I’ve spent countless hours scrolling through TikTok, watching beauty gurus flaunt their flawless skin, and getting lost in Sephora reviews to the point of almost developing carpal tunnel. I’ve asked my friends the same question I’ve hunted for in everyone else’s shopping carts:

“How do I find the best products that won’t break the bank, match my skin tone perfectly, last all day, follow the latest trends, and look natural?”

Gosh it’s hard being a woman. But honestly, I love every second of it and man was I born in the right era – one where spontaneous trips to Ulta and watching beauty TikToks are essential parts of my routine.

That said, I’ve spent lots of hours doing my research into products that would work for my dry & sensitive skin. Below, I’ll walk you through my current makeup routine that checks all my must-have boxes. I’m sticking with this routine for a while because, contrary to what some beauty influencers say, you don’t have to swap out products every few months. If it’s working, don’t fix it — and save your wallet the headache!

So, let’s break this up into the make-up trifecta…

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1. Face 

Starting off with our base, let’s talk about the combination of foundation, concealer, and powder that has my hair really happy… because I’m finally not pulling out my hair testing product after product just for them to fail.

I’ve got dry, sensitive skin with a neutral skin tone and neutral undertones, so a common theme you’re going to see here are moisturizing products.

If you’re curious about my skincare routine (which, let’s be real, is the true foundation), check out My Skincare Routine I’ve Been Using for 8 Years here!

Primer

I used to skip primer because, well, foundation is already pricey enough. But after dealing with creasing and makeup that wouldn’t last, I decided to invest in a primer.

So the Primer I picked up at Sephora is the Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray. If you haven’t already guessed, I chose this one because it doubled as a Setting Spray (a win for my wallet).

I also chose this one because it was weightless, hydrating, & smelled amazing when I first sprayed it in the store. It’s been a win for my makeup routine, because I use this daily as my primer / setting spray and after 6 months of having it, I STILL haven’t run out. Very happy with my purchase.

Foundation

Now let’s talk about the queen of the routine — Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation in the shade 135N.

When I first tried her on in the store, because it’s rare I’ll buy a first-time foundation try online without a proper color match, I fell in love. The 135N shade was a PERFECT match, and it was exactly what I was starting to believe was impossible to find in a foundation: it didn’t FEEL like foundation.

I’ve tried so many foundations and never had I found one before that wasn’t heavy on my skin. Lancôme blessed me with a foundation that truly felt like liquid skin.

Now, the caveat here to such a gem of a find is of course, the price. At about $60 for a bottle, this is definitely considered an investment purchase.

However, you don’t need to use too much of this stuff because it’s buildable and it’s a liquid which tends to last longer than cream, so for your everyday routine you’ll be using this bad boy for months and not have to worry about running out. 

To blend this baby out, I use the iconic MERIT Brush No. 1 Tapered Blending Brush. Like primer, I’ve skipped expensive makeup brushes for most of my life and have stuck with a brand like ELF. I stand by that decision to save my money on brushes, however, I make one exception with this brush because it works so well. I’ve never liked beauty blenders, so this brush will likely stay in my makeup bag for years. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. 🤷🏼‍♀️

If you have dry skin and hate wearing foundation like me, I think you’re going to like this gem.

Concealer

I’ve lived off of concealer pretty much my whole life as a victim of dark undereye circles. I’ve tried pretty much every single concealer out there, and there are honestly quite a few I do really like. But lately, the Make Up For Ever HD Skin Smooth & Blur Undetectable Under Eye Concealer is really doing it for me.

Why? Because it’s hydrating (key word here), has a natural finish, uses hyaluronic acid, and is advertised as “good for dark circles”. And I have to agree – this stuff checks all my boxes and does the job for a while I might add. This baby stays put from the moment I open my eyes until the end of my day when I wipe her off.

And I go lighter for my concealer for a brightening effect, which means the 1.5R Linen is my color-correcting brightening bestie.

Contour 

Before we top this off with some setting powder, we’re going to use MERIT’s Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer in the shade Clay. This creamy bronzer will get topped off a little later, but I like to add an extra layer of sculpting to my dry skin with a clean product like this one. 

Plus, the gold packaging makes me feel like a boss babe putting this stuff on, and we love MERIT.

Setting Powder

A setting powder with Vitamin E that’s meant to mattify while still hydrating and also subtly color correct and highlight contours of the face with an airbrushed finish? YES PLEASE.

I’m convinced Huda Beauty’s Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder is God’s gift to women.

Although listen to me – you don’t need the normal size version of this heavenly product. The mini will do at only $22, especially if you only plan on using this in your T-zone and under your eyes like I do. It has lasted me forever.

The Bronze / Blush / Highlight Combo of My Dreams

This is the part in my routine I live for. 

First, remember what I said about “If It’s Not Broken, Don’t Fix It?” That goes for any and all Benefit products. In this case, the Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Powder Bronzer is an old friend who has never failed me, and never will. 

This silky-soft bronzer instantly warms up your skin, smells amazing, and has a natural-looking matte finish. I only use this on the cheekbones and on my forehead to bring back from life to my – at this point – washed out skin. 

Moving on to a product that recently stole my heart: Patrick Ta’s Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Du in the shade She’s the Moment. That’s exactly how this blush makes me feel.

The cream base is perfect for my dry skin, but the pressed powder pair acts as the perfect setting powder to give you that bold blushed look while not drying out your skin – and lasts all day. This stuff will give you that day-long radiant glow you’ve been searching for.

Finally, and arguably my favorite step of this whole routine, is another newbie that stole my heart: the DIOR Backstage Glow Face Palette in the 001 Universal shade. 

There are no words to describe how much I love this little pallet and take it with me everywhere. I use this daily to add a shimmer to my cheeks and the tip of my nose, but some nights I’ll use this in the corner of my eyes as well with my eye shadow to dress up my look. It’s versatile, gorgeous, and I feel like a queen every time I put it on. 

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2. Eyes

Moving on to eyes, I like to keep this pretty natural during my daily routine. 

Eyeshadow

The Anastasia Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette is what I will use when I want to add a touch of glam to my look.

However, on a daily basis, I’ll just take a fluffy eyeshadow brush with my Benefit Hoola Bronzer and dust some brown onto my lips to make my eyes look less sunken. It’s quick and easy while still adding to my bronzed look.

Eye Liner

I just finished yet another stick of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. This stuff has been a staple in my makeup bag since high school, and I still don’t plan on changing it anytime soon.

I throw a bit of this on my waterline and call it a day. I’ve never been one to be good at eyeliner, and I’ve found my blue eyes get lost easily behind too much black, so I like to stick with a little bit of contrast to my waterline and it works for me.

Mascara

Another recent win for me has been the Tower28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara. 

Although, I will admit Mascara is the number one product I swap out regularly – I like mixing things up and trying various brands. One thing I do really like about Tower28 which will likely be a reason for me to keep this one around is that Tower28 is a clean brand. It’s safe for sensitive eyes like mine, and keeps my lashes looking natural while still adding volume.

Eyebrows

To wrap up my eyes, I’m once again leaning on a brand that as never let me down: Benefit’s Precisely, My Brow Pencil Waterproof Eyebrow Definer in the shade 3.5.

I will say I get why people hate on the eyebrow pencils – they definitely don’t last as long as a cream. But I don’t think I’ll ever not be able to use a pencil because of the control I have with it.

I also tend to do darker on my lashes, which match my natural roots, because I think blondes with dark eyebrows are a slay.

I’ll pair this with MERIT’s Brow 1980 Volumizing Tinted Eyebrow Gel-Pomade in the shade Dark Brown to brush out my brows and set them.

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3. Lips

I figured a combo I like to refer to as my “triple-threat”. It’s been working well for me for months now, so this is something I plan to continue using for a hot minute. It’s a slightly bold but still neutral combination I can truly wear anywhere.

Lip Liner

The NYX Line Loud Longwear Lip Liner in the color Global Citizen is all you need. Truly, this $8 gem has been lip changing for my lips. The shade is the perfect neutral color, and it’s insane how smoothly it glides onto my lips – SO easy to apply.

Lipstick

After lining my lips, I’ll take the MERIT Signature Lip Lightweight Satin Lipstick in the soft peach Ginger shade. This pairs perfectly with the NYX liner and is perfect for every day because it gives my lips a boost, but still works for my day-to-day routine.

Lipgloss

Finally, the most satisfying part after everything else has been applied, and the moment I live for in the mirror before spritzing a perfume on, is the clear IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Serum Lip Gloss in the color Self-Assured. This gloss has 8-hour hydration with a high-shine finish with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, tri-peptides, & ceramide. In short, it keeps my lips soft and smooth all day long.

So there you have it – my everyday routine I’ve been addicted to lately that perfectly provides a balance between matte and hydrating. After researching and experimenting with countless products, I can finally say I’m pretty happy with where I’m at with this, and I highly recommend each one of these products.