully throughout the day. My favorite shades (so far) are Stockholm and Bon Bon.
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OAK ESSENTIALS MOISTURE RICH BALM
Technically this product falls more in the category of skincare and not makeup, but I love it so much that it felt remiss to leave it out of this lineup. Whether used as a last step in your skincare routine, tapped onto high points for a subtle, dewy highlight, or even smoothed over dry patches, this balm does it all. It makes my skin feel nourished. I swear my makeup looks better when I apply this first.
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SAIE GLOWY MULTIPURPOSE ILLUMINATOR
This weightless, multipurpose illuminator is like bottled sunlight—sheer, luminous, and endlessly versatile. Whether worn solo or mixed into foundation or a tinted moisturizer, it gives skin a lit-from-within glow. My go-to shade is Starglow. It’s the lightest one and provides just enough of a radiant sheen without being too much.
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WESTMAN ATELIER COMPLEXION DROPS
With a serum-like consistency (it feels more like skincare than makeup), these drops provide light, buildable coverage that is perfect for summer. It’s ideal for a no-makeup-makeup look. I wear shade Atelier I, and I think it looks best when applied with my hands in lieu of a brush or sponge. I apply the drops directly to the areas of my face and then use my fingers to press it into my skin.
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MERIT BRONZE BALM
This ultra-creamy formula glides on like a dream, adding warmth and soft definition without looking heavy or overdone. The texture is what sets this apart from other bronzers: it melts into skin and never looks cakey or dry.
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NARS POWDER BLUSH
I can’t leave the house without applying at least a little blush. (It’s the only thing that makes me look alive some mornings.) I am constantly trying new ones, nearly all of which are some version of the same shade of pink. The latest addition is a Nars blush in the shade “Impassioned.” It’s the perfect medium pink with a matte finish.
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IT COSMETICS BYE BYE UNDER EYE CONCEALER
The older I get, the more important concealer becomes in my life. I’ve tried so many different ones (Have one you love? DM me. I’m always open to your suggestions.) and find myself always coming back to this one. It’s a full-coverage concealer, and the only one I’ve found that truly stays on all day long. It doesn’t disappear by lunch like so many others do.
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MAKEUP BY MARIO MASTER MATTES EYESHADOW PALETTE
I rarely wear eye makeup and when I do, it’s minimal. Eye makeup is totally intimidating to me so easy is the name of the game. Designed for both minimalist and makeup artists alike, this neutral-toned palette is the only eye shadow I have in my makeup kit. I don’t use it every day but when I do, I love it. It delivers velvety, buildable color, and unlike many matte shadows that can feel dry or chalky, these shades have a silky texture that doesn’t crease.
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MERIT BROW 1980 VOLUMINIZING GEL-POMADE
This brow gel is amazing. It fills in my brows where I need it without overpowering the way so many other brow products do. The result is a natural, fuller brow.
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TOWER28 LIP SOFTIE HYDRATING TINTED LIP TREATMENT
A tinted balm that hydrates like a lip mask but wears like the perfect sheer lipstick? That’s exactly what you get with balm. The shade range is a minimalist’s dream – soft, wearable hues that enhance your natural lip tone without overpowering. I find all of the shades to be great, but my tip-top favorites are Watermelon Kiwi and Confetti Cake.
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SHOPPING LIST
