Hi again friends!, Today I’m sharing some of my current favorite beauty finds with you i.e. the routine I use every day! I received a complimentary Smashbox Foundation to trial via @influenster, and that sparked the idea for this post! PS all items are linked via clicking the graphics below.

The Face: create a great canvas!

First let’s talk foundation – since that was the beginning of it all. Well wait – first apply the Smashbox primer which is just a stellar product. You only need about a pea sized amount for your entire face, and your products will stay on allllll day long.

Now we can talk foundation. The Smashbox Studio Skin Full Coverage claims to be waterproof, sweat-resistant, and full coverage. In addition to full coverage for 24 hours. I have trialed this foundation for a few days now and am nothing short of impressed! It definitely stayed on all day, and even looked good after my workout! This has a very defined matte finish – which I love – and you only need the tiniest amount for application of your whole face. I used a squeeze about the size of a tic tac! I do recommend application with a foundation brush vs a sponge. I trialed both, despite the product recommendation for applying with a stippling brush, and the coverage with the brush definitely looked nicer! I’m wearing color 2.12, a light neutral.

After the foundation I follow with a concealer. I’ve been using tarte cosmetics shape tape concealer for about a month and am in LOVE! I don’t see that this product seeps into the tiny creases under my eyes, and it applies more like a salve with a beauty blender.

After the foundation & concealer I set it with a finishing powder. This one’s great, and very inexpensive. Check out my previous post on budget beauty buys for more details.

The Cheeks – Add a little color!

Along with the setting powder, I also included the e.l.f contour palette, in my previous post about budget buys. This palette only contains 4 colors which makes it so easy to use for amateur makeup artists like myself!

For cheeks, blush is a must for my routine – I think I look a little lifeless without it! I love the NARS product line, and trend toward more of an orange color myself.

The Eyes – the windows to the soul, or so they say!

I was introduced to several of these products through beauty subscription boxes …. surprise! I love the it cosmetics universal brown eyebrow pencil because they literally have a single color to choose from!! Takes all the work out of it! And the fact that it has a smoothing brush on the opposite side makes it easier to find your tools! 😉

I love ALL of the naked palettes for a super basic eye color, and shared this one specifically because it is 100% matte colors. I use this regularly, so much that I usually run out of my two favorite colors to blend.

Lastly, Eye Liner & Mascara – I’m a big supporter of liquid liner. This felt-tipped option seems to last forever and is so easy to use – it’s like a marker! I have it in both black & brown. And the Mascara, I often switch up, but I love this product because it makes your lashes so full & fluffy.

The Cleanser – I swear by this Aveeno Foaming Cleanser and the L’Oreal Eye Make up remover, and have for years. Though this foundation is “waterproof” it comes off so cleanly with the Aveeno Cleanser & I always seem to be removing my mascara with Q-tips to avoid rubbing my eyes. Great for cleanup!!

Have you tried any of these products before? Do you swear by any of these in your own beauty routine? Share your favorite beauty finds with me! 😉 I’m always looking for a great new product to incorporate.

Just a heads up: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are entirely my own. Thanks for supporting me!

Any ladies out there like to wear makeup? Yah, me too… the expensive stuff 😉 Well, after reviewing our budget, we realized we needed to be cutting corners everywhere we could… Unfortunately for this girl who loves makeup… that meant ditching my most expensive beauty routine for some much more affordable makeup budget buys!  I’ve been pretty impressed with some of the products I’ve found!

Under Eye Concealer – L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HC Concealer, Light Yellow

After reading about yellow concealer, I figured I’d give this a go. I have pretty dark circles under my eyes, or at least I think so. So I swapped my $45 name brand concealer for this $5 find instead.  It stays on all day, and I have great coverage with this!! The concealer also has this cool brush applicator that makes putting it on that much quicker! Also, no cleaning brushes – when it’s gone, you toss it.  I love easy clean up.  Think I’ll continue with the yellow for now at least! 

Spot Correcting Concealer – Maybelline New York, Fit Me! Concealer in #15 Light

I hate to admit that I’m at this lovely age where I’m jointly wearing face cream to prevent wrinkles, but also still need the zit cream on occasion… does this ever go away?! I digress. Because of this, I still rely on a spot correction concealer for those little pesky spots you don’t want seen!

BB Cream – Dr. Jart’s Premium Beauty Balm with SPF 45

OK, ok, this one wasn’t as much savings, or new to my routine, but I’m super passionate about applying sunscreen daily.  Considering this has an SPF 45, it was tough to get rid of.  This goes for $38 on Amazon, which is about $7 cheaper than my former “expensive” foundation.  I like the light coverage that this gives, for both summertime and daytime wear. I wear light-medium in color, and with daily application, this lasts me about 3 months.

Finishing Powder– Coty Airspun Face Powder, Translucent Extra Coverage

Another crazy savings of $30 from my former product! Honestly, I remember that my grandma used this brand as a child, because I recognized the art on the container! Ha! It’s equally as great as my former brand, and lasts FOREVER.  I do apply this with a brush vs the included powder puff in the container. I wear the Translucent Extra Coverage shade. This lasts me more than 6 months!

Contour – e.l.f. Cosmetics Contour Palette, in Light/Medium

Full disclosure, I’d been using a contour set I received in one of my subscription beauty boxes, but wanted to share one with you all. If you have plenty of blush laying around, this one would be a great option! Total savings ~$10-15 from my designer choice.

Contour / Blush Combo – BYS Contour Trio Powder Palette

Again, If you don’t have a supply of blush readily available, I love this set from Amazon, it’s like a super budget buy since you don’t need to purchase any blush additionally. I don’t know about you but I think I look a lot brighter and fresh with a little blush! That’s my “can’t go without” in the makeup department. 😉 I was a little hesitant about this buy since I wasn’t familiar with the brand but it’s a great buy and seems to stay on all day!

Mascara – L’Oreal Paris Makeup Lash Paradise, Waterproof Mascara

This bad boy is about $16-20 cheaper than my former fancy mascara, and stays on just as well! I found it a lot easier to go for a more budget-friendly mascara, despite my love for expensive beauty products.  I’ve been using this L’Oreal product, and It does leave you with light, feathery, voluminous lashes! I opt for the waterproof version so I don’t have to worry about looking like a raccoon in the late afternoon.

I’m a big fan in general of Amazon Subscribe & Save…. you can save an additional 15% on each of these products if you play the game right!  Check them out, and let me know if you love any of these products. 

SO- My total savings? $115!! Just on making a couple simple swaps. I’d love to hear how much you saved by swapping out a few products!

What makeup budget buys have you discovered at a crazy discount?? I’d love to hear!