I’ve always been the type of person who loves playing with makeup. Since childhood, I’d do my makeup for my dance competitions. I loved testing and trying new products and coming up with different looks. I often watched YouTube tutorials on my phone in high school instead of paying attention in class. (Oops. Well, now I write about makeup for a living, so maybe that paid off?)
This year, I’ve been trying new brands and products to shake things up and see what I’ve been missing. After all, with so many viral products and beauty content creators filling my feed, I figured it was time to take a look at my makeup bag and see what needed to be upgraded. After trying a few new beauty products and, of course, remaining faithful to a few of my OG products, I decided to share my updated list of holy-grail products with you. I’m giving you all my makeup secrets—from the gel-based moisturizer I swear by to the foundation I’ve been wearing for years to the best blushes and highlighters on the market.
Keep scrolling to get your hands on the beauty products I currently use in my routine.
Tower 28 Beauty
SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
I know some people may roll their eyes at facial sprays, but I love them and use them in my daily routine. As part of my skincare prep, I spray my face with this. I’ve found that my skin tends to absorb products better when it’s damp. I just recently got my hands on the SOS Daily Rescue Facial spray from Tower 28 Beauty, and so far, I love it.
Dr. Jart+
Cicapair Cooling Gel Moisturizer for Redness
I always say I want my skin to look like a glazed doughnut after prepping it for my makeup. In other words, I need it to be as glowy and hydrated as possible. This product does exactly that. The gel texture is everything, and I know I’m going to be buying another one as soon as it runs out.
PATRICK TA
Major Glow Balm
I’ve tried a lot of body-glow products, and this one takes the cake. It’s the product celebrities like Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, and Alix Earle reach for when getting red-carpet ready. This balm creates an instant golden goddess glow, and I highly recommend using it when you’re planning on showing some skin. I first tried this product a few years ago on a trip to Miami, and still, in 2024, I am singing its praises. I will warn you that it can sometimes transfer onto clothing, so when applying, make sure you really massage the product into your skin with a big brush.
NARS
Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
This foundation and I have a longstanding love affair. If you’re a person of color, I highly recommend this foundation. It’s truly like liquid skin. It has full coverage, so if you want something lightweight, then I would opt for something else.
Real Techniques
Miracle Complexion Sponge
I’ve been using Real Techniques sponges for years, and I can’t recommend them enough.
NARS
Radiant Creamy Concealer
It’s not necessarily news that this concealer is fire, but I have to remind everyone that it’s the only one I’ll use. It’s that good.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder
As someone with oily skin, setting powder is like my best friend. I’ve tried all the buzzy ones that we’ve all heard about, but this one reigns supreme, in my opinion. I use the shade Banana.
PATRICK TA
Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
This blush was a new one for me. I usually only wear Nars blushes, but I’ve been so impressed by Patrick Ta’s other products that I had to try this one. Even though my skin is on the oily side, I love cream blushes. Because of that, they tend to make me look and feel greasier. I love that Patrick Ta’s blushes contain both a powder and a cream. The idea is that you use the powder as a base and wear the cream on top. It gives you a glowy look while also staying matte. Truly a dream come true.
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Soft Pop Blush Stick
I often layer this over a powder blush. I apply it with a brush to the highest points of my cheekbones.
Gucci
L’Obscur Lengthening Mascara
This mascara is magic. It grips every individual lash and lengthens them from the first stroke. This is the kind of mascara you put on and you audibly say, “Wow.”
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Softsculpt Shaping Stick
This product has been a total game changer. After celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips’s underpainting technique (aka contouring under your foundation) went viral, I wanted to try a contour stick for myself, and now I can’t imagine doing my makeup without it. It’s an easy-to-use product and blends well with a beauty sponge. I took it with me on a girls’ trip, and my friends kept asking to use it.
Charlotte Tilbury
Collagen Superfusion Face Oil
The most luxurious facial oil. I use this in my nighttime skincare routine. When I wake up, my skin feels so plump.
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Moistureglow™ Plumping Lip Serum
Once this plumping serum came into my life, I knew I would never be the same. Not only is this product super hydrating, but it’s also so pigmented and shiny that it can double as a lip gloss. I usually wear a lip liner with it for a pretty, everyday lip combo.
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Ultra Suede® Sculpting Lip Pencil
I’m a huge lip-liner person, and while I usually opt for a drugstore liner, this Makeup by Mario sculpting lip pencil is worth the extra money. The little brush on the end of the pencil is a game changer and makes getting that ’90s glossy lip so much easier. This is a product I’ll be buying for life.
Charlotte Tilbury
Magic Cream Face Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid
I am a huge Charlotte Tilbury fan. This product is one of my favorites from the brand. It lives up to the name, and after using it consistently, I noticed a difference in how moisturized and bright my skin looked.
NARS
Talc-Free Powder Blush
I’m really into that sunburned, fresh-from-the-beach look, and the Nars Talc-Free Powder Blush in the shade Exhibit-A does just that. It may look a little scary to apply such a bright hue of red, but trust me—it blends out beautifully.
I’ve just recently started using Refy products, and so far I’m a huge fan of its lip gloss. I’ve been wearing the shade Rosewood nonstop. It has a high-shine finish that I love.
Augustinus Bader
The Cream With Tfc8® Face Moisturizer
Everyone’s favorite moisturizer. I know the price tag is a bit steep, but once you try it, you’ll get it.
MAKEUP BY MARIO
Master Crystal Reflector
As far as powder highlighters go, this one is one of my all-time favorites. It’s super pigmented, so you don’t need a lot of product. Plus, it looks gorgeous layered over a good blush.
DIOR
Lip Addict Lip Maximizer Gloss
I have so many of these. They’re my go-to glosses.
Charlotte Tilbury
Magic Serum Crystal Elixir Face Serum