Hunter Vitkauskas

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I have compiled a list of products along with some tips to help you avoid wasting money while searching for the perfect solution. My skin type includes dry patches around my nose and under my eyes, while my forehead and eyebrows tend to be oily. The products I’ve selected work well for my specific skin type. If you have a different skin type or any allergies to these products, please do your research before making a purchase.

Note* None of these products is sponsored. These are just recommendations based on my own personal experience with these products. 

1. The prep 

The very beginning part of every good makeup look starts off before you even put on any actual makeup. One of my favorite ways to start my makeup is by using about 2 finger tips’ worth of moisturizer. This is very important, especially for the winter months, as the skin gets dry and blending makeup can become difficult on dry skin; you’re also at risk for having patchy-looking makeup. But always make sure to use items that have the same base ingredients as your makeup (either water or silicone-based). My personal favorite face moisturizer is The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors. This product is water-based. Price: $6.70 

Now you can never go wrong with also priming your face. This step is crucial if you need your makeup to stay on for a full day. My current favorite primer that has never done me wrong is the ELF Power Grip Primer. This is a water-based primer that has a great stick factor. Price: $11

      2. The Base

Now, this part of my face took a lot of trial and error, but I believe that I cracked the code. When looking for a good foundation, I’m usually on the hunt for something that is affordable and has medium to full coverage. My top three foundations right now are as follows: 

 Nyx Bare With Me BLUR this foundation is Medium to full coverage and is silicone-based. Price: $14 

Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation. This foundation is medium coverage and is silicone-based. Price: $11.99

TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion. This foundation is full coverage and is silicone-based. Price: $25 

Now, if you don’t mind spending a larger amount of money, these options work really well: 

Haus Labs, this foundation is medium coverage and is water-based. Price: $49 

Fenty Beauty, this foundation is medium coverage and is water-based. Price $42

Now we get to look at some of my favorite concealers! When looking for a good concealer, I’m looking for something affordable and that has a good peachy tone. Here are some of my favorites:

Fit Me Concealer. This concealer has medium coverage and is silicone-based. Price: $10.99 

It Cosmetics. This concealer has medium coverage and is water-based. Price: $30 

Tips for concealer – When wanting to cover dark circles or any marks on the skin. Use a peachy-toned concealer because this can cancel out the dark circles on the eyes. Also, one thing that has helped my makeup come out so much smoother is applying concealer to any marks or acne spots before I put on my foundation. This can help them become much less noticeable and keep the base very smooth-looking.

      3. Blush, Bronzer, and Powder. 

This part of makeup is always my favorite because it really can bring out the best features of your face and can really make people believe you have your life together. Some of my current favorite blushes are: 

Blushes: Should be placed above your bronzer, NOT on top of it. I place mine on my cheekbone right around the same area as the outer corner of my eye, up to the end of my eyebrow. This makes the face look lifted and even. 

Elf Camo Liquid Blush. This blush always has a place in my heart because of its price, coverage, and beautiful colors. Price: $8 

Nyx Buttermelt Blush. This is my current favorite powder blush, and the colors are long-lasting.

Price: $11

Bronzers: Should be placed on the natural lining of your cheekbone to create shadow and lift the face. 

Camo Liquid Contour & Bronzer. This bronzer is nice, long-wearing, and affordable. Price $8

Nyx Buttermelt Bronzer. This bronzer creates great shadows and can accentuate the best parts of the face. Price: $11

Powders: A good powder can make you look like a walking filter. In a good way, of course. One tip of mine is when dabbing your powder puff in the powder, tap it in the palm of your hand until it is evenly distributed along the entire puff. This will make sure that you get even coverage and nothing will come off as patchy or cakey. My personal favorite powders are: 

Elf High definition powder. This powder is perfect for adding to really finish off your makeup. Price: $7

Kim Chi Puff Puff Pass. This product is made by a famous drag queen, Kim Chi, and one thing about drag queens they know how to make something that will last the work, dancing, and war. This is perfect for setting your makeup to last all day long.

Price: $22

      4. Eyes & Lips 

To finish off my list of makeup recommendations, I will be pleased to give my top lip and eye makeup products.

Eyes: Now, when applying masara, the best thing that works for me is to really focus on the tip of the lashes. It makes them look full and bright without having a bunch of chunky bits of mascara in the lash. I also never put mascara on my bottom lashes; I think they drag down my face, and unless you’re going for a babydoll 60s look, I don’t recommend putting mascara on the bottom lashes of your eye. 

Mascaras:

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara. Now I love this mascara to a degree that cannot be described. The color is nice and long-lasting. It’s on the pricier side, but I think that it’s a good investment. Price: $30.75 – $41

Maybelline Great Lash. This mascara has been around for a long time, and there’s a good reason why… It’s amazing and it’s really affordable. Price: $9.49

Lips: When I’m picking out lip products, I’m usually someone who likes a good lip liner along with a nice lip oil. Sometimes I’ll dash into lipstick as well. 

Mac Lip Liners Iconic brand that has always provided the top tier of lip products, and their lip lines are among the best. Price $25 

Mac Lipsticks work perfectly with the lip liners and are super high quality. $25 

Nyx Lip Liners: Nice quality with a very good price point to back it up. Price: $6 

Nyx Suede Matte Lipstick Long long-lasting and of nice quality. Price: $9

Elf Lip Oil. This is probably my most-used lip product on a day-to-day basis. Keeps my lips moisturized as well as keeping them looking cute. Price: $9

This is my complete list of recommendations for makeup. Thank you for reading!