Create the Look, Ed. 1

It's Fashion Week season and I'm feeling inspired to be more creative in the blog-o-sphere. Welcome to a new series I like to call: Create the Look. There are some makeup looks that I personally think turned out really nicely that I want to share with you guys! But mostly to remember what products I used to create said looks 😅. Hope you enjoy!

I was invited to a Cantu Beauty event, and this is the look I created!

Prep:

OleHenriksen PHAt Glow Facial* (1.7 oz for $49 at Sephora): I've been using this product for a few weeks now and it's my new favorite. It's made up of PHAs which are supposed to be the gentlest type of acid, but still help with evening skin tone and texture. I thought it was going to be incredibly gimmicky, but it really does result in an instant glow. I also notice smoother skin. I definitely wanted to use this before my event, and had no problems with any products further in my routine.

OleHenriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream (0.5 oz for $38 at Sephora): A staple in my routine, this is my favorite eye cream on the market (that I've tried), so it was a no brainer to use this before concealer for this look.

Black Girl Sunscreen (3 oz for $18.99 at Black Girl Sunscreen or Target): I have no problem layering more products over this sunscreen, and the finish leaves me with such a natural glow, and makes my skin feel plump and hydrated.

Milk Makeup Hydrogrip Primer (1.52 oz for $30 at Sephora): As I get older, and the texture and tone of my skin has been more on the even side (🙏🏾🤞🏾) I've been gravitating to more hydrating products. I kept seeing positive reviews about this product so I picked up a mini for myself. It's a thicker consistency than the primers that I'm used to using (Ole Banana Bright & Elf Poreless Putty Primer) and it definitely "grips" your skin. It blurs my pores beautifully and really does seem to keep my makeup in place, as a primer should. I'm excited to keep using this product!

Base:

Becca Ultimate Coverage 24 Hour Foundation* (1.01 oz for $44 at Sephora): This is a fullllllll coverage foundation. To my dry-skinned friends, I would say this is a no go for you, or use an incredibly hydrating primer. Thankfully this foundation doesn't feel heavy or set into any creases or lines on my face. It's described as a 24 hour wear, water & trasnfer resistant foundation with breathable coverage with a natural matte finish. I think it's more on the matte side than natural. But it definitely lasted throughout the event without having to touch up anywhere, and no oil buildup in the areas that usually get oily. The shade I was gifted is a little bit off, but I'm used to that, and it's nothing I can't finesse to work for me.

Colourpop No Filter Loose Setting Powder in Banana (for under eyes) [0.30oz for $9 at Colourpop]: I am a huge fan of Colourpop's No Filter line, and I had never used a banana setting powder before, but it definitely brightens my under eyes incredibly well. If Laura Mercier made a banana shade of their Translucent Loose Setting Powder, I'd be all over it. But for now, Colourpop's is a pretty good dupe.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (for all over face) [0.22 oz for $30 at Sephora]: A holy grail concealer of mine, I used the shade Chocolat because it's a perfect match for my skin tone. Areas where I have a little bit more discoloration (around my nose and mouth usually) I like to use a concealer that matches my skin tone just for that extra oomph. And now there are minis for every shade!!!

Glossier Stretch Concealer (under eyes) [0.17 oz for $18 at Glossier]: I was skeptical about this concealer, and didn't buy it until I was at the Miami pop-up and had a real chance to mess around with it. I purposefully didn't put any makeup on that day and really liked the way the shade G3 complemented my skin. It does give me that dewy look, which I personally think opens my eyes up a little bit more than usual. I love using Stretch Concealer on days when I'm wearing very little makeup (think tinted moisturizer & gloss). And the Stretch Concealer + Bubble Wrap combo? Glossier really did that. For this event, I wanted to capture that dewy-eyes-wide-open look, and I think this product really does the trick.

Makeup:

Jackie Aina x ABH Eyeshadow Palette [$45 at Sephora]: MY GIRL JACKIE SOLD OUT EVERYWHERE. I am so happy I got my hands on this palette during the sale. I don't even wear eyeshadow like that--most of my eyeshadows come from Colourpop because they're affordable and they have new palettes coming out every other freaking day. The shades are GOR-GEOUS on WOC. I've only created this two-shade look so far ("Edges" in outer corner, "Wiggalese" all over lid), but look forward to playing around with more of the shades!

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Blacquer (0.01 oz for $25 at Sephora): This is one of my holy grail eyeliners. It doesn't give me raccoon eyes when I inevitably tear up at something. It's a little on the pricier side for an eyeliner, and ELF has a pretty good dupe at a fraction of the price.

Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Panoramic Mascara* (0.4 oz for $25 at Sephora): I'm a fan of this mascara. Do I think that you need to buy it? Absolutely not. My favorite part is the wand, it's helix shaped to give you the ability to coat every single lash. I like the lengthening and volume that it adds to my lashes. I haven't had any problems with flaking or otherwise as of yet, so imma keep using it. I didn't use it on my bottom lashes with this look because I didn't want to chance any smudging during the night.

Colourpop Precision Brow Pencil in Black n Brown (0.09 grams for $5.50 at Colourpop): One of my favorite brow products of all time. The pencil is incredibly thin so it gives me the control I need for the hairlike strokes. Plus the price point??? It's gonna be a yes from me. Always.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Topaz (0.28 oz for $38 at Sephora): A holy grail highlighter for me. The highlighter that made me fall in love with highlighters. I have so many highlighters in my collection but I just naturally gravitate to this one. I stayed with my tried and true for this look, and I'm happy with how I glowed all night long.

Finish:

Laura Mercier Translucent Powder Deep (for all over the face) [1 oz for $39 at Sephora]: I look to this powder whenever I want to make sure that my makeup lasts longer than usual. It blurs, and smooths out all the imperfections with one swipe of the brush. It's no wonder this is a holy grail for so many.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (4 oz for $33 at Sephora or Ulta): I've been using this for years, and cannot live without it on the nights that I'm going to an event or going out with friends. It literally keeps my makeup in place all night. If it's the summer time, I like to swap this for UD's De-Slick Oil Control Spray which also works incredibly well. Don't know that I love a setting spray more than these two atm.

Body:

Sol Body Shimmering Dry Oil in Bronze (3 fl oz for $15)

Another Colourpop sister brand? Focused on body shimmer products? They had me wrapped around their little finger from jump. I bought Bronze and Warm Gold when they dropped, and have not looked back. They both leave such a gorgeous shimmer finish that shockingly looks natural. If you apply too much, however, it is more likely to get on your boyfriend's clothes 😅. If you apply with the accompanying Kabuki Brush ($12) it blends out gorgeously. I sprayed and brushed around my collar bone, near my cleavage, all down my arms, and my stomach as I was wearing a cutoff tank top. Plus you can't beat the price point of this gorgeous product!

*PR gifted