Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
My Superhero Makeup Essentials For Beginners
Makeup is a passion of mine and has been since I can remember. Not only have I applied makeup on myself, but I’ve put makeup on clients for special events like weddings, Kentucky Derby parties and more. If you like makeup as much as I do, but aren’t as comfortable with it as much as I am, I have some tips and tricks for you. Read on to learn about my makeup superheroes AKA my makeup essentials for beginners.
I created this superhero makeup look with my essentials
The first thing you need when doing your own makeup is a good base. I always apply a primer with a sunscreen first, then I apply foundation on most days. I have used It Cosmetics CC Cream as my foundation since it hit the market years ago. I’ve tried many, many foundations, and I always come back to this one. It covers well, has a great SPF (so important for all ages!), lasts on my skin all day. It keeps my combination skin looking somewhat dewy, not oily or dry. It doesn’t break me out either.
My gold bracelets tied the superhero look together
To apply it, I add a couple of pumps to a slightly damp blending sponge and bounce it all over my face and my neck until I reach the coverage I want. I also own their Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 and also use it to apply the CC cream and concealer. You can also layer it for more coverage. I love the shade Medium, as it adjusts to my skin tone well, but it comes in many shades for many skin types.
When I’m traveling, I stash their Bye Bye Pores Pressed Finishing Powder in my purse to help my foundation stay locked on my face.
See me use my superhero makeup essentials in my 15 second fun video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
To make sure my lipstick and glosses go on smooth lips, I use a lip mask every night and sometimes I’ll let it sit on my lips while I’m applying my makeup for extra hydration. When I lived in Louisville, Kentucky, the winters always brought me severely dry lips. No matter how much lipgloss I used or how much water I drank, it happened year after year. Then I found Laneige Lip Mask and in about 2 weeks of applying it every night before bed, I noticed a drastic improvement in my dry lips.
The holiday edition caramel apple scent of Laneige Lip Mask smells yummy
The only downside is that Laneige is not fully cruelty free, which means they still test on animals in countries where they sell their products and the practice is demanded. I started finding cruelty free substitutions for many of my beauty products over the years and I am still looking for a dupe for this.
I still use it as a now-resident of Florida, because the strong sun dries my lips out, and I do hope Laneige changes their policy as many beauty brands are starting to see animal testing isn’t necessary on beauty products. I’d rather be a willing human tester than my fur friends that don’t have a voice to say no to this practice. I’ll be their voice and keep doing my very best to find alternatives. If a brand won’t listen to your voice, stop buying it. As the saying goes, money talks.
Prime Prometics Primelash Mascara
If you’d like to look a little more awake and brighter eyed, you need a good daily mascara. Prime Prometics contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in trying out their Primelash Mascara, a mascara marketed for mature adults. After doing some research, I was intrigued and tried it out. As I’ve aged, I’ve noticed my brows and lashes looking sparse. For many years, I’ve used a lash primer with a variety of mascaras and not one combination has been good as this one mascara.
This look shows 2 coats of Prime Prometics Primelash mascara
I apply two coats of Prime Prometics Primelash Mascara to make my natural lashes super long. It is cruelty free and vegan, it doesn’t budge all day (it’s not waterproof but it magically stays put, even when I sweat), and clings to each tiny little lash. I found lashes with this mascara that I didn’t think were even there anymore! I don’t have to use a primer anymore with this mascara, and that saves me money and time too!
I created this red and gold look due to inspiration from a dishwasher tab
Haley’s ReTouch Soft Focus Setting Powder
To make your base (foundation, CC cream, or concealer) last a full day, you need to set it with a face powder. I’ve used many face powders over the years and many do a great job. I always look for one that doesn’t break me out and one that doesn’t dry my skin out. I’ve been using Haley’s ReTouch Soft Focus Settting Powder for a while now and I’ve truly fallen in love with it. It’s cruelty free, sets my makeup and slightly blurs imperfections.
I use a powder puff to apply it around my eye area, and a large fluffy powder brush to dab it onto my skin after applying foundation and blush. I like using it to brush away fallen eyeshadow too.
See how I use Haley’s setting powder to remove eyeshadow fallout in my 15 second video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Urban Decay DeSlick Makeup Setting Spray
I’ve used setting sprays to set all my makeup at the end of my application for many years. I simply spray a light mist all over my face and it truly acts like a glue that holds your makeup all together. I like Urban Decay DeSlick because it doesn’t burn my skin (some have lots of alcohol in them that hurts my sensitive skin) and it actually makes makeup stay on.
On the days I don’t use it, I notice my makeup doesn’t last as long. If you aren’t using a makeup setting spray at the end of your makeup application, try one and see if you notice your makeup staying on longer. I bet you will.
Of course, there are plenty of the other products I use when applying makeup, but these are my absolute makeup essentials. If I had nothing else other than these makeup essentials, I’d be fine. But, of course, I like to play, so I’m glad I have more makeup to create with. I consider these makeup essentials to be my top five makeup superheroes and if you have these or similar items in your makeup arsenal, you will have a great makeup experience every day!
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Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.