Makeup has the power to make you feel AMAZING. Whether it’s throwing on a little mascara to open those tired mommy eyes (and try to hide the fact that you only got 4 hours of intermittent shut-eye the night before), or some concealer to cover up that pimple from the hormone roller coaster you’ve been riding, makeup allows us to feel a little better about the way we look. It’s true that when you look good, you feel good.
I love makeup! I can be found decked out in a super-glam, full face of makeup, pretty much every day. No—I don’t do it because I think I’m unattractive, or that I need makeup, I do it because I find the process of applying makeup to be relaxing and therapeutic and it makes me feel good. Now, I know that not everyone shares my affinity for a glam face, BUT if you wear any makeup at all, you know that as a hard-working mom, it may look as if your mascara has melted off of your face by the end of the day. So how do you continue to look like a BOSS while you’re killing it as Supermom? Prepping and setting, my friend.
I’m going to share some key tips and products that will change your makeup game. As tired as you may be by the end of the day, you will still look oh-so-fabulous by the time you drag those tired feet into that bathroom to take your makeup off and wash that face (which you WILL do each night!) See my post on skincare rules for moms here.
*This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
Face Primer
Before you put on your face, you must put on a base! If you think applying primer doesn’t make a difference in your face makeup, you are WRONG! Primer is vital to make your face makeup look smoother and last longer. There are different kinds of primers for different skin types and needs. I tend to get oily later in the day (especially during the warmer months), so I will often go with a mattifying primer, which keeps oily skin at bay. My current favorite is Farmasi VFX Pro Camera Ready Primer, which is actually great for ALL skin types! You can’t beat the affordable price and I love the smooth, silicone texture of the primer. It also does a great job of prepping my face for foundation and keeping my makeup in place!
If you’re willing to splurge, a classic favorite is Benefit’s Porefessional Primer. This primer fills in large pores, is lightweight, and blends easily to create a smooth surface for whatever face makeup you choose. You can even wear it alone to smooth your complexion, but I prefer to wear something over it (even if that means a light BB or CC cream).
Eye Primer
I know one thing for sure—when I put my eyeshadow on in the morning, it will look exactly the same as when I take it off at night. Using an eye primer will ensure your eye shadow stays put. I believe that splurging on base product (such as face and eye primer) is more important than the actual makeup products themselves. However, this is not to say that you won’t be able to find good drugstore primers, or that I don’t buy any high-end cosmetics—I’m just saying if I have to pick, I invest in the base products. These products are the ones that take your makeup from GOOD to GREAT. They ensure your makeup lasts all day and doesn’t crease or smear. They even have the ability to make less pigmented makeup look richer and more vibrant, which is why I believe that quality base products are so important.
With that being said, my all-time, HOLY GRAIL of eyeshadow primers is HANDS DOWN MAC’s Pro Longwear Paint Pot. These potted shadows are seriously AMAZING in every way! They are a thicker consistency, which I personally like because they do a great job at covering up any discoloration on your eyelids creating a smooth, even base. While they may seem a little pricey, (usually around $22), they are well worth it and last for a very long time. (One lasts me the majority of the year). I get the shade “Painterly” which is a nude, beige color.
Color Picking Tip:
If you have more pink undertones in your skin, go for the shade “Painterly”. If you have more yellow undertones, “Soft Ochre” may be a better pick. They have other shades available as well.
*If you’re looking for the payoff of Mac’s Paint Pot, but don’t want to break the bank, I have AWESOME news!! I recently discovered Farmasi’s Eye Primer, which is a FANTASTIC DUPE for MAC’s Painterly Paint Pot at half the price!! You can grab it here.
Pro Tip:
Apply from lids to brow bone with a finger or flat concealer brush (I usually prefer a brush so it doesn’t get under my nails). Use middle or ring finger to smooth out, alternating between sweeping and patting motions. Apply translucent powder with a fluffy eyeshadow brush to set in place!
If the thick, full-on power of the Paint Pot is not your thing, there are definitely other alternatives. Two of my lighter favorites are Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion and Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eyeshadow Primer. Again, these are higher-end brands that have great payoff, but have a lighter application that doesn’t come off as dry as the Paint Pots.
Just be sure you wear SOMETHING to hold all of that fabulous-ness in place!
Translucent Powder
Okay, so you have your bases down. Your makeup is looking great. So how do we hold it all in place? Step 1: translucent powder. A loose powder is going to set your face makeup in place, as well as help with oil control throughout the day. I’m currently obsessed with Dermablend’s Loose Setting Powder. It’s on the pricey side, but I know it will hold my makeup in place and help give a “blurred” look to my lines and wrinkles.
If the thought of splurging that much on a face powder is actually giving you wrinkles, opt for a more affordable drugstore brand. I love the Farmasi Translucent Powder! Works just as well at half the price and has CLEAN ingredients, which means no icky chemicals!
Setting Spray
So, you’ve managed to squeeze in enough time to apply all of your makeup before the kids wake up—time for a victory dance! But WAIT! You MUST NOT forget the last step—SETTING SPRAY! I’m sure you’ve heard of this stuff before, but if you haven’t, it’s the equivalent to hairspray for your face. A good setting spray will take all your hard work and preserve it throughout your daily expeditions.
My current favorites are both very affordable. The first is Makeup Revolution’s Sport Fix Extra Hold Makeup Fixing Spray and the other is Farmasi’s Time Locker Fixing Spray. Both of these miracle sprays seriously hold my makeup in place through sweat and tears (I’ve tested both). Even my husband commented on how good my makeup has been looking by the end of the night…yes, mommas—my husband noticed something about my makeup. Both run around 10 dollars a bottle, I mean, how can you go wrong?
Setting sprays also come in different finishes, so pick one that complements your skin type. For example, if you tend to have oily skin DO NOT get a setting spray that promises a “dewy” finish (unless you want your face to look like a Slip ‘N Slide). **Farmasi’s Time Locker Fixing Spray is good for all skin types.
As moms, we know how jam-packed our days tend to be. Taking a few minutes to apply some makeup can make us look more awake, feel beautiful and get ready to take on the day. Make sure you don’t let your precious time spent go to waste! Take a minute to ensure you include these products to prep and set your makeup and you will look fabulous while being Supermom all day long!
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