Melissa Billions

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My Everyday Makeup Routine

So my sister asked me to do an "on camera" makeup routine.  I thought she said "everyday" so I sat in my house taking all these photos only to realize, too late, that I was doing the wrong thing.  Thus, this post.  I didn't want it to go to waste so I am posting here because I've always wanted to do one.  This is also a pretty courageous move on my part so I'm patting myself on the back here.  You may notice that I'm just holding the eyebrow product with no "demonstration"..those pics were weird.  

And now... Melissa's Everyday Makeup Routine a la all the beauty books that I would buy back in the early 00's like:  Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out and Bobbi Brown Beauty.  #classics

Okay.  This is my face on its own:

base: drunk elephant c-firma day serum, lush cosmetcs' celestial moisturizer, kiehl's creamy eye treatment with avocado.

STEP 1: CONCEALER

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Dark 1

Cover dark areas, undereye, and forehead.  Use fingers or Beauty Blender to blend out.

STEP 2:  EYEBROWS

brush eyebrows into shape and fill with Benefit's Ka-Brow! Shade 4

STEP 3:  CHEEKS

BlackUp's Blush in NBL 09/Iced Chestnut

Apply to apple of cheeks and lightly pull color toward temple.

STEP 4:  FACE

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Deep

The biggest trick to bronzer that I've learned is making the number 3 shape.  1. starts at the side forehead.

2. ends near and just below the apple of the cheek.

3.  ends underneath the jaw line directly below the second ending spot.

STEP 3: HIGHLIGHT

Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Bronze Glow

I apply highlighter just above my blush, to the tip of my nose, lightly down the bridge, cupid's bow, and chin, and a light brush across the temples.

STEP 6:  MASCARA

Too Faced: Better Than Sex Mascara

I love my face here.  LOL!

STEP 7:  SET

MAC Cosmetics: Prep + Prime Fix Plus

light spray, 1-3 pumps because this spray finishes "dewy".

FINALE:

That's it, that's all!  I have a wacky complexion like most people, but I don't try to cover it because I want to feel comfortable and look real/effortless.  I have been playing around with foundations for a few months to find a sheer and breathable blend that makes me look even all over.  Otherwise, working in the wellness industry, I don't feel the need to get a flawless look because I could end up in the gym at any minute--and it's a gauge of my food and water intake.  

I hope this helps someone and at least brings a laugh.  I don't "do" self-deprecation, but the pic of me putting on mascara is laughable.  My face while holding the highlighter is me laughing because I was looking so serious and could also see my reflection in the casing.

In the end, I actually am in love with my everyday look (I also realized that I didn't put on a lip: it's usually Bobbi Brown Nourishing Lip Color in Suntan Pink with Lune + Aster Vitamin C & E Lip Gloss in Teacher on top).  This is years of working and editing here.  It's still imperfect but it's reliable and easy to do.  Sometimes I'll choose from the other two blushes I have (Nars Exhibit A or MAC Limited Edition) to match my outfit, the weather, or add drama.  I really don't think that anyone can pull off an authentic everyday look without putting in the legwork at the counters and in the makeup aisle.  Makeup is a fun way to express yourself and reflect your mood--or the mood that you want to have.  I say that that's no place to cut corners, nah mean?

Happy discovering!

Melissa