What's In My Drawer: Makeup (Summer '17)

Alarm after alarm, and snooze after snooze, I finally get out of bed and start my day. As I throw open the curtains and perch at my desk - a tabletop mirror stands in front of me - I look at myself and wonder: "What look am I feeling today?"

"How do you have time in the morning for your makeup?"
"Your makeup looks so good!"
"What products do you use?"

These questions and comments like to pop up in my daily life every now and then. To me, makeup isn't about attracting or pleasing someone, but about self-expression, confidence, and identity; it is a form of art that enhances the already-existing beauty of an individual.

Today I want to share with you the products which sleep inside my drawer.

[ YOU MIGHT LIKE: What's In My Drawer: Lipstick ]

A FLAWLESS COVERAGE

I've been using Jane Iredale's foundation products for as long as I can remember - the makeup is mineral-based, and goes on very smoothly, with enough coverage for a glowing everyday look. The BB cream blends in so well it appears as if I'm not wearing any foundation at all! It's a little on the pricier side, but well worth the money.

As a teen, I would break out a lot, and as self-conscious as I was at that age, I would rely on concealer to hide my blemishes. Where the Clinique I use all over, the eyeNlip I use primarily under my brow, because of the lighter colour.

FEELING CHEEKY

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS

Contour Kit: Light/Medium ($52)

BECCA

Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter: Opal ($46)

*This is a small 2.4g/0.08oz sample I got from redeeming my Beauty Points

TARTE

Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush: paaarty (nude) ($35)

*This is a small 1.5g/0.05oz sample from Sephora's 2017 Birthday Gift

I only boarded the contouring and highlighting trains about a year ago, but it has made such a huge difference in my life. Seriously. My face is naturally rounded, and I sport high cheekbones, so creating some definition really does wonders. I absolutely adore BECCA's highlighters, so I lucked out with a freebie of Opal. I have yet to find a contour palette (or sticks) that really work for me, but the ABH isn't bad.

With blush comes memories of numerous ballet competitions and performances from my childhood (oh, those rosy cheeks, they were never pink enough). I'm usually not a huge fan of blush, but since getting this little tarte compact, I've discovered that it brings a bit more life and dimension to the face. Just a small amount can go a long way.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EYES

URBAN DECAY

Travel-Size Eyeshadow Primer Potion: Original ($16)

JOE FRESH

Fine Tip Liquid Eyeliner (~$8)

BENEFIT

Goof Proof Brow Pencil ($32)

URBAN DECAY

24/7 Glide-On Pencil: Perversion ($25)

The essential eyes. So many products, so much importance. I find that without my Primer Potion, my shadows don't go on as easily, nor are they as pigmented as they could be. The travel size may seem small, but there is a lot of product in it, and you honestly don't need a lot.

But before I work on my eyes, I do my brows - Goof Proof is my friend. Since I naturally have fairly dark and thick brows, I opted for a pencil, just to fill in some sparser spots, and to define the shape a bit more.

When it comes to eyeliner, I use liquid for my lids, and pencil for my waterline. The Joe Fresh liquid eyeliner is surprisingly good for its price, and the quality is even comparable to some other more well-known brands. And my wings end up looking pretty bomb. In terms of pencil eyeliner, I have tried many, but nothing compares to the 24/7 - it really does just glide on, and is super pigmented and lasting. Recently, though, I've been using a dark brown on my waterline - the Perversion is reserved for occasions that call for a smokier, darker look.

COLOURPOP

Super Shock Shadow: Sailor ($5 USD)

STILA

Smudge Pot: Jet Black ($26)

No makeup collection is complete without something from ColourPop. Their products are only available online, but are affordable yet still maintains the quality. I recently purchased Sailor as a base for my lids - the multicoloured glitter gives it an iridescent kind of glow.

To really make my eyeliner pop, I use the Smudge Pot before applying the liquid. I'm not a huge fan of gel liner, but my mom bought it and decided it wasn't for her, so I kinda took it from her. There's no such thing as too many products, am I right?

URBAN DECAY

Naked2 Eyeshadow Palette ($66)

ARBONNE

It's A Long Story Mascara ($39)

When I started getting serious about makeup around the end of high school, I knew I needed a high-quality eyeshadow palette rather than just using a few colours here and there from drugstore ones. Not that there was anything bad about them, I just needed something that held all my essential colours. Naked2 was the obvious choice (well, I was debating between this and the original Naked) - as you can see from the picture, it's pretty used up. And then, of course, more fabulous palettes came into the market... it will be a tough decision when I need to buy a replacement!

This Arbonne mascara is one of my 'holy grail' products - it truly lengthens the lashes, and clumping is unheard of. Perfect for a light, everyday look. Bonus: it hints fragrances of rose. Honestly highly recommend.

THE FINAL FIXES

LAURA MERCIER

Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($47)

URBAN DECAY

Travel-Size All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ($18)

I cannot say how much of a difference these two products make, especially the setting powder. It mattifies the face, blends and smoothens out the makeup, further conceals those nasty spots, and is good for baking (the makeup, of course). Pair it off with the All Nighter, and you've got yourself a face full of makeup that will last hours on end. I find that even after a sweaty workout, or a nap, I still walk out flawless.

That's my collection... well, my daily collection. It may seem like a lot, but I really only have one of everything I need to create my 'signature' everyday look (aside from several types of eyeliner).