This is the first installation in a short series on beauty products, beginning with the face and following up with hair and body.  I should preface this by noting that I am extremely no-frills when it comes to cosmetics – I’m not a fan of extensive procedures, I despise embellishments, and I’ll immediately trash any product that leaves me looking even slightly unrecognizable.  When it comes to makeup, I need to be done in 5 minutes or less – it’s a big day if I put on eyeliner; normally I’ll throw on foundation or powder, blush, gloss and I’m out the door.

I’ve narrowed down some awesome products that align with my no-fuss daily protocol – it’s taken me a few years to find products that are easy enough to work for someone like me (read: I couldn’t apply eyeshadow to save my life).

Eyes:

I require eyeliner that is foolproof to apply – liquids are out.  Make Up For Ever recently launched their Rock For Ever eyewear line, and the liners are magical.  The kit comes with some colours I wouldn’t often opt for, such as silver and gold, but the rest of the palette is really basic and easy to wear.  The mini set is only $40, and for someone like me who never goes overboard on the eyes, this little kit will last me forever.

I also enjoy Maybelline’s Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner – and the little brush that comes with it doubles as a great eyebrow pencil too (I like to use brown eyeshadow as a substitute when I don’t have a brow pencil on hand):

Mascara is another tough one – so many are clumpy, and hard to remove because they’re so ‘long lasting.’  My favourite ever was Lavera’s Organic Volume Mascara.  Applied easily, came off easily, just the right amount of product to define my lashes without making me look like a washed up circus tramp.

Lips:

90% of the time I’m going with a basic lip conditioner – Carmex has been a favourite as of late, it’s got a nice sheen to it.  For nights out, try the lip gloss by Love That White Smile – it’s even got a mirror on the side and the applicator lights up when you unscrew the top in case you’re locked in a dark closet and need an emergency gloss up.

I’m absolutely a fan of going bold with lip colour, and my favourite shade right now is Lady Danger by MAC:

Remember, when you go bold on the lips keep the eyes simple – I prefer to pair a popping lip colour with bold brows, and leave my eyes and cheeks as simple as can be.

Cheeks:

MAC Gel Blush is my go-to here, and has been for years.  Just a Pinch is my shade of choice, seems to blend really well with any other colour palettes I’m working with, and my complexion is fairly rosy so it’s a nice fit.  The bonus is you can use this on your lips as well.  Any product that is multi-purpose is a shoe-in for me.

My other favourite is L’Oreal’s Quickstick in Pink Perle – it’s a face/body blush with a very subtle glimmer to it, I like to pair it with the MAC Gel Blush right up around the cheekbones for a bit of definition.  It appears L’Oreal has discontinued this product so either email them and request they bring it back, or please send me some suggestions for a suitable replacement!

Skin:

Make Up For Ever wins again with their high definition foundation.  Blends easily, not too heavy or light, and doesn’t irritate my skin or cause any break outs:

And finally, for all my powdering needs I turn to Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Natural Formula Loose Powder – my sensitive skin loooves this product.

Hope this helps anyone who is as cosmetically challenged as I have been in the past!  Any additional feedback/tips you have would be appreciated in the comments.