I’m Sam, I’m 25 years old and I work as a Social Media Marketing Manager for a drugstore cosmetics company based in Germany. Besides already working in the cosmetics industry, I’m also a full-time university student and my major is Marketing with an emphasis on E-Commerce and Social Marketing.
In my spare time I like to do what I am most passionate about – blog about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle topics on my Instagram as well as on my blog.
Although my makeup collection is constantly growing, I have a few beauty products I simply can’t live without.
Starting off with the Philosophy Purity Cleanser, which has quickly turned into my holy grail. It’s a 3-in-1 cleanser, it saves time and it leaves the skin clean, soft and looking so so fresh.
I recently started using self-tanning mousse and thanks to fellow Social Media Beauty Gurus, I came across St. Moriz’s Self Tanning Lotion. Their self-tanning mousse helps me maintain a gorgeous glow even when I feel like staying away from the tanning beds. To achieve a streak-free fake tan it is crucial that you use a tanning mitt, which can be purchased in most beauty online shops that sell self-tanning products.
Since it is very important to always prime your eyes before getting all creative with eye shadows, glitter, and eyeliner, having the right concealer can go a long way. Not only can a concealer cover up blemishes and get rid of your under-eye circles, it also works great as an eye primer. The best concealer of all time is by far MAC’s Pro Longwear Concealer. The no-crease formula prevents the concealer from setting into the fine lines of your skin, making it the perfect product for a flawless look. Plus, it doesn’t budge all day. If you don’t feel like touching up your concealer on a bi-hourly basis, just try setting it with a translucent or banana powder. It will make all the difference.
If you tend to have rather large pores like I do, priming your face is a must. Not only will it help the pores absorb the foundation and make it last longer, but it also creates an even canvas to lay your makeup on. I use Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Primer on a daily basis. The way it works itself into the pores and preps the skin giving it a unique velvety finish is so luxurious. I’ll never do my makeup without it again.
After having purchased and tried countless foundations from drugstore to high-end
brands, I’ve been hopelessly in love with the L’Oréal’s Lumi Magique Liquid Foundation and I’ve been using it for a little over a year now. I love that it makes the skin glow instantly without making it look too dewy or oily.
My go-to eye shadow palette is, without a doubt, Urban Decay’s Naked (1) Eye Shadow Palette. I feel that the range of colors and finishes is so versatile that tons of looks can be created just with the palette alone without having to reach for other eye products. Since I like to work with several different eye shadows on most of my looks, I always, always use a primer or a concealer to prep my eyelid. It definitely helps make the colors pop and it also helps with the staying power.
There’s only one makeup brand that I favor when it comes to loose pigments and that is Makeup Geek’s Loose Pigments. This brand was developed and launched by YouTube Beauty Guru Marlena and I think a lot of women owe so much to her. A great thing about pigments is that they’re long lasting, which means that I have never had to repurchase a pigment because I “hit pan” or ran out. They can be used as eye shadows or can even be mixed with clear gloss to create your very own lip-gloss.
Can any woman really pick just one favorite blush of all time? This was by far the hardest pick for me, because I love to collect different blushes and I can honestly say that I really do love them all. But in this special circumstance I feel that MAC’s Sheertone Blush in Peaches is a no-brainer. This blush compliments every skin tone, which makes it work for so many different people. Plus, it is definitely the most versatile blush I know, since the peach tone works so well with many different eye shadow colors. Apply a bit on the apple of your cheeks and you will look awake, fresh, and ready to start your day.
My holy grail highlighter is without a doubt the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder in the shade Soft and Gentle. It makes such a difference to highlight the Cupid’s bow, above your cheeks or even on top of your nose. It might seem subtle at first, but the gorgeous glow and the fresh and dewy finish will definitely pull a look together.
If you’re looking for a new favorite bronzer, your search ends here. Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer is the bomb! I apply it right underneath my blush, on my forehead, and I also apply a thin line underneath my lower lip to make it look fuller. It is such a perfect warm, matte shade of brown that works well for so many daytime as well as more dramatic looks. It won’t give you a harsh contour, so if you’re into really sculpting your face, you might want to look into a more cool-toned bronzer.
When having very long yet not so thick lashes, there’s only a few mascaras out there that really get the job done. My favorite mascara to tame my eyelashes is the Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Mascara. The way it curls and thickens my lashes without making them look all messy is so neat and gives me the option of wearing my Red Cherry Falsies or not. Even when rocking a very dark smokey eye – this mascara gets the job done. I don’t even have to curl my eyelashes beforehand. Yes, it’s that good.
One of the most overlooked products are eyebrow products, and it’s really a shame, because the shape and overall look of your eyebrows can make or break your whole appearance. It’s always important to compliment the natural shape of your eyebrows and use products, like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, to fix small imperfections. I usually fill in my eyebrows by leaving the first third rather sheer and then thicken the tail of my eyebrows by applying more of the product.
Last, but not least, I love a glamorous vintage retro matte red lip. It is timeless and so lady-like. My current favorite matte red lipstick is L’Oréal Colour Riche Collection Lipstick in the shade By Blake. It is to die for. If you’re worried about the longevity of your lipstick I definitely recommend applying the first layer of the lipstick and then placing a thin tissue on top of your lips and dabbing some NYX setting powder onto the tissue. Remove the tissue and apply a second layer of lipstick. It makes my lipstick last way longer.
I hope you enjoyed my favorite makeup picks and I look forward to connecting with all you beauty enthusiasts on Instagram or my blog.
Inside Sam’s Makeup Bag:
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