I get asked what I use on my face day to day, so here it is—no gatekeeping, no fluff. Just what works for me.
My skin is fair, naturally rosy, and a little temperamental. I deal with redness, dryness, and the occasional surprise blemish that shows up uninvited.
I mix high-end and drugstore without hesitation. If it works, it stays. I’m also way more likely to spend money on skincare than makeup—good skin makes everything else easier.
MY MOISTURIZER
I’m loyal—like, years-and-years loyal—to No.7 or Nuetrogena. My skin gets dry, itchy, flaky… the whole trifecta, and this handles it without feeling heavy. I barely need any—just a few dabs, blend it in, done. It sinks in fast and doesn’t sit on my skin like a film. Bonus: it doubles as a great hand cream.
I give it a few minutes to absorb before putting anything else on my face. Patience here makes a difference.
When my skin is extra cranky, I bring in Dermasil. It’s thicker, richer, and means business. A tiny amount goes a long way, and it actually feels like it’s repairing something—not just sitting on top.
Truthfully, I don’t splurge much on moisturizers. I save that energy (and money) for serums.
MY FOUNDATION
I’ve tried a lot of foundations—some hits, plenty of misses. Right now, I keep coming back to Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear. I've been known to use L’Oréal Paris Infallible. It wears well, looks natural, and doesn’t fight my skin. I also like Almay Age Essentials. It’s smooth, lightweight, and—most importantly—doesn’t make my skin freak out. That alone earns it a permanent spot.
MY LIP BALM / THERAPY
If you live somewhere with real winters, you already know—lip balm isn’t optional.
Carmex Classic and Vaseline Lip Therapy (the gold one) are my go-to when my lips are in rough shape. It’s simple, effective, and gives just a hint of shine.
I also usually have Burt’s Bees on me. It’s one of those products I never want to be without. It feels clean, not greasy, and actually keeps my lips comfortable all day.
MY CONCEALER
I came late to the concealer game, mostly thanks to under-eye circles that decided to move in permanently.
I use Almay Smart Shade Concealer. It’s light—very light—so I tap it in gently where I need it. It brightens more than it covers, which I like… though I’ll admit, it doesn’t completely erase the dark circles. Still figuring that one out.
MY BLUSH (SORT OF)
Here’s where I improvise a little—I use blush, but also use lipsticks as blush.
I mix shades on the back of my hand, tap it onto my cheeks, and blend. It lasts longer than most blushes I’ve tried and looks more natural on my skin. Then I add a touch of highlighter on top because I like a little glow—not glitter, just light.
MY LIPSTICK (FALL/WINTER FAVORITES)
Cream formulas are my comfort zone. Lately, I have been wearing Laura Mercier because I like the feel and the scent. I also use Anastasia Beverly Hills, MAC, and Bobbi Brown —I rotate between them depending on my mood. Sometimes even Mary Kay sneaks in there.
If I’m wearing nothing else on my face, I’ll still throw on lipstick. It pulls everything together without trying too hard.
For liquid lipsticks, I like Stila and Anastasia—but they come with a bit of a learning curve. Matte, long-wearing, yes—but also on me they are prone to dryness and patchiness.
My trick? Exfoliate first (brown sugar + coconut oil, nothing fancy), then add a very light layer—very light—and resist the urge to mess with it all day.
MY HIGHLIGHTER
I don’t go overboard, but I do like a subtle glow.
Stila Heaven’s Hue is my favorite for that soft, icy shimmer. It catches the light without looking obvious.
For drugstore options, I’ll grab Rimmel or L’Oréal sticks when I want something a little more dewy and radiant.
MY EYESHADOW
Right now? I lean toward warm, earthy tones—browns, golds, olives, ocassionally burgundy. Easy, flattering, and hard to mess up.
MY MASCARA
Mascara is non-negotiable.
I use Rimmel and Beauty Creations - the real trick is in the prep—curl first. Always. I layer it to build length and volume, and I’ve figured out a method that works: horizontal for the top lashes, vertical for the bottom. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
False lashes? Not happening for me.
MY EYELINER
Beauty Creations Liquid Liner
MY BROWS
BDB universal brow pencil
MY CLEANSER
CeraVe. Simple, gentle, effective.
It takes everything off without stripping my skin, which is exactly what I need at the end of the day.
That’s my everyday routine—nothing overly complicated, nothing precious. Just products I’ve tested, kept, and actually use.