if the pencils are have a waxy-like texture (hard to get colour from them) or smell, toss.

same with the gloss; if you see separation and it smells weird, then toss.

Echoing all the commenters here; makeup is so personal and really depends on the person’s skin and undertone as one product could look so different on people based on their skin/undertone… If anything I’d get a gift card for makeup.

I really like rare beauty liquid highlighters; I have it in Transcend. I usually mix it with my liquid blush and then apply to my cheekbones; gives such a gorgeous subtle glow.

get one of those beaded eye masks that you can warm up via microwave and use that every night for about 3 mins…this will “exercise” the oil glands in your eyes and alleviate dry eyes (this advice is from my eye doctor). Make sure you read the instructions on the eye masks; don’t put a piping hot mask on your face but it has to be warm to get the oil glands going.

Go for the Asian brands…Kiss me Heroine or Clio Kill.

nope, nothing is ‘needed’; there are no hard/fast rules when it comes to makeup.

I don’t wear a base most of the time and when I do, I use a lightweight skin tint.

seconding! RT brushes are awesome. Don’t get the sets unless you feel you’ll use them; pick specific brushes that can multi-task.

to prevent applying too much on your face:

apply it to the back of your hand first, then dip the brush into that and then tap lightly onto your face. This allows max control and to work in layers.

I outgrew black eyeliner. Since switching to brown, it’s so much softer and more natural for me now.

You need a colour corrector followed by a good concealer (Dior forever skin correct).

Google Vincent Ford, he has amazing concealer tips.

100%. mold can grow anywhere there is bacteria, moisture and darkness…that’s how it grows.

Gift cards, those cute headbands, clips, nail polish, perfume samples

google “led portable mirror” and do some research; some are better than others (with brighter lights).

I have this one and it’s not bad. I kinda wish the lights were a bit brighter but I sit by a window so get lots of natural light and only use the LEDs when it’s evening/night and I have to my makeup in the bathroom under regular bathroom lighting.

So many ways to rock the look but doesn’t have to be all from one brand.

I’ve heard mixed reviews about the brand, some products are good, some are meh… The blushes are supposed to be good, as are they lip balms but that’s about it (according to my daughter). Personally I’ve never found that brand interesting and it’s never caught my eye… Even when they finally came to Sephora Canada I was iike “oh that’s new” and walked right by it 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️

Here are the products I use for a fresh look:

Dior forever concealer, saie blush in Rosy or Tower28 in office hours. In the summer I use the shade rush hour. Kiss me heroine pencil liner in brown, ilia tinted lip balm or Tower28 lip jelly.

But my #1 - skin care has to be on point. Get your skin hydrated and glowing and you’re good to go 👊

They’re restocking now so check back in a week or so according to their IG

Bathroom… I have a huge window so I get natural light which is great. It’s harder in the evening/night so I use an LED for that.

take a look at Saie dewy in the shade Spicy.

you can also take a look at the brand Phytosurgence; they have the most amazing shades for all skin tones! Their toasted blushes line is just what you need – check out the shade Condensate. They had a 20% off sale recently and are pretty much out of stock 😆

I’ve had mine for over a year and it’s good.

also, Rosy is my HG colour ❤️

cakey usually means wrong formula, under-prepped eye/skin, too much product or all of the above.

1. if you have dry skin, avoid products that have a matte finish.
2. prep the hell out of the under eye area. Use a bit of moisturizer, let absorb, then do it again and let fully absorb.
3. use a hydrating primer; I use the now discontinued Smashbox hydrating under eye primer.
4. use as little product as possible so if you have really dark circles, use a colour corrector first, followed by a full coverage concealer. My HG: either Lancome or Huda. I also really like the Becca corrector for super low makeup days.
5. use liquid formulas instead of creams (ie. avoid the ones that come in a pot). My HG: Dior forever skin correct.
6. use thin layers so don’t use the doe foot applicator directly onto your skin; that always deposits too much product. I apply a bit of concealer onto the back of my hand, use this brush to apply a bit my under eye area and blend. I keep adding a tiny bit at a time until I get the coverage I want.
7. getting a concealer that matches your skin tone exactly is best to hide imperfections such as milia, super dark circles etc. Going 1 shade lighter will only highlight the areas you want covered.
8. to set the under eye area, use a talc-free powder; I use Lys triple fix and get a tinted one; even a lighter powder can highlight the darkness.
9. google Vincent Ford; he’s the MUA for Nars and has fantastic concealer tips.

no olive friendly shades. WHY NOT?!